Someone said, "He is born after millions of years, the one whose presence one day will wake up the nullifiers." On Earth, in a village, a child was born. He had blackish-brown hair, crying softly, unaware of what awaited him. To everyone, he was just a normal child, but only a few knew the purpose behind his birth.
Earth was still Earth, but society was different because of the elemental system. Every human was born with one of the seven elemental powers. Each element granted its user unique abilities. There were seven elements:
1. Lightning
2. Water
3. Fire
4. Wind
5. Darkness
6. Light
7. Earth
People do not find this strange. To them, it is their normal life. No one questions it. But as we know, there is always someone with special abilities. In this world, there are some people who are considered special. They are known as multi-elemental users, individuals born with more than one element.
Years passed, the child began to grow. His name was Ren Takeda. He was raised by his grandparents in the same village where he was born. Everyone had an elemental sign upon birth, but he had none. Around him, everyone was learning to use their elemental powers. Some controlled water, some commanded fire, and some played with wind. He only watched them silently, as he had no elemental power.
Everyone noticed it. They laughed and mocked him while showing their elemental powers proudly and asking him to do the same. He said nothing. He turned and walked away. As he did, his handkerchief slipped from his pocket, unnoticed by him.
As he walked away from them, he walked toward the forest at the edge of the village, the place he often went to train alone. After a few moments, he sensed a presence behind him. At a distance, a girl stood quietly, following him while keeping herself partially hidden behind the trees. He continued walking as if he hadn't noticed her, his steps calm and steady. He knew she was following him, but he chose to ignore her. After some time, he stopped without turning around. "Say what you want to say," he said calmly. There was a brief silence before she slowly stepped forward. Her pink hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and her dreamy eyes held no mockery—only quiet curiosity. She stood at a short distance behind him and extended her hand. In her hand, she had the handkerchief which had fallen earlier from his pocket. He turned and took the handkerchief from her. Before he could say anything, she quickly turned and ran away, disappearing from his sight. He remained standing there, holding the handkerchief, unable to thank her.
Ren stood there for a few moments, his fingers tightening around the handkerchief. The forest was quiet again, as if she had never been there at all. He looked at the handkerchief in his hands, slightly worn, yet returned with care. She had followed him just to return his handkerchief... and he hadn't even thanked her.
Lowering his eyes, he felt a slight sense of regret in his heart. "I will definitely thank her next time," he murmured to himself. He didn't know her name. He didn't know why she helped him. But he knew one thing—she didn't mock him like the others. After a moment, he folded his handkerchief and placed it inside his pocket. Then, without hesitation, he went deeper into the forest. He stopped at a small clearing. There was no elemental power he could rely on. No lightning. No water. No wind. Just himself. He tightened his fists. Memories of their laughter echoed in his mind. Useless. Weak. Powerless. Without another thought, he stepped forward and threw a punch at the thick trunk of a tree. Thud. Pain shot through his knuckles, but he didn't stop. The bark cracked slightly under his fist. Tiny splinters stuck into his skin, mixing with the blood that slowly began to drip down his fingers. The tree did not move, but a faint dent was left behind — proof that even without an element, his will carried weight. He punched again. And again. And again. Each strike grew heavier than the last. The sound of his fists colliding with wood echoed through the silent forest. Birds flew away from nearby branches, startled by the relentless rhythm of his determination. His skin tore. His knuckles swelled. But his eyes… his eyes burned with something far stronger than pain. His breathing grew heavier, his hands trembling with pain. But he continued. If he had no elements... then he would build his body strong enough to surpass those who did. The tree trembled slightly now. Not because of elemental power. Not because of magic. But because of repeated, stubborn force. A thin crack began spreading along the trunk like a scar forming on old skin. Even if it took years. Even if it broke him. He would not remain weak. Not anymore. His hands bled, but he continued punching. Pain was no longer his enemy. It was his teacher.
After what felt like nearly half an hour of relentless punching, his fists finally began to slow down, and his body started to sway. His breathing grew uneven. His legs started trembling, his vision started to blur. His body was now in intense pain, and his hands were soaked in blood. With one final scream that he didn't even realize escaped his throat, he poured every ounce of strength left in his body into a single strike. The crack widened. The forest grew silent for one breathless second. The tree fell as he threw the last punch. He tried to take a step forward, but his knees gave up. He collapsed onto the cold ground of the forest. His hands lay beside him, torn and trembling. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching him. "How stubborn you are," a calm voice said, "Always training beyond your limits." His vision completely blurred. Then, his eyes slowly closed.