I woke up startled. It took me several seconds to realize that I was in my room, the blue wallpapered walls, a window covered by a gray curtain, the distant sound of morning traffic, and my worn-out bed.
Without looking around, with my gaze lost on the window of my room through which the sun's rays could already be seen, I lowered my head.
—It was a dream…— I murmured with a mixture of relief and disappointment.
That thought did not bring me joy. Only a strange sensation, almost uncomfortable, as if reality had made a mistake by returning me here.
I slowly sat up. Every part of my body hurt more than ever, as if my body had run a marathon lasting days, but there were no open wounds, no blood, no visible marks. Just a deep exhaustion.
While I complained about my aching body, simply turning my head a little toward the foot of my door made all my pain fade into the background.
—You sleep too much, child, you're wasting your awakening— said Tenzin, sitting in front of my door, looking at me coldly with his arms crossed.
It took me a few seconds to realize who was in front of me. Trying to hide my surprise, I sat facing him.
—Excuse me, are you the old man from last night?— I said those words barely managing to hide my discomfort and embarrassment.
The old man stood up, enraged, and shouted at me harshly.
—How dare you call me that! I am the Legend, the Myth, the Great Elder, Tenzin Longyan! My very name and presence should make both you and your family kneel before me, and even that would not be enough to show me the slightest respect— shouted the old man, clearly offended.
—Oh, I'm very sorry, Mr. Longyan, I had no idea you were so important— I didn't understand a single word of what he said, but it was obvious that playing along was the best option.
—Hmpf… That's better. I would teach you more etiquette, but we don't have time for that. You need to train from now on; otherwise… both you and everyone you know will die— He looked at me with a penetrating gaze, even more serious than before.
—What do you mean? Why?
Tenzin sighed and sat down again, closing his eyes.
—Haa… Until now you've only lived as a mortal human; it's obvious you wouldn't have any idea about the world out there— opening his eyes again, he raised his voice.
—Right now you're alive only because I used a large part of my primordial spiritual energy so that both of us could make it out of that alley alive. Not only that, while I imbued my energy into you, you had an awakening; your body was completely rebuilt. That's why you no longer have visible injuries on your body. Since I shared my spiritual energy with you, you've become my successor, and that makes you a candidate champion who will participate in the next The Original Will— I interrupted, understanding absolutely nothing.
—What are you talking about! Spiritual energy? Awakening? Champion? If you want to explain something to me, you're only leaving me with more questions!— I said, standing up in the face of things I didn't understand.
—Ohh… you really are noisy. Listen, all the legends and myths you were taught in school are based on real humans and beings. This world you live in is only possible thanks to the sacrifice of countless lives and also the organization of countless other beings. All these things that, to you, a simple human, make no sense, exist thanks to spiritual energy. Everything and everyone exists thanks to spiritual energy. That's what you need to understand first.
—Spiritual energy… like in movies or manga, something like that?
—How dare you compare complex spiritual energy to simple human adaptations! Hm… but yes, if that helps you understand it, it's better for you to think of it that way.
—Alright, then what you and the man in black did last night was thanks to spiritual energy? And what about that thing about me being a candidate champion?
—Yes, those are techniques of our unique abilities. And answering your second question, every 1,000 years a rift opens toward the origin of spiritual energy, the first spiritual energy to exist, so pure that it can do anything. At the beginning, everyone only killed each other to take possession of it, but over time, in order to prevent more blood from being spilled, The Original Will was created, a tournament where those chosen as champions fight for their own desire. And since you are one, many beings will try to kill you to steal your right to participate or to prove that they should be the representatives of their faction.
—This… is damn madness. Spiritual energy, a tournament, a desire… wait, more importantly, what happens if I win?
—Hahahaha! That's basically impossible considering your state. There are beings who have been preparing for a length of time that can't even be imagined. But in the nonexistent case that you win, you'll be able to ask for whatever you want. Everything is absolutely possible if you win.
—What I desire?— All this information at once basically destroyed the entire world I used to believe in, but more than that it presented me with a question: "What is it that I would desire if I won, or rather, what is it that I desire?"
—For now that's all the information you need to process. You must start preparing yourself; if they realize that someone like you is a candidate, they will kill you… by the way, why hasn't there been any presence in this place all this time?— he said as he stood up and began to walk around my room.
—If you mean my family, no one is here at this hour. My brother must be at the university, my sister at her school, and my parents are working in another city.
Tenzin, while checking my room, without even looking at me, simply replied.
—They're a large family. That's problematic— he said while rummaging through my clothes, causing a mess.
—I understand, but what is it that you're looking for?— I asked while picking up the mess Tenzin was making.
—Obviously clothes more suitable for training your spiritual energy— he said, throwing even more of my clothes around.
—Training? I'm sorry, even if I wanted to, I have to go to classes.
—Classes? Do you still think that matters? If you don't start with the basics now, it won't be strange if you're killed soon.
—I understand, but if I don't go to classes I'll have plenty of problems just to even train. And if you're a legend, why don't you fight?
Tenzin looked at me for a second and then averted his gaze.
—I lost all my spiritual energy. Even my primordial spiritual energy was used to keep me alive. Right now I'm no stronger than a common adult. I can't even activate my unique ability. You are my disciple and the only candidate I can use to buy time and recover so I can deal with those who are looking for me and who betrayed me.
—This sounds so troublesome— I said, grabbing my head, trying to process everything.
—Alright… however, I still need to attend classes— I moved Tenzin away from my closet and took my uniform.
While I was changing to go to classes, Tenzin looked at me coldly and spoke.
—You still don't understand the magnitude of what you're involved in… The candidates are being eliminated. If you happen to encounter another candidate and they discover that you are one, they will die.
I looked at him silently, worried by what he said.
—The tournament is close— said Tenzin as he picked up two garments that were still on the floor.
I thought for a moment, then looked at him again and asked.
—How close? How much time do I have?
—Only one year remains, and after that year the sages of each faction will announce the date and place where The Original Will will be held.
—Then… I still have some time. I'm in my last year of high school; I can train when I get back from it.
Tenzin sighed and put a change of clothes on my bed and sat on it.
—You're being far too optimistic… I'll accept your decisions. After all, you were a mortal until now. We'll train as soon as you return.
Hearing how Tenzin resigned himself to my decision, with even more embarrassment than at the beginning, I bowed.
—Thank you very much, Mr. Longyan. I promise I will strive like never before in my life from now on— I raised my gaze, and Tenzin seemed to be meditating. I finished getting dressed and ran out to classes.
When I arrived at my school, I almost collapsed on the ground.
—With my body aching and everything from this morning, I even forgot to eat and take a shower…
I pulled myself together and, determined to go to my classroom, I heard someone calling me.
—Kaito!