The path to power in this world was never meant to be fair. Watching another person's growth—a male protagonist with fate bending to help him rise—Bella couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.
"Why is it always the guys who get the epic origin stories?" she muttered silently to herself.
Her name was Bella, the so-called Goddess of Judgment—a title heavy with responsibility. Yet deep down, she was still human enough to feel jealous. Watching someone else receive what looked like the beginning of a hero's journey stirred uncomfortable emotions.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Emotions like envy had no place in her mission.
Bella's gaze fell on the young boy beside her—Sanjid, wide-eyed and stunned by everything he had seen and experienced. He hadn't spoken for a long time, simply staring at the sea, lost in thought.
The sky turned from golden orange to deep purple, and soon, the moon took over the heavens. As night blanketed the island, a loud sound broke the silence.
Grrroooowl.
It was Sanjid's stomach.
Embarrassed, the boy clutched his belly and turned red. He didn't dare look at Bella. Being hungry in front of someone you idolize—especially a powerful and beautiful woman—was a nightmare for any teenage boy.
But Bella only smiled. Without teasing him, she lifted her finger and tapped the air gently.
Boom!
Suddenly, a tall column of water erupted from the sea, and several large, silvery fish leapt into the air, caught by an invisible force.
With a slight wave of her other hand, tree stumps from the nearby woods floated into the air, neatly arranged into a pile. They burst into flame without so much as a spark.
As if guided by unseen hands, the fish were cleaned, their scales and guts removed, then impaled with sharpened wooden stakes. The fish began roasting above the flames as Bella sat back calmly.
Sanjid was dumbfounded. He couldn't even process what had just happened.
Ten minutes later...
Hiccup.
The boy sat beside the fire, completely full. The last stick of roasted fish was tossed into the flames, and he took a long sip of ice-cold Coke—pulled from thin air by Bella again.
He hiccupped loudly.
It was easily the best meal he'd had in weeks. No seasoning, no fancy preparation—but for someone who hadn't eaten properly in over a month, it was a feast fit for royalty.
Bella, sitting on a wooden log nearby, asked casually, "What do you want to do next?"
Sanjid went quiet. Then he sighed. "I don't know…"
There was sadness in his voice. He had no family, no future, and was now a fugitive. If Bella hadn't stepped in, he might've already been captured—or worse—by those who had been hunting him.
Bella stood and dusted off her legs. She looked down at him and said, "I'm not good at motivational speeches. That's not my style. But you have potential. Would you like to see what the real world is like?"
He blinked, confused. "The real world?"
"This planet is just one speck in the universe. The ocean in front of you? It's a raindrop in a storm. There's so much more out there. And I need help."
Sanjid's heart skipped a beat. The words hit him harder than he expected.
"She… needs my help?"
For someone like him—lost, broken, uncertain—those words were a lifeline. His eyes lit up with hope for the first time in ages.
"Me? You want me to help you?"
Bella smiled. "Yes. But first... you'll need to pass a trial."
"A trial?"
Before Sanjid could ask more questions, Bella disappeared into the night, leaving him alone on the island.
---
The following day, Sanjid got to work. Though abandoned, the island had plenty of resources. In his home country, kids were taught basic survival skills. He was no expert, but he could manage.
Using fallen logs and thick vines, he built a small shelter near the beach. Crude, yes—but sturdy enough to protect from the wind and rain.
His powers—still unstable—did help, especially when it came to lifting heavy branches and chopping trees without proper tools.
The island was rich with wildlife and marine creatures. He learned to catch seafood like clams and lobsters, and kept himself alive with roasted fish and rainwater.
On the third day, Bella returned.
She brought clothing and water, casually floating down from the sky like a guardian angel.
Sanjid was shirtless, his skin tanned and scratched. But he stood tall.
Bella gestured for him to follow, and the two of them walked to the edge of a steep cliff. Below them, waves smashed violently against the rocks.
Bella didn't waste time. "The energy in your body—it's special. Let's call it magic for now."
She held out her hand. A dark-golden training outfit appeared, gleaming in the moonlight.
"This is enchanted combat gear. It weighs 20 kilograms. Put it on."
Sanjid didn't hesitate. The outfit was heavy, stiff, and uncomfortable—but he wore it without complaint.
Bella nodded. "From now on, this is your life. You'll wear this daily. As your body adapts, the weight will increase."
She continued, "Your magic is powerful but wild. Before you can use it, you must learn control through pain, sweat, and discipline."
"You'll train your body, learn to fight, master the sword, and unlock new techniques. There is no shortcut."
Bella had seen something in this boy. His magic wasn't as refined as her allies', but it was raw and versatile. He could one day become a powerful force—if he survived.
She wouldn't waste time on just anyone. But Sanjid? He had potential and unwavering loyalty. That made him worth the effort.
---
What followed was a month of hell.
Every day began at 5 a.m. sharp. There was no such thing as sleeping in.
His first task was physical training. Running, climbing, swimming—all in the weighted training suit.
If he swam too slowly, the suit would drag him underwater. He nearly drowned more than once.
His magical energy? Sealed by Bella. No shortcuts. No magic to help him.
Each day included combat training. Sword drills, grappling, balance work, dodging...
Then came ability training. Bella wanted him to feel magic as something earned, not inherited.
His only breaks were for meals—and cooking was part of the training too.
Bella, despite her tough methods, wasn't heartless. She often used her own magic to soothe his muscles and heal bruises, keeping him from collapsing completely.
But nothing could protect him from exhaustion, blisters, or the crushing weight of that suit.
Still, he never gave up.
Even when his body screamed. Even when he vomited from pain. Even when the night came and his limbs wouldn't move—he got up the next day and trained again.
---
One month passed.
Sanjid didn't look like the same boy anymore.
His eyes were sharper. His muscles leaner. His stance more confident.
He had been broken and rebuilt.
Bella watched from afar. She didn't speak. But the faintest smile tugged at her lips.
This was only the beginning.
The trial wasn't just about power. It was about grit, will, and loyalty. And Sanjid—this ordinary, abandoned boy—had passed it.
He still had a long road ahead. But now, he wasn't lost anymore.
He had purpose.
And he had someone to follow.
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