The Fool’s Ascension

Jarek Thorn had a theory.

Lena Evercrest wasn't training him to fight.

She was training him to die in the most painful way possible.

WHACK!

The wooden sword slammed into Jarek's ribs. He yelped and stumbled back, gasping.

Lena sighed. "Pathetic."

Jarek groaned. "You say that a lot."

"Because you keep proving me right."

They had been at it for hours. The sun was now high in the sky, and Jarek's body ached in places he didn't even know could ache. His arms felt like wet noodles, and every time he tried to land a hit, Lena effortlessly dodged and smacked him across the face.

"I don't get it," Jarek panted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "If I'm supposed to be some 'chosen vessel' of an ancient artifact, why don't I have cool superpowers?"

Lena shrugged. "The Heart of Ruin doesn't just give you power. You have to earn it."

Jarek groaned. "That sounds like a scam."

Lena smirked. "Only if you're lazy."

Jarek huffed. "Fine. Then maybe I'll just—"

Suddenly, the artifact pulsed.

Jarek's entire body froze.

For a brief second, the world around him slowed—the trees, the wind, even Lena's movements. His vision darkened at the edges, and a deep, ancient voice echoed in his mind.

"Worthy vessel… unlock your potential… let chaos flow through you…"

Jarek gasped as a strange energy surged through his veins. His exhaustion faded. His reflexes sharpened. For the first time, he felt fast.

Lena lunged, swinging at him.

Without thinking, Jarek sidestepped—moving so fast he left behind a faint afterimage.

Lena's eyes widened in surprise.

Jarek grinned. "Oh. That's new."

He countered with a quick strike—too quick.

Lena barely managed to dodge, but a gust of black energy trailed behind Jarek's blade, cracking the ground.

Lena skidded back. "Well. Looks like you're not completely useless."

Jarek looked at his hands, still buzzing with dark energy. "Did I just unlock… speed powers?"

Lena sighed. "No, idiot. The Heart of Ruin amplifies your instincts. It lets you move faster when you stop thinking so much."

Jarek blinked. "So you're saying I have to fight like an idiot?"

Lena smirked. "Exactly."

Jarek laughed. "Oh, I can definitely do that."

And just like that, his training was starting to look a lot more interesting.