After leaving the awakening hall, my mother and I walked in silence for a while.
She glanced at me from time to time, her expression a little worried.
"Mo Chen…" she said gently, "even if you didn't awaken any innate spirit power, it's not a big deal. Look at me—I don't have any either. We can still live
a good life."
Her voice was soft, comforting.
I paused.
Then I wiped the remaining tears from my face and forced a small smile.
"Mom… I did awaken spirit power."
She stopped walking.
"…What?"
"I have level 3 innate spirit power."
For a moment, she just stood there, stunned.
Then—
She suddenly pulled me into her arms again.
"My boy!" her voice trembled with joy. "I thought… I thought you didn't awaken anything."
I felt a bit embarrassed. "Mom… it's only level 3."
"Only?" She lightly tapped my head. "You silly child! Do you know how rare that is here?"
She held my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes.
"Even the son of the City Lord in Notting City only has level 3 innate spirit power!"
Her eyes were shining now.
"In our city, that already makes you a little genius!"
A strange warmth spread in my chest.
Level 3…
In my eyes, it was ordinary.But in hers—
It was something worth celebrating.
"Come!" she suddenly grabbed my hand. "We must celebrate today!"
Before I could react, she was already pulling me toward the market.
🛍️ Notting City Market
The streets were lively.
Vendors lined both sides, calling out loudly:
"Fresh fruits! Just picked this morning!"
Hot meat buns! Soft and juicy!"
"New cloth—cheap and durable!"
The air was filled with the smell of food and spices.
My mother rarely spent extra money.
But today…
She didn't hesitate.
First, she stopped at a food stall.
"Two meat buns," she said.
The vendor quickly handed over steaming buns wrapped in paper.
The moment I took a bite—
Warm juice burst into my mouth.
This is good," I muttered.
My mother smiled. "Eat slowly."
Next, she took me to a small clothing shop.
Inside, neatly folded clothes were stacked on wooden shelves.
"Boss, do you have something suitable for a boy his age?" she asked.
The shopkeeper glanced at me and pulled out a simple but clean blue outfit.
"Good quality. Strong fabric. Perfect for academy life."
Academy…
So she was already thinking that far ahead.
Try it," she said.
I changed quickly.
The clothes fit surprisingly well.
When I stepped out, my mother's eyes softened.
"It suits you," she said quietly.
We bought it.Even though I knew…
It probably cost her a lot.
After that, she still wasn't done.
She bought:
A pair of simple cloth shoes
Some dried meat and snacks
Even a small wooden hair tie (though I didn't need it much 😅)
"Mom, this is too much…" I said.
She shook her head firmly.
"No. Today is special."
The sun slowly began to set.
Golden light covered the city.
We walked out toward the quieter outer area of Notting City.
Ahead of us—
A gentle slope led toward the distant hills near Notting Academy.
The air became cooler.
The noise of the market faded behind us.
As the sun began to set, we made our way back home. Our small house stood in the outer area of Notting City, nestled near the peaceful hills close to
Notting Academy.
I looked at my mother.
Her face looked tired…
But peaceful.
Then I looked at my hand.
At that broken piece of metal that only I could feel.
Level 3…
Broken martial soul…
I slowly clenched my fist.
Maybe this world didn't give me everything…But it gave me… this.
I glanced at her again.
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
This is enough.