1 The Road Begins

The State of Ming was a very poor nation in the Northern lands. Like other poor or small nations in the continent of Zhuyin, its people admired the life in the Eastern Lands, and they admired Mages. Not only did the king carry this admiration, all citizens in the State of Ming did. They could see it, almost as if they could join a top sect in the capital city, oh so far away.

This January was neither extremely cold, nor scorching hot. Light winds caressed the land, passing the Northern Lands, blowing over the lands of the State of Ming. Under the twilight sky, it lifted the fog-like dust, then swirling, twisting, reached Mount Younon in the State of Ming. Then it fell onto a young man who sat there on the mountaintop.

He was a muscular young man, holding a heavy boulder with his head and wearing shorts with no top. He appeared to be about sixteen. He was tall, and his skin was similar to a baby, but his bright eyes sparkled with intelligence.

"Do I really have to do this…" He sighed. His name was Akio Masao, a fifteen year old boy who was reborn into this world. In the state of Ming, it was required for everyone age fifteen and older to attend cultivation school. The parents of Akio, Hana and Kaito persuaded him to apply for the prestigious Xua Tian Mage Academy which was known for raising powerful powerhouses who went on to join powerful sects in the Eastern Lands.

"I've lived all of my previous life focusing on athletics. In all that time, I ran laps, did work-outs, read books, and practiced until I wanted to throw up. Maybe that is the path for me to take in this world to reach the top." Filled with anticipation, he looked down the mountain, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"My parents keep repeating over and over about how important it is to become a mage. I might as well follow their advice and see how great it is… How useless I am to be the former top athlete." He laughed bitterly. Sitting there on the silent mountaintop, he looked increasingly lost. He began to feel fear. What would he do in the future? Where would he go?

Perhaps his life might lead to the same path of him reaching the top and falling. Having a high position or a title is all a piece of crap when it comes to the world of strength.

If you don't have the ability to protect your friends and family, haven't you lived your life in vain?

There were no answers to the questions. He was but a teenager, and this feeling of being lost had devoured him like a giant invisible mouth. He truly felt afraid.

"After all of this time, I thought I was smart. But, I haven't even realized something that a dog would be able to do with a thought." He grew silent for a while.

"My family is poor and weak and only continue to age. Right now, I have to get stronger. Much much stronger so that I don't let history repeat itself. I don't need to reach the top or have all the glory, but I want my family to live happily. I want my family to live with pride instead of putting down their heads in front of a Noble. My only choice of action is to continue my path. If my parents are happy with me being a mage, then that settles it. " He raised his head and looked up at the sky, blue and grand. It was so large you could not see its ends. Much similar to how he could not see his future.

After a while, Akio Masao shook his head and started walking down the mountain.

It was beginning.

The road of Akio, as he climbs to the top.

Will he fall on his journey?

Or will he make a name for himself?