Kazuma stood, staring at the sky, filled with determination.
Kazuma (shouting):
I will become stronger… to kill you, brother Jin!
His fists were clenched tightly.
Kazuma:
Brother… if you kill me, it would be better than living in this pain.
Trainer Ten sat on a rock, his eyes fixed on Kazuma, who looked broken.
His eyes were medium-sized and deep, with eyelids of average thickness. His eyebrows were thick, and his face rectangular with faint lines on the forehead. His nose was straight and medium-sized, and his lips were tight. His hair was wild green, and his body lean and moderately built.
He wore a black shirt, a light blue cloak, and white pants.
Ten (loudly):
Revenge won't help you… you must become better than him. Don't let him change who you are.
Kazuma turned his head toward Ten.
Kazuma:
I need power… I am nothing compared to my brother.
Ten nodded, tipping his hat.
Ten:
Do not use power to destroy yourself.
Kazuma:
Just give me the power… I'll handle the rest.
Ten sighed, standing up.
Ten (muttering):
I have no way to convince him…
Ten (loudly):
Do you know what inner energy is?
Kazuma:
No… please explain.
Ten:
We living beings have an energy called "Shin."
Kazuma:
Sh… Shin?!
Ten:
Yes. Shin strengthens your body beyond normal limits. It has levels I don't fully understand.
Kazuma:
And how do I find Shin?
Ten laughed.
Ten:
That's the big question no one can answer. It is mysterious.
Ten:
My uncle once told me that Shin has four gates. The first is normal, but the others are double-edged swords.
Kazuma:
So, Shin is both a blessing and a curse?
Ten (seriously):
Exactly. Open those gates only when necessary.
Kazuma:
Train me to use it.
Ten:
To open it, you must meditate. Shin's center is in the brain. Once opened, energy spreads through your entire body.
Kazuma sat cross-legged, slowly closing his eyes, focusing intensely.
Kazuma:
My journey starts here.
His eyes trembled, but he lost focus and opened them angrily.
Ten:
You failed to open it.
Kazuma:
Anger controls me.
Ten:
Clear your mind. Empty it.
Kazuma (softly):
Okay… I'll try.
He closed his eyes again, concentrating.
Kazuma (to himself):
Forget everything… focus… focus…
A voice echoed behind him:
Impossible to win… a weak boy in a cruel world cannot survive.
Kazuma (angrily muttering):
Shut up! Don't speak as if you know me.
Suddenly, a flashback—four years ago.
Night, dark and frightening, inside Kazuma's house.
Nine-year-old Kazuma stood by the stairs, eyes wide in shock, wearing blue pajamas.
Before him stood eleven-year-old Jin, frowning, dressed in dark clothes with a black mask.
Blood covered the room like water. Kazuma's father's mangled corpse lay on the floor, unbearable to look at.
Kazuma:
W-who are you?!
Jin remained silent.
Kazuma (shouting):
Speak! When my brother sees you, he'll put you in your place!
Slowly, Jin removed his mask, revealing his face.
Kazuma felt an intense emotional shock.
Kazuma (stepping back, terrified):
B-brother… why did you do this?!
Jin (calm, sharp):
How long will you stay weak… brother?
Kazuma was stunned.
Tears streamed down Jin's face like a storm.
Jin:
Hate me… hate me… I'm sorry.
Kazuma's lips trembled, his face pale.
Kazuma:
How could your heart allow this?
Jin lowered his head.
Jin:
I'm just an ordinary man… no need for explanation… I walk a dark path.
Kazuma closed his eyes, tears flowing.
Jin:
Kill me… life is no longer mine.
With cold charisma, Jin said:
I'll let you live… you are still young.
Kazuma:
Even if you leave me… my soul has withered.
If you kill me… I don't want to fight… I don't want to be your enemy.
Jin walked away.
Jin (thinking):
Forgive me… I walk the path fa
te chose for me.
Kazuma clutched his chest, lips shaking, eyes trembling, and let out a scream that shook the earth and stones:
Kazuma:
Brrrotherrrr! I'll show you!