MTLNOVEL Chapter 24: — When Zero Becomes Everything
When Zero Becomes Everything
[FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO, A SIMPLE PARK]
The sun shone brightly. Children ran through an open field. Two boys played with wooden swords.One had messy dark hair. The other, blond with sharp eyes.
— "I'm Ray Stormbreak!" — shouted the dark-haired boy, proudly pointing his wooden sword.
— "Then I'm Kelvin Nox!" — said the blond, clashing swords with his friend.
They laughed together.
— "When we grow up, we'll fight like real heroes, right?"
— "Of course! But I'm gonna beat you, Kane!"
— "No way, Ryan! I'll be number one!"
They clashed swords one last time.
[PRESENT DAY – THE ARENA ERUPTS]
Ryan Valeborn and Kane Jayson stood face-to-face, as if this moment was fate catching up to them.
A boy once dismissed.A prodigy bred to win.
The judge raised his hand.
— "Prepare yourselves… FIGHT!"
Kane dashed forward like lightning. His sword technique was precise, fast, brilliant.Ryan barely dodged, trying to keep his distance.
— "You're still beneath me, Ryan! Just like always!" — Kane shouted, unleashing a flurry of radiant slashes with his twin-edged blade.
Ryan blocked, stepped back, breathed.He remembered Inavy's words:
"You're already a hero."
His eyes glimmered with stardust-blue.
Kane charged up his signature move — Jayson Spiral.
A whirlwind dance of slashes in high speed, mixing air and light aura, creating shredding vortexes.
— "FINISH HIM!" — his fans roared.
Ryan was hit. Blood spilled. He fell to his knees. But something… awakened.
[Time slowed.]
Reversum.
As if the universe itself bent around him.An invisible, emotional force responded.
Kane's attack began to weaken.His blade dulled.His speed faded.
Reversum – Partial Trigger Activated."Even when all says it's over… the impossible begins again."
Ryan stood up, eyes now fully glowing galactic blue.
— "It's not over yet, Kane."
He stepped forward. Just once.But that one step carried the weight of every time he was called "nothing."
Kane faltered, stunned.He struck again, but his arm trembled.
Ryan's aura now pulsed in invisible waves.
Reversum – Emotional Reflection.
Kane's intent to destroy was inverted.
His strike… turned soft. Harmless.As if Ryan had turned hatred into hope.
Ryan placed a single open palm on Kane's chest.A simple, graceful blow.
Kane was launched backwards. His sword flew from his hand.He crashed onto the arena floor, eyes wide, unmoving.
Silence. Total.
[KABOOM – SCREENS FLASH]
"WINNER: RYAN VALEBOOOOOORNE!!!"
The crowd exploded.
From the VIP seats, Inavy roared:
— "THAT'S MY BOY!!!"
Lorien smiled proudly, as if witnessing the rise of a new pillar.
— "That boy… is going to change the world."
Kelvin nodded silently.
Ryan walked up to Kane. Held out his hand.
Kane, sweating and stunned, stared at it.But he didn't take it.
He stood up on his own, turned his back, and walked away.
The crowd noticed. Murmurs spread.Kane didn't greet anyone.
— "He's shaken..." — Kelvin said.— "For the first time… he lost to a 'zero'."
Still breathing heavily, Ryan climbed toward the stands.
There she was—his mother.
Emily Valeborn, in tears, arms wide open.
He leapt the rail and embraced her like a child who had just returned from conquering the impossible.
— "Mom… I did it."
She pulled him tight against her heart.
— "I know, my son. Today you proved… that sometimes, zero becomes everything."
Social media exploded:
#ZeroToEverything#AuraLessHero#RyanValebornWins#NewLegendRises
Ryan smiled, eyes watery.
But deep down... he knew.
This was only the beginning.
END OF CHAPTER 24