The method Maicy discovered for Kaine had a staggering 90% chance of failure. Still, he chose to take the risk. After all, he had nothing left to lose.
Since Kaine couldn't awaken an affinity to any sin through the normal means, Maicy proposed something unorthodox—madness to anyone else. He would plunge Kaine into a life-or-death situation, hoping that the raw, unfiltered surge of emotion would trigger a latent sin within him. It was a gamble, one born of desperation and backed by a single forgotten line in an ancient record.
The Aphelgustine family's power worked in a unique and ruthless manner. Although their abilities were called "Sin Arts" and were tied to emotion, they required early resonance—affinity had to be formed young. Once bonded to a sin, it defined a person's path, permanently. For example, if someone gained an affinity for Sloth at age 13 and didn't gain another by 15, they would remain locked into Sloth forever.
The current Patriarch of the family stood as a shining example—he had awakened two affinities at thirteen, and three more by fourteen. Five affinities, a feat unmatched for centuries, securing him a place in the family's lore.
But Kaine—Kaine had nothing. No affinity. No blessings. No future.
And yet… there was that one line. One account buried in the dust-covered volumes of the family's grand library—where it was written that an ancient ancestor had awakened a sin not through age, but through agony.
It was a faint hope.
A dangerous one.
And that's why Kaine now stood in a secluded forest, face-to-face with a creature far above his rank.
---
Another deafening crash tore through the forest as a towering tree shattered into splinters. A beast—massive, tusked, furious—charged forth, shaking the ground with every stomp.
"Fine. If it's a fight you want..." Kaine clenched his fists, turning sharply to face the monster. "Then come take it."
This wasn't bravery. This wasn't foolishness. This was necessity.
The beast was at the Awaken Rank, a whole level above Kaine, and even worse—it was a beast. According to the Natural Laws, beasts held superior physical prowess compared to humans of the same rank. And here Kaine stood, an Initiate facing an Awakened monster.
He didn't falter.
He didn't blink.
Qi surged through his veins as his muscles coiled like springs, his entire body tensed and ready. He threw away hesitation, tossed fear to the wind. This wasn't just a battle—it was a crucible.
---
Qi, the energy of life, existed in two forms—ambient and internal. Ambient Qi floated around the world like dust in sunlight, while internal Qi resided in living beings. Humans typically awakened a Qi Core around age 10, marking the beginning of their cultivation journey.
Past the age of 15 without a core? You'd remain a mundane mortal forever.
But Kaine? He formed his Qi Core at seven.
A genius. A prodigy. A living legend.
He blazed through the Initiate Rank, mastering techniques others spent decades learning. The path to greatness seemed inevitable.
But the path had other plans.
Now, Kaine stood at the edge of the cliff—literally and metaphorically. His goal tonight was twofold: to unlock a sin through emotional ignition… and to use the trial of battle to break through into the Awaken Rank.
---
BOOOOOOM!
The boar collided with him like a living boulder, the forest trembling from the impact. In less than a blink, Kaine was flung through the air like a broken arrow. He crashed through tree after tree, bones shattering, blood spraying the bark in a crimson arc.
"Khak—!" he coughed, crimson splattering from his lips, bits of internal organs among the blood.
Pain.
Agonizing pain.
He staggered to his feet, only to feel a stabbing fire at his arm—twisted at a grotesque angle. He stared at it for a second, wide-eyed.
Then clenched his jaw.
With a scream torn from his soul, he wrenched the arm back into place, the sickening crack echoing through the woods.
"You're going to die for this," he growled, voice low, feral.
Blood dripped from his ears, his mouth, his nose. Yet his rage burned hotter than the pain.
---
And then the memories came.
They hit him like a tidal wave, drowning him in silent screams.
Fifteen years ago, when he was born, the skies above Devil's Hold had gone black. An eclipse no one could explain. On that day, the elders whispered:
> "A great talent has been born."
"Or… a harbinger of ruin."
Both were true.
He awakened his Qi core at seven. The family celebrated him as their messiah. People bowed to him, offered him treasures. Everyone wanted to be near him. Elders offered to be his personal tutors. Even the patriarch descended from his high seat and promised to train him—once he awakened a sin.
But years passed. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen.
No sin came.
The smiles faded.
The voices quieted.
The ones who cheered his name turned away, muttering disappointment.
They all left him—all of them.
Kaine's breathing turned ragged, but not from the wounds.
From anger.
Betrayal.
"Where were you all?" he whispered. "Where were your smiles when I needed them most? Was I only worthy when I was perfect? When I was useful?"
The air grew heavy.
Dense.
His Qi flared uncontrollably, a crimson aura crackling and swirling violently. Even the beast froze momentarily, sensing something primal awaken before it.
Something furious.
Kaine's ruby eyes blazed, glowing with a light not seen before.
> "I won't become strong so you'll love me again," he muttered.
"I'll become strong enough… that you'll all fear me instead."
---
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The beast charged again—but this time, Kaine didn't move an inch. He caught it by its tusk—with his broken arm—and held it there, unmoving, like a divine wall. The earth cracked beneath them from the pressure. The boar screamed, legs digging in, but Kaine didn't flinch.
His eyes shifted—no longer ruby, but fury incarnate.
"I get it now," he said coldly.
Then—
Flames.
Fire exploded from his arm like a sun being born. In a split second, the entire forest turned into a sea of red.
WHOOSH!
Over a hundred meters of land vanished in a blaze. The boar didn't even have time to scream—it was gone, erased by Kaine's fury.
And there, standing amidst the inferno, stood Kaine.
Charred. Bleeding. Broken.
But standing.
His skin cracked like dry earth. His arm dangled, burnt beyond recognition. His breath came in short gasps. And yet... in his eyes, something blazed:
The Sin of Wrath.
And its ability—Raging Flames.
---
He collapsed moments later, the forest silent… until a cool wind swept through.
The trees grew back.
The charred earth healed.
As if nature itself wept for him.
Descending from the sky was a woman—elegant, serene, divine. Her white gown danced in the air. Her long, silver hair shimmered like starlight. Her ruby eyes matched his own.
Maicy.
She kneeled beside his body, cradling him gently as she fed him a glowing elixir. His skin peeled away, revealing new flesh beneath.
"You did well," she whispered, planting a soft kiss on his forehead.
And then, they vanished.
---
Kaine awoke in a familiar room, bathed in soft gold and white. Expensive artifacts lined the walls, herbs perfumed the air.
He recognized it instantly—Maicy's room.
He sat up groggily, checking his wounds.
The door opened.
"You're finally awake," said a familiar voice.
Maicy entered with a warm smile.
"How long…?" Kaine asked, eyes narrowing.
"Six days," she said cheerfully. "You're lucky. You didn't miss the tournament."
Six days?!
Kaine stood up in shock—only to realize he was completely nude. He scrambled to find clothing as panic set in.
"I've just entered the Awaken Rank—I barely understand my new ability! The tournament is tomorrow!"
Maicy chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Even though you entered the Awaken Rank later than your peers… I believe you'll breeze through it."
There was such confidence in her voice, it made Kaine pause.
"What… exactly did I do back there?" he asked, uncertain.
Maicy's smile deepened. "You became a storm, dear Kaine. A force no one could stop."
His mind was still hazy. The memory of the flames, the fury—they felt distant. Like someone else had taken over.
"I need to train. I need to master it before tomorrow."
"Shouldn't you rest more?" she asked, a bit worried.
"I've rested enough," Kaine said firmly, his aura already surging.
"It's time the world saw what I've become."