Chapter 2: A New Beginning
I couldn't stop grinning. The surge of power that pulsed through me was exhilarating. My body hummed with energy, as if every cell was alive with possibility. I was no longer just another face in the crowd, struggling to survive. No, I had been given a chance—a real chance to change everything. And I wasn't about to let it slip away.
For years, I had lived in the slums, ignored by most, unseen by the world. My days were filled with hunger, hardship, and a constant fight for survival. But now? Now, I had power. Real, tangible power that could change my fate. The system had given me a gift I hadn't dared to dream of—Lightning Manipulation and Shadow Manipulation.
I rechecked the system, staring at the information in front of me, trying to take it all in.
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Theo Beaumont
Age: 15
Race: Human
Beast Will: Black Phoenix
Powers:
Lightning Manipulation (Lvl 1)
Control and generate electrical energy. Manipulate lightning in various forms.
Shadow Manipulation (Lvl 1)
Control and shape shadows into various forms for offense, defense, or concealment.
Stats:
Physical Strength: 35
Endurance: 30
Speed: 40
Mana: 55%
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Lightning and shadows. It felt unreal. In a world where most people awakened with only one power, I had been granted two—no, three, if you counted the Beast Will that the system had barely explained. I couldn't help but feel like I had just won the lottery, but instead of money, I had been given a chance to shape my destiny.
But then there was the part that bothered me. The Black Phoenix.
I scrolled down, hoping for more details, but there was nothing. Just a vague title: Black Phoenix. It was like a cruel joke, or maybe the system's way of toying with me. I had never heard of a Beast Will called Black Phoenix. There were stories of Phoenixes, sure—legendary creatures of rebirth, burning bright with an eternal flame. But Black Phoenix? That was something different. Something darker.
It was hard to shake the feeling that this power was both a blessing and a curse. Something hidden, waiting for me to unlock its full potential.
"Guess I'll find out soon enough," I muttered to myself, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. Whatever this Black Phoenix was, it was part of me now. And if it was going to make me stronger, I was all in. Maybe this was the key I had been looking for—the key to being the best, to leaving behind the life of a commoner and taking control of my fate.
I focused on my two powers. Lightning and shadows. Lightning felt raw, untamed, an electric current that buzzed with life beneath my skin. I could already feel the potential in it—how it could crackle through the air, how I could manipulate it into whatever I needed. Shadows, on the other hand, felt... different. Mysterious. It wasn't like lightning, which surged with energy. No, shadows were subtle. They crept and shifted, waiting for someone to call them into being.
I reached out with my senses, trying to summon a small bolt of lightning, to feel the crackling power in my palm. But my body was still weak from hunger and exhaustion. The effort drained me more than I expected. I wasn't ready to wield that kind of power yet.
The hunger gnawed at me again, sharper this time. It had been days since I last had a proper meal, and the emptiness in my stomach was a constant reminder of the life I had come from. I could feel my energy waning, the weight of fatigue pressing down on me. I couldn't push myself any further, not yet.
I sighed and scanned my surroundings. The street was deserted, save for a few stray cats that prowled in the shadows, looking for scraps. I needed rest, and I needed food. But for now, the rest would have to come first.
I wandered through the alleys, trying to ignore the hunger pangs that made my stomach twist. Eventually, I found a small alcove behind some discarded crates. Not the most comfortable place, but it would suffice. I could sleep for a few hours and get my bearings before figuring out what to do next.
I slipped into the corner and curled up as best as I could, wrapping my arms around my knees. The cold, hard ground pressed into my back, but it was a small price to pay. I closed my eyes, trying to let go of the excitement that was still buzzing in my veins. Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow, I would explore these powers further.
The last thing I remembered before sleep overtook me was the feeling of something inside me stirring, something dark and ancient. The Black Phoenix. It was there, but just out of reach, like a dream you could almost touch but could never quite grasp.
For now, I would rest. But tomorrow? Tomorrow, I would wake up with a purpose. And this world would have no idea what was coming.