Days passed quickly, and the training grew more intense. Every time I trained, I felt closer to the power that had always resided within me—the power that came from my past life as Arlan Von Echeveria. However, the more I learned to control it, the more I realized that my past life as a warlord was far more complicated than I had ever imagined. I wasn't just training for myself, but for those I loved, and for a world that was moving closer to uncertainty.
One afternoon, as I walked home with Aoi after school, the atmosphere suddenly changed. There was something in the air that made me feel uneasy. Aoi seemed to sense it too, as she turned to me with a puzzled expression.
"Haruto, you look off. What's wrong?" Aoi asked, worried.
I shook my head, trying not to worry her. "I'm fine, Aoi. It's just... something feels off, I guess."
But that sense of unease lingered. After we got home, I decided to go out and train for a while in the forest near the house. I knew this wasn't an ordinary place to train, but for some reason, my gut told me something was about to happen tonight—something bigger than just a training session.
As I walked toward the training spot in the forest, I sensed something strange. The wind rustled, and the trees seemed to sway with an unnatural force. I felt as if someone was watching me. It was as if the world around me had shifted in an instant.
Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. "You can't keep hiding, Haruto."
I was startled and spun around, only to find a figure I had long avoided—a tall, muscular man with a familiar face. He wore a black robe, and his eyes were full of hatred. I recognized him from my past—a hunter who had once chased me and tried to defeat me.
"Arlan Von Echeveria," the man said coldly. "No matter how many lives you try to live, you're still Arlan, the invincible warlord."
I felt the pressure mounting. "Who are you?" I asked, trying to stay calm despite the fear creeping in.
The man smiled thinly. "I am one of those who sought your power, Haruto. And I know you can't run from your destiny. The world knows who you truly are. We know what you're hiding, and we've come to take it."
At that moment, I realized that the battle ahead wasn't just about training or controlling power. This was a real threat. Someone—or maybe several people—with evil intentions, already knew about me, and they were coming to either destroy me or take control of the power within me.
The man stepped forward, and I could feel the dark energy surrounding him. This wasn't going to be a normal fight. I knew that if I wasn't careful, this could become a life-or-death battle.
"Wait," I said, trying to clear my mind and find a way to avoid the confrontation. "What do you want from me?"
The man chuckled darkly. "What do we want? We want your power, Haruto. The world needs a ruler who truly controls power like yours. And you are the one chosen for it."
I knew I couldn't let this happen. I didn't want to be a ruler who led with a terrifying power. I wanted to live a normal life, far from war and betrayal. But at that moment, I also realized that my normal life would never come to pass if I kept avoiding the truth.
"If that's what you want," I said, bracing myself for the fight, "then you'll get it. But I'm not giving up that easily."
With swift movement, I released the energy that had been building up inside me. My first attack missed, and the man easily dodged, showing how much more experienced he was in combat. It felt like the power within me wasn't enough—I needed more control, more focus, to defeat him.
But as I tried to prepare my next strike, I suddenly felt something very strange. A great power surged from within me, but this time it felt more controlled—more focused. I took a deep breath and unleashed the power with full control, directing it straight at the man.
The attack hit its mark. The man was pushed back, stumbling, but there was still a smile on his face. "You're starting to master it, Haruto. But you must understand, this is just the beginning. Those who are after you will come in greater numbers, and they will be stronger than I am."
With those words, the man vanished, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Who were they? Why were they so interested in my power? And what was really going on in this world?
I stood in the middle of the forest, panting, my mind in turmoil. I knew that tonight was a turning point—my destiny could no longer be avoided. I had to fight, but for whom? And what were the true intentions of those after my power?