That night, Bright stood outside his house, gazing up at the endless sky. The stars shimmered quietly, almost as if they were listening.
"So first the district… then Assam," he whispered to himself.
His thoughts wandered deep. "There are only four academies in my district. None of them are that strong… I should be able to beat them easily. But Assam? I don't even know how many beasts are hiding there… strong ones I've never faced. Mmm… whatever happens, I'll find out soon."
He took a long, steady breath, closed his eyes, and let the silence of the night sink in. In that moment, all he could see was the dream he had carried for so long—his dream of rising to the top.
The Next Morning — Sunday
The golden rays of the sun slipped through the curtains as Bright sat cross-legged on his bed, a faint smile on his face. On his screen, a video call had just connected.
"Yo, aniki!" Bright waved casually.
On the other side of the screen, a confident young man appeared — calm expression, sharp eyes, and a lightning bolt pendant resting on his chest. It was his cousin, Arashi, currently living in Hokkaido, Japan. Not just living — he was an elite instructor at Japan's No.1 Academy for Thunder Element training.
"Bright! You look a bit worn out. Been slacking or fighting monsters again?" Arashi smirked.
Bright chuckled. "Both, maybe. But yeah, I wanted to ask you something serious. I've been training with thunder, but I still feel like I'm stuck. I can control it decently, but I'm not growing. I want to know how to push it further."
Arashi leaned back. "Thunder's tricky. It's wild, loud, but not just about power. You need to sync your mind with its rhythm. You remember your match against that girl… what was her name? Rina?"
Bright nodded slowly. "Yeah… Rina. That battle… something happened. For a few seconds, everything around me slowed down. I could hear my own heartbeat, and then… I exploded with power I didn't know I had. But it only lasted for a moment."
Arashi's smile faded into thoughtfulness. "That was your hidden core reacting. Most people awaken hidden abilities under extreme emotion or survival pressure. The key is to recreate that state of mind—not the situation, but the inner spark. You need to enter that space willingly."
"Easier said than done," Bright muttered.
"It's possible," Arashi replied firmly. "You need training—not just in power, but in presence. Meditation. Sparring with focused intent. And once you learn to access that hidden spark at will… you'll go beyond basic thunder control."
Bright's eyes lit up. "You think I can do that before the Assam tournament?"
"If anyone can, it's you. You're not just fighting others, Bright. You're fighting yourself. And when you win that... you'll unlock more than just power."
Bright sat still, his cousin's words settling deep inside him like thunder rumbling below the clouds.
Bright raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes with a playful suspicion.
"By the way… how did you even know about my match with Rina?"
Arashi laughed out loud. "Caught me, huh?"
Bright waited, arms crossed, a small smirk on his lips.
Arashi shook his head, still smiling. "Your big sis video-called me right after the match. She showed me the whole clip and went on for like ten minutes about how 'our Bright is finally growing up!'"
Bright groaned, covering his face with one hand. "Ugh, I should've known. She really doesn't miss a chance to embarrass me."
"But hey," Arashi leaned forward, his voice turning sincere, "the match was impressive. Your instincts kicked in at the right moment. You're getting stronger, whether you see it or not."
Bright looked away for a second, then nodded slowly. "Thanks… I'm just afraid it's not enough yet. Assam league won't be like my district—it's a whole different level."
Arashi smiled again, calm and confident. "And that's why you're going to train harder than ever. We'll talk again next week. I'll send you some thunder techniques used by our academy's top students."
Bright's eyes gleamed with motivation. "Deal. Let's do this."
Arashi's expression softened. "Oh, and by the way… consider this your early birthday gift," he said with a wink. "All the training guides, thunder techniques, and personal tips I'll be sending you—just for you. So enjoy it… and make sure to train at full power, alright?"
Bright smiled, a warmth blooming in his chest. "Thanks, bro. Really… it means a lot."
Arashi leaned back and let out a small sigh. "And yeah, sorry again… I won't be able to visit this time either. Things at the academy are crazy as always."
Bright nodded in understanding. "It's fine. Just knowing you've got my back like this… it's more than enough."
"Good," Arashi said with a grin. "Now go give those district kids hell."
"Will do," Bright chuckled. "Bye."
"Later, thunder boy."
With that, the screen went dark as the call ended. Bright set the phone aside and stared at the ceiling, a quiet fire beginning to spark in his eyes.
