"Let's Start Over!"

Stanley's eyelids grew heavy, his thoughts consumed by the enchanting Evelyn. As he drifted off to sleep, his mind began to weave a tapestry of sweet dreams. In this fantastical realm, he was a powerful mage, and Evelyn, the rightful queen, stood by his side. Together, they ruled with wisdom and justice, their love growing stronger with each passing day.

The dream was so vivid, so real, that Stanley felt as though he was living it. But, like a fleeting whisper, the vision vanished, replaced by a searing headache. He clenched his eyes shut, the pain throbbing in his temples. When he opened them again, he found himself standing on a windswept mountain summit.

The air was crisp and clean, but the landscape was scarred and battered. Ruins stretched before him, a testament to a long-forgotten battle. Stanley's heart sank, recognizing the place. He had never been here, but he felt so dishearten by the sight.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Master Lee appeared beside him. Stanley's disappointment boiled over into anger. "What am I doing here?" he spat, his voice venomous. "What the hell is this place?"

Master Lee's expression remained serene, but his eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "Ah, Stanley, you were having a dream, but it was not reality. And reality is why I'm here for you. Shall we begin our training?"

Stanley snorted, his anger and frustration spilling over. "Teach me? You've been teaching me for how long now, and what has it gotten me? Nothing! Just a bunch of empty promises and broken dreams."

Master Lee's face remained calm, but his voice took on a stern tone. "You are not a child, Stanley. You are a young man, and it's time you understood that the path to greatness is not paved with ease and comfort. It's paved with hard work, dedication, and perseverance."

Stanley's laughter was bitter. "Perseverance? You want me to persevere? Bullshit! I've been persevering for years, and what do I have to show for it? Nothing! No power, no recognition."

Master Lee's eyes flashed with anger, but he remained controlled.

Stanley's anger matched Master Lee's, their voices rising in a crescendo of recrimination. "You're just a legend, a myth, a fairy tale. You're not real. And your teachings are nothing but a bunch of useless tricks and parlor games."

The air was electric with tension, the two combatants standing nose to nose, their words hanging like challenges in the air. But then, in an instant, Master Lee's demeanor changed. His face softened, his eyes gleaming with a deep understanding.

"Well then," he said, his voice low and gentle.

Stanley's anger deflated, replaced by a sense of confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Master Lee smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I mean that we've been going about this the wrong way. We've been focusing on the end result, rather than the journey. Let's start again, from the beginning."

Stanley hesitated, unsure of what to make of Master Lee's words. But as he looked into the older man's eyes, he saw something there that gave him pause. He saw a deep sincerity, a genuine desire to help.

"Okay," Stanley said finally, hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Master Lee's face broke into a wide smile. "Excellent," he said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's start over!"

As Master Justice Lee said those words, he and Stanley locked eyes and in a brief moment, he wiped off most of himself from Stanley's memories. It was a technique his own brother taught him. It was very effective when they went on a covert operations about six centuries ago.

"Errr...? Where the hell am I?" Stanley looked around trying to make sense of where he was. He still hasn't noticed the man in front of him.

At last, he noticed Master Lee. He bowed at once. He knelt before the man. All he knew was that the older man was the legendary Justice Lee and he also remembers having been seeing him for a very long time now. He remembered nothing else about the man.

Justice Lee found it a little weird to be treated that way by Stanley. They were way too familiar to be treated that way. But nonetheless, he enjoyed it.

Master Lee's voice was stern but calm. "Arise." He commanded.

Stanley stood up slowly. He couldn't really look into Lee's eyes like he did three minutes ago.

"May I ask why I am in the presence of the Great One?" Stanley asked politely. It was as if he was someone else. All the frustration Lee knew he felt are all gone now.

"Well, I would just brief it to you. You're one of my descendants. I think, my twenty-fourth generation. And just so you know, you're burden with a responsibility bigger than your life and that is the Eternal Flame. I don't know if you've heard about it —and I don't really care if you have—, the important thing is the fact that a great calamity —great evil—shall be fall this kingdom and only you can save everyone." Justice Lee spoke casual but seriously.

Stanley immediately believed him. It seemed irrational to, but he felt like he already knew all what he was told.

Master Lee continued after making sure that the boy surely digested what he said. "You must train. You will become the most powerful mage. You're the best amongst your pairs and you bear greater responsibility, therefore, you shall lead them and protect your kingdom when the time comes!"

Swiftly, Stanley dropped on one kneel and bowed respectfully. "I accept my burden and I seek your guidance as I walk my journey." He sounded different.

Master Lee's smile was infectious, and Stanley found himself feeling a spark of hope that he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this time he would be able to truly become a mage.

"First, we must start with the basics," Master Lee said, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "We must understand the fundamental principles of Hit."

Stanley nodded, his mind racing with anticipation. He had heard Nick and Trevor talk about Hit before, but he had never really understood it.

"The first principle is that of believe," Master Lee said, his voice low and hypnotic. "Hit is not just about having supernatural abilities and sorcery. It's about believing in the very fabric of life."

Stanley's eyes widened as he listened to Master Lee's words. He had never thought about Hit that way before. In fact, he had never thought of it anyway.

"Maind energy is the infinite force and energy of life itself. But Hit is more dynamic than that. It doesn't only apply to living things only...every thing has it's own maind energy,be it living or otherwise."

"The maind energy enables," Master Lee continued. "Balance and harmony amongst all forms of creation. Maind energy provides an individual with their Hit. Hit is not just about manipulating external forces, but also about harnessing one's own internal energy."

"So the maind energy gave birth to Hit?" Stanley interrupted and immediately regretted the fact that he disrespected the man.

"Not really. But... It's complicated. But, both goes hand-in-hand. Maind energy is natural, while Hit is the gift to harness our maind energy into greater power. Bottom line."

Stanley's mind was racing with questions, but before he could ask any of them, Master Lee raised his hand.

"Enough theory for now," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's time for practice."

Stanley's heart skipped a beat as Master Lee led him to a nearby clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a large stone pedestal. Master Lee walked to the pedestal and placed his hand on it. As he raised his palm off the stone, on top of the pedestal was a small, glowing crystal.

"This is a focus crystal," Master Lee explained, his voice low and serious. "It should help you to focus your intention and harness your energy."

Stanley's eyes widened as he stared at the crystal in awe. He had never seen anything like it before. But, at the same time, he thought of the master's word. 'Should'! Which means it might not work. Who knows what side effects it would have if it didn't work.

"Now, I want you to try and move the crystal," Master Lee said, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Use your intention and energy to make it move."

Stanley's heart was racing with excitement as he stared at the crystal. It seemed to him that he could feel the energy building up inside him.

With a deep breath, Stanley focused all his intention and energy on the crystal. He could feel the power building up inside him, and he knew that he was on the verge of something amazing.

And then, in an instant of sharp disappointment, the crystal didn't move. It sat on the stone as it was.