People often say that one shouldn't dream 'too big', but that really beats the point of it being a dream, many people consider dreaming big to be good because it helps one achieve the next best thing, "Aim for the moon and if you fail, you still land in the stars." However, for Chase, the dream of being the strongest in the world was absolute, only the strongest could end this world at war and bring along a new era. In a world nourished with supernatural energy 'Urja', a world where supernatural abilities known as 'Shakti' actually existed, in a tough world like that, Chase who was still 12 at the time and hadn't experienced the world apart from his town, for him attaining the title of the strongest, seemed achievable.
After asking the opinions of the elders around town, he learned that the first step to becoming stronger was to have a good physique. His first day started with some cardio and body-weight exercises, after the workout, he was too tired to do anything throughout the day. The weight of his dream increased by a whole lot, the 12-year-old was starting to think that it was unfeasible after one day of working out. He started to doubt himself, as to how would his body be able to function properly at the job he was about to apply for. So even though he couldn't really afford it at the time, he decided to stop the job hunt for a few days and started to get used to the workout first.
After just a few days, his body started to get used to it and he finally landed a job as a delivery man for a merchant who often donated to the facility, he had known the man his entire life and decided that there was no one he could trust more, even though the high pay for just a delivery job was a bit suspicious.
Being assigned his first job, his suspicions turned out to be true, the merchant was dealing drugs as his side business, Chase seemed hesitant at first, anyone would, but in dire need of the money, he accepted.
For the next 5 months, all Chase did was work on his body and deliver drugs, he realized how smart the merchant was by hiring him because no one would suspect a child to carry drugs, and even if he was caught, the charges for a minor with drug possession were nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Still, Chase managed to avoid getting caught, a fellow dealer told Chase that rumors were the worst thing in this business, so Chase always made sure to hide his identity while delivering.
Even though the charges of drug possession were lax, there was one thing that the government of the current emperor did not take lightly, and that was an Underground Fight Club. Clubs like these were considered illegal, to the point where, if the Empirical Crime Bureau even found you at one, just as a spectator or even as a passerby, one of your limbs would be amputated.
According to the emperor any man who claimed himself to be a fighter belonged in the army, and it was every citizen's duty to report the government of such a person. For fighters who did not want to enroll in the army, and wanted to earn money by doing what they do best, underground fight clubs were the place for them. They earned their income through bets, where even the loser would get a prize for losing, it was quite an enticing space for fighters and exactly the reason why the emperor wanted to shut them down, but even his brutal warnings couldn't stop the underground fights. The people in these fights were mostly foot soldier level, who in their right mind would choose the lowest level of pay just to die on the front lines for an emperor who only cares about his own might.
Chase often delivered to these fight clubs, these deliveries made him the most money as they were just as risky. At first, he would deliver and leave out of the venue as soon as possible, but something about the fights caught his eye. A fight where one beats the other and proves that they are the 'stronger' one, the fights were literally his first step toward his dreams. After enquiring here and there, he got to know the prizes rewarded to the winner of the fight, and the words "Fucking MONEY!" came to his mind, with this much money, he could up the installment money and pay it even faster while also growing a step closer to his dreams. It was time to see the results of 5 months of training. Chase looked into how he could book his first match, everyone he mentioned this to, laughed in his face, the thought of a 12-year-old fighting in the ring where most adults pissed their pants was outrageous to begin with, Chase however, was determined to prove them wrong, the cheeky expression on his face got an investor interested in him, the investor, an old man named Gregory known as Old man Greg wanted to test Chase's guts, so, he sponsored Chase's first fight.
Chase's first match, he got beaten to a pulp, to a near-death state. The entire audience booed as he was carried on a stretcher, he couldn't move a single finger.
When Chase woke up, he found himself in an old cellar, he tried to get up but couldn't, "What happened to all that talk boy?" asked the old man as he walked into the room. Chase's eyes met Greg, who had a smirk on his face, "You are lucky I was your sponsor, or else you would have died on your way here." he said.
"Where am I? What day is it?" asked Chase.
"You, foolish boy, are in my cellar, you have been unconscious for 3 days, you should be in somewhat decent form as I myself treated you with my Shakti," said Greg.
"Three days?! Fuck, Alice is gonna be pissed, I've got to get out of here quick." said Chase as he tried to get up hurriedly but was stopped by Greg, "Relax, the merchant you work for is an old friend of mine. I asked him to tell the lady that you've been sent to the neighboring city for a delivery, with a few companions with you, so it'll take you a few days to return."
Chase let out a sigh of relief, but everything started to pile up on him, his deliveries, his installments, his loss. Greg could sense that, "It's okay, your loss also earned us a lot of money, since it was the first time they saw a 12-year-old get into the ring, some weirdos dig that sort of thing. A month of your pay would still be less than the amount."
Shocked to hear the news and even though he was happy about the money he still couldn't shake off the loss. How could he become the strongest in the world if he lost to someone lower than a third-rate fighter?
"Guts and physique aren't the only things that will win you a fight boy, first of all, you can't fight for shit, you never really needed it did you? You were one of the lucky ones who found a shelter, there are people like you, orphans all around the world, the ones your age, way wilder than you, I have seen the way they live, and you have as well, haven't you? When you deliver in the slums, you see them every day, fighting for their lives, for them, life isn't living, it is surviving. Don't get me wrong boy, I'm not pissing on your struggles, in fact, even the wildest of them kids wouldn't dare to step in the ring, now, I don't know if you're the real thing or just stupid but get this, you will never survive in that ring unless you learn how to fight." said Greg as he got up and walked towards the stairs.
"Teach me," said Chase, and Greg halted.
"What?" replied Greg and let out a chuckle.
"Teach me, I want to pay off the fat bastard as soon as possible and after that I want my winnings to go to the facility's funds, but the most important thing, I want to grow stronger, I want to be the strongest in the world."
Looking at the expression of the boy, all he could do was smile, "Is that so? Strongest in the world, that's quite the dream you have, but why would I help a beginner-ass kid like you?" he asked.
"Well I made you a lot of money, didn't I? All I did was get beat up and lose, imagine what you'll win if this 12-year-old actually won the fight," answered Chase.
"Cheeky smart-ass. Training starts the day after tomorrow, be there at 5 in the morning, sharp. Also, no fights until I deem you worthy of entering the ring, get the fuck out of my house after having your dinner."
"So you have a Shakti, huh? Is it a healing one or is that just a part of it?" asked Chase.
"Listen to someone properly when they're talking to you brat!"