My small hand wouldn't stop trembling, even after I plunged the knife into his throat.
He looked at me with pleading eyes, his mouth trembling with words he couldn't utter. That was the first time I saw a look of pleading… and since that day, I've seen many more.
My father stood behind me, his eyes as cold as ice. "End him. The strong do not hesitate," he said, without even blinking.
I was afraid and hesitant, but I didn't cry. I only stared at the flowing blood, his twitching hand falling as the sound of his choking echoed. Because I knew weakness was forbidden— it was the greatest sin in this world.
I was six years old then. And now, after everything I've been through, I can't remember his face… only the metallic scent of blood and the sound of his final scream as I pulled the knife from his throat.
On that day, I understood the truth this world lives by:
Power… is the supreme law. And the weak? Merely prey waiting to be slaughtered.
In the Shadow Blade Clan, where respect is only given to those whose hands are stained with blood, my journey began.
…
Four years after that night.
In the far west of the Seal Continent, specifically within the territory of the Demonic Seal Sect, inside the bounds of the Shadow Blade Clan.
In the Seal Testing Hall of the Shadow Blade Clan.
The hall was massive, its black pillars built from solid flintstone, with the clan's emblem decorating its ceiling—two crossed black blades, symbol of the clan's unique power.
Hundreds of ten-years-old children stood in neat rows, dressed in dark blue uniforms, their eyes fixed on the stone platform at the front, where an elder in a dark purple robe stood beside a black pillar. Atop the pillar rested a transparent white crystal that reflected the sunlight.
"Next."
The elder's dry voice rang out.
A small child stepped forward, his body trembling from dread. He bit his lip as he placed his shaking hand on the crystal.
'Please glow, please give me a seal, the child repeated inwardly, tense.'
One second… two…
A moment of silence… then nothing. The crystal remained unchanged.
No pulse. No flicker. Only stillness.
'No… no, no, why?' the child murmured, eyes wide and face filled with despair as he stumbled back, trembling.
The crowd gasped as the elders' faces darkened.
"No innate seal."
Two guards moved without a word and seized the boy, who began to scream and cry.
"Please! Test me again! I—!"
But his voice was cut off by the sound of searing iron.
"Aaaaah!"
A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the hall, as the fiery brand was seared onto the back of the child's left hand— the mark of a slave.
"Trash without a seal. That's what he deserves," said one of the elders with deep scorn.
Whispers of disgust, and silent tears from some of the children.
But most remained quiet.
Amid the heavy silence and the branded boy's screams, a child in the crowd whispered to his friend beside him. "Anyone without an innate seal is supposed to be branded as a slave, but you know, my cousin didn't get an innate seal and he wasn't branded."
His friend replied, with a hint of envy in his voice and a confused look. "Your cousin's from the Bai faction, you idiot. How would they dare brand him with the slave mark? And his father bought him a level-one seal, so he's a Seal Master now too."
In the midst of this, the test continued as usual.
'The children this year are ordinary. No remarkable talent yet.'
The elder thought quietly, indifferent to the child, as if it were a routine matter, then motioned for the next.
…
"Next: Yi Kang."
Whispers spread among the children in the hall.
"It's Yi Kang, heir to the Yi faction."
"They say he's more favored as successor than his older brother because he has weaker talent."
A boy with an average face stepped forward, his hair coarse and brown, his eyes the same color. He moved confidently— no, arrogantly— with a wide grin. Then he placed his hand on the crystal.
A strong green light flared, covering about half the hall for a few seconds, then a complex green seal pattern appeared on the back of his right hand.
"Level three innate Wind Seal. A rare talent."
"Heh, old man Mo, now I've got a proper heir. You just worry about whether your faction will even have a worthy successor. Your grandson surely won't measure up to mine," said one of the two elders sitting beside the clan chief, his tone mocking.
"Hmph. Just wait and see. My grandson won't get anything less than a level-three seal," the other elder snorted, his tone slightly annoyed.
As murmurs of admiration and envy filled the hall, many children glared at Yi Kang with dagger-filled eyes, as if wanting to rip the talent from his body.
Amid it all, Yi Kang stepped down from the platform with his smug smile still on his face, clearly enjoying everyone's envious and admiring stares.
…
"Next: Bai Ken."
Silence fell for a second, followed by light cheers and admiring whispers.
"It's Bai Ken!"
"His father is the clan leader… His seal must be amazing!"
A handsome boy stepped forward, his eyes slightly tinted purple, his posture steady and his smile faint. He placed his hand on the crystal.
"BOOM!"
The light exploded suddenly, accompanied by a strange humming sound. A dark black flash enveloped the hall for a few seconds, then a complex three-faced seal pattern appeared on his right hand.
"Level four Shadow Seal— a chief-level unique seal!" shouted one elder, standing up.
"Congratulations, Leader Bai!"
"A worthy heir to this bloodline."
The clan leader in the upper seats smiled quietly, while the children gathered around Bai Ken to congratulate him.
"Congratulations, Bai Ken. You're the top genius of the clan, as expected of a great clan's heir."
Bai Ken turned with a light, indifferent smile, as if all of this had been expected from the start.
…
In the midst of this dazzling atmosphere, the elder called again:
"Next: Mo Bai."
A thin boy stepped forward with quiet steps. His black hair covered part of his blue eyes. He said nothing and didn't look at the crowd. He simply stepped up and placed his hand on the crystal.
'No matter the level of talent I get now, I must stay confident in the plan. I will succeed.' Mo Bai thought with a fierce determination buried deep in his blue eyes.
One second… two…
A bright flash.
A glowing blue seal appeared on the back of his hand. It was simple, yet unfamiliar in form.
"Level two innate Lightning Seal. Uncommon."
Some intrigued whispers, but he earned only mild admiration. Most children simply looked at him with neutral or slightly jealous gazes and gave superficial smiles.
"An acceptable talent."
'Good, just as expected. A level-two seal.' Mo Bai thought calmly, his expression blank— but his clenched fist betrayed the excitement and determination within.
Mo Bai returned to his place without showing anything on his face.
But inside, one thought echoed in his mind:
'This is only the beginning.'