Ren's feet pounded against the ground as he raced toward the river, his thoughts a whirlwind. The Legacy of Legends had given him a gift, but he still didn't know how to wield it. Yet, with a boar threatening the crops that his village depended on, he knew he had to try.
Beside him, Taro kept pace, and just ahead, Aya was sprinting, her herbalist's satchel bouncing at her side. Despite her usual calm demeanor, her eyes were filled with worry. Ren's heart quickened at the sight of her. Aya had always been special to him—brilliant with plants and herbs, always gentle but with a fierce loyalty to her village. Even as a child, Ren had admired her determination to help others. And now, he felt that same urge rise within him, the need to protect.
When they reached the river, the sight before them was worse than he'd expected. The boar was massive, its tusks sharp and caked with dirt as it ripped through the fields, trampling young crops. Its eyes glinted with an unnatural rage, a sign that something had disturbed it. Villagers had gathered at a distance, too scared to get close, but if the beast wasn't stopped, it would ruin their harvest.
Ren took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Aya, Taro, keep back. I'll try to stop it."
Aya looked at him, her eyes wide. "Ren, what are you talking about? That thing could kill you!"
He turned to her, smiling a little to hide his own uncertainty. "Just… trust me. I have a new trick up my sleeve."
Taro gave him a pat on the back. "Go show it, Ren. I've got your back if things get rough."
Ren faced the boar, focusing his energy as he recalled the technique he'd practiced that morning. Summoning water from the nearby river, he watched as a thin stream rose, swirling around his hands. With a determined cry, he launched the water forward, striking the boar's side. The water hit with surprising force, and the boar stumbled, its furious squeals echoing across the field.
The villagers gasped, and Aya covered her mouth in shock. "Ren… how did you do that?"
"I'll explain later!" he shouted, keeping his eyes on the beast. He continued to focus, trying to keep his breathing steady as he held the water in his control. But the boar was tough; though he'd managed to stun it, it quickly recovered and charged at him, anger fueling its movements.
Just as Ren prepared to defend himself, a voice shouted from the edge of the crowd. "Ren, watch out!"
A girl dashed forward—a slender figure with flowing hair and bright eyes full of fire. Suzu, one of the mysterious newcomers to the village, slid to a halt beside him. She raised her hand, and in an instant, a burst of flame shot from her fingertips, intercepting the boar and forcing it back.
Ren blinked, surprised. "Suzu… you have powers too?"
She smirked, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Looks like you're not the only one with secrets, Ren. You're not getting all the glory here."
Working together, they managed to confuse the boar, Suzu's fire forcing it to turn while Ren's water pushed it back. After a tense few minutes, the beast finally turned and fled into the forest, leaving the fields intact.
The villagers cheered, and Ren felt a wave of relief wash over him. Suzu turned to him, her face flushed with excitement. "Not bad, farmer boy. I didn't expect you to have real skill."
He laughed, still catching his breath. "Thanks. I guess I had a bit of help." He glanced at her, a little more aware now of her sharp features and the confident spark in her eyes. She was beautiful in an untamed, dangerous sort of way.
As the crowd dispersed, Aya approached him, her eyes still filled with worry but also awe. She lightly touched his arm. "Ren… you were amazing. I didn't know you could do something like that."
He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little shy under her gaze. "It's… new. I'm still figuring it out myself. But as long as I can protect the village, I'll keep trying."
Aya's expression softened, her hand lingering on his arm. "Then… I'll be here to help you, however I can."
Suzu rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. "Great, but don't forget that I was part of this too, Ren. You're not the only one with special talents around here."
Ren looked between Aya and Suzu, feeling a strange warmth spread through him. These were the people he cared about—people he wanted to protect and grow stronger for. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he wasn't alone.
That evening, as Ren returned home, he felt a sense of purpose filling him. He had gained power through the Legacy of Legends, and with it, he'd earned the trust and admiration of his friends. But as he glanced at the ancient book in his room, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far bigger than he'd ever imagined.
Later that Night
Ren couldn't sleep. He lay on his straw mat, staring at the book, thinking of the power he'd used, of Aya's gentle touch, of Suzu's fierce grin as they'd worked together to protect the village. A smile tugged at his lips.
A quiet knock sounded at his door. He sat up, surprised. Who would visit at this hour?
He opened the door to find Aya standing there, her face faintly illuminated by the moonlight. She looked nervous, her hands clasped tightly together.
"Aya…? Is everything alright?"
She nodded, but her gaze was intense. "Ren, I… I wanted to talk to you. After today, seeing what you can do, I realized… I don't want you facing all of this alone."
Ren's heart skipped a beat. "Aya, I appreciate it, but—"
"No," she interrupted, her voice firm. "Let me finish. I want to help you, Ren, in any way I can. If the Legacy of Legends chose you, there must be a reason, and I want to be a part of that."
Ren took her hands, feeling a warmth that calmed him. "Then… let's face it together. I promise I'll do everything to protect you and everyone else."
Just then, Suzu's voice sounded from the doorway. "Am I interrupting something?"
Aya blushed and pulled her hands back, while Ren stammered, "S-Suzu! What are you doing here?"
Suzu leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "I just wanted to remind you that you're not the only one with special powers, Ren. If you're thinking of protecting the village, count me in. I might even teach you a thing or two."
Ren chuckled, shaking his head. He hadn't anticipated this, but as he looked at the two of them, he realized that he'd found an unusual but powerful team. He wasn't just a lone farmer anymore—he was someone who could make a difference, with friends who had his back.
And as he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but feel that his path was becoming clearer, and perhaps, even a bit brighter.