Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power

"Everything begins within the mind, Child of Heavens," Kaden said as he pointed to his head with a single finger.

Zaki looked at him, confused, not understanding at all what he meant by that sentence.

Kaden sighed softly and decided to be clearer, to explain more directly what he meant,

"Tell me, what do you wish for? What do you want to accomplish in this life?" he asked, his tone patient but unwavering.

"I-I don't know. I just want to live, I just want to not be beaten just because I'm breathing beside them, I just want to walk freely, eat, laugh with Eimi without worrying about the torment waiting for me when I return home."

He paused, his voice trembling slightly, then continued,

"But also… I want to avenge the death of my mother… I want to, I truly do—but… I'm weak."

He lowered his head even more, his voice nearly breaking by the end, and though he didn't know how his mother would feel seeing him unable to even seek vengeance, deep down… he knew.

He knew she wouldn't blame him, she wouldn't resent him—she would smile gently, bright like always, and tell him to live happily, to just survive, even when she was treated like filth in that cursed house.

"I… want to be strong," he finally said, voice quiet, his head still bowed.

Kaden listened to every word, quietly, then,

"It's nice to want something, you know. That's the beginning."

"But here's the thing, Zaki," Kaden said as he leaned forward, his tone now more serious, eyes focused.

"In life, you do not obtain what you want… but what you think about the most."

"Wanting something is easy. I can want a beautiful woman by my side, but if my thoughts always revolve around how ugly and unloved I am, do you think I'll ever get her?"

He didn't wait for a reply.

"I won't. Because your thoughts shape how you act and how you act shapes what you receive."

"So tell me, will you ever become strong if all you ever think about is that you're a poor bastard?" he asked calmly, but firmly.

And like a lightning bolt shattering a room of darkness, Zaki's eyes widened in realization.

"I won't be strong with those thoughts…" he admitted, finally understanding.

Don't look down on Zaki—he's a mythic rank holder. His base talent is higher than anyone, even higher than Kaden's, and his potential isn't something to scoff at.

So when things are explained to him properly, he gets them.

But that's the thing—understanding something doesn't mean you'll do it, especially when it concerns the mind… especially when it concerns your own thoughts.

So,

"How…?" he asked softly, looking at Kaden as if looking at a messiah descending just for him.

And maybe… he was?

Kaden understood the question immediately.

"How to change your thoughts?"

Zaki nodded. He wanted to, desperately so—but how? Since birth, he was treated like a nobody. Like trash. Like a bastard.

How can someone like him change?

Kaden didn't respond immediately. He stayed silent, lost for a moment in his own memories…memories of Earth.

He wasn't gifted in school, only hardworking. And sometimes, it hurt to see others do less but score more. It hurt to see them succeed while he grinded endlessly just to be average.

But he kept going… because of words he had read online. Quotes. Passages. Stray lines.

That's what saved him.

And that's when he understood, maybe Zaki just needed the same. Just a lifeline. Something to hold onto when the dark comes.

It can be a person, an object, a memory… or simply, words.

It might sound simple, but words spoken with intent can either break someone… or elevate them.

And so,

"You are what you think about the most, and if you think that you're a loser, then the world will bend itself around you to make you exactly that… a loser."

"Especially with your power, a power that makes thoughts into reality. You need to be careful, Zaki."

"But I know it's not easy to change overnight. No one can. Change starts slow. It begins with small, consistent things that help build your confidence. So start small."

"And let me help you further by giving you your first task," Kaden said, smiling softly.

"Don't look down. Look in the eyes of the one you talk to."

The moment he said those words, Zaki instinctively raised his head—and for the first time, he held Kaden's gaze… even if only for a moment, before quickly averting it.

"Well, it's a start. And it's your first time. It's all I can do for you the next steps must be done by you," Kaden concluded.

Zaki stayed silent for a moment, his chest tight with gratitude.

Then he looked at Kaden again, eyes trembling as he asked,

"Why? Why are you helping me so much?"

Inside his heart, he hoped Kaden was doing this from kindness. That maybe… someone believed in him just because.

But—

"Because I have a request," Kaden said.

Zaki's heart sank a little, but he still smiled faintly,

"I don't know what I can do for you… but tell me. I'll do my best," he said, sincerely willing to help the one person who, after Eimi, believed in him.

Kaden smiled, his expression unreadable.

Ever since he saw Zaki's Origin, his mind hadn't rested. That power… was something he absolutely needed.

To believe something… and make it real?

He'd be an idiot to let that go to waste.

But looking at Zaki now, he knew this guy would never kill him, not even if he begged. He'd probably pass out before he could swing.

So instead…

"Once you are strong enough…" Kaden began, locking eyes with Zaki, his blood-red eyes glowing hungrily,

"…please kill me, okay?"

Zaki froze in disbelief, his heart dropping but before he could speak,

"You promised, right?" Kaden added, pouring weight into the words, pressing them into Zaki's mind.

Not knowing what else to do, Zaki slowly nodded.

"Y-Yes…"

Kaden's smile widened like a predator.

"Perfect," he said while clapping his hands joyfully.

Zaki saw this and something stirred within him.

'Even someone like the Child of Blood… is going through such pain that he wishes to die, and yet… he's not living like a coward.'

And more than that, the fact that he entrusted his death to him…

'…he holds me in such high regard? Me? The poor ba—'

He stopped himself mid-thought.

Then slowly, firmly,

'Me… the Child of Heavens.'

And just like that, his mind cleared even more.

He raised his head and locked eyes with Kaden.

Red celestial eyes met blood-red eyes.

This time, Zaki held the gaze and then, softly but with strength,

"I will be strong. No…"

He slowly stood. His legs shook, but the stance was firm.

"I am strong."

Instantly, something shifted inside him.

He didn't notice it, it was subtle, but the moment he said those words, the world changed ever so slightly. He changed.

Because his will, though unstable, had begun to form.

And once it solidifies…

Then oh…

A being no one will want to face, except Kaden maybe, will be born.

And it will be thanks to none other than… the Child of Blood.

Kaden smiled, watching all of this, then began to fade from sight.

"You're in the middle of a forest. There are two goblins, same as last time, nearby. Kill them and let's go back to Waverith."

Zaki flinched.

"I'm not used to my power yet. I'll get hurt," he immediately said, his voice shaking softly with fear of pain.

"You must already know this life is filled with pain. Even the strongest feel pain. But they don't let that stop them. They've simply overcome the fear of it."

"So learn to do the same. Look pain in the eyes, greet him like an old friend… and walk beside him."

"And don't forget, Zaki. Everything begins within the mind."

"Especially for you."

Kaden disappeared, leaving Zaki alone.

Soon, rustling echoed nearby and two green goblins emerged from the woods.

He trembled faintly, but clenched his fists hard. His eyes focused.

"Everything begins within the mind."

"Everything begins within the mind."

He started repeating it like a mantra as he slowly, awkwardly, fell into a stance.

And then,

"I am Zaki Caelion, the Child of Heavens and…"

He clenched his fists tighter,

"I am strong."

And so…

The journey of the Heavens' favorite had begun, officially.

—End of Chapter 120—