Aiden Lin returned to the village with thoughts swirling in his mind. The voice he had heard in the forest lingered, haunting him like a distant echo. Despite his ordinary appearance and the "E" rank etched into the emblem on his wrist, something inside him was changing. It wasn't just his strength or reflexes—there was a newfound clarity in his mind, a quiet yet unyielding resolve.
But the world around him continued as it always had. Ravenwood was a place where dreams went to die, where ambition was mocked, and mediocrity was the standard. Yet Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant for something more.
That afternoon, a commotion stirred in the village square. A caravan of travelers had arrived, their banners fluttering with the insignia of Edenspire, the capital city known for producing Arcadia's strongest warriors and mages. The leader of the group was a tall man clad in black armor, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. He was Commander Kael Renhart, a renowned B-rank warrior whose strength and charisma were the stuff of legend.
"We are recruiting!" Kael announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. "The capital needs brave souls to defend against the rising threat in the north. If you have the courage to fight for Arcadia, step forward!"
The villagers buzzed with excitement. Even those who knew they had no chance whispered to each other, imagining what it would be like to train under someone like Kael.
Aiden stood at the edge of the crowd, his heart pounding. He didn't have the strength or the rank to be a warrior, but the fire in his chest refused to be extinguished.
"You? Don't even think about it," Darius sneered, appearing behind him. "Stick to hauling crates, Aiden. Leave the real work to people like me."
Aiden clenched his fists but said nothing. He had long learned that words meant nothing without action.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aiden returned to the Whispering Woods. The Elder Tree stood silent and imposing, its glowing leaves dimmed in the twilight. He approached it cautiously, half expecting the voice to speak again.
"Why me?" he whispered to the empty air. "I'm nobody. Just an E-rank with no power, no talent..."
As if in response, the air around him grew heavier, charged with an invisible energy. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, and a faint light began to emanate from the tree's roots. Aiden stumbled back, his heart racing.
Then he heard it again—the deep, resonant voice.
"Power is not given to those who doubt their worth. It is claimed by those who rise above despair."
Aiden's breath caught in his throat. "But I'm not strong enough..."
"Strength is not measured by rank alone. You have something far greater—a will that cannot be broken. But beware: the path ahead will test you in ways you cannot imagine."
The light faded, and the forest returned to its eerie stillness. Aiden stood there for a long time, staring at the tree. For the first time in his life, he felt something other than fear or doubt. It wasn't confidence exactly, but a seed of determination taking root deep within him.
The next morning, Aiden woke before dawn. For the first time, he didn't dread the jeers or the pitying looks from the villagers. He had a purpose now, even if he didn't fully understand it yet.
He spent the day helping in the fields, moving heavy sacks and chopping wood, but he noticed something strange. Tasks that used to exhaust him now felt easier, almost natural. His body was changing, adapting to something unseen.
As the sun set, he made his way to the village training grounds—a simple dirt field with wooden dummies and rusted weapons. Most villagers only used it for sparring matches during festivals, but Aiden saw it as a place to begin.
Grabbing an old wooden sword, he faced one of the dummies.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what I can do."
His first swing was clumsy, the sword bouncing off the dummy with a dull thud. He gritted his teeth and tried again. Over and over, he swung, his hands blistering, sweat pouring down his face.
Hours passed, but Aiden didn't stop. The moon rose high above the training grounds, casting a pale light over his determined figure. His movements grew steadier, more precise. Though his strikes lacked power, there was a fluidity to them now—a rhythm born from sheer persistence.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching.
Commander Kael leaned against a nearby tree, his arms crossed as he observed the boy. He had returned to the training grounds after his meeting with the village elder, hoping for a quiet moment to himself. Instead, he found this—a low-ranked nobody pushing himself harder than anyone he had ever seen.
"What are you trying to prove, boy?" Kael muttered under his breath.
Aiden didn't notice him. He swung the sword one final time, collapsing to his knees in exhaustion. His hands were raw, his muscles screaming in protest, but a small smile played on his lips.
Kael approached, his heavy boots crunching on the dirt. "You're not going to get anywhere like that."
Aiden looked up, startled. "Commander Kael!" He scrambled to his feet, clutching the sword tightly. "I-I was just—"
Kael held up a hand, silencing him. "I saw what you were doing. You've got spirit, but spirit alone won't win you battles." He gestured to the sword. "Your form is sloppy, your strikes lack precision. You'll get yourself killed if you fight like that."
Aiden's face burned with embarrassment, but he met Kael's gaze. "I don't care. I'll get better. No matter how long it takes, I'll keep fighting."
Kael studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good. Show me you're serious, and I might consider training you."
Aiden's eyes widened. "You'd... train me?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Kael said gruffly. "You've got a long way to go. But if you can prove to me that you're worth the effort, I'll give you a chance."
Aiden nodded, determination shining in his eyes.
For the first time in his life, he felt like he was taking the first step toward something greater. Little did he know, the power within him was beginning to awaken—a power that would one day shake the very foundations of Arcadia.