The morning after the Baptism Ceremony felt… different.
Arin stood in the yard behind his home, staring at the faint mark on his palm. The symbol of the Warrior class had dimmed slightly compared to yesterday, but it was still there—clear, undeniable.
A warrior.
He clenched his fist slowly. "So this is it…" he muttered. "My path."
The air was cool, carrying the scent of damp soil and fresh grass. Somewhere in the distance, villagers had already begun their daily routines—woodcutting, farming, trading. Life moved on as always.
But for Arin, something had changed.
"Arin!"
His mother's voice broke his thoughts. He turned to see Mira standing at the doorway, holding a small cloth bundle.
"You've been staring at your hand for a while now," she said with a soft smile. "Still thinking about yesterday?"
Arin scratched the back of his head. "Yeah… I mean… Warrior sounds great and all, but…"
"But?" she asked gently.
He hesitated. "It feels… small."
Mira raised an eyebrow slightly. "Small?"
"I don't know how to explain it," Arin said, looking down again. "It's like… there's more. Like the mark doesn't show everything."
For a brief moment, Mira's expression changed—just slightly—but enough that Arin noticed. Then she smiled again, calm and reassuring.
"Maybe there is," she said softly. "Or maybe it's just your determination speaking. Either way… what matters is what you do from here."
She handed him the cloth bundle. "Here. Your breakfast. You'll need it if you're going to train all morning."
Arin took it, grinning. "Thanks, Mother."
Training Begins
The yard was quiet except for the sound of wind brushing against the trees. Arin picked up his wooden training sword, spinning it once in his hand.
"Alright… Warrior, huh?" he muttered. "Let's see what that actually means."
He stepped forward and swung.
The movement was clumsy at first—too stiff, too forced. He clicked his tongue. "No… that's not right."
He adjusted his stance, remembering everything he'd practiced over the past year. His feet shifted, his grip relaxed slightly, and this time, when he swung—
Whoosh.
The blade cut through the air more cleanly.
"Better," he said, nodding to himself.
Again.
And again.
Each swing grew sharper, smoother. Sweat began to form on his forehead, but he didn't stop. His breathing steadied, his focus narrowing.
This is my path now. Warrior.
But even as he trained, there was something else—something subtle—flowing beneath his movements. A faint warmth in his arms. A quiet hum in his chest.
Arin paused.
"…There it is again."
He looked at his hand, flexing his fingers. The feeling was familiar. It had been there during training before, during the ceremony… always just beneath the surface.
"Not now," he whispered. "Stay hidden."
As if responding, the sensation faded slightly.
Arin exhaled. "Good."
He tightened his grip on the sword again. "Let's keep it simple."
A Small Test
After training for what felt like hours, Arin wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat down on the grass.
"Man… being a warrior isn't easy," he muttered, taking a bite from the leftover bread in his bundle.
A sudden rustling sound came from the bushes nearby.
Arin froze.
"…?"
The leaves shook again.
Slowly, he stood up, gripping the wooden sword. "Hello?"
No response.
Then—
A small creature burst out of the bushes.
Arin jumped back. "Whoa!"
It was a small mana beast—no bigger than a dog. Its fur shimmered faintly, and its eyes glowed with a weak blue light.
"Level… what? Probably low," Arin muttered, squinting. "Still…"
The creature growled softly, circling him.
Arin swallowed. "Alright… first real test, huh?"
He adjusted his stance, remembering his training. Feet grounded. Grip steady. Eyes focused.
"Come on then," he said, trying to sound confident.
The beast lunged.
Arin reacted instantly—stepping to the side and swinging his sword.
Thwack!
The hit landed, but not cleanly. The creature stumbled, then quickly recovered, baring its teeth.
"Not enough…" Arin muttered. "Too slow."
The beast attacked again.
This time, Arin moved better. He ducked, rolled, and swung again—more controlled, more precise.
Thud!
The creature yelped and backed away.
Arin panted, heart racing. "Okay… okay… I'm getting it…"
For a moment, that familiar warmth surged again—stronger this time. His movements felt lighter, faster.
He froze.
"No…" he whispered. "Not here…"
The feeling faded again, leaving him slightly off-balance.
The creature took the chance to run, disappearing back into the bushes.
Silence returned.
Arin stood there, breathing heavily.
"…It ran."
He let out a small laugh. "Guess I scared it off."
He dropped onto the grass again, staring up at the sky.
"That… felt weird," he muttered. "That power… it's definitely not normal."
He raised his hand, looking at the Warrior mark.
"Warrior class… huh?"
A small smile formed on his face.
"Maybe that's just the surface."
Evening Thoughts
By the time the sun began to set, Arin sat on the roof of his house, watching the sky turn orange and gold.
The village was calm again. Smoke rose from chimneys, people returned home, and the day slowly came to an end.
Mira stepped out below, glancing up at him. "You've been busy today."
"Yeah," Arin replied. "Training… and a small fight."
"A fight?" she asked, slightly concerned.
"Nothing serious," he said quickly. "Just a small mana beast. It ran away."
Mira sighed in relief. "Be careful, Arin. You're still growing."
"I know," he said, smiling faintly.
She looked at him for a moment, then nodded and went back inside.
Arin leaned back, staring at the stars beginning to appear.
His hand rested on his chest.
That warmth… that hidden power…
It was still there. Quiet. Waiting.
"No one knows…" he whispered.
His eyes sharpened with determination.
"And that's how it'll stay… for now."
A small grin spread across his face.
"I'll become stronger. As a warrior… and beyond that."
The night settled over the village, calm and quiet.
But for Arin—
This was only the beginning.