The dojo was silent in the morning, save for the rhythmic sound of deep breathing. The boy sat cross-legged on the cold wooden floor, staring at the man who had taken him in.
"Before you learn," the master said, "you must understand the path ahead. The world is not kind, and power exists in levels far beyond human comprehension. If you seek strength, you must know what you are striving for."
The boy listened intently as the master continued.
"The power of warriors is divided into realms, and each realm has multiple layers of mastery. First, there are the 25 Mortal Realms, where common men train their bodies and minds, shaping their strength. Then come the 12 Heavenly Realms, where warriors break free from their human limitations, tapping into energy that defies the laws of nature. Beyond that lie the 10 Godly Realms, where the very fabric of existence bends to the will of those who have ascended. And above all… the 10 Narrative Realms, where power is infinite, transcending logic, rewriting fate itself."
The master's gaze darkened. "Each realm is separated by an unfathomable gap. Reaching even the lowest Heavenly Realm would take a lifetime for most. But you, boy… you have nothing to lose. That may be your greatest strength."
The boy clenched his fists. "And you? What realm are you in?"
The master let out a low chuckle. "I stand at the First Realm of the Gods. A step into divinity. But even that… is nothing compared to what lies beyond."
The master continued, "Each warrior develops a unique fighting style, and as one ascends through the realms, their style evolves, growing exponentially stronger. A simple strike in the Mortal Realms can become a force that shatters mountains in the Godly Realms. Some styles focus on raw power, others on speed, some on controlling the very essence of reality itself."
A spark ignited in the boy's chest. He had spent his life crawling in the dirt, but now, for the first time, he saw a path stretching before him.
He would not stop at being strong.
He would climb beyond mortality itself.