BearBrush

Varek Solin was born into a world where power is given at birth. On his 10th birthday, every child opens their Vault, a source of mana that will shape their future. In a society divided by wealth and rank, those born into riches are granted Diamond Vaults, while the poor settle for Bronze Vaults, their strength bound by fate.

But Varek’s path was never meant to follow the ordinary. With a Bronze Vault in his chest, his future seems set—until a war between humans and demons turns his world upside down. Amidst the chaos of battle, Varek encounters a force beyond his understanding—a mysterious power that will alter the course of his life.

As his powers awaken and the world around him shifts, Varek must face the truth of what lies within him. A boy from the lowest ranks, with a vault like no other. What is this power that calls to him from the shadows? And how far will he go to understand it?

In a world where strength determines your fate, Varek Solin will soon learn that the greatest power lies not in the vaults of wealth, but in the mysteries buried beneath the surface.

The Shadow's Beneath

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the open field outside their house. A long wooden table had been set up, filled with fresh ingredients—vegetables, meat, spices, and even some rare herbs they had gathered during missions.

Knox Cthul stood at the front, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "Alright, listen up! Today, we're having a cooking competition!"

Varek raised an eyebrow. "Cooking?"

Dicio pumped his fist. "Finally! Something I can actually win at!"

Vikas crossed his arms. "You sure about that? Cooking is about precision, just like ice magic."

Knox grinned. "Rules are simple. You have one hour to cook anything using the ingredients here. No outside help, no magic except for basic fire and ice to control temperature. The best dish wins."

Varek smirked. "And what's the prize?"

Knox's grin widened. "The winner gets to sit out of training for one day."

Dicio gasped dramatically. "Say less. I'm winning this."

The competition started immediately.

Varek, ever the improviser, tossed ingredients together, relying purely on instinct. His approach? Chaos. He threw meat into a pan without cutting it properly, added a random mix of spices, and hoped for the best.

Vikas, on the other hand, was methodical—carefully slicing vegetables, controlling the fire with ice magic to create the perfect simmer, and cooking his dish with precision and patience.

Dicio? He was shockingly skilled. He moved with confidence, flipping ingredients in the air, adding just the right amount of seasoning, tasting as he went. "A real chef adjusts," he said proudly, while tossing a pinch of salt into his dish.

Knox, watching from the side, nodded approvingly. "Not bad, not bad."

An hour passed, and the judging began.

Varek presented his dish—a burnt, overly spiced piece of meat with random vegetables thrown around the plate. He crossed his arms. "It's got character."

Knox took one bite and immediately coughed. "Did… did you use every spice available?"

Vikas' dish was beautifully plated—grilled meat, perfectly cooked rice, and a balanced sauce. Knox took a bite and nodded. "Clean flavors, well-prepared. Solid work."

Dicio went last. His plate? A perfectly golden-crusted dish, rich in aroma, with tender meat and a sauce that made Knox's eyes widen after the first bite.

"...Dicio wins," Knox announced, shaking his head in disbelief.

Dicio threw his arms up. "YES! No training for me tomorrow!"

Vikas sighed. "Next time, I'll win."

Knox just laughed. "Enjoy your free day, Dicio. But next time… I'm entering the competition too."

Flashback (5)