How often do we see the dawn and take the sun for granted? We watch as the blackness transforms into a vista—the world we love, our home. Yet after that, do we think about the light and how it brings our world to life? Do we consider how it reveals color instead of only gray, warming us from our skin to our core, igniting our thoughts with beauty, inviting that light and warmth to enter our hearts as well, before respectfully giving us time to dream and accept it as part of ourselves if we wish? And yet, it always gifts us the moon and stars. So, this dawn, as the blackish-greens take on their vibrant and verdant hues, I let it soak in a little deeper. As the sky shifts from charcoal to soft dove gray, I already cherish the blue that is to come. For dawn is the invitation to the day, a gift that is the present if we have the courage to see it fully and to love it with all that we are.
"Well, time to start working and work harder than yesterday," I mumbled as I left my bed to prepare for my daily routine. I packed my bags with medicine and left the house.
Today, I trained harder than ever, increasing the difficulty. I immersed myself in medicinal herbs, cooked my meals, and read books. I repeated this routine for three weeks. My physique improved, my bones grew harder, and my skin became tougher. I could break bricks with my fists, and my regenerative ability increased as well. My other skills improved too.
Another week had begun—the last week of the month—and I didn't change my routine.
In that welcome amber glow, the time for slower thoughts had arrived, those moments when, with open eyes, my mind becomes a perfect empty horizon, seeing yet content to simply sit. I feel the soothing breeze and become absorbed in the music of crickets, letting the gentle energy of nature wash over me.
As I enjoyed the evening, I began to contemplate my next course of action. In the past three weeks, while I focused on intensive training to reach my current state, I also engaged in other activities, such as sneaking out to do odd jobs to accumulate money for traveling and the admissions fee. Currently, I have around two hundred thousand Zeniths (Ẕ); Zeniths are the universal currency, a form of paper money. The entrance fee for Glory Academy is 120,000 Ẕ, and the remaining 80,000 Ẕ would be used for transport and other mischievous endeavors.
"Sigh! I must go see the family head and do what must be done." I heaved a long sigh, knowing that I didn't want to go there, but what had to be done must be done. I had already sent a formal request to the family head, and I needed to meet him before leaving this place, a place I would probably never set foot in again.
What I was about to do could be considered a necessary formality to continue on my path. I received a response saying I could meet him tomorrow during breakfast.
Although others would be present, it didn't matter; in fact, it was perfect because they would all hear what I had to say.
Tonight, I decided to indulge. I cooked rice accompanied by a spicy sauce and steak. I prepared the rice by rinsing it under cold water until the water ran clear, then boiling it in salted water. While it cooked, I seasoned the steak with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder before searing it in a hot pan until it developed a beautiful crust. Once the rice was fluffy and the steak rested, I plated them together, drizzling the spicy sauce over the top. I enjoyed my dinner with a cheap bottle of wine. I emptied the bottle, and since it was my first time drinking, I felt dizzy afterward. To cool down, I took a cold bath, but I was still feeling lightheaded. I decided to do fifty push-ups, and only then did I start to feel a little better.
As the night deepened, I found myself unable to sleep, so I stepped outside to enjoy the stars.
The cool night air wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, and I breathed deeply, allowing the serenity of the moment to envelop my senses. In every direction, there was a star; if I were to fly into the universe, any path would feel like the right one. I tilted my head back, gazing upward, my eyes wide open, more so than they could ever be in the brightness of day. I wasn't focusing on any single star; instead, I felt as if I could see them all at once. The vastness of the sky sparked a sense of wonder within me, each twinkling star a reminder of the infinite possibilities that lay beyond. I let my thoughts drift, imagining the stories each star could tell, the worlds they might illuminate, and the dreams they inspired.
I stood there in silence, absorbing the beauty of the cosmos, feeling a connection to something much larger than myself. The stars shimmered like distant jewels, their light a soft whisper in the darkness, a truly beautiful sight to behold.
In that tranquil moment, surrounded by the vast expanse of the universe, I felt a profound sense of peace and inspiration, as if the stars were encouraging me to reach for my own dreams, no matter how far away they seemed.
Finally, I began to feel sleepy, therefore I decided to head back and sleep.