Chapter 3: A spark of change Ethan now had 15 days to go to the Association martial hall to get his quasy martial warrior certificate from there. Now that he had time to himself, Ethan sat before his sleek terminal screen, browsing through articles and forums. His mind was buzzing with curiosity. Are all martial artists the same once they step into the Martial Realm? he wondered. Do they all have the same strength? But it didn’t take long to find the answer. No. The universe was never fair—not in his past life, and certainly not in this one. Equality was a myth when it came to strength. While martial artists might share similar foundational strength at the same realm except for some geniuses, that was only part of the equation. Skill played an enormous role—be it weapon techniques or barehanded martial arts. Mastery over these skills could multiply one’s combat effectiveness many times over. But mastery required something special: comprehension. Even if two people learned the exact same skill, the way they applied it in battle could differ drastically. Understanding, talent, instinct—these factors set them apart. Then there was a game-changer—Innate Talents. Upon unlocking their gene and stepping into the Martial Warrior Realm, some individuals awakened unique talents. These talents could be elemental in nature—fire, ice, lightning—or physical traits like enhanced strength, speed, or defense. Others awakened more specialized abilities like healing, long distance vision etc. However, not everyone was gifted with talent. All martial artists might not have a talent, but every genius had one. As Ethan absorbed this knowledge, a fire lit within him. What if I awakened a talent too? he thought excitedly. Combined with the power of the system... I’d be unstoppable. That night, he went to bed early, his heart brimming with ambition. --- The next morning, sunlight streamed through his window. Ethan stretched lazily and brought up his attributes with a thought. [Master: Ethan Hunt] Physique: 0.2 Spirit: 0.2 He blinked, feeling sharper, more focused than ever. His vision seemed clearer, his body lighter. Is this the effect of the spirit attribute? he wondered. After freshening up, he headed out for breakfast. It was Sunday—a free day. With nothing scheduled, he decided to explore the city a little. Driving his advanced motorbike—a sleek machine modeled after a Royal Enfield but with futuristic upgrades—Ethan revved it up. The beast could easily hit 500 kph, but today, he cruised slowly. His first stop was a shopping mall. He needed training clothes—something the previous Ethan would’ve never bought unless absolutely necessary. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞 As he sifted through racks of gear, his gaze landed on a girl nearby. His breath caught. She was stunning—porcelain skin, about 170 cm tall, and a figure that could rival any model. She wore a stylish violet trench coat over a fitted turtleneck with black boots that hugged her calves—a perfect blend of elegance and strength. Ethan’s heartbeat surged inexplicably. Why am I reacting like this? Then he understood—it wasn’t his emotion. It belonged to the original Ethan. That girl was Rose Leslie, his classmate and long-time crush. She excelled in literature and martial arts and dreamed of entering Aurora Martial University. Though from a modest family, she was driven—spending her days studying and practicing martial arts at the gym. Today, she wasn’t alone. Beside her stood a younger girl, maybe her sister. She shared the same ethereal beauty. Unlike the old Ethan, this one didn’t hesitate. He walked up and greeted her. "Hey, Rose." Rose turned, startled. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Ethan?" she asked, surprised. She knew him as the quiet boy who barely spoke to anyone except Ryan. Still, she smiled politely. "Hi..." The younger girl, Zara, peeked at Ethan curiously. He was handsome, and her sister seemed to know him. Ethan smiled gently and greeted her as well. Shy, Zara hid behind Rose’s coat. "What are you doing here, Rose?" Ethan asked. "Just buying clothes for myself and Zara," she replied. Ethan nodded and offered casually, "Want to grab a coffee?" Rose hesitated. "Maybe another time..." she declined gently. Understanding, Ethan didn’t press further. He gave a small smile and waved them goodbye. --- After leaving the mall, Ethan made his way to a nearby martial gym—the Tiger Fang Martial Gym. A warm-looking receptionist greeted him. "Looking for something?" she asked. From her, Ethan learned that the gym’s owner was a powerful Level 9 Martial Warrior. Many aspiring students trained there before awakening their genes. It was a respected place to start the martial path. Ethan considered joining. But then he shook his head. With the system, his strength would grow far too quickly. If he trained here, it would be hard to hide his unnatural progress. Better to stay low-key—for now. He spent the rest of the day strolling through various parts of the city before finally heading home. --- As he stepped into the house, Ethan paused. They’re home... A flicker of nervousness hit him before he composed himself. In the kitchen, his mother, Elina, was humming a tune while preparing dinner. Tall and graceful, she carried an aura of warmth. His father, Jack Hunt, sat on the couch, a towering figure of 190 cm with a strong, athletic build and a sharp, calm demeanor. "Hey, Mom. Dad," Ethan greeted. Elina turned, surprised. "Ethan? You’re back." "I went out shopping," he said casually. Her brows rose. "Shopping? That’s rare. What did you buy?" "Training clothes." "Training clothes?" Elina blinked, genuinely surprised. "What for?" "I want to take the Quasi Martial Warrior Certificate exam in fifteen days. I need to train." Jack looked up from the TV, startled. His son, who always seemed uninterested and unambitious, was talking about martial certification? "Why the sudden rush, Ethan?" Jack asked, his voice filled with concern but also curiosity. Ethan felt the warmth in his father’s tone. It wasn’t suspicion—it was care. "I want to get into a top university, Dad. I’ll need that certificate for admission." There was a long silence. Elina’s eyes softened, and Jack leaned back, thoughtful. Their son... was changing. He wasn’t the same shy, withdrawn boy anymore. There was fire in his eyes. Purpose in his voice. They exchanged a glance—one of quiet pride. Elina turned back to him with a smile. "Alright then. What do you want for dinner?" Ethan grinned. "How about black pepper grilled beef with garlic rice?" "You got it," she laughed. As Ethan headed to his room, he couldn’t help but smile.