Chapter One: The Beginning of Kailin's Journey

It was a bright morning in the village of Ilindar, a quiet village located in a valley embraced by towering mountains and flooded with dense forests. The place looked like a piece of green paradise, where modest wooden houses spread out on the hills like an extension of nature itself. In the central square, children's laughter rose and mingled with the conversations of adults, while the smell of fresh bread mixed with the aromas of wildflowers and pine trees spread through the air.

In one of these houses, Kailin, a sixteen-year-old boy, sat by a wooden window overlooking this enchanting landscape. He was dressed in simple clothes, just like the rest of the villagers: a rough shirt of dull gray and old trousers that revealed traces of hard work. His feet were in modest leather boots, on which the trace of time was visible. His dark brown hair swayed with the breeze sneaking in from the window, and his deep blue eyes watched the village with a look full of curiosity and hope, as if searching for hidden meaning in the details of this quiet place.

Although Kailin was the son of the village chief, he did not see in himself the strength that characterizes leaders. Yes, he desperately wanted to protect his family and loved ones, but inside, he was teeming with questions. What gives a person real strength? Is it pedigree? Or is it training? Or something deeper than that?

His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of his mother, Lisa, calling to him from inside the house in a warm and affectionate tone: "Kailin, breakfast is ready!" In her tone, he always felt safe—a voice that echoed the deepest part of his soul. Kailin got up slowly and walked to the table, where his father, Elendar, was waiting for him with a calm smile and eyes shining with wisdom.

When Kailin sat down, his father said to him in a tone combining humor and seriousness: "Finally, my brave son woke up! Did you train hard yesterday?"

Kailin smiled and took a piece of warm bread. Then he said in a light tone, "I trained, as you asked me, but... sometimes I feel that something is missing." He hesitated a bit before adding, "I saw one of the village farmers recently when he was attacked by a monster... I couldn't help him. I felt helpless, Dad."

Here, Elendar's smile faded and was replaced by a deep look, as if he were searching for the right words to tell him something beyond ordinary judgment. He said in a calm voice: "True strength, Kailin, is not in your ability to win every battle. Sometimes your strength is in understanding your limits, in accepting your weaknesses as part of the journey. Do you know, son? We fight not only monsters, but ourselves—our fear, anger, weakness. What makes us strong is our desire to continue despite all this."

Kailin was silent for a moment, as if his father's words resonated within him, prompting deep thought. Is real strength not in muscles or skills, but in humility? He wondered to himself. He realized that these thoughts were older than his age, but they touched a deep side of him.

After breakfast, Kailin and his father went out for a walk along the village roads. Huge trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves gently rustling with the breeze, as if eavesdropping on their conversation. People greeted them, and appreciative glances toward Kailin appeared in their eyes, as if he were a symbol of the village's future. With each greeting, Kailin's sense of responsibility grew, but he also wondered inside: Do I deserve this recognition?

At the edge of the village, Kailin and his father met an old friend, Kalos—a wise old man who spent most of his time observing the forest and its secrets. He knew its terrain as well as the palm of his hand. His wrinkled face bore the traces of time, and his eyes shone with a deep gaze, as if they could see what was not seen, imbued with the wisdom of a lifelong friend.

Kalos, gazing into the shadows of the trees meditatively, said, "The monsters have become more active lately, moving as if looking for something missing... as if the forest hides a secret that is afraid to be revealed."

Elendar replied in a reassuring voice, but there was a hidden concern in his eyes that did not escape his old friend: "Kailin has started his training seriously, and with me, the monsters will not dare approach him." Then he turned to his son and continued in a serious tone: "But remember, Kailin, challenges in life require wisdom as much as courage. Strength alone does not make a person a leader; a leader knows when to use his strength and when to exercise patience."

Kalos chuckled softly and looked at Elendar with an amused yet reproachful expression, saying playfully, "Oh, I see that you are stealing my role in imparting wisdom to this young man. Isn't that right, Elendar?"

Elendar smiled and patted his friend Kalos on the shoulder, saying, "I'm afraid wisdom runs in my blood, just like it runs in yours, my friend. I've probably been touched by your company all these years."

Kalos laughed and replied, "Well, then let's say Kailin is lucky that the two of us exist! He must be the best apprentice in the village, if not in the whole world!"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Kailin smiled, feeling the warmth in their conversation as the words of Kalos and Elendar were imbued with the spirit of friendship that inspires confidence. He asked in a faint voice, as if he sought answers to something that had been haunting him for a long time: "But... how do I know if I'm strong enough? How do I know that I am capable of facing what fate has in store for me?"

Elendar looked at his son with eyes full of love and understanding. He placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Son, life does not give us ready-made answers. You will experience moments when you doubt yourself or feel weak. But real strength lies in your ability to get up after a fall, to hold on to your dreams even when the road is difficult. Strength does not come suddenly; it is built through the journey itself."

Kalos nodded in agreement, then said in a deep voice, "Elendar is right. Life will test you, Kailin; it will place you in situations where you need to find strength within yourself, even when you feel you are on the verge of collapse. But do not forget, strength is not only in facing dangers; it is also in knowing when to retreat, when to listen to the call of wisdom."

Then Kalos smiled, adding with a kind expression, "And that means you will tolerate my wisdom and advice too, boy. I'm not your dad's friend out of the blue!"

