LONG AGO, HUMANS WERE THE GREATEST SPECIES OF ALL KIND, BUT OVER THE PAST FEW CENTURIES, A FEW OTHER RACES HAVE STARTED TO TAKE OVER. IN THE WORLD OF AJIN, THERE ARE THREE CONTINENTS, EACH KNOWN FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE RACE. ADAPTLER IS THE CONTINENT RUN BY HUMANS BECAUSE OF THEIR GREAT ABILITY TO ADAPT TO HARSH SITUATIONS. ALTHOUGH IT'S A HUMAN CONTINENT, IT IS ALSO HOME TO DWARVES AND MANY OTHER HUMANOID BEINGS. THEN YOU HAVE THE KINGDOM OF ELDTRICH, LAND OF THE ELVES. ELVES HAVE A DEEP PRIDE FOR THEIR MASTERY IN NATURAL MAGIC. AND THE FINAL KINGDOM, NECROCHAND, IS KNOWN FOR BEING THE LAND OF THE DEMONS AND UNDEAD. I WAS BORN IN THE KINGDOM OF ADAPTLER. MY PARENTS ARE THE LOCAL FARMERS IN THE VILLAGE WE LIVE IN, AND I'M THE YOUNGEST OF THREE BROTHERS. MY OLDER TWO BROTHERS WENT TO THE ACADEMY OF WINDSIL, AN ACADEMY KNOWN TO THE RICH AS THE TREE OF ROTTEN FRUIT, AS THE SCHOOL IS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. THE MAJORITY OF KIDS THAT GO THERE CANNOT FOSTER THEIR FULL TALENT, SO THEY ARE KNOWN AS ROTTEN FRUIT. MY NAME IS SHEN, I'M 8 YEARS OLD, AND I GO TO THE ACADEMY NEXT YEAR FOR STANDARD KNIGHT TRAINING. IN THE HUMAN CONTINENT, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BE A KNIGHT FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS DUE TO THE CONSTANT POSSIBILITY OF A WAR BETWEEN THE CONTINENTS. THE BOW I WAS GIFTED BY A TRAVELING MERCHANT IS MY MOST PRIZED POSSESSION. ALTHOUGH IT'S JUST A STANDARD WOOD BOW, IT HAS SAVED MY LIFE MANY TIMES AND BROUGHT FOOD TO THE TABLE MOST NIGHTS. WE TEND TO EAT BOAR MEAT WITH A SIDE OF POTATOES AND CARROTS, AS IT'S THE MOST COMMON AND CHEAPEST THING AVAILABLE TO US. WE SELL ALL THE OTHER CROPS AS OUR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME.
CHAPTER ONE: THE BEGINNING
I wonder when Mother is gonna come visit us again. It's been a week since she left to meet my brothers in the academy. Anyways, I better go hunting before it gets too late. I wonder what I'll find today. Hopefully, it's something other than a boar. I'm kinda getting tired of boar meat. Maybe I should go bow fishing instead, but I might lose my only arrow, so never mind. I guess boar it is. I wonder if I'll be able to hunt an elk. I heard from Father they taste great, but the only downside is one pound of elk meat costs 3 gold due to its rarity and agility, making it tough to hunt. Alright, let's get going.
10 minutes pass
Alright, I'm finally here. Now I just need to wait for something to show up. Wait, I think I hear a noise. I can't really recognize it. What is it exactly?
Leaves crunch
Wha-wha-whattt is that beast?! I need to get outta here now!
"Stop, foolish human. Stay where you are."
What?! Why can't I move my body at all? And did that thing just talk?!
"I want to strike a deal with you, mortal."
Okay, okay, just please let me live.
"We shall undergo a human-beast bonding pact. I'll let you use all of my power, and in return, you take me to your king so I can claim his life."
No, never! You will never use me to kill the Great King. I refuse!
"Then I have no choice but to kill you now, foolish mortal."
Slash
Argh! Whatever, even if you do kill me here, people will notice I'm gone and hunt you. Mark my words.
"Haha… wait, what's going on? I didn't use any magical energy, but I can feel it being drained rapidly. What have you done to me, mortal?"
I don't kn-
Goes unconscious
"Noooo, it can't be! This mortal can't possess the power to absorb my power! I am Balos, the Great God of Destruction! For a mere mortal to absorb my power is absurd. Someone else must be here. Maybe Elise, the Goddess of Creation. She's the only one with enough power to do this, but… I don't feel any of her power here at all. I don't know how much longer I can hold on like this. I need to…"
Unconscious
9 hours pass, and a search party is looking for Shen
"Where could he have gone? It's been 9 hours. Do you think the wolves might've gotten to him first?"
