In a world where the stars decided the fate of every individual, where power and rank determined a person's worth, there existed a place known as Arcadia—a vast realm where strength ruled supreme. Here, everyone was born with a visible rank that reflected their potential. From the weakest "F" rank to the nearly legendary "S" rank, one's place in the world was set from birth. Those who dared to dream higher were met with laughter, as no one had ever broken past their designated fate.
But hidden among these ranks was a secret, a rank that was only spoken of in myths and legends—the mysterious ZZZ rank. It was believed that anyone who possessed such power could rival the gods themselves. Yet, no one had ever seen it, let alone reached it. It was a whisper, a fable, something parents told their children to inspire greatness. Little did the world know, a young boy, born with nothing, was destined to change everything.
The town of Ravenwood was a small, secluded village nestled in the shadow of the Azure Mountains. It was a quiet place, far removed from the bustling cities where warriors and mages trained to become legends. It was here that our story begins, not with a hero born under a shining star, but with a boy who appeared utterly ordinary.
Aiden Lin was a boy of seventeen years, with a gentle heart and a quiet demeanor. His dark hair fell in unruly waves over his bright, curious eyes, and he was known to help anyone who needed it. Despite his kindness, Aiden was seen as weak—a mere "E" rank with no real talent for magic or combat. He was often teased by the other villagers, who took pride in their superior ranks.
"Aiden, come help me with this load, will you?" an old merchant called out.
"Of course, sir!" Aiden replied, always eager to lend a hand. But as he approached to lift the heavy sacks, a group of boys his age—marked with proud "C" and "B" rank emblems—jeered at him.
"Careful, Aiden! You might break a bone!" one of them mocked.
Aiden simply smiled, unfazed by their taunts. He had grown used to the insults and scorn that came his way. But deep inside, a fire burned within him, one that no one could see. It was a silent resolve, a desire to prove that strength was not just measured by ranks and power. He knew there was more to life than what met the eye, but he had no idea just how much more he was capable of.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Aiden made his way to the Whispering Woods—a forbidden forest where few dared to tread. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the harshness of the world, even if only for a little while. He sat under the ancient Elder Tree, its massive roots twisting like the veins of the earth itself.
"I wish... I could be stronger," he whispered to the winds that danced through the leaves above. "I don't want to be just an 'E' rank forever."
Unknown to him, the forest had long been a place of ancient magic, and his words were not carried away by the wind but absorbed into the very essence of the land. The tree, which had stood there for centuries, responded in a way it hadn't done in ages. Its leaves glowed faintly, a soft, ethereal light that enveloped Aiden without his notice.
Suddenly, he felt a strange warmth flow through his body, a sensation he had never felt before. It was as if the air itself was alive, pulsating with energy. But before he could comprehend what was happening, a deep voice echoed in his mind—a voice that carried the weight of countless years.
"You have been chosen..."
Aiden jumped to his feet, heart pounding. "Who's there?" he called out, spinning around, but all he saw was the stillness of the forest.
"You possess a power beyond your understanding, a gift hidden within the depths of your soul. But be warned, young one, for the journey ahead is fraught with peril..."
Aiden felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at his hands, expecting to see something—anything—but there was nothing out of the ordinary. He shook his head, trying to convince himself it was just his imagination. But deep down, something had awakened inside him, something that refused to be ignored.
The next morning, life returned to normal, or so it seemed. Aiden went about his day, helping the villagers and ignoring the sneers from his peers. But as he went about his tasks, he began to notice subtle changes. He could lift things with ease that used to strain him, his reflexes were sharper, and he even managed to dodge a falling crate that would have crushed his foot.
"How did I...?" he muttered, staring at the crate in disbelief.
Rumors spread quickly through the village. "Did you hear? Aiden caught a falling crate mid-air! Maybe he's not as weak as we thought," whispered the villagers.
But the other boys, especially Darius, the leader of the bullies, refused to believe it. "It's just a fluke," Darius scoffed. "He's still just an 'E' rank nobody."
Little did they know, this was only the beginning. Aiden's journey from zero to legend had begun, and the world was about to witness the rise of a hero they never expected—a boy who would go from an unknown "E" rank to the mythical "ZZZ" rank, shaking the very foundations of Arcadia itself.
But for now, Aiden was just a boy, unaware of the extraordinary power that lay dormant within him, a power that not even the gods could foresee.
To Be Continued...