Kael walked on the familiar, uneven stone path leading into the slums, but now, everything seemed different. It wasn't the scenery that had changed, but his own perception. The foul smell of garbage, the shouts from rickety houses – all became more vivid, more detailed. He felt every subtle tremor beneath his feet, heard every rustle of insects clearly. All his senses seemed magnified, overflowing with the new Primordial Energy within him.
He found a secluded alley, hidden from prying eyes. He needed time to understand what was happening to him. Kael extended his hand, concentrating. This time, he didn't just want a speck of light. He wanted something more tangible.
A faint, pale green light flared in his palm, swirling like a miniature universe. It was neither hot nor cold, just pure energy. He tried to control it. The light expanded, contracted, even formed simple shapes like a small cube. It was astonishing! Just yesterday, he was someone who couldn't cultivate.
"It truly is Primordial Energy," Kael thought. "Not limited by any core."
He recalled the knowledge from the ancient relic. Primordial Energy was the source, capable of transforming and harmonizing all forms of energy. That meant he didn't need to choose a specific Source Core like other mages or warriors. He could learn them all!
Kael spent the rest of the morning practicing. He tried to generate heat, control a small current of air, even feel the faint energy flow in the cobblestones. Everything came naturally, as if he was born to do it. Excitement mingled with fear. If anyone discovered this ability, he would be hunted.
By afternoon, gnawing hunger forced Kael back to reality. He needed food. The slums had no rules, and hunger meant taking risks. Kael usually had to do odd jobs, or worse, pick up scraps from the dump.
He was passing through a small, rundown market where vendors of wilted produce shouted their wares. Suddenly, a familiar figure flashed by. Radek. He and his cronies were cornering a scrawny old woman, snatching a small bag from her hand.
"Give it back! That's all I have!" The old woman pleaded, trembling.
Radek sneered, tossing the bag to the ground, coins scattering. "Old hag, still resisting?"
Blood rushed to Kael's head. Before, he would have just kept his head down and walked past, or worse, been dragged into the beating himself. But now... he had Primordial Energy.
A strange feeling surged within Kael. Not just anger, but a sense of responsibility. He couldn't continue to pretend he didn't see.
"Let her go!" Kael spoke, his voice deeper, resonating louder than the market's clamor.
Radek and his thugs turned, looking at Kael as if he had grown a third head.
"Who was that cripple talking just now?" Radek squinted, recognizing Kael. "Oh, it's you? How are you still alive? Or have you learned to 'fly' now?" He jeered, and the surrounding crowd began to whisper and point.
Kael stood tall, facing them. He no longer trembled. Primordial Energy simmered within him, but he tried to remain calm.
"I said, let her go," Kael repeated, each word now imbued with an invisible force.
Radek frowned. He felt something different about Kael. Not the usual fear, the weakness. But he quickly dismissed the thought. "Who do you think you are, ordering me around? Come here, let me teach you to respect the strong!"
Radek lunged, his steel fist aimed straight for Kael's face. It was the kind of punch that had sent Kael to the infirmary countless times. But this time, Kael didn't dodge. He calmly extended his hand.
A faint energy shield, amber mixed with a hint of green, suddenly appeared before Kael. Radek's punch slammed into the shield, producing a dry "thud." The repulsive force made Radek cry out in pain, stumbling back a few steps, his hand trembling.
The crowd fell silent. Radek and his thugs stood frozen. They couldn't believe their eyes. Kael had blocked Radek's punch? And how?
"Y-you... what the hell did you do?" Radek stammered, his face pale. He had seen mages use shields, but Kael was a cripple!
Kael didn't answer. He gently picked up the scattered coins from the ground, handing them to the old woman who was trembling with shock and fear.
"Are you alright?" Kael asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.
The old woman stared at him, speechless.
Kael turned back to Radek. His eyes no longer held fear, but a cold glint, tinged with disappointment. "This is not your place," he said, his voice echoing like thunder.
An invisible wave of energy emanated from Kael, pushing Radek's thugs back a few steps. They felt a heavy pressure on their chests, an instinctive fear rising within them. Radek was the strongest in this slum, but now, he felt like he was facing a monster.
"Retreat... retreat!" Radek yelled, turning and fleeing with his thugs, leaving behind chaos and the astonished gazes of the crowd.
Kael stood there, amidst the suddenly silent market. He looked at his hands. The energy shield had vanished, but the sensation of Primordial Energy still flowed powerfully. He had not only survived, he had fought. And he had won.
But this victory also brought consequences. From now on, Kael was no longer an anonymous cripple. He had revealed his power, even if just a little. This slum had eyes and ears everywhere. News would spread quickly.