NOVEL NEXT Chapter One: The Beginning
Chapter One: The Beginning
In the heart of towering mountains and dense forests, there lay a small and quiet village called "Elendar." Seemingly forgotten by the outside world, the village was nestled between hills and towering mountains, making it feel like an island amidst a sea of untamed nature.
In one of the simple homes of the village, a young boy named Kaylen sat by the window, bathed in the soft sunlight filtering through the thick leaves surrounding the house. His dark brown hair and deep blue eyes reflected a blend of intelligence and wisdom beyond his years. This boy was Kaylen Elendar, the son of the village chief.
Kaylen was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his mother, Liza, calling him. "Kaylen, breakfast is ready!" He quickly jumped out of bed and hurried downstairs to find his father, Elendar, already seated at the table, waiting with his usual smile.
"Finally, the legendary boy arrives!" Elendar teased, fiddling with his short beard. "Did you train well after I left you yesterday?"
"I think I could hear your voice from outside the forest!" Kaylen responded enthusiastically, grabbing a piece of bread.
"But did you feel stronger?" Elendar asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I'm not sure… maybe I still need a few more punches," Kaylen smiled, though a hint of worry flickered in his expression. He remembered one of the village's farmers being unable to defend himself from the beasts lately, and it weighed heavily on Kaylen's mind.
After finishing breakfast, Kaylen and his father headed out into the village streets. The cobbled roads were lined with towering trees, casting shadows over the paths and filling the air with the scent of pine. Greetings came from all directions as if the villagers expected another triumph from Kaylen in his training.
On their way to the forest, they stopped by an elderly man named Kallos, who always seemed wary of the dangers outside the village. With a nervous look, he warned, "Be cautious of the beasts lurking in the forest; they've become fiercer in recent days."
Kaylen smiled confidently, though a small knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. "Don't worry, Kallos. My father is here. No beast can withstand the pressure of his aura."
Elendar laughed, but there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes. "Kaylen, always remember, challenges require wisdom before strength. One day, you may surpass me, but until then, stay humble."
Kallos sighed with relief after hearing the exchange, thinking to himself, "As long as Elendar and his son are around, the village is safe."
They continued their journey toward the forest, where the vegetation grew denser with each step. As they approached, the giant trees cast deeper shadows, and the wind whispered through the leaves. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, filling Kaylen with a profound sense of connection to nature, though the unease in his heart remained.
"Be wary of the demonic beasts; they often hide in the shadows, waiting to ambush their prey," Elendar said with a serious tone as he walked beside Kaylen, his words echoing through the rustling wind.
When they reached their usual training spot, the forest seemed unusually quiet, as if it were anticipating something. "This is the place," Elendar said with a voice full of knowledge. Kaylen sat down next to his father under the shadow of a massive tree, his heart pounding with anticipation. He didn't fully grasp what awaited him, but he could sense that this moment would be a turning point in his life.
Elendar looked at his son, a small smile on his face, though his eyes held their usual intensity. "Kaylen, you've reached an important stage now. Reaching the tenth level of body training is no small feat. You've made great progress, but this is only the beginning."
Kaylen felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard about this moment for years, but now that it was here, the weight of responsibility bore down on him. How could he meet his father's expectations when everything around him held secrets and challenges?
"But Father, why the focus only on body training? Why have you made me concentrate on it all these years?" Kaylen asked cautiously, voicing a question that had been on his mind for a long time.
Elendar smiled knowingly. "The body is the vessel. If this vessel isn't strong enough, any energy you absorb will tear it apart. I wanted you to be prepared to handle chi when you begin to harness it."
Kaylen, who sometimes felt bitter about his father's strict training, now began to understand the wisdom behind it. He looked at his father with newfound respect in his eyes. "You were protecting me, weren't you?"
Elendar placed a gentle hand on his son's shoulder and said, "Exactly. I wanted you to be ready for what's to come, and now, you are."
Then, Elendar handed his son an old scroll, carefully wrapped. It felt heavy—not just in weight, but in meaning. "This is the breathing technique—'Harmony of Life.' It's not just any technique; it's the key to cultivation. Through it, you'll learn how to harmonize with nature and absorb the chi around you."
Kaylen felt the world around him shift. He had heard of breathing techniques and cultivation all his life, but now he stood at the threshold of this magical world. "How do I use it?" he asked hesitantly, his emotions a mix of excitement and fear.
Elendar laughed softly before answering, "It starts with breathing. Everything around you is filled with chi—the trees, the earth, the air. You must learn to make your body receptive to this chi, as if you were a part of nature itself."
Kaylen looked around at the forest. The trees seemed to pulse with life, the leaves danced in the wind, and the ground beneath his feet felt as though it moved subtly. For the first time, he felt the connection between himself and the natural world. His heart raced, not just from excitement but from a deep-rooted fear of the unknown.
"Will this make me stronger?" Kaylen asked cautiously, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Elendar's tone grew serious, "Yes. But it's not just about strength. This technique will grant you internal balance and enhance your ability to heal. The more you master it, the more control you'll have over chi."
Kaylen felt a surge of excitement but also realized this would not be an easy task. The road ahead was long and filled with challenges. But something new stirred within him. "I'm ready, Father. I'll learn this technique and surpass my limits."
Elendar smiled proudly, sensing that his son was beginning to grasp the weight of the responsibility ahead.
"This is just the beginning, Kaylen. 'Harmony of Life' will aid you in every battle and challenge you face. But remember… patience is the key to success in martial arts. You've learned to control your body; now it's time to learn to control the chi."
Kaylen knew now that his journey toward true power had just begun.