It was a bright day in the village of Ilandar, located in a valley surrounded by towering mountains and dense forests, bustling with activity on this enchanting morning. The wooden houses blended harmoniously with the green hills, and the central square was filled with children's laughter and adults' conversations, infused with the aroma of fresh bread and wildflowers.
Inside one of the houses, Kailin, a sixteen-year-old boy, sat by a wooden window overlooking this mesmerizing scene. His deep blue eyes absorbed every detail around him, while his dark brown hair swayed gently with the cool breeze. His face bore a mixture of contemplation and awe. Kailin was the son of the village chief, yet he had never felt that this granted him the strength he needed to protect everyone.
His mother, Lisa, called from inside the house, "Kailin, breakfast is ready!" He quietly rose and headed toward the table where his father, Elandar, sat waiting for him. His father greeted him with a warm smile and a teasing tone, saying, "Finally, the legendary boy has arrived! Did you train well yesterday?"
Kailin smiled as he took a piece of warm bread, its comforting warmth bringing him solace. "Yes, Father, I trained as you asked." Despite his smile, his eyes held questions and worries; after witnessing the village farmer who had been unable to defend himself against a monster that had recently attacked, he became acutely aware of how weak he was in this harsh world, and of his inability to protect anyone.
After breakfast, Kailin went out with his father to the village streets, surrounded by towering trees that shaded the paths, releasing the fragrant scent of pine into the air. The villagers greeted them with a hidden hope, as if they saw in Kailin a future that surpassed his humble training.
At the edge of the village, they found Kalos, the old man who spent his time wandering the outskirts of the forest, his cautious eyes scanning the surrounding trees.
Kalos said cautiously, "The monsters have become more active recently, as if they are moving differently. Something is happening in the forest, as if it doesn't want to tell us."
Elandar responded reassuringly, though concern hid in his eyes, "Kailin is training at a different level now, and as long as he is with me, the monsters won't dare to approach." He then looked at his son seriously and added, "Challenges require wisdom, Kailin, not just strength. That is what distinguishes a true leader from the rest."
Kalos smiled mysteriously and added, "Sometimes, Kailin, the path to strength is harder than it seems. Just remember: nature may grant you power, but it gives nothing without a price."
Kailin felt a mix of inspiration and anxiety after the words of the two men. "Wisdom is important," he thought, realizing that strength alone might not be enough, but he still felt an inner pressure. "Will I be strong enough?" he wondered to himself, his eyes gazing toward the forest as if it were a great challenge standing before him.
They continued their way to their usual training spot at the forest's edge, where the tree leaves swayed gently, and the sounds coming from deep within the forest carried an eerie calm.
Kailin sat beside his father under a massive tree as Elandar pulled out an ancient scroll, carefully wrapped, saying, "Now that you have reached the tenth level in body training, it is time to learn a new technique. This is the technique of breathing - the Harmony of Life. It will help you understand and absorb Tchi from nature itself."
Kailin felt awe and joy as he touched the scroll, realizing that what he was learning now was not just a technique, but a key to entering the world of refinement he had always dreamed of. He asked with a voice full of excitement and hesitation, "How do I start, Father?"
Elandar replied calmly, "Start with breathing, listen carefully. You will feel the energy flowing from the trees and the earth, and you must make your body harmonize with nature."
Kailin sat, closing his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to sense the power of nature surrounding him. This was the first time he felt like part of a larger entity, as if the air, the plants, and everything around him pulsated with life. He imagined the surrounding energy gently approaching him, as if all of nature were embracing him.
As he breathed slowly, he felt a light warmth flowing within him. He opened his eyes cautiously, as if this moment were sacred, and realized that something was changing inside him. But soon, that feeling faded, and he felt emptiness.
He turned to his father and said hesitantly, "I feel something, but it quickly disappears. Am I doing it wrong?" Elandar smiled, patience evident in his eyes: "Control takes time and patience, my son. The Harmony of Life is not just a technique, but a way of life. Remember: Tchi requires full awareness and humility; the more passionate and striving you are, the closer you get to it."
As they continued to talk, the sky began to cloud over, and the sunlight dimmed, indicating that rain might fall soon. The first drops of rain fell, causing the soil to pulse with life beneath their feet. Kailin felt that this moment was a confirmation of his coming journey, and that this day could be the true beginning of fulfilling his dreams.
Kailin looked at his father resolutely and said, "I am ready, Father. I will make Tchi a part of me, and I will protect the village with all I have." Elandar placed his hand on his son's shoulder, speaking tenderly, "And that is what I expect from you, my son."
Kailin and his father slowly returned to the village, each carrying a sense of awe from this pivotal moment. The rain fell gently, adding a tranquility and stillness to the village, as its inhabitants busied themselves preparing their homes to face the coming cold. Yet Kailin's sense of responsibility weighed heavier, as if the world itself awaited something great from him.