After that day… everything changed.
The villagers no longer looked at Kevin and Rina with suspicion or fear.Gone were the whispers of betrayal.Gone were the cruel stares.
Instead, they greeted them with warmth, with kindness—like they were their own.The children who once carried the burden of a misunderstood legacy… were finally allowed to just be.
Word of Kaizen's truth had spread—not just across the village, but to other lands as well.The legend of the Devil of Shinkai who gave his life to save the people—had been reborn.But even now, one mystery still lingered in every conversation:
Who were the Seven?
Yuna didn't know. The children didn't know. Sayura had died without ever revealing their names.
But something told them—they would find out one day.And when that day came, they would be ready.
Four years passed.
Seasons turned like pages in a book, and with each passing day, the children grew—stronger, wiser, and fiercer.
Kevin turned 16.The pain in his chest had never fully faded—but he had turned it into something new.A fire. A purpose.
Every morning he trained.Every night he pushed himself harder than the day before.
Rina, Mira, Kael, and Finn—each of them had become warriors in their own right.Together, they were more than students now.They were protectors. Future soldiers of the village.
The villagers watched them grow, proud and awed.Many whispered to each other:
"Kevin will be just like his father one day…"
But they were wrong.
Kevin wouldn't be just like Kaizen.He would be more.
One day, the village announced a grand Martial Arts Competition—an event where students would showcase their skills before they began their training in magic spells.
The stadium was packed.Excitement buzzed in the air.Every villager came to witness what their youth had become.
Even Princess Selena was present, seated with the elders, her eyes quietly searching the crowd—for two very specific students.
A massive stone tank stood at the center of the arena.Inside, hundreds of folded papers—each bearing a student's name.The matchups would be random.Fate would decide who faced who.
The trainers stepped up and began calling names.
"Rina vs Doru!""Kael vs Yato!""Mira vs Jin!""Finn vs Kova!"
One by one, the fights began.
Sweat. Cheers. Cheers turned into roars.
Each match was a display of raw talent—fists flying, kicks landing, determination in every move.
And then…
"Kevin!" The trainer's voice rang out.
Kevin stepped forward, calm but intense.The crowd leaned in.
The trainer pulled another name from the tank—
"…Yoji!"
The air shifted.
Murmurs broke out.The tension was thick.
Yoji was from the senior batch—bigger, stronger, known for his aggression in training.
Everything around Kevin slowed for a moment.
He heard the name… and suddenly, a memory struck like lightning.
Yoji's laughter.The wall with "children without a father" scrawled in cruel ink.Rina's tear-filled eyes.His own shame, rage… and helplessness.
Kevin didn't flinch—but his jaw tightened.His fingers curled slightly at his sides.Then—he smiled.
Not a joyful smile.A sharp, chilling smile that made Yoji, standing across the arena, take a half-step back.
The match began.
Yoji launched forward, fists swinging.
Kevin didn't move.
He dodged. Effortlessly.Like wind dancing through fire.
The crowd gasped as Kevin spun away from every punch.He didn't strike back—yet.He was studying. Measuring. Testing.
Yoji snarled and came in harder—rage rising in him.But still—Kevin didn't retaliate.
He looked sideways, at his friends in the crowd.Mira cheering. Kael clapping. Rina's eyes locked on his.
That's when Yoji's fist connected.
Right on Kevin's jaw.
The stadium went silent.
But Kevin…
…just stood there.
He turned back, slowly.Blood on his lip. Eyes calm.
And then—he whispered,
"Is that all?"
Yoji took a step back, fear flashing in his eyes.
Kevin moved.
Faster than anyone expected.
He grabbed Yoji's wrist—Twisted—Dropped low—And slammed him to the ground with precision.
The crowd erupted.
Before Yoji could get up, Kevin flipped him again.And again.
Yoji struggled—desperate.
Kevin's movements weren't flashy.They were disciplined. Controlled. Powerful.
Finally—Kevin stood over Yoji, hand outstretched.
Yoji hesitated… then grabbed it.
Kevin pulled him up.
It was over.
Cheers exploded from the stands.Rina was smiling ear to ear.Mira was laughing, screaming, "That's my boy!"
Even Selena stood and clapped.
Kevin didn't gloat.
He simply walked to his friends, lifted his hand, and the group gave him a massive five-way victory cheer.
That night, the stars burned brighter.And in every corner of the village, one truth spread like wildfire:
Kevin… is no longer the son of Kaizen.He is Kevin. The boy who made his own fire.
Tomorrow, they would begin their journey into magic.
But today—today was a victory.
And every shadow watching from far, far away…
trembled.
Because the boy they tried to destroy…
Was still burning.
Just outside the training arena, after Kevin's victory.Yoji sits on a stone bench, wiping sweat from his face.His friends—Joran, Vek, and Luro—stand around him, still stunned.
Joran:"You okay, man? That flip looked like it hurt."
Yoji(groaning):"Yeah… it did. My pride more than my back."
Vek:(sitting beside him)"I thought you had him. You always do in sparring."
Yoji(shaking his head):"Not this time. He was different."
Luro:(crossing his arms)"What do you mean?"
Yoji(quietly):"I bullied him once… thought he was weak.Guess today was his way of getting revenge."
Joran:"He didn't even look angry though."
Yoji:"That's what made it worse. He didn't fight with hate…He fought like someone who already won."
Vek:"So… you done messing with him?"
Yoji(standing slowly, nodding):"Yeah. He earned it. Kevin's not the same anymore."
Luro:"He's scary now."
Yoji(half-smiling):"Good scary."