"No, that just sounds ridiculous. Wait, is that Shen? Shen! Is that you?"
Huh… what's going on? I thought I was dead.
"Shen, you've been gone for 9 hours."
…What's going on? Where's my bow?
"Your bow was nowhere to be found. I'm sorry, son."
No, it can't be! Y'all need to get outta here! There's a beast in here. We need to leave right now! I don't care about the damn bow! Our lives are more important! Come on, or I'ma bleed out!
"What do you mean, Shen? You're not injured at all."
What? But I'm sure that beast cut right through me.
"We need to get you home. You must be tired or something. Alright, guys, we found Shen. Let's get home."
"XC. Hello, Shen. My name is XC. I'll be your guide to becoming the ruler of all 29 dimensions and 5000 planets. But first, you need to learn how to control your magical energy. Your time limit for this quest is 4 years, and the reward will be one spirit egg. I wish you luck on your adventures. Byeee!"
Huh? What was that? Did y'all hear that?
"Shen, you really need to take a rest. You're hearing things. Don't worry. We're here to protect you now, child."
Yeah, you're right. I'm just gonna take a quick rest. I'm sorry I couldn't catch anything, Father.
"Don't worry about that until we get you a new bow. Until then, rest up."
Alright, make sure to wake me up when we get home. I gotta study for the entrance exam.
"Okay, son. Goodnight."
Shen sat at the table, trying to force down his breakfast. His mind kept drifting back to what had happened yesterday. The beast's power had flowed into him, and now something was different. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was no longer the same person.
His father, sitting across from him, studied him carefully. "Shen, what's going on?" he asked quietly. "You've been distant. Not yourself."
Shen looked up, meeting his father's eyes. He didn't have an answer. He didn't know how to explain what had happened or how to even begin to process it. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "Something's changed."
His father's brow furrowed, but he didn't press further. The silence stretched between them for a moment. Then, with a sigh, his father stood and walked to the door. "If you need anything, I'll be in the fields. You should get some rest."
Shen nodded but didn't move. Rest wasn't going to help him. He felt like there was a storm inside him, one he couldn't control. And he needed to understand why.
Later that day, Shen left the house and walked to the nearby forest. The trees were dense, blocking most of the light. It was a place he used to visit as a child, a quiet place where he could think. But today, it felt different. As he walked deeper, a voice filled his mind.
"Shen."
The voice was unmistakable, but it wasn't from anyone nearby. It was inside his head. He froze, trying to understand what was happening.
"Who's there?" Shen asked aloud, looking around, but there was no one.
"I am XC," the voice responded. "I've been sent to guide you."
Shen's heart raced. "Guide me? For what?"
"You've absorbed the power of Balos, the God of Destruction," XC explained. "That power is yours now. But if you don't learn to control it, it will consume you."
Shen shook his head, frustration building. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't want any of it."
"You have no choice now," XC said calmly. "You must learn to control the power. It's part of you."
Shen felt a wave of anger. "I don't care! I never wanted anything like this!"
There was silence in his mind for a moment. Then XC spoke again, its tone gentler. "I understand. But ignoring it won't make it go away. You need to face it."
Shen clenched his fists, torn between anger and fear. He didn't want to be part of something so dangerous. But the more he resisted, the stronger the feeling of that power inside him grew.
"You will have to train," XC continued. "The power within you is vast, but it's wild. If you can't tame it, you'll lose control. And when that happens, no one will be safe."
Shen didn't respond immediately. He was trying to process everything. The anger was still there, but now there was something else—an understanding, a reluctant acceptance.
"I don't know if I can do this," Shen admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if I fail? What if I hurt someone?"
XC's response was simple: "Then you'll learn, Shen. You'll grow. And you'll understand what it means to control this power."
Shen closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. It was too much. But he knew he didn't have a choice. The power was already inside him, and it wouldn't leave.
When he opened his eyes again, the orb was gone. Shen stood in the forest for a long moment, trying to calm his thoughts. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on him, but now there was a part of him that felt the need to take action, to take control.
His father had always told him that life was about facing challenges head-on. Shen had never imagined this would be the kind of challenge he'd face, but he knew one thing for sure: there was no going back.
As he walked back home, he made a decision. He would train. He didn't know how, or even where to start, but he couldn't keep ignoring what was happening to him.
And if this power was part of him now, he would learn to use it.
Shen's world felt both small and enormous as he prepared for the journey ahead. The forest, once a place of comfort, now felt alien to him. His thoughts were clouded, unsure of what to do next, but there was one thing he knew for sure—he couldn't ignore the power inside him anymore.
