**-I opened my eyes and it was already morning. My mom was shouting to wake me up because I hadn't gotten out of bed yet and I was going to be late for school.-**
**-People who are just about to come of age are required to undergo a ceremony called the *Soul Weapon*.-**
**-The *Soul Weapon* ceremony is meant to reveal their future. They will receive a blessing from the weapon and the soul. During the ceremony, there's a risk of death if they fail to control the weapon they choose. Sometimes, it's the *Soul Weapon* itself that chooses the person it will serve for life. This, however, is rare, and only a few have been chosen by the *Soul Weapon*.-**
**-One of the rare individuals is called *The Chosen One*. These are people who have possessed a *Soul Weapon* since birth. So far, only seven such cases have been recorded, with three currently active. One of them is the *10th Circle*, the professor at *Cane Academy*, "Howard D. Sanz", also known as the *Conjurer of Fire*. These wizards have reached the highest level of fire magic and are considered superhuman.-**
*"Mama, I'm heading to Cane now,"* I said.
Mama replied, *"Wait for the food and bring some with you, you might get hungry at school."*
I answered, *"Okay, Mama. I'm leaving now."*
She came to me, kissed my forehead, and said, *"Take care, Jin."* I smiled at her.
—I went to Cane Academy, and on the way, I saw someone being bullied. They were throwing rocks at her. I shouted, *"Hey! What are you doing?! Why are you ganging up on someone defenseless?!"* I brushed the hair away from her face and saw that it was my childhood friend, **Jade**.
—Jade is an orphan raised by the church. Because of this, she's often bullied—called a beggar, someone with no food or parents. Despite all the teasing and hardship, Jade remains kind and holds onto her dream of becoming a **General** of the Maharlika Kingdom.
*"Jade, are you okay? Are you hurt?"*
*"I'm okay, Jin,"* Jade replied.
I punched one of the bullies, and he fell over.
I shouted, *"If I ever see you doing this again—not just to Jade but to any kid—you'll die."*
After I said that, the three bullies looked at me with terrifyingly dark expressions. I turned to Jade, and she had the same frightened, distressed face. She suddenly ran away from me toward the academy.
Confused, I called out, *"Jade! I have food here, if you're hungry I can share with you!"* But she just kept running.
*"Okay class, sit down. We will continue practicing how to control your soul."*
—I closed my eyes, and everything went dark. I was alone in a lifeless world.—
Teacher Jenny noticed my struggle until the lesson ended.
*"Now, kids, thank you for spending this year with me. Many of you will become important people in the future. Whatever the result of your *Ceremony* tomorrow, accept it wholeheartedly. That's all. Thank you again, everyone."*
*The crowd cheered:* *"Wooo!"* *"Thank you, Teacher Jenny!"*
—The students started leaving. As I was about to leave, Teacher Jenny called, *"Jin."* I turned to her. She said, *"Good luck tomorrow, Jin. You're my favorite student."* She hugged me tightly. I replied, *"Yes, Teacher Jenny. Thank you so much,"* with a smile and tears in my eyes.
—On my way home, I saw someone standing in the distance, waiting. It was my **Papa Hanz**. I rushed toward him and asked, *"Papa, were you waiting for me?"*
He replied, *"Yes, Jin! Tada!"* and showed me the meat he brought.
*"Wow, Papa! Meat! I'll definitely eat a lot again!"*
He smiled, picked me up, and carried me on his shoulders.
*"Let's go, Jin!"*
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**Next Day**
—I woke up to the smell of food Mama Carmel was cooking.—
*Yawns*
*"Mama, what are you cooking? It smells so good!"*
She asked, *"Jin, do you know what kind of meat this is?"*
I replied, *"Chicken?"*
She said, *"Wrong. This is from a *Violet Monster*—the 'Poiso Boar'."*
—The *Poiso Boar* is a type of monster whose saliva is poisonous. Despite being full of poison, its meat is delicious and one of the tastiest *Violet Monsters*. But it can also kill you if not cooked properly. Only a few experts know how to prepare it safely.—
*"Mama Carmel, can you teach me how to cook too?"*
She smiled and said, *"Of course—but once we get back, okay?"*
I asked curiously, *"Get back? Where are we going?"*
Mama Carmel replied, *"Oh Jin, did you forget what day it is? Today is the *Soul Weapon Ceremony*."*
I was surprised and said, *"Please wait, I'll go get dressed!"*
Papa Hanz added, *"Let's go,"* and I quickly got ready. In my haste, I almost forgot the most important thing to me.
*"Are you both ready, Jin and Rin?"*
We both answered, *"Yes, Papa!"*
I teased, *"I'll be stronger than you, Papa—and especially stronger than Kuya Rin!"*
Kuya Rin flicked me on the head, and they all laughed at what he did.
**—End of Chapter 4—**
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