Kai walked up to the massive fortress gate, where two guards stood watch.
"Where do you think you're going, kid? It's dangerous out there…"
Kai replied with a tone that betrayed no fear.
"It's fine. My brother is the Chosen One. I won't be in any danger."
The two guards whispered to each other while keeping an eye on him.
"Oh… I see. My apologies. So, you're one of those with special powers. Please, go ahead. I'm sorry, we usually don't let ordinary people go outside unless they are accompanied by a Chosen One. Here, take this short blade with you—you might need it."
Kai accepted the dagger and replied, "It's okay. My brother will only be gone a short while… I'll be back soon." With that, he ran out of the fortress.
As Kai ran further, he encountered strange trees, unusual flowers, and bizarre creatures. Suddenly, a massive black bear with razor-sharp claws charged at him as if he were prey.
Kai's face turned pale with fear, his limbs trembling, unable to move.
"Why… why can't I move? I have to run… otherwise, we're dead!"
The black bear lunged, slamming into Kai and sending him flying. Blood oozed from a deep claw mark across his torso.
Kai struggled to stand, his clothes torn to shreds, his face full of despair, voice quivering.
"Are we… going to die?"
He gripped the dagger, a strange sensation washing over him.
"Huh… why am I seeing things… again?"
The black bear charged once more, ready to end him.
Kai instinctively raised the dagger above his head and leapt, plunging it into the bear's neck. He rolled away and ran.
The bear, enraged, chased after him, claws slashing through the air.
In Kai's mind, a voice whispered: "Deal with it." The vision blurred and flickered, like the time before he began his journey. Kai felt a surge of strength.
He struck back at the bear. Thwack!
The black bear was sent flying, collapsing to the ground, completely still.
"Wh-what… just happened? I had that much strength? And… the wound… it's healed? Why?" Kai's face showed utter confusion.
Anthea, who had been observing, floated down and spoke gently.
"That's what you desired. Remember this feeling. But what you did was only an enhancement of physical strength, like what Mas can do—it's your brain tricking your body into believing you have immense power. It's not yet a true ability beyond explanation."
Kai asked, "Then… what will my true power be?"
Anthea replied, "When the time comes, you'll discover it yourself. Just as I gained my power by observing ordinary people, which gave me the ability to influence others' minds, and received the Heavenly Sight as a reward for my past good deeds."
Anthea thought quietly to herself, Why did his power awaken so quickly? And that rapid healing… isn't that unusual?
She then spoke softly and politely, "It's time to return. It seems you've begun learning and using your power as needed."
Kai smiled, a sense of accomplishment in his expression.
"Yes, Teacher. I'm on my way back."