Chapter 3: The Hidden Power
The forest was silent, only the chirping of insects echoing under the canopy of trees. The man walked ahead, his long coat brushing against the leaves, while Kael struggled to keep pace.
The man finally turned, glaring at Kael."You don't even have power," he snapped. "And yet you walk alone in this cursed forest without any protection. Are you dumb, you idiot? Do you even know what could've happened if I wasn't there? That monster spider would've swallowed you whole."
Kael clenched his fists. "I know the risk. But that's exactly why I have to get stronger. I want to join the Legion Force… no, I need to. If I don't, I'll never change anything. That's why…" His eyes sharpened with determination. "That's why I need your help. I know you can make me strong."
The man groaned and scratched the back of his head. "Why the hell did I get stuck with a reckless brat like you…" He sighed. "Fine. I've got one option. I can try to check what kind of power lies dormant in you. If I find it, I'll train you to unlock it."
Kael's eyes widened. "Wait… you can do that? I've never heard of anything like this before."
"That's because I've never shown it to you," the man replied, his tone sharp. He gestured to the ground. "Sit. Don't argue."
Kael obeyed, sitting cross-legged on the damp forest floor. The man placed a hand on his head, closing his eyes. A faint aura flickered around his palm as he pushed his consciousness into Kael's mind.
Darkness. Endless and hollow. At first, there was nothing. Then he saw it—a small, strange black dot pulsing faintly in the void. Curious, he reached closer, trying to see it clearly.
And then—his eyes widened. His entire body shivered."What… the hell is this?"
A wave of instinctive fear rushed through him, forcing him to retreat. His consciousness snapped back into reality, and he stumbled away from Kael, his face pale.
Kael blinked. "What happened? What did you see? Tell me—what kind of power do I have? What am I going to awaken into?"
The man forced a smirk, but his eyes betrayed unease. "It's nothing special, kid. Don't get your hopes up."
Kael frowned. "Nothing special? That doesn't sound convincing."
"Didn't I already tell you?" the man cut him off, his tone firm. "Just keep training. You'll awaken when the time comes."
But inside, his thoughts screamed:
How could someone like him have that… That power. If anyone else discovered it, they'd kill him instantly without hesitation. No one must know. Not now.
He glanced at Kael again. Still… there's another path. If he learns to shape that other power inside him, he might just survive long enough to grow.
The man looked away. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we start training."
Kael's heart pounded with both doubt and anticipation. Whatever the man had seen inside him—it was no "nothing special."
And deep down, Kael knew his path was only beginning.
Chapter End