The moment the wind orb fused with Nate, the atmosphere trembled. A surge of pure elemental energy rippled outward, shaking the trees, stirring the clouds, and sending shockwaves through the subrealm. It wasn't just a spectacle—it was a beacon. The energy was so potent, so raw, that it drew attention from miles away. Spirit beasts stirred, their instincts flaring with hunger. Cultivators, especially those attuned to wind affinity, felt the pull like a siren's call. They knew—whatever had just awakened would elevate their cultivation to new heights.
They arrived in droves, eyes gleaming with greed and desperation. But instead of a treasure, they found a boy—unconscious, fragile, and seemingly defenseless. Some paused, confused. Others, more perceptive, sensed the truth: the wind energy had not dissipated. It had taken root inside the boy. Nate had become the vessel.
That realization ignited chaos.
Cultivators lunged forward, blades drawn, spells crackling in the air. Spirit beasts roared, their primal instincts driving them to devour the source of power. The battlefield erupted around Nate's still body, a storm of ambition and violence. Each faction fought not just for the energy but for the boy himself. To possess Nate was to possess the wind orb.
And then, in the midst of the frenzy, a shadow flickered.
Jalen appeared beside Nate like a whisper in the wind. No one saw him arrive. No one saw him leave. By the time the cultivators realized the boy had vanished, it was too late. Jalen was gone.
___
Deep within a secluded cave, far from the reach of greedy hands and ravenous beasts, Jalen laid Nate on a stone slab. The boy's body was battered—bruises, internal ruptures, spiritual strain. Jalen's hands glowed with soft light as he activated Flash Recursion, a healing technique that mended both flesh and spirit. Slowly, Nate's breathing steadied.
The origin shard within Jalen was still pulsing in displeasure, which made Jalen smirk.
Why?
Earlier, while the wind orb was in the starting process of merging with Nate, the origin shard had sensed it all the way from outside the subrealm. And as always, when it detected a powerful treasure, it seized control of Jalen's body and hurled him toward the source.
But this time, it was too late.
By the time Jalen arrived, the merge was complete. The orb had chosen. A battle between cultivators and spirit beasts has erupted.
Now, Jalen stood in the aftermath, puzzled.
How did the orb evade the origin shard's detection?
Was it cloaked?
Concealed by some ancient magic?
Even so... the shard should've found it. It always does.
Unless...
Does the orb have awareness?
Could it be sentient?A treasure with a will of its own—like the origin shard?
If so, then this wasn't just rare. It was legendary. A treasure that chooses its bearer.
Jalen didn't have all the answers. But one thing was clear: Nate was no longer ordinary. Not that he ever truly was. But now... he was something else entirely. Something the shard hadn't anticipated.
Two days passed.
Nate stirred, groaning as he blinked against the dim light of the cave. He sat up slowly, confusion clouding his face.
"Where…?"
Before he could finish, Jalen appeared before him, as if materializing from thin air.
"You're awake," Jalen said calmly.
Nate's eyes widened. "Master? You are here?"
Jalen didn't answer. Instead, he poked Nate's forehead with two fingers. A sharp jolt of pain surged through the boy.
"Did I not tell you to use that technique only in life-threatening situations?"
Nate winced. "But I was dying! If I hadn't used it, I wouldn't be here."
Jalen raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here you are."
Nate blinked. "Wait… you saved me? But you said you wouldn't help me, even if I was dying."
If only the kid knew the origin shard was why he was there, and now that he thinks about it, he's grateful. If it hadn't brought him here, Nate might have been in serious trouble.
Jalen poked his forehead again, harder this time.
"Do you not want me here?"
Nate chuckled nervously, rubbing his sore forehead. "Of course I do. I'm always thrilled to see Master."
Jalen reached into his robe and pulled out a small vial filled with a swirling, pale blue liquid. It shimmered with wind essence.
"I have something for you," he said.
Nate leaned forward, curious. "What is it?"
"Consider it a birthday gift."
Nate tilted his head. "But my birthday is two days from now."
"You were unconscious for two days," Jalen replied.
"Oh…" Nate scratched his head, embarrassed. "I didn't even realize. Wait—how do you know when my birthday is?"
Jalen smirked. "What kind of master would I be if I didn't know when my own pupil was born?"
"But I never told you."
"Just take it."
Nate accepted the vial with reverence. "Thank you, Master."
Jalen nodded. "This potion is crafted from spirit wind fruit and other rare herbs. It will strengthen your physique and help you fully harmonize with the wind energy now dwelling inside you."
Though the orb has fused with Nate successfully, the wind it produces remains volatile—too unstable for him to wield safely. Without proper stabilization, using it could tear him apart.
"You'll drink it in two parts," Jalen continued. "But first, go wash off in the stream and change your clothes."
"Yes, Master."
As Nate walked toward the stream, he felt the wind around him respond. It was subtle—like a whisper in his ear, a gentle tug at his ruined and bloody clothes. The orb within him was glowing. He could feel it now, nestled deep in his spirit core. Which shocked him that he even had a spirit core, though he was below the gold realm. It wasn't just power—it was presence.
He reached the stream and knelt beside it, splashing cool water on his face. His reflection stared back at him—older, perhaps wiser. He had survived something extraordinary. And he wasn't the same boy who had entered the sub realm days ago.
___
When Nate returned, refreshed and dressed in clean robes, Jalen handed him the vial again.
"Drink half now. The rest tomorrow."
Nate nodded and took a sip. The potion was cool, almost effervescent. As it slid down his throat, he felt a surge of energy spread through his limbs. His muscles tightened, and his senses sharpened. The wind around him danced.
Jalen watched closely. "Good. You're adapting faster than I expected. Now sit down and meditate."
Nate nodded and did as he was instructed.