A New Resolve

With the morning sun streaming through the window, Arthur woke up and stumbled downstairs, his body weak from not eating for more than a day. His stomach growled audibly, a clear protest against the neglect. Even though he still didn't have the mood for it, the physical toll was undeniable. Reluctantly, he approached his mother and asked for something to eat. To cheer him up, his mother had used the last of their weekly money to buy some meat, hoping to bring a bit of comfort to her despondent son.

Arthur's heart sank at the realization of her sacrifice, but he quickly forced a smile to hide his emotions. Clutching his stomach dramatically, he said, "Wow, this smells amazing! I can't wait to dig in," his voice filled with feigned excitement. His mother, reassured by his act, smiled warmly as she served him.

Each bite, however, carried the weight of her sacrifice. Still, Arthur wolfed down the rice and meat with exaggerated enthusiasm, masking the heaviness in his heart with every cheerful gesture. Seeing her son's apparent joy, his mother's smile brightened.

After the meal, his mother asked, "How are you feeling now?"

"A little full from the sumptuous meal," he replied, silently acknowledging his determination to move forward.

"There's no reason to be upset if you think about it. Teacher Larry mentioned that some people don't awaken during the ceremony due to poor body composition. There's still a chance to awaken later. I'll undergo warrior training to strengthen my body and then try the awakening ceremony again next year. I will surely awaken next time," he said confidently.

His mother was amazed at his optimism. Most children his age would be crushed by such failure, but Arthur remained hopeful and determined to give his all. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she realized how mature her son had become.

Arthur noticed and hugged her. "Don't cry, Mother. I'll definitely awaken, and we'll live comfortably without having to worry about going hungry anymore."

After finishing his work at Mr. Augustin's shop, Arthur went to school to learn more about warrior training. Upon entering the classroom, he saw only four students, the ones who awakened their elements. Kian with the fire element, Gina with the Air element, Gerard with the Earth element, and Cedric with the Water element.

"Well, look who's here," Kian's voice echoed across the room. "The one who couldn't even muster a single spark on the Awakening stone. Did you come to learn how the rest of us actually awakened?"

Arthur turned toward the voice, locking eyes with Kian. He didn't flinch. Instead, he glared back, a ferocious intensity burning in his gaze.

"The nerve! How dare a commoner like you show me those dog eyes?" Kian sneered.

"Without your father's authority, you're nothing but a stray dog," Arthur retorted, his voice steady and full of contempt. The room fell silent as gasps rippled through the students. Kian's smug expression faltered for a moment before twisting into anger.

"If I could use my Fire element, I would burn you until even your bones wouldn't be left to feed the dogs," Kian growled.

Arthur smirked coldly. "If you're so confident, let's settle this as equals. But if you're a real man, don't involve my mother in your petty attempts to humiliate me. Leave her out of this."

Kian's sneer faltered briefly before he replied, "Hmph. Fine. I don't need a servant to win against you."

"A year from now. You and me. That's enough time for you to learn how to use your Fire element," Arthur challenged, pointing at Kian's chest and then his own.

The classroom buzzed with whispers. A normal human challenging an Awakened Elementalist? This was madness, especially against someone like Kian.

"Hahaha! Very well. You'll be a good subject to test my Fire element. Don't go back on your words. We'll duel in the school grounds a year later," Kian laughed hysterically.

When one awakened an element, they couldn't use that element immediately. The first stage of an Elementalist was known as Elemental Neophyte. At this stage, one would gain their Elemental vision as their Elemental core would awaken. They would be able to attract Elemental energies from their surrounding into their body through meditation.

After the elements entered their body, they would seep into their bones and muscles and slowly creep towards the dormant meridians or energy pathways in one's body and start to awaken them. 

Once the energy pathways were activated, a clear pathway formed from the elemental core for the elemental energies to be transmitted out to the outside through the meridians. This process of unleashing the elemental energies from one's core to the outside resulted in an Elemental spell.

One became an Elemental Novice at this stage and start to use their elements to attack. It usually took around one year to reach the Elemental Novice stage from an Elemental Neophyte.

Arthur challenged Kian to a duel after a year so that Kian could use his Fire element at that time and couldn't use any excuse. It was also to give himself sufficient time to prepare himself.

He wasn't aware how long it would take for his warrior training to borne fruit. But he estimated that he could make some progress within a year and the looming pressure of the duel would drive him to grow stronger at a fast pace. He took on this additional burden to ensure that he would spare no effort in his training.

After class, Arthur approached Teacher Larry. "Teacher, where do I go for warrior training?"

"You can go to the school grounds in the evening. But I must warn you—warrior training is extremely demanding. The trainer pushes students to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. Rumors say his methods border on cruel, designed to break the weak and forge only the strongest. Many who tried didn't last more than a few days."

"Who is this trainer?" Arthur asked, suppressing the shock from the description.

"You'll find out when you get there. I wish you all the best," Teacher Larry said, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder before leaving.

Arthur left the classroom, his heart pounding from the confrontation. The challenge with Kian replayed in his mind, the weight of his decision pressing heavily on him. Yet, beneath it all, a spark of determination burned brighter. He clenched his fists as he walked toward the school grounds, vowing to prove himself through the grueling warrior training, no matter how harsh or unforgiving it might be. This was his path forward, and he would not back down—not now, not ever.