The slums were quieter now, but not peaceful. They never were. The occasional clatter of a bottle breaking or a far-off shout kept me on edge as I wandered through the labyrinth of filthy streets and crumbling alleyways. The day's events weighed heavily on me—the theft, the chase, and the realization that surviving here wasn't going to get any easier just because I had awakened.
I found a narrow alley tucked between two dilapidated buildings, its entrance partially blocked by an old, overturned cart. It wasn't much, but it would do for now. I crouched low, brushing aside some debris to sit on the cold ground. My back pressed against the wall, and I let out a slow breath, my body finally relaxing.
I glanced at the smartwatch on my wrist. It was scratched and worn, probably as old as I was, but it worked. The system had been my only bright spot in a bleak day, and I wasn't going to waste it.
With a flick of my wrist, the familiar blue light flickered to life, displaying my abilities again:
Lightning Manipulation
Black Phoenix (Shadow Manipulation)
The words seemed to taunt me, promising power I had yet to understand. I tapped on Lightning Manipulation first.
The description was brief but exciting. I could generate electricity, control it, and use it offensively or defensively. The stronger I became, the more destructive it could be. But it came with a warning—too much power, too fast, and I'd burn myself out.
"Control electricity, huh?" I muttered, staring at my hand. "Alright, let's see what I've got."
I stretched out my fingers and focused. I imagined a spark flickering to life, energy coursing through my veins and into my hand. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a faint crackle broke the silence. My fingertips tingled, and a flicker of blue light danced between them.
The sight made my heart skip. It was small—so small it could barely light a candle—but it was real.
A grin spread across my face as I leaned closer to examine it. "Would you look at that? Not bad for a slum rat."
But as quickly as it came, the spark faded. I tried again, but my hand stayed stubbornly empty. My smile faltered, replaced by a sigh.
"Baby steps," I muttered, flexing my fingers. "Rome wasn't built in a day, right?"
I closed the Lightning Manipulation screen and selected the Black Phoenix. Its name alone sent a shiver down my spine. It sounded ominous, like something out of a forgotten legend.
The description was longer and more cryptic:
The Black Phoenix is a forgotten Beast Will, feared for its power and shrouded in mystery. Few in history have awakened it, and those who did were hunted, their names erased from existence. The Phoenix grants its wielder Shadow Manipulation—the ability to bend, control, and weaponize darkness itself.
Forgotten. Feared. Hunted. The words clung to me, filling the alley with a weight that hadn't been there before.
"Well, that's not terrifying at all," I said, forcing a smirk. My reflection in the smartwatch's glass caught my eye. Black hair, green eyes—ordinary enough for the slums, but now I wondered. What would people see if they knew what I had awakened?
Pushing the thought aside, I decided to test it. Shadows surrounded me in the dim alley. Surely, I could make one move. I stretched out my hand again, this time focusing on the darkness around me.
"Alright, shadows," I said under my breath. "Let's dance."
I imagined tendrils of black energy rising from the ground, wrapping around my fingers, bending to my will. I focused so hard my head began to ache.
But nothing happened.
The shadows stayed exactly where they were, unmoving and indifferent. I tried again, gritting my teeth, reaching deeper into myself, but still—nothing.
"Are you kidding me?" I groaned, letting my hand drop. The frustration bubbled over, and I slammed my fist against the wall. "What kind of Beast Will doesn't even work?"
The silence of the alley was deafening, broken only by my ragged breathing.
I closed the system interface with a flick of my wrist and leaned my head back against the wall, staring up at the faint strip of sky visible between the buildings. The stars were out, distant and cold, offering no comfort.
Lightning manipulation worked—barely. Shadow manipulation didn't work at all. And I was supposed to be grateful for this? To call this some kind of gift?
My stomach growled, a harsh reminder of how pathetic my situation was. Even with powers, I was still just another starving kid in the slums.
But then I thought of the spark of lightning earlier, faint as it was. It was proof. Proof that I could grow stronger, that this wasn't the end of the line for me.
I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. "Alright, Theo," I muttered to myself. "You've survived worse. Tomorrow's another day."
For now, though, I needed rest. Whatever was ahead, I'd face it with everything I had.