My Enchanted System

Chapter Two

He struggled, trying to fight back, but he was nothing compared to them. They overpowered him effortlessly, throwing him to the ground like trash.

The last thing he remembered was Garrick's fire scorching his arm, burning his skin.

And the laughter. Always the laughter.

After remembering the memory of what happened to him yesterday, Riley was angry.

"I just want to be strong," Riley said while standing before his grandfather, Riley clenched his jaw.

"Do you understand now, grandpa? Riley said calmly.

"I'm tired of being weak. I need to be strong."

Mr Daniel looked at him with sad eyes.

"Riley, strength isn't just about having power. It's about how you use what you have."

"But what if you don't have anything at all? Riley whispered.

For a moment there was silence.

His grandfather sighed deeply, rubbing his head.

"Go. Deliver the weapons. But promise me...you won't do anything reckless."

Riley nodded. But deep down, he knew this wasn't just a delivery, this was his chance to finally touch the enchanted crystal ball and see what powers he would get.

This was his chance to finally change everything, to become more than just a weakling and maybe become a hunter.

"Alright grandpa, I'm leaving now" Riley said as he picked the bag and left hurriedly.

Riley's grandfather stood there and watched Riley Anderson run joyfully and happily through the street, and a smile appeared on his face.

Despite the humiliation and tantrums he faced because he hadn't touched the enchanted crystal ball at such an age, he still managed to remain cheerful.

Deep down, the old man was worried 

Riley walked for hours, his excitement never fading, his heart racing with anticipation. He had never left the weak habitat before. The roads here were cleaned, smoother and the air felt different.

Riley saw the hunter's headquarters. It wasn't just a ordinary building, it was like a fortress. The structure surrounding the land was built with silverstone and was sealed with powerful magic. And in front of it was over five thousand stairs leading to the entrance.

Riley's excitement turned into hesitation.

“This should be some piece of cake” Riley muttered before taking a deep breath.

With each step Riley took, his legs was shaking and his breathing was becoming fast while his vision was getting blurred because of exhaustion. Riley had never seen nor climbed anything like this in his life.

Riley kept repeating the words he saw on the stairs.

“Only the brave make it to the top”

After some hours, Riley finally got to the top, he was gasping for air, riley took a moment to admire the entrance.

A tall stone of pillars was huge and tall, close to the sky, each one had glowing symbols and was filled with energy Riley had never seen before. The walls were covered with ancient weapons and enchanted golden statues of past warriors.

"Wow...the entrance is beautiful, makes me wonder what the inside looks like" Riley whispered in awe.

He took a deep breath, gripping the bag of weapons tighter and pushed the massive doors open.

What he said inside stopped him in his tracks.

The huge hall was filled with a lots of teenagers. Some stood together and talking excitedly while others stood there looking nervous and scared, their eyes was moving around the hall.

They were all around his age, dressed in uniforms bearing different symbols likely representing their familiar backgrounds.

Riley was confused as he kept glancing around.

"What's going on here?" He muttered, gripping his bag tighter.

He had never seen so many kids in one place before , why were they all here?

After standing in confusion for a few minutes, he finally gathered the courage to ask someone.

He turned to a girl nearby, a slender girl with short blonde hair, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Uh....sorry, miss, what's this ceremony about?" Riley said politely.

The girl's eyes widened, and she smiled.

"You don't know?, we're new recruit students" she said with enthusiasm.

"New recruits?" Riley echoed in shock.

"Yeah, today is the day we touch the enchanted crystal ball and receive our ability, after that, we'll be mentored under master duke and the senior hunters." She said,

"I wonder what grade of super ability I'll get today. I've heard so many stories. My grandparents were among the most powerful hunters during the war. They made significant contributions. If they were so powerful, then I must have such potential within me" The girl known as Akira added with a smile.

"Nice, I wish you the best" Riley replied, he felt his breath lost.

The same artifact his grandfather forbade him from touching 

Riley glanced around, watching the eager faces of the recruits. Some were already whispering about what kind of powers they hoped to receive. Lightning?, strength?, flight?, magic? And plenty more

Riley felt something stir deep inside him.

For so long, he had been treated as less than nothing, weak, powerless, a punching bag for those who had awakened abilities.

"Think Riley, what should I do...this is my only chance at getting my super abilities. I've always dreamt of this day and I don't want it to pass me by...think Riley, think" Riley was lost in his thoughts as the ceremony was beginning to start.

Today was the day they had all eagerly awaited, the day when high ranked hunters would visit the headquarters to assist the new students in awakening their unique abilities.

And now, standing in the heart of the hunter's domain, surrounding those about to claim their fates, he couldn't help but wonder. What if...what if...he touched the enchanted crystal ball.