The sun hung high, casting a warm glow over the training grounds as Liang Yue stood at the center, her small frame tense with anticipation. Nine years old, and already carrying the weight of an entire legacy on her shoulders. She had become accustomed to the drills and routines, the daily grind that pushed her beyond what should be expected of a child her age. But each morning brought a fresh surge of uncertainty. Was she strong enough? Could she handle what was to come? The truth felt heavier now than ever before.
Her wristband vibrated with the activation of the session. This wasn't just another day. Today, her father had ordered something new. Today would push her limits even further.
"Focus, Yue," her father's voice seemed to echo within her, reminding her of the words he always spoke to keep her grounded.
Her mind wavered, but she quickly steadied herself, pulling her hair back into a tight ponytail as she adjusted her training uniform. The lightweight gear was simple, yet functional. Jin would probably tease her about it later, but in this moment, she didn't care. She was trying to push past the nervous flutter that gripped her stomach.
As she stepped into the training hall, the air felt different—thicker, charged with energy. Mei stood at the control panel, her dark eyes flicking over the data feed as the system powered up.
"Yue, are you ready?" Mei's voice carried a quiet authority. It was a tone Yue had grown used to hearing, especially from her sister, whose intelligence was matched only by the sense of calm that always surrounded her.
Yue nodded, her throat tight with unspoken tension. She could feel the bloodline—the Fourth Bloodline—stirring inside her, as if aware of the trials it would face today.
Mei didn't waste time with pleasantries. "This session is going to be intense. We need to measure the full scope of your abilities. Prepare yourself."
Yue's heart skipped a beat. The full scope of her abilities. She had been through plenty of drills, plenty of moments when her power surged in ways that startled even her. But this... this felt different. The bloodline inside her was unpredictable. It was ancient, complex, and far more than she could fully understand at her young age.
"Focus on the energy flow," Mei continued, tapping a few keys on the console. "Feel it, guide it. Don't let it control you."
Yue stepped into the center of the energy field, her legs shaking slightly beneath her, but she refused to let it show. The system powered up, sending pulses of energy around her, swirling around her like a storm. She could feel it—an electric charge in the air, a sharp tingle at the back of her neck, like an invisible weight pressing against her chest.
She inhaled deeply, pushing past the brief surge of panic. The power within her stirred, thrumming against her skin. But even in its raw form, she could feel it—faint, distant, like an untamed beast. The Fourth Bloodline. Her legacy.
But that same power also scared her.
Her breathing quickened as the energy coursed through her. She could feel it rippling under her skin, sending shivers across her arms. It felt like something was pressing in from all sides, suffocating her. The sensation was overwhelming, unlike anything she had felt before.
"Channel it, Yue. Control it," Mei's voice cut through her rising panic. But Yue's focus wavered for a fraction of a second, and that was all it took.
A sharp pain shot through her chest, radiating outward like a burn. She gasped, her hands clutching at her chest as the power surged uncontrollably. She could hear her heartbeat thundering in her ears, drowning out everything else. Was this what it meant to truly awaken the bloodline? Was this the price she had to pay?
Her vision blurred, and the room seemed to tilt, as if the walls were closing in on her. She tried to steady herself, to push through the waves of pain, but it was too much. The energy within her wasn't simply responding to the pod's readings—it was alive. It was her, and she was losing control.
"Stop!" Mei shouted, her voice laced with urgency. "Yue, stop it!"
But Yue couldn't. Her body wasn't listening, and the energy inside her refused to be contained. She closed her eyes, trying to focus, trying to feel the energy, to guide it, but the overwhelming power surged forward, pushing against her body's limits. The bloodline was too strong.
With a final cry, she managed to push the energy away, just enough to prevent it from consuming her. But she was left gasping for breath, collapsing onto the ground, her body trembling with exhaustion and pain. The world around her seemed to swim as her mind struggled to keep up.
Mei was at her side in an instant, her hands hovering over Yue's trembling form. "Yue, are you alright? You stopped in time..."
Yue's breath was ragged as she fought to keep her mind clear. The physical exhaustion was overwhelming, but the emotional toll was even heavier. She felt small, fragile, as though her body wasn't quite ready for the power she was carrying.
"I... I don't know," Yue whispered, her voice strained. "It's too much. I couldn't control it."
Mei knelt beside her, her expression softening. "You're stronger than you realize. You stopped before it could go any further. But this is why we need to keep training. You need to learn to channel it."
Yue's heart ached with frustration. It wasn't enough to simply push the power down. Her mind was caught between two fears: the fear of losing control and the fear of not being strong enough. Could she really keep going? Would she ever be able to master what was inside her?
Her father's voice echoed in her mind. "You must always be ready. The Fourth Bloodline is not a gift, Yue. It is a responsibility."
"I know," Yue whispered to herself, her eyes closing as she let the exhaustion wash over her. "I just don't know if I can do it."
But as she lay there, still trembling from the exertion, there was a small flicker of hope. She had survived the trial. For now, that was enough.
And somewhere deep inside, a part of her knew this was just the beginning.