The storm had passed, leaving Celestia City drenched and gloomy in the pale morning light. The streets, usually bustling with life, were still quiet as the city slowly awoke from its slumber. Jin Long stood at the edge of the orphanage courtyard, drenched from the previous night's rain. His clothes clung to his skin, torn and dirty, but his eyes burned with an intensity that refused to fade.
The events of the previous night replayed in his mind—the mysterious crystal, the strange men, and the overwhelming surge of power that had coursed through his body. It all felt like a dream, yet the faint ache in his chest told him it was real. Jin glanced down at his chest where the mark had appeared, but it was gone, leaving no trace of the symbol that had briefly illuminated his skin.
"Just a dream... it must have been," Jin muttered, shaking his head.
But deep down, he knew something had changed.
Inside the orphanage, the children were already awake, clamoring for breakfast. Jin pushed the door open and was greeted by a chorus of small voices.
"Jin-ge, did you bring us anything?" asked Xiao Mei, a tiny girl with wide eyes that sparkled with hope.
Jin smiled softly, ruffling her hair. "Not today, Mei. But don't worry, I'll get something good for us tonight."
The younger children crowded around him, their faces pale and gaunt from days of barely eating. The orphanage was overcrowded, and the caretakers did what they could, but it was never enough. Jin had taken it upon himself to provide for them, even if it meant risking his life on the streets.
As he handed out what little bread he had managed to scavenge, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Jin, in my office. Now."
Jin turned to see Elder Zhao, the orphanage's strict headmaster, standing with a scowl on his weathered face. The old man was stern but fair, and Jin respected him, even if their relationship was often strained.
With a quick nod to the children, Jin followed Elder Zhao to his cramped office. The room was cluttered with old books and scrolls, the scent of ink and parchment filling the air.
Elder Zhao closed the door behind them and turned to Jin with a frown.
"You were out again last night, weren't you?"
Jin's silence was all the confirmation the old man needed.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out there, Jin?" Elder Zhao's voice was low but firm. "The city is crawling with bandits and criminals, and the guards won't think twice about arresting a street rat like you."
Jin clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "I did what I had to do. The kids were hungry."
Elder Zhao sighed, the anger in his eyes softening to something that looked almost like pity. "I know you're trying to protect them, but you can't keep risking your life like this. You're only one person."
"One person can still make a difference," Jin shot back, his voice steady.
For a moment, the room was silent. Then, Elder Zhao leaned back, studying Jin with a curious expression.
"There's something different about you today," the old man said slowly. "Something... changed."
Jin's eyes widened, but he quickly masked his surprise. "I don't know what you're talking about."
But Elder Zhao was not convinced. "Be careful, boy. This world is full of secrets, and not all of them are meant to be uncovered."
Jin nodded, but his mind was already elsewhere. He couldn't stop thinking about the crystal, the surge of power, and the strange voice that had spoken to him in that otherworldly realm. What had he awakened? And more importantly, why?
Later that Day
The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the city as Jin made his way to the outskirts of Celestia. There was a hidden clearing in the forest where he often went to train, away from prying eyes. He needed answers, and the only way to find them was to push himself beyond his limits.
As he reached the clearing, Jin took a deep breath, his body tense with anticipation. He had always been quick and agile, able to outmaneuver others with ease, but he had never been strong. His punches lacked the power to break even a wooden board, let alone defend himself against real fighters.
But something within him had changed, and he was determined to find out what it was.
Jin closed his eyes, focusing on the strange warmth that still lingered in his chest. He took a deep breath, letting the energy flow through him like it had the night before.
At first, nothing happened. But then, slowly, he felt it—a faint spark, like a flicker of flame, igniting deep within him. His heart raced as the warmth spread through his veins, filling him with a strength he had never known.
Eyes snapping open, Jin threw a punch at the nearest tree.
CRACK!
To his shock, the thick trunk splintered, leaves and branches raining down around him. Jin stared at his hand, stunned. He had barely used any force, yet the tree had cracked under his fist like it was made of glass.
"What... what is this power?" he whispered, his mind racing.
But before he could process what had happened, a rustle in the bushes caught his attention. Jin spun around, his instincts screaming at him to run, but it was too late.
A group of rough-looking men emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice. The leader, a burly man with a jagged scar across his face, sneered at Jin.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" he growled. "A little rat, playing with powers he doesn't understand."
Jin's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't afford to show fear, not now.
"I don't want any trouble," Jin said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his throat.
The leader laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "Too late for that, boy. Hand over whatever artifact you're using, and maybe we won't break your bones."
Jin's eyes narrowed. He didn't know what they were talking about, but he wasn't about to back down. "I don't have anything. Leave now, and I won't hurt you."
The men erupted into laughter, but their amusement quickly turned to rage as Jin stood his ground.
"You've got guts, kid. But guts won't save you," the leader snarled, drawing a knife.
Jin took a deep breath, tapping into the strange energy once more. The warmth flared to life, stronger this time, coursing through his body like molten fire.
The first man lunged at him, but Jin moved with a speed that surprised even himself. He dodged to the side, delivering a swift kick to the man's ribs. The thug crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
The others hesitated, but the leader roared, "Get him!"
Jin didn't wait. He launched himself at the remaining men, his movements fluid and precise. Every punch, every kick felt effortless, like he was moving in perfect harmony with the world around him.
In a matter of minutes, the fight was over. The men lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. Jin stood over them, his chest heaving, his hands trembling.
"What... what am I?" he whispered, staring at his hands in awe.
But there were no answers, only the echo of the mysterious voice from the night before:
"Awaken, child of the forgotten flame..."
As Jin walked away from the clearing, he knew one thing for certain—he was no longer the helpless orphan he had been before.
Something had awakened within him, something powerful and terrifying. And though he didn't understand it yet, he knew he couldn't stop now.
He would keep fighting, keep pushing forward, no matter what. Because deep down, he could feel it—a spark of destiny, waiting to ignite into a blaze that would change the world.
But for now, he was still just Jin, a boy with nothing but his fists and a hidden fire burning within him.
The journey from zero to ZZZ rank had only just begun.