Kaelen leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, a lazy grin plastered across his face. The sun streamed through the open windows of the Demon Hunter Academy, illuminating the room filled with the sounds of clashing swords and the occasional shout of encouragement. “Another boring day,” he muttered, rolling his eyes as he watched his classmates spar. “I could do this with my eyes closed.”
With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed his training partner, who was currently engaged in an intense duel across the room. Kaelen stood up, stretching his arms above his head. He loved the Academy’s atmosphere, where training was fierce and competition ran high. It fueled his ego, and he thrived on it. “I’ll take on anyone who thinks they can match me!” he declared, loud enough for those nearby to hear.
His bravado earned him a few chuckles, and one of his friends shot back, “Careful, Kaelen. You might just find someone willing to take you up on that challenge!”
“Please,” Kaelen scoffed, flicking a stray piece of hair out of his eyes. “They’d have to be blind or stupid to think they stand a chance against me.”
As he made his way to the training grounds, Kaelen’s mind wandered, drifting back to a moment from his childhood—one he often thought of but rarely spoke about. The memory flashed before his eyes, vivid as if it were happening right now.
----------------------------------------
“You see, Kaelen,” Eldrin’s voice echoed in his mind, calm and reassuring. “Every living being on this planet possesses Vitalis, the essence that flows through our veins. It’s what makes us strong, fast, and resilient.”
Young Kaelen had sat cross-legged on the ground, wide-eyed and eager, soaking in every word Eldrin said. “So, it’s like a superpower?” he had asked, bouncing slightly with excitement.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
Eldrin chuckled softly. “In a way, yes. But it’s also a double-edged sword. The more you push your Vitalis, the more control you need. It can empower you, but it can also lead to destruction if mismanaged. Remember that, Kaelen. It’s not just about strength; it’s about balance.”
“Balance? Who needs balance when you can just crush everything in your way?” young Kaelen had replied, a confident grin on his face.
----------------------------------------
The memory faded, and Kaelen shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. He had been so cocky, even back then. But the truth of Eldrin’s words resonated with him more than ever now. The reality of Vitalis wasn’t just a game; it was the key to survival in their world, where demons roamed and danger lurked in every shadow.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Kaelen returned to the present, where the clang of metal against metal snapped him back to reality. He took a moment to observe his classmates, noting their focused expressions. “Boring,” he thought, shaking his head. “They’re all too serious about this.”
“Hey, Kaelen!” a voice called out. It was Mira, a girl from his class, looking slightly out of breath after her sparring session. “You’re just going to stand there all day, or are you actually going to join us?”
“Why would I join you when I could watch the show from here?” he shot back, leaning against the wall with a cocky grin. “I’m waiting for someone worthy of my time. No offense, but your skills could use some work.”
Mira rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her smile. “You’ll get your chance soon enough. Just don’t cry when you lose!”
“Please, I don’t cry,” he replied, feigning offense. “I win. It’s what I do.”
As the day wore on, Kaelen’s confidence never wavered, but a flicker of doubt lurked in the back of his mind. He couldn’t shake the weight of Eldrin’s words—the need for balance. What if his arrogance one day led him to push his Vitalis too far? The thought gnawed at him, but he brushed it aside. After all, he was Kaelen. Nothing could break him.
With a cocky grin, he stepped into the training arena, ready to prove once more that he was the best.