What is wrong with people? Why are they so wicked? How can a world filled with such potential be so cruel? This boy whose body I now inhabit—Kael—was bullied to death, tormented relentlessly simply because he possessed what everyone deemed the weakest power. Each act of cruelty he endured was a reminder of how dark human nature can be. I can't help but feel this is fate, and I swear on this life you've given me, I will take revenge for you, Kael. Your suffering will not be in vain.
In my past life, I faced my own share of cruelty, learning the hard way how to become a threat to those who wronged me. But Kael's torment runs far deeper, woven into the very fabric of his existence. I don't know why I've been brought here—whether it's a dream or some twist of fate—but it feels all too real. The memories I've inherited are haunting and heartbreaking. Since the day he was born, Kael has endured relentless torment, a constant target for those who thrived on the misfortune of others. The scars on his body tell a story of pain and humiliation, each one a testament to the suffering he endured. Every night, I can feel his tears soaking the pillow, his thoughts spiraling into despair, questioning why he was born into such a cruel world.
Even his own parents, those who should have loved and protected him, subjected him to ridicule, calling him a loser, a weakling. They beat him and sold him off as a child laborer at just twelve years old, robbing him of his childhood and dignity. For two long years, he suffered under the weight of their abuse, the cruelty of strangers, and the harshness of a world that found joy in his pain. Then, in a flicker of hope, an old woman found him. She took him in, offering kindness and warmth for the first time in his life. Under her care, Kael learned to smile, to trust, and finally began to experience joy. But when he turned eighteen, her passing left him more shattered than before, thrusting him back into the abyss of loneliness. Her final words, filled with love and encouragement, urged him to attend Hero Academy and prove to everyone who had wronged him that he could become as strong as the mightiest hero.
With that flickering hope still alive, Kael took her advice to heart and enrolled in the academy, longing for a fresh start. But on the very first day, as they evaluated each student's powers, he was met with mockery and disdain for possessing what they deemed the weakest ability. Humiliated, he became a target once more, bullied and pushed aside. On his way home, he was cornered by those who reveled in his suffering, and in a cruel twist of fate, they threw him off a cliff, extinguishing a life filled with unfulfilled dreams and unrelenting pain.
And now, somehow, I have been isekai'd into his body. This will be one heck of a journey, and as I stand on the precipice of his past, I feel the weight of his experiences heavy upon my shoulders. How pleasing it is to think of the revenge that awaits, how sweet it will be to reclaim his story. I will embrace the name Kael and forge my own path, but I do so not just for myself. No longer will I be the victim of others' cruelty. Instead, I will rise, harnessing the elemental powers they so foolishly dismissed, turning Kael's pain into strength. I will prove that the weakest can become the strongest, and I will make my mark on this world—not only to seek vengeance but to honor every soul like Kael, who deserved to be seen, valued, and loved.
But first, I should go home. Scratching his head and looking left and right, Kael felt a surge of frustration. Where exactly is home? Aaargh! He just got here and the overwhelming confusion gnawed at him. All he could recall was the street name, but this road felt entirely unfamiliar.
Taking a deep breath, he scanned his surroundings, searching for anyone who might help. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows on the cobblestones. With every passing moment, anxiety tightened its grip on him. He spotted a figure in the distance—an older man sitting on a bench, seemingly lost in thought.
Approaching cautiously, Kael gathered his courage. "Excuse me, sir," he called out, hoping the man would look up. "Can you help me? I'm trying to find my way home, but I don't know this road."
The man turned, his weathered face softening at Kael's plea. "Ah, you look a bit lost, young one. What street are you trying to reach?"
"I only remember the name... It's called Maple Street," Kael replied, feeling a mix of hope and desperation.
The old man nodded slowly, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ah, Maple Street! You're not too far. Just head straight down this road, take a left at the fountain, and you'll find it. It's a quiet neighborhood, but it has its charm."
Relief washed over Kael, and he felt a glimmer of gratitude for the stranger's kindness. "Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, a small smile breaking through the frustration.
As he set off in the direction the man pointed, a sense of purpose filled him. Maybe finding his way home was just the beginning of reclaiming his life—and Kael was determined to make the most of it.
He reached his home, the familiar yet eerie quiet settling around him like a heavy blanket. After taking a cool bath to refresh himself, he returned to his room. The silence reminded him too much of his past life, a hollow echo that lingered in the corners of his mind, where memories of cruelty and despair resided.
As he began his daily workout—a habit carried over from his previous existence—he couldn't help but wonder. *But I haven't died in my past life. Is this maybe a dream?* The thought gnawed at him, so he slapped himself hard across the face and shouted, "Nope! This is definitely not a dream."
The sting of reality grounded him, and as he finished his workout, he felt the agility and strength of this new body. It was effective, far more capable than he had anticipated. Kael could feel a surge of confidence rising within him, accompanied by a flicker of something deeper—a power waiting to be unleashed.
That night, he stepped outside, the moon casting a silvery glow over everything, illuminating the world with an otherworldly light. The quiet of the night enveloped him, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. He recalled the forest where he often trained—a place that had been both a sanctuary and a source of frustration. It was where he learned to create small flames, flames that everyone dismissed as weak, barely enough to light a piece of paper.
But as he stood beneath the vast night sky, something shifted within him. What if the power everyone deemed insignificant was, in fact, something much greater? What if the one known as the weakest could harness a strength that others couldn't even comprehend?
His imagination soared, envisioning himself standing in the heart of the forest, surrounded by towering trees that whispered ancient secrets. In his mind, he saw himself commanding a blaze that danced to his will, flames swirling around him like a living entity, fueled by his determination and passion. *What if I could create fire that could engulf my enemies? What if I could turn my weakness into an unstoppable force?*
Determined, he set off toward the forest, the familiar path guiding him as if by instinct. The darkness felt alive, filled with potential, and as he walked, the shadows danced around him, teasing him with the promise of discovery. Each step was a blend of fear and excitement, the thrill of venturing into the unknown igniting his spirit.
Upon reaching the edge of the forest, Kael paused, inhaling the cool, crisp air. It felt charged with possibility, as if the very trees were alive with the energy of his dreams. He stepped forward, ready to explore the depths of his abilities. This time, he would not merely accept the limitations placed upon him. Instead, he would embrace the truth: that even the one known as the weakest could rise to become the strongest.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, a fire ignited within him—one fueled not just by the desire for revenge, but by the need to prove that true power lies not in strength alone, but in the heart of the one who wields it. With every step, he imagined a future where he could command the elements, bending them to his will, where his so-called weakness would become his greatest strength.
And in that moment, as the moonlight filtered through the trees, he felt the first stirrings of true potential—a flicker of flame in the depths of his soul, waiting to blaze into life.