Chapter 3: The Birth of Ambition

The years passed, and Lahsiv continued to bide his time, growing stronger in both body and mind. His seventh birthday had come and gone, and with it, his first taste of Dark Karma had solidified his resolve. With the Shadow Veil skill now at his disposal, he had spent the past year honing its use in secret, learning how to cloak himself in the darkness to avoid detection. His ability to control Dark Karma was still limited, but it was enough for now.

The days of pretending to be an ordinary child were dull, but Lahsiv’s patience was unshakable. He knew the power system of this world and how little the people around him truly understood. In their eyes, Dark Karma was a corruption, a curse to be feared. But for Lahsiv, it was a weapon—a force that could elevate him above the masses who clung so desperately to the “light.”

As his twelfth birthday approached, Lahsiv knew the time had come to make his move. The system had promised him an awakening when he reached this age, and the Academy loomed on the horizon. It was the perfect opportunity for him to establish himself, not just as a contender, but as a force of nature.

On the morning of his twelfth birthday, Lahsiv woke to a familiar sight: the system prompt hovering in front of his eyes, its pale blue glow casting shadows across the room.

[System Notification: Awakening Milestone Reached]

[Innate Weapon: Sword of Ruin]

[Dark Karma Ability: Shadow Blade (Rank 1) – Imbue your sword with Dark Karma to deliver a strike that corrodes the opponent’s body and soul.]

[Light Karma Ability: Karma Slash (Rank 1) – Channel Light Karma into your sword to release a powerful energy wave.]

Lahsiv smirked. His innate weapon had finally been revealed—the Sword of Ruin. He could feel its power pulsing deep within him, though he had not yet summoned it. The system had given him both Light and Dark Karma abilities for his sword, a balance he would be able to exploit as few others could. While the rest of the world feared the corrosive nature of Dark Karma, he would use it without hesitation.

His parents, oblivious to the true depth of his ambitions, were celebrating his awakening day as any proud family would. They believed this was the moment their son would be accepted into the Academy, a chance for him to train as one of Valarion’s elite.

“You’re going to be one of the best, I just know it,” his mother said, smiling brightly as she placed a hand on his shoulder. His father nodded in agreement, pride shining in his eyes.

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Lahsiv gave them a faint smile, but inside, he couldn’t care less about their hopes or dreams for him. The Academy was nothing more than a tool for his rise to power. Soon enough, even they would become irrelevant.

Later that day, Lahsiv stood in the clearing behind his family’s home, away from prying eyes. He had told his parents he was going out to practice with the local children, but in reality, he was about to unlock his true potential.

‘It’s time to see what this sword can really do,’ Lahsiv thought as he summoned his innate weapon for the first time.

A surge of energy coursed through him as the Sword of Ruin materialized in his hand, dark and ominous. The blade was sleek, almost black, with veins of deep crimson running along its edge. It pulsed with Dark Karma, an aura of malevolence surrounding it, yet it felt perfectly attuned to him.

Lahsiv swung the sword experimentally, feeling its weight. It was an extension of his body, responding to his every thought and command.

He activated Shadow Blade.

Dark Karma flowed into the sword, its edge glowing faintly with a blackened aura. Lahsiv stepped forward and slashed at the trunk of a nearby tree. The blade didn’t merely cut; it corroded. The wood around the cut darkened, decaying rapidly as if the life had been sucked out of it.

‘Perfect,’ he thought, watching as the tree rotted away in mere seconds. The power to destroy both body and soul with a single strike—that was what Dark Karma offered him.

But that wasn’t all.

Focusing on the other side of his abilities, Lahsiv channeled Light Karma into the sword, activating Karma Slash. With a swift motion, he swung the blade in the air, releasing a wave of pure energy that shot forward, cleaving through the air and slicing through another tree with ease. The energy crackled with brightness, leaving a clean, precise cut.

‘Balance,’ Lahsiv mused. ‘Light to fight the masses, dark to destroy the strong.’

The versatility of his weapon, coupled with the system’s guidance, would make him unstoppable.

Later that evening, Lahsiv returned to the house to find his parents waiting for him with news that confirmed what he had expected: he had been accepted into the Academy.

“The messenger arrived while you were out,” his father said, his voice brimming with pride. “You’ve been selected to join the elite class. It’s an incredible honor.”

Lahsiv nodded, his face showing just enough gratitude to maintain the facade. “I’m ready.”

‘Of course I was selected,’ he thought, suppressing the urge to scoff. ‘They have no idea who they’ve let into their precious Academy.’

The Academy was considered one of the most prestigious institutions in Valarion, a place where only the most talented children were trained to awaken their Mandala points and ascend the ranks of Light Karma users. However, the true test wasn’t just in learning about Light Karma. The Academy was a battlefield of power, status, and control—an environment where only the strong survived and thrived.

Lahsiv would use this place to test himself, to crush those who believed they were superior, and to begin his path toward domination. Every step he took would bring him closer to his ultimate goal: surpassing all limits, breaking free from the constraints of this world, and ascending to the realm of true gods.

That night, as Lahsiv lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the system once again flickered to life.

[System Notification: Academy Entry confirmed. New objectives unlocked.]

[Objective: Awaken Mandala Points – 0/8]

[Objective: Surpass Academy Elite]

[Reward: ???]

[Additional Notice: Caution advised. Multiple threats detected.]

A grin slowly spread across Lahsiv’s face as he read the final line. Multiple threats? That was exactly what he wanted. Conflict would fuel his growth, and enemies would serve as stepping stones to power.

‘Let them come,’ he thought. ‘I’ll destroy them all.’

Lahsiv closed his eyes, his mind already racing through strategies and possibilities. The Academy was just the beginning, and nothing would stop him from reaching the top. His rise would be swift and brutal, and when the time came, both Valarion and its rival world would bow before him.

In his dreams, he stood atop the ruins of two worlds, his sword dripping with blood, and smiled.