His father's words echoed in his mind as he trudged through the village, headed for the local blacksmith's shop. "You need to be strong," his father had always said. But what did that mean now? Strength wasn't just about fighting—it was about control, survival, and now, mastering this strange, destructive power.
As Shen arrived at the blacksmith's, the heat of the forge seemed to suffocate him. The air was thick with the scent of burning metal and the rhythmic pounding of the hammer on the anvil. Shen walked up to the blacksmith, an older man with a gruff demeanor.
"Shen, what brings you here?" The blacksmith wiped the sweat from his brow, raising an eyebrow at the boy standing before him.
"I need to talk to you," Shen said, his voice firm. "I need to train. I can't do this alone."
The blacksmith's eyes narrowed. He had always seen Shen as a boy with potential, but this was different. He'd heard rumors of the strange events surrounding Shen's disappearance, and the tension that hung around him now seemed impossible to ignore.
"Train? You mean you want to learn to fight?" the blacksmith asked, skeptical.
Shen nodded. "I need to be strong. I need to control… what's inside me." He hesitated, realizing how strange that sounded. But the blacksmith's expression didn't change.
The blacksmith set down his hammer, taking a deep breath. "Alright. I'll train you, but it won't be easy. You're going to have to work harder than you ever have before. It's not just about swinging a sword or wielding a bow. It's about understanding yourself. If you don't, you'll never master the power inside you."
Shen's eyes hardened. "I'm ready."
The blacksmith nodded and motioned for Shen to follow him. They went outside to the training yard where the blacksmith usually worked with the local militia. The area was empty, save for a few practice dummies.
"Let's start with the basics," the blacksmith said, handing Shen a simple wooden sword. "You're not going to learn how to control anything if you don't know how to control yourself."
Shen took the sword and held it awkwardly, unsure of where to start.
"Don't think of it as a weapon," the blacksmith instructed. "Think of it as an extension of yourself. Your body, your mind, your strength—they all have to come together. Now, I want you to focus. Close your eyes."
Shen did as he was told, feeling the weight of the sword in his hands. He could still feel the remnants of Balos' power lurking inside him, just beneath the surface. It wasn't just raw power—it was destructive, chaotic, and it demanded to be released. He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to feel it. But it was there, pressing against his mind.
"Focus," the blacksmith said. "Don't let it control you. You control it."
Shen's grip tightened on the sword. He focused on the feel of the wood, on his own breath. He had to center himself. If he didn't, everything would spiral out of control. Slowly, he began to quiet the noise in his mind, focusing on the task at hand.
Minutes passed, and Shen's arms began to ache. His mind started to wander, but he pushed it back. Focus. Control. He could feel a subtle shift within him, like a piece of the puzzle clicking into place. The power wasn't overwhelming him. For once, he was the one in control.
When he opened his eyes, the blacksmith was watching him with a sharp gaze. "Good," the blacksmith muttered. "Now, do it again."
Shen repeated the exercise, this time with more confidence. His grip on the sword felt firmer, more natural. The power inside him was still there, but it no longer felt like a threat. For the first time in days, he felt a sliver of hope. Maybe this wasn't as impossible as he'd thought.
The sun had set by the time Shen finally dropped the sword, exhaustion creeping into his limbs. The blacksmith nodded in approval.
"You're getting the hang of it," the blacksmith said, wiping his hands on his apron. "But don't get cocky. This was just the beginning. You still have a long way to go."
Shen stood still, breathing heavily. His muscles burned from the exertion, but it was a good kind of pain. It reminded him that he was alive, that he was fighting to change his fate.
"I won't stop," Shen said, his voice steady. "I'll do whatever it takes to control this power."
The blacksmith nodded again, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good. Keep that determination. You'll need it."
The days following his first training session felt like an endless blur. Shen's body ached in places he never knew existed, but the pain was a reminder that he was making progress. Each day, he spent hours with the blacksmith, learning how to control his body, his movements, and, most importantly, the strange power that surged through him.
But despite his growing strength, Shen knew that something was missing. The power he had absorbed from Balos, the god of destruction, still lingered within him, a constant, gnawing presence. It wasn't just about wielding a sword or a bow—it was about understanding the very nature of that power, and what it could mean for his future.
One morning, as Shen was finishing his usual training, a figure appeared at the edge of the village. At first, he thought it was just another traveler passing through, but there was something different about this person. The way they moved, the confident air about them—it was like they were meant to be here.
"Shen, is it?" the figure called out, their voice sharp and commanding. Shen turned to face them, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword.