Kailin laughed, shaking his head, saying playfully, "I seem to be lucky with my dad's friends... or maybe I'm being subjected to daily lessons and judgment!"

Elendar and Kalos laughed together, and Elendar said humorously, "Remember, Kailin, this wisdom that you are hearing now may one day prove more valuable than you imagine."

Kailin deeply felt the two men's words, and he sensed a spirit of reassurance creeping into him. He understood that strength is not just muscles or combat skills; it is also found in wisdom and patience, and in the courage to accept his weaknesses and work to overcome them.

They were surrounded by a feeling of warmth—a warmth that transcended the relationship between father and son or between two old friends. It was a rare exhibition of support and love, manifested in simple words, yet bearing the greatest meaning.

After Kailin and his father said goodbye to their friend Kalos, they continued walking calmly along the road leading to the usual training site, where the trees surrounded them like silent guardians. The air carried the smell of damp earth, and the sounds of leaves gently swaying with the light breeze felt as if nature itself was whispering its secrets.

When they arrived, Elendar sat under a huge tree, the roots of which stretched deep into the ground. Its towering trunk seemed a symbol of wisdom and stability. Elendar took out an old scroll, carefully wrapped, and handed it to Kailin, saying in a voice filled with reverence and appreciation: "It's time, son, to learn a new technique. This is the breathing technique—the harmony of life. This technique will open a door for you to understand Qi, the life energy flowing in everything around us, and help you assimilate it. If you can harmonize with Qi, you will become part of the universe itself."

At first, the words seemed mysterious to Kailin, but they left a special imprint in his heart, as if he was groping for the beginning of a journey deeper than just physical training. He realized that this technique was not just a step toward gaining strength but a gateway to a larger world—the world of the refined; those who learn from nature and draw wisdom and strength from it. He understood that learning Qi requires more than physical strength; it is an art needing delicacy of sensation and depth of consciousness.

Eagerly, he asked, "How do I start, Dad?"

Elendar answered him in a calm, patient voice: "Start by breathing. Close your eyes, and listen—not only with your ears, but with your soul. Pay attention to the ground beneath you, to the air around you, and to the trees that surround you. Let yourself become part of this natural rhythm, like a harmonious melody in the symphony of life."

Kailin sat cross-legged, slowly closing his eyes. He began to take deep breaths, trying to focus his senses on everything around him. This was a new kind of challenge—not for his muscles or fighting skills, but for his soul. With each breath, Kailin felt he was fading away a little, as if his body was melting and becoming part of his surroundings. Everything around him felt vibrant; the trees, the air, the ground beneath his feet—as if they were all speaking to him in a silent language, a language that needed no words.

Kailin imagined the energy surrounding him—this subtle force that people call Qi—gently creeping into him, penetrating his body like water seeps into dry soil. He felt a light warmth seeping into him, like a hug from nature itself. This warmth was profound, touching his soul before his body, as if he were about to open a door to deeper knowledge—a truth that connected him to everything around him.

But after a few moments, this sensation faded away suddenly, leaving behind a strange emptiness—a feeling of temporary loss. Kailin slowly opened his eyes and looked at his father hesitantly, as if afraid he had failed in his first steps toward this new world. He spoke in a voice tinged with anxiety: "I feel something... but it soon disappears. Am I doing it wrong?"

Elendar smiled a smile full of encouragement and said in a gentle tone: "Controlling Qi, son, is not just a matter of technique. Qi is not imposed by force but is summoned by sincere desire and calmness. Qi needs patience and humility; the more you wish to tune into it and approach nature with a clear heart, the closer it will come to you."

Elendar's words were full of wisdom, guiding Kailin to a truth beyond his physical ability. He understood that Qi is not an energy a person can easily control but a living being that pulses in everything—associated with earth, air, tree, stone. To connect with Qi, he must first learn to be part of this universe, to coexist with it without prior attempts to dominate it. It flows quietly, like a stream of water, which cannot be forced but can be merged with.

As they talked, clouds began to gather slowly in the sky, and the sunlight decreased gradually, as if nature itself prepared for a new beginning—an important event blessing this moment. The first drops of rain began to fall, their impact on the ground sounding more like faint music—a music that only those who listen with their soul can hear.

Kailin felt that this moment symbolized the beginning of his journey— as if the entire universe was blessing his first steps on this unknown path. He looked at his father with determination, feeling something new being born within him—something greater than just the desire for strength or training. He stated firmly, "I'm ready, Dad. I will make Qi a part of me, and I will protect the village with everything I have."

Elendar placed his hand on his son's shoulder, looking at him with love and pride. He said, "This is what I wish for you, son. Power is not an end in itself, but a means. Be strong not for the sake of strength, but for those you love. Remember, a true leader is one who prioritizes the strength of his heart over the strength of his body."

Kailin and his father returned to the village under light rain, the droplets flowing gently, cleansing the earth. Kailin felt these rains were cleansing him too, giving him a new beginning. A sense of responsibility grew in his heart, as if the whole world awaited him to take his first steps toward his destiny.

At that moment, Kailin understood that his journey would not be easy, but it would be full of lessons and wisdom. The strength he sought was not merely physical power but a deep journey of understanding himself and the universe around him. He now recognized that everything in this world is interconnected: nature, people, and even the monsters threatening the village. Everything has its place and role