The Holy Spirit Village slept early. By the time the last cooking fires dimmed, most houses were quiet, the night broken only by the croaking of frogs and the distant rustle of leaves in the back mountain.
But one small figure was still awake.
Ayan crouched in the courtyard behind the village chief's house, bare feet pressed into the cool dirt. His thin arms trembled slightly as he held a heavy rock over his head.
"One… two… three…" he whispered, counting each slow squat.
In the original stories, martial souls were influenced by lineage, but also by the body's condition and innate energy at awakening. Most people didn't know that, but Ayan did. If he wanted a powerful martial soul — or at least push its potential higher — he needed to strengthen himself now.
He dropped the rock after the thirtieth squat, sweat dripping from his forehead. His breath came fast, but he forced himself to start the next exercise: crawling push-ups.
This had been his routine for months.
Morning: chores with the village chief, running with Tang San, playing in the fields (but always in ways that built stamina).
Night: strength drills, flexibility stretches, meditation to focus his spirit power.
A sudden voice startled him.
"What are you doing?"
Ayan turned and found Tang San standing in the shadows, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Uh… training," Ayan said simply.
Tang San tilted his head. "Training for what? You're only four."
Ayan smirked. "And you're already playing with weapons. What's your excuse?"
That made Tang San laugh. He didn't press further, but Ayan caught the flicker of understanding in his friend's eyes. Tang San wasn't a normal child either.
Over the next few days, the boys trained together more often. Tang San showed him basic stances, while Ayan made up "games" that tested grip strength, balance, and speed. The villagers saw only two children playing — they didn't realize both were sharpening themselves like blades.
One late afternoon, after a mock spear fight near the creek, Ayan sat on a boulder, staring at the horizon.
In less than two years… Spirit Awakening.
He imagined the possibilities — a martial soul that could change everything, something that could stand beside Tang San's twin spirits without being overshadowed. He didn't yet know what form it would take… but he knew he'd earn it.
The wind shifted, carrying the scent of earth and water. Somewhere deep in his chest, he felt a faint pulse — like the world itself was listening.
Good, he thought. Then watch closely. I'm going to be more than just a side character this time.