"Who are you?" Shen asked, his voice wary. The figure stepped closer, their features coming into view—a tall, slender woman with long, silver hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a dark cloak that billowed in the wind, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance.
"My name is Elyra," the woman said, her voice smooth and calculated. "I've been sent by someone who is... very interested in you."
Shen's grip tightened on the sword. He didn't trust this woman, not for a second. There was something unsettling about her presence, as if she was not entirely human. But at the same time, there was something strangely familiar about her. It was as if her energy resonated with his own.
"What do you want?" Shen asked, taking a step back, his eyes scanning her for any sign of a threat.
Elyra smiled, but it wasn't a comforting smile—it was cold, like she was toying with him. "I want to offer you an opportunity," she said, her gaze never leaving his. "The power you carry inside you is not something to be taken lightly. You're not just a boy from a small village anymore. You're someone who could change the world."
Shen felt a chill run down his spine. The words she spoke weren't just empty flattery. They held weight, and the gravity of her statement made him question everything he thought he knew about himself.
"I don't need your help," Shen said, his voice hardening. "I've already made my choice."
Elyra tilted her head, unfazed by his defiance. "You misunderstand, Shen. This isn't about what you want. This is about what's already happening to you. Whether you accept it or not, your destiny has been set in motion. And there are those who would use your power for their own ends. I'm offering you a chance to control that power before it controls you."
Shen was silent for a long moment, weighing her words. He wasn't sure if he trusted her, but something about the way she spoke made him feel... conflicted. She wasn't wrong—he had felt the pull of the power inside him, the desire to unleash it, to see what it could do. But that was dangerous. He had seen what it had done to Balos, and the thought of losing control terrified him.
"What are you offering me?" Shen asked cautiously, his guard still up.
Elyra's smile widened, and for the first time, it felt like she was letting him in on a secret. "A chance to learn, Shen. A chance to master your power, to harness it for something greater. There are people, organizations, who would kill to get their hands on you. I can protect you. I can teach you. But only if you come with me."
Shen hesitated. His mind raced. On the one hand, Elyra's words made sense. If he stayed here, in his small village, he would be a target. The power inside him would draw attention, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that. But on the other hand, Elyra was offering something he wasn't sure he could trust. She seemed too calm, too controlled, and that made him wary.
"I don't know," Shen muttered, looking away. "I don't even know what I'm doing half the time."
"You don't have to know everything," Elyra said, her voice softening for the first time. "You just have to take the first step. The rest will come with time."
Shen looked back at her, uncertainty still clouding his thoughts. The blacksmith's training had been hard, but it had felt like the right path. This, though... this was something else. A chance to learn, to grow stronger—but at what cost?
Finally, Shen made up his mind. "I'll come with you," he said, his voice steady. "But I'm doing this on my terms. I won't just be anyone's pawn."
Elyra's smile returned, more genuine this time. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
With that, she turned and gestured for Shen to follow. Without a word, he walked behind her, feeling a strange mixture of anticipation and dread. This was just the beginning, he knew that. But where it would lead, he couldn't say.
As they walked, Shen's thoughts turned to his family. He would have to leave them behind. His father, his mother—would they understand? Would they accept this choice? He didn't know. But he couldn't stay in the village, not with the power he now carried. Not when there was so much more to learn, to discover.
Elyra glanced back at him, sensing his hesitation. "You're worried about your family," she said, as if reading his mind.
Shen didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure how to explain it. "I don't want to leave them behind," he said quietly. "But I can't ignore what's happening to me."
Elyra nodded, her expression unreadable. "You don't have to cut ties with them forever. But you have to be prepared for what's coming. This world is changing, Shen. The continents are on the brink of war, and your power will be a key factor in how things unfold."
Shen's heart sank. War? His mind couldn't even grasp the idea of something that big, something that dangerous. But Elyra's tone left no room for doubt. Whatever was coming, it was inevitable.
And Shen was going to be a part of it.
Shen's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts as he walked behind Elyra. The weight of his decision seemed to grow heavier with each step. He had never left the village before, never even traveled beyond the familiar forest. But now, with Elyra leading him into the unknown, the world felt vast and unpredictable.
They moved quickly, covering several miles over the course of the next few days. Elyra didn't offer much conversation, but Shen didn't mind. His mind was consumed with the turmoil of leaving his family behind and the uncertainty of what awaited him. His thoughts often returned to the words she had spoken—the power he had absorbed from Balos, the god of destruction, and the responsibility that now seemed to be his to bear.
