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Kako no Kakera
1-The Start

1-The Start

In a universe where peace is hardly an option, a boy named Kael is born. He comes into the world during a time when his planet is far from its best years: endless wars haunt the entire universe. When he turns 5, the home planet of the Fire Clan is attacked and completely wiped out by people unknown to Kael. In this attack, he loses his father, mother, and his younger brother, who was only 4 years old.

A few hours after the attack, the military forces of the universe arrive on the planet, finding destruction and corpses everywhere. Among the debris, they find Kael. He is rescued and, as he had been enrolled in a school a few days earlier, the military takes him there. He is given a room at the school. Devastated, Kael mourns for five days, but then decides he must move on with his life and avenge his parents and brother. Thus, five days after the attack, Kael begins his studies, learning various skills such as power control and the discovery of his own ability.

One particular day, at the end of his first school year, Kael has already learned a lot and manages to use what is called "base form." He is recognized as someone talented in power control due to his unusually high power levels for his age. As every year, there is an event where a "universal" — someone who once studied at the school — returns to speak with the students who completed their first year. This year is no different: the universal arrives, and the event begins.

This event involves all first-year students fighting against the universal. The best among them receives the title of prodigy for the following year and becomes the class leader, similar to a class representative. Curious, Kael asks his teacher:

— What is a universal?

The teacher replies:  

— A universal is someone who has mastered their power and surpassed anyone else in their universe, thus earning the title of one of the 10 universals.

Impressed, Kael watches the universal, admiring his power as he fights one of Kael's classmates. Eventually, it's Kael's turn to fight. It's explained that the universal will match Kael's maximum percentage of power. If Kael surpasses it, the fight will be stopped.

The fight begins, and Kael asks the universal:  

— What is your name?

The universal responds:  

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— Earn the right to know it. Win this fight.

Kael tries everything to win, but nothing works; the universal is far too strong. Then, he activates the base form, something impressive for someone so young. The universal is surprised, as he himself only mastered this form at the age of 15, at the end of his second school year.

Kael, who had been training alone every night, uses everything he learned at school to master his power. He delivers a punch with all his power concentrated on the universal, who goes into a defensive stance. However, to everyone's surprise, the fire surrounding the strike turns black for a few seconds and causes a first-degree burn on the universal's forearm. Shocked and impressed, the universal forfeits the battle, and Kael wins by default.

The universal, examining the burn, mutters to himself:  

— That boy... he has something entirely different. He has a malignant affinity.

The universal shouts:  

— Kael! Show me that punch again!

Kael replies:  

— I don't know how to do it again. It was something instantaneous.

Thoughtfully, the universal concludes:  

— It really is him. This power is not normal. He carries it within him. This burn doesn’t heal with normal healing powers... So, this is the fire of the Conqueror.

Turning to Kael, he says:  

— We’ll talk later.

Kael nods and returns to his classmates.

After the event, Kael searches for the universal to talk, but he cannot find him. Returning to his room, he finds the universal sitting by the window, showing him the burn. The universal says:  

— You have something different. This burn could not have been caused by a simple punch in base form. There’s something greater within you.

Kael, confused, asks:  

— What do you mean?

The universal, aware that people are looking for him, replies:  

— One day, we will meet again. By then, you will know who you truly are and learn its name. Until our next encounter, Kael, son of the Destroyer.

Kael, even more confused, wonders:  

— Son of the Destroyer? What’s different about me?

He reflects on this all day but can only conclude that "the Destroyer" was probably his father.

The vacation period begins, lasting one month. Unable to stay still, Kael decides to look for a master to learn more during this time. On an unknown planet, he finds an empty temple where he sees an old man. Kael asks:  

— Good morning. Is this a dojo?

The mysterious man looks at him and asks:  

— Who’s asking?

Kael replies:  

— Someone seeking power to uncover their mysteries.

The man stands up, places a hand on Kael’s shoulder, and asks:  

— What’s your name, son?

Kael replies:  

— My name is Kael, Kael Katsuro.

The man turns around and says:  

— I am Taro Takashi, and I will help you achieve your goal. I will train you during this month.

Kael, impressed, asks:  

— How do you know it’s a month?

Taro smiles and replies:  

— Oh, my boy... I did the same thing as you.

To be continued in the next chapter...

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