"The First Voice That Chose Me"
The night was cold.
Chu Feng sat alone at the edge of the training ground, knees pulled to his chest, staring at the cracked skin of his hands. Blood had dried along his knuckles again. He hadn't bothered cleaning it yet.
The laughter still echoed in his ears.
You don't belong here.
You're not talented.
You're just lucky your father has connections.
He squeezed his fists tighter.
"I'm trying," he whispered to the empty air. "I really am."
Lightning flickered weakly around his fingers—then vanished.
Too unstable.
Too weak.
Too late.
Chu Feng leaned back against the cold stone, exhaustion pressing down on him like a mountain. His eyes burned, but he refused to let tears fall.
If I cry… I'll never stop.
So he closed his eyes instead.
A Strange Warmth
At first, there was only darkness.
Then—
Warmth.
Not blazing like lightning.
Not sharp or overwhelming.
Just… gentle.
Chu Feng frowned slightly.
What is this…?
The warmth gathered in his dantian, swirling softly, like mist being drawn into a quiet center. His breathing slowed. His racing thoughts softened.
Then—
A heartbeat.
Not his own.
Thump.
Chu Feng's eyes snapped open.
His consciousness was pulled inward, sinking into a vast, dim space within him—an inner world he had never seen before.
And there—
Floating quietly—
Was an egg.
Small.
Dark-purple.
Smooth as polished jade, faint runes glimmering along its shell like sleeping stars.
Chu Feng froze.
"…What?" he whispered.
The egg pulsed once.
Thump.
A feeling brushed his soul.
Shyness.
Curiosity.
And—
fear.
Not of him.
Fear of being alone.
Chu Feng's chest tightened.
"Did… did I scare you?" he asked softly.
The egg trembled.
Then a faint voice—so soft it almost didn't exist—reached him.
"…no…"
Chu Feng's breath caught.
"A voice…?"
The egg glowed faintly.
"…you… are sad…"
His heart shook.
No one had ever said that to him.
Not his teachers.
Not his peers.
Not even the people who claimed to care.
He swallowed.
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "I'm just… not strong yet."
Silence.
Then—
"…liar…"
Not accusing.
Just honest.
Chu Feng laughed weakly.
"…Maybe."
Awakening
The egg began to crack.
Thin lines of light spread across its surface, brightening the inner world. Spirit energy surged—not violently, but naturally, as if the world itself approved.
Chu Feng panicked.
"W-Wait! Are you okay?!"
"…don't shout…" the voice complained faintly. "…I am waking up…"
The shell shattered gently.
Light poured out.
And from it—
A small girl emerged.
Long dark-purple hair.
Sharp, expressive eyes.
A faintly arrogant—but fragile—expression.
She hovered in the air, arms crossed, clearly unsteady.
"…hmph," she said weakly. "You are noisy."
Chu Feng stared.
His mind went blank.
"A… a girl?"
She blinked.
"…obviously."
She looked down at herself, then at him.
"…you look stupid."
Chu Feng flushed red.
"I—I'm sorry!"
She froze.
"…why are you apologizing?"
"I… I don't know," he admitted. "I just… don't want to upset you."
Her expression faltered.
No one had ever worried about her feelings either.
"…Idiot," she muttered.
But her voice was quieter now.
The Contract
The inner world trembled.
Ancient runes formed naturally between them—not forced, not summoned.
A World Spirit Contract.
The girl looked at the glowing symbols and frowned.
"…If I complete this," she said slowly, "I will be bound to you."
Chu Feng's heart raced.
"I—I won't force you," he said quickly. "If you don't want to—"
She stared at him.
Hard.
"…You would release me?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "You deserve to choose."
Silence.
Then—
She turned away slightly.
"…Tch. Annoying."
She reached out.
The contract sealed.
Light wrapped around them both.
The first World Spirit contract of Chu Feng was formed.
Her Name
When the light faded, she hovered closer—still proud, still pretending not to care.
"…You should give me a name," she said.
Chu Feng blinked. "A name?"
"Yes," she replied. "…If I'm staying."
His heart pounded.
He thought for a moment, then smiled shyly.
"…Eggy."
She stared.
"…Eggy?"
"You came from an egg," he said nervously. "And… it sounds cute."
Her face went red.
"…IDIOT!" she shouted, punching his chest—though it didn't hurt.
She turned away sharply.
"…but… fine."
She glanced back at him.
"…Only you are allowed to call me that."
Chu Feng smiled.
A real one.
First Love (Unspoken)
Later, back in the real world, Chu Feng opened his eyes.
The night was still cold.
His hands were still injured.
But his heart felt… warm.
Eggy floated beside him, arms crossed, pretending not to watch his breathing.
"…You're weak," she said.
"I know."
"…And slow."
"I know."
"…And you get bullied."
"…I know."
She hesitated.
Then spoke softly:
"…But you don't give up."
Chu Feng looked at her.
"…Thank you. For choosing me."
She snorted.
"…Don't misunderstand. I just dislike losers who still stand back up."
She drifted closer, sitting beside him.
"…Get stronger," she said quietly. "If you die, I'll kill you."
Chu Feng laughed.
Under the stars, lightning flickered gently around them.
Chu Feng wasn't alone anymore.
And neither was Eggy.
This was not a legend yet.
Just two lonely souls—
Beginning their first bond.