It wasn't long before the forest began to thin, giving way to a wide, open plain. Shen couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight before him. In the distance, he saw a large fortress looming against the horizon—massive walls, towering spires, and guards patrolling the gates. It was unlike anything he had ever seen in his village.
"That's where we're headed," Elyra said, breaking the silence. "The Academy of Arcanum. It's where you'll begin your training."
Shen glanced at her, still trying to wrap his mind around everything. An academy? He had never imagined himself attending something like that. The village had always been his world, small and simple. But now, it seemed like a different life altogether.
"What's the academy like?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"It's a place for those with potential," Elyra replied, her eyes focused ahead. "A place where you can learn to harness your magic and understand the powers inside you. You'll be tested, of course, like everyone else. But I have no doubt you'll succeed."
Shen's heart pounded. Tested? What did she mean by that? He wasn't sure he was ready for whatever challenge awaited him, but he knew he didn't have much of a choice. His power was growing—he could feel it pulsing inside him, a constant, nagging presence. It was a reminder that his life would never be the same again.
As they drew closer to the academy, the air seemed to shift. The atmosphere grew heavier, more oppressive, as if the very ground beneath them was alive with energy. Guards at the entrance of the fortress watched them closely as they approached. Shen couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease, but Elyra moved confidently forward, and he had no choice but to follow.
Once inside, Shen was struck by the sheer size of the academy. The halls were lined with towering bookshelves, each filled with tomes and scrolls of ancient knowledge. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and powerful symbols. The place felt ancient, as if it had stood for centuries.
"This is where your training begins," Elyra said, her tone serious. "You'll learn to control your magic here, and you'll face challenges that will push you to your limits. But remember this—you are not alone. There are others here who will help you."
Shen nodded, though he still didn't fully understand what he was getting into. He had trained with the blacksmith in the village, but this—this was something completely different. He wasn't sure if he was ready for it.
As they moved deeper into the academy, they reached a large open courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stood a group of students, all gathered in a circle. Some of them looked like they were in their teens, others were older, but all of them seemed focused and intense. Elyra motioned for Shen to step forward.
"This is your first test," she said, her voice low. "These students are here to assess your potential. You will face them in a trial of strength and magic. Show them what you're capable of."
Shen felt a knot tighten in his stomach. A trial? He wasn't ready for this. His training in the village had been limited to basic survival skills and swordplay. He had never faced anyone with real power, let alone someone who had been trained in magic.
The students in the circle parted to make room for him. Their eyes were full of curiosity, and Shen could feel their scrutiny. It was clear they were all waiting for him to make the first move. But Shen hesitated. What was he supposed to do? He didn't even know how to control his own power, let alone use it in a fight.
Elyra's voice cut through his thoughts. "You have the power within you, Shen. Trust yourself."
Shen took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He had no choice now—he had to fight. He stepped forward, drawing his sword from its sheath. The blade felt unfamiliar in his hand, but it was the only weapon he had.
One of the students, a tall boy with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward to face him. "Let's see what you've got," the boy said, his tone confident but not hostile.
Shen's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but he knew he had to at least try. The boy charged at him with surprising speed, and Shen barely managed to block the strike. The force of the blow knocked him back, but he quickly regained his footing. The boy smirked.
"You're quick," the boy said, circling around him. "But you'll need more than speed to win this."
Shen didn't have time to process the boy's words. He had to act. As the boy lunged again, Shen raised his sword to block, but at the last moment, something within him stirred. The power he had absorbed from Balos surged through him, and without thinking, Shen reached out with his other hand. To his surprise, a burst of energy shot from his palm, sending the boy flying backward.
The students gasped in unison. Shen's eyes widened in shock. What had just happened? He hadn't meant to do that. The energy inside him had taken control, and he didn't know how to stop it.
The boy got to his feet, clearly shaken but not hurt. "Impressive," he said, his tone filled with respect. "But don't get cocky."
Shen didn't have time to respond. The next moment, another student, a girl with long red hair, attacked him from behind. This time, Shen was ready. He raised his sword and swung at her, but just as the blade was about to connect, something strange happened. The energy inside him flared again, and the sword turned into a mass of dark, crackling power.
He didn't know how to control it. It felt wild, untamed. The power surged out of his hands, and the girl was sent flying across the courtyard, landing hard on the stone floor.
The courtyard fell silent. The students watched him with a mix of awe and fear. Shen stood there, his heart racing, unsure of what had just happened.
Elyra stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You've passed the test, Shen," she said quietly. "But this is just the beginning. You have much to learn, and your power is more dangerous than you realize."
Shen nodded, feeling the weight of her words. This wasn't just about strength. It was about control. And right now, he had none.