A while later, Bright walked over to his mom and asked with a sleepy voice, "Mom, I'm hungry… can you give me something to eat?"
His mom, without looking up, replied, "Mmm… there are cookies on the table. Go have them."
Bright grabbed the cookies and started munching while casually scrolling through his phone. Just then, a new message popped up — it was from his cousin. He had sent a detailed document about thunder element techniques, their definitions, and how to increase elemental efficiency. Along with that, he'd sent some money for resources and a list of special items Bright would need for advanced training.
Bright stared at the screen, eyes sharp and alive. A spark of excitement lit up his face.
"So… it's finally time to begin my real training," he whispered to himself, his heart thudding with fiery determination.
Bright was just about to head out for training, excitement glowing in his eyes. But as he stepped out, his father's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going, Bright?"
"I'm going out for training, Dad," he replied, already halfway to the door.
His father frowned. "Not now. You're coming to the market with me. We need to buy some things for the house."
Bright's expression dropped. He looked down, a bit disheartened, and said softly, "But Dad… Arashi just sent me new techniques and training routines. I need to start today…"
But his father cut him off, his tone stern, "I said come with me. Now."
Bright sighed, his face clearly showing disappointment. "Okay…" he muttered.
With a heavy heart, he turned back and walked alongside his father, quietly heading to the market—his training would have to wait.
Bright was walking through the market with his father, a little dull and disappointed about skipping training. As they passed a small stall, Bright's eyes lit up—an old man stood there, showcasing scrolls and glowing crystal orbs with various symbols.
"Papa, wait!" Bright tugged on his father's sleeve. "Let's go over there. Please?"
"Where?" his father asked, confused.
"There, that stall! Look! It's about elemental techniques!" Bright's excitement was already pulling him forward.
He approached the stall eagerly. "Uncle, what kind of techniques are these?"
The old man looked up with a grin. "Ah, young one. These are special elemental techniques. Fire, thunder, ice, water—whatever your heart seeks. You look like a fire user. Here, take a look—"
"No, uncle," Bright interrupted politely, "I'm a thunder element user."
"Ahh! Even better," the uncle said, rummaging through a pile and laying out seven different thunder scrolls. "Take your pick."
Bright's eyes scanned the scrolls. They all looked powerful, but one in particular caught his attention—it glowed faintly, as if calling to him. There was something magnetic about it.
Just then, his father stepped in with a skeptical tone. "All of this is useless. Didn't Arashi already give you new techniques? Why waste money here?"
Bright looked back at the glowing scroll. "I don't know, Dad… but this one… it feels special."
The shopkeeper chimed in quickly, "You have good instincts, young man. That scroll is our finest thunder technique—Indra Veins. It enhances your body with internal lightning flow, increasing your speed, reflexes, and amplifying your thunder attacks to new heights."
Bright's father gave the man a sharp look, making the old seller nervously straighten up.
"Please, Papa," Bright said softly, "I really want to try this one."
After a moment of hesitation, his father sighed. "Fine. But let me see what this so-called technique actually is."
The seller unrolled the scroll slightly, revealing ancient inscriptions and diagrams crackling with faint sparks. His father raised an eyebrow, finally giving a small nod.
"Alright, take it. But study it properly," he said.
"Thank you!" Bright said with a bright smile, clutching the scroll as if it were a treasure.
With the scroll in hand, the two finished the rest of their shopping and made their way back home—Bright's mind now burning with excitement.
Bright entered his room, a sense of excitement pulsing through him. He quickly pulled out the scroll he had bought at the market—a technique that had drawn him like a magnet.
Unfolding the parchment, his eyes widened as he read the title aloud, "Indra Veins…"
His heartbeat quickened.
"This… this is a body technique," he whispered, his fingers brushing over the ancient script. "It carries the blessing of Indra, the god of thunder…"
The scroll described how the technique would reforge the user's body—turning it into a living conduit of thunder. A destructive force would run through every vein, cloaking the body in a shield of lightning. Not only would it amplify his attacks, but it would also create an almost impenetrable defense.
Bright couldn't hold back his grin.
"A technique like this… this is insane," he said with a breathless laugh. "I really got my hands on something dangerous…"
He clutched the scroll tightly, sparks of determination dancing in his eyes.
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To be continued...