Great power often hides behind innocent eyes.
Ein walked back toward the city, his boots brushing against the dusted trail that led away from the goblin cave—a place where his past weakness had been buried. Inside, he barely recognized himself. He had grown stronger. He had conquered fear. But the world had not changed its view of him. To the townspeople, he remained the quiet, weak boy they had always known.
As if to reinforce that illusion, a group of mischievous boys—those who had bullied him before—stood blocking the path ahead. Their leader, always eager to assert control, smirked and launched into mockery, seeking once again to embarrass him in front of others.
But this time… something had changed.
Ein inhaled slowly and closed his eyes.
In the next breath, an overwhelming aura surged from his body—one that carried the might and majesty of a dragon. The air quivered. Heat rolled through the street like a silent storm. His mere presence bent the very atmosphere.
Laughter died.
The bullies dropped to their knees, hearts racing, breath caught in their throats. Ein did not lay a finger on them. He didn't need to. His gaze alone was enough to deliver a verdict.
A silent response more powerful than any insult.
Bystanders stared in disbelief, some whispering that it must be a trick or an illusion. But Ein didn't care for their opinions. He needed a stage to prove himself. A place where power would be acknowledged for what it truly was.
He turned toward the Adventurer's Guild.
As he entered the registration hall, eyes followed him—curious, skeptical, intrigued. Veterans, spellcasters, and rookies alike paused as the boy approached the magical assessment device. With a calm hand, Ein placed his palm on the glowing orb.
At that moment, the orb pulsed violently. Light burst forth. Sparks danced and cracked. The device shattered, scattering across the marble floor.
Silence fell like a curtain.
Then came the murmurs.
"…Could he be S-Rank?"
To test the rumors, a confident B-Rank warrior stepped forward. A seasoned fighter, his aura spoke of battle scars and countless victories. He lunged at Ein with sharp precision and deadly speed.
But Ein raised a single finger.
The attack halted mid-air. A shockwave burst from Ein's breath, sending the challenger crashing into the wall behind him.
Gasps echoed through the hall. No one spoke.
Then—footsteps.
The guild leader stepped forward. An S-Rank veteran, cloaked in power, discipline, and dignity. With a nod, he invited Ein into the training arena. No more tests. Only truth.
The duel began.
Steel clashed. Winds roared. Every movement became a dance of timing, instinct, and insight. Though he looked young—only twelve—Ein matched the guild master blow for blow. His balance, reaction, and pressure revealed not a child, but a force born anew.
At last, the guild leader lowered his sword and bowed slightly.
"I respect you. You are only twelve, yet your strength is undeniable. You are an S-Rank Adventurer."
With a ceremonial handover, Ein was granted his S-Rank license—an emblem that granted him access to elite missions across the entire kingdom.
From that day forward, his name would no longer echo in whispers of mockery, but blaze across the land like the fire of destiny itself…