The morning after his duel with Toran, Aiden woke with his body aching like never before. Every muscle screamed in protest, yet there was an odd satisfaction in the pain. He had stood against a C-rank and, while he hadn't won, he hadn't fallen either.
The villagers now looked at him differently. Where there had once been disdain and mockery, there was now curiosity and a hint of respect.
But Aiden didn't care about their approval. He cared only about getting stronger.
A Glimpse of the Unknown
As Aiden prepared to return to the training grounds, Kael approached him.
"You did well yesterday," the commander said gruffly. "Better than I expected. But don't let it get to your head. One lucky fight doesn't make you a warrior."
Aiden nodded. "I know. That's why I'm going to keep training."
Kael smirked. "Good. Because I've got something planned for you."
The commander led Aiden out of the village and into the forest, further than Aiden had ever ventured. They arrived at a narrow canyon with jagged cliffs and rushing winds that howled through the crevices.
"This is the Wailing Ravine," Kael explained. "A natural training ground for those who want to sharpen their skills. The winds here will test your balance, and the unstable terrain will force you to adapt quickly. Survive a day here, and you'll be stronger for it."
"Survive?" Aiden echoed, his brow furrowing.
Kael chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll be watching. Now go."
Aiden hesitated only for a moment before stepping into the ravine. The winds hit him immediately, nearly knocking him off his feet. He gritted his teeth and pressed on, navigating the uneven ground with careful steps.
Hours passed, and Aiden's progress was slow but steady. He slipped and stumbled countless times, but each fall only hardened his resolve. He began to notice patterns in the wind, timing his movements to avoid the strongest gusts.
As he climbed a particularly steep slope, he heard a low growl behind him. Turning, he saw a Shadow Lynx, its sleek, black fur blending seamlessly with the shadows. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto him, and it crouched, ready to pounce.
Aiden's heart raced. He had no weapon but the wooden sword strapped to his back.
The lynx lunged.
Aiden ducked, narrowly avoiding its claws, and swung his sword. The blow connected, but it was weak, only angering the beast. The lynx circled him, its movements fluid and predatory.
Aiden took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He remembered Kael's words: "Precision over power. Stay grounded."
The lynx attacked again, and this time, Aiden stepped into its path, using the momentum of its charge to land a solid strike on its side. The beast yowled in pain and retreated, vanishing into the shadows.
Aiden sank to his knees, his chest heaving. He had won—not because of strength, but because he had kept his focus.
Whispers in the Wind
As night fell, Aiden found a small cave to shelter in. He sat by a flickering fire, his mind replaying the events of the day.
For a moment, he allowed himself to relax. But then he heard it—a faint whisper, carried by the wind.
"You are beginning to awaken."
Aiden froze. "Who's there?"
There was no response, only the sound of the wind.
He shook his head, trying to dismiss it as exhaustion. But deep down, he knew there was something more.
A Test of Resolve
The next morning, Kael found Aiden at the edge of the ravine, bruised and battered but alive.
"You made it," the commander said, a note of approval in his voice. "Not bad for your first time."
Aiden smiled faintly. "It wasn't easy."
"It's not supposed to be," Kael replied. "Strength is forged in hardship. Remember that."
As they walked back to the village, Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that his time in the ravine had unlocked something within him—something he couldn't yet understand.
The Awakening
That night, Aiden returned to the Whispering Woods. He stood before the Elder Tree, its glowing leaves casting a soft light over the clearing.
"I don't know what's happening to me," he said aloud. "But I want to find out. I want to know why I feel... different."
As if in response, the tree's light grew brighter, and the ground beneath Aiden's feet began to hum with energy.
He felt a surge of warmth in his chest, spreading through his body like fire. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he saw flashes of something—memories that weren't his own, glimpses of a power beyond comprehension.
When the vision faded, Aiden fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
Whatever had just happened, it was only the beginning.
A New Path
The next day, Aiden resumed his training with renewed determination. He didn't understand the power stirring within him, but he knew it was there, waiting to be discovered.
Kael noticed the change in him. "You've got a fire in your eyes I haven't seen before," he said. "Good. You'll need it for what's coming."
"What's coming?" Aiden asked.
Kael's expression darkened. "The world isn't as peaceful as it seems. And if you want to survive, you'll need to be stronger than you ever thought possible."
Aiden nodded, his resolve unshaken.
He didn't know it yet, but the journey ahead would test him in ways he couldn't imagine. And the power within him—the ZZZ-rank ability no one, not even he, knew existed—would one day make him a legend.