The Will That Transcends All Abilities
“Who are you?”
“….”
Abel glanced around briefly. This wasn’t the Continental Academy. Nor was it the usual training ground he frequented. Somewhere in the Empire—a profoundly quiet, desolate spot with no cities or villages nearby. One might call it abandoned land, but it had a specific purpose: a training ground for the Empire’s ability users. More precisely, a vast plain where they could unleash their powers without causing any issues.
“Abel.”
The two men standing before him: Lord Phoenix and Master Sparrow. They weren’t on good terms, but for this occasion, their intentions aligned perfectly. These were no ordinary figures—far too powerful to be mistaken for mere students. According to the principal, this young man wielded three abilities, yet his body showed no anomalies. That alone was astonishing, but the abilities flowed together as naturally as water. The moment they heard that, their first thought was whether it was even possible. But after sensing that immense power at the academy—and realizing its source was none other than this student named Abel—they understood. Maybe it really is possible.
“I was going to let you strike first, but at your level, there’s no need.”
Lord Phoenix stepped forward first. From the very start, he unleashed his most powerful technique, as if intent on ending it in one blow. Even Master Sparrow, standing beside him, voiced concern.
“Lord Phoenix, aren’t you pushing too hard right from the beginning? You already look like you’re at your limit.”
“Don’t worry, Master Sparrow. I’ve never seen anyone greater than that student.”
“…Just don’t overdo it. What if you collapse like I did?”
It was a secret from the public, but both men’s bodies had reached their limits. Their nations kept it hushed to avoid announcing their retirement. Master Sparrow’s abilities had long since crumbled, and Lord Phoenix’s were on the verge. Yet Phoenix pressed on undeterred, nose bleeding profusely as he activated his power, showing no concern whatsoever.
Kuuuung!
A massive phoenix materialized beside him, its entire body wreathed in blazing flames. Even from a distance, the heat was palpable—hot enough to make Abel’s breath catch in his throat.
It’s coming.
A colossal blaze, poised to engulf everything, advanced slowly. As much as he hated to admit it, swordsmanship alone wouldn’t suffice. Relying solely on Physical Enhancement was impossible too. Just like before, he’d have to absorb the attack and turn it against its user.
The instant Lord Phoenix’s assault reached him, Abel threw his entire body into the counter. Stronger than Flam’s previous strike. The power might be comparable, but the technique’s perfection was on another level. Flam’s was still incomplete; this one was fully realized, its heat unrelenting.
Heavy. Hot. But bearable.
This level of flame was just a bit hotter than Flam’s. He could pierce right through it. He could redirect it back just as easily.
No matter what world this was or what genre, nothing could stop Abel—not with his unbreakable resolve to become the strongest ability user.
“Kuhuk!”
He devoured half the flames outright. He split another portion, endured the rest. To become an ability user, he’d needed a sturdy body—and through training, he’d obtained it. Feeling something lacking, he’d sought Swordsmanship—and training granted that too. And just recently, during the four friends’ rampage, he’d seen it as a golden opportunity, etching that precious experience into his body and mind.
Kwa-gwang!
The flames Lord Phoenix unleashed finally split in two, vanishing into the sky. Phoenix was stunned, but Master Sparrow was even more shocked. It wasn’t just that the young student had blocked his rival’s attack head-on.
“You felt it too, right? That kid’s on a whole different level.”
“…I get it now. I know what to tell him.”
Hah. Hah.
Master Sparrow approached Abel, who was gasping for breath. His longtime friend and rival had burned his remaining flames to demonstrate personally. Now, as a senior, he owed this young successor—the one who would carry on their legacy—the words no one else could give.
“Abel. This might sound arrogant, but we think your issue boils down to one thing: you haven’t found your own answer. You still don’t know who you are.”
Abel nearly retorted in confusion, then realization dawned belatedly. Until now, he’d seen himself merely as an extra. A possessor. Some guy who loved ability-user stories, lucky enough to transmigrate into this world. To him, others were people and characters; abilities were dazzling gifts and heavy shackles. The fear of being pushed aside might have clouded his judgment.
“Abel Rothschild. What do you want?”
What I want.
To exist as an ability user in this world, no matter what form it took. He’d desperately craved it. As a child, failing to awaken had filled him with anxiety and fear. He’d chased that single desire relentlessly, training like a madman. He believed a strong body would attract a great ability—that it was essential to overcome any situation.
Later, he realized using abilities strengthened his body. Back then, he thought it was naturally Physical Enhancement. It looked that way, and it worked that way. But reflecting now, it was just the result of his desire.
Assuming he’d awakened Physical Enhancement made him think he needed more abilities—not just brute physicality, but something flashy and cool. Like Swordsmanship. So he trained again, diligently for awakening. And it happened, just as he wished.
But now, that too seemed like another desired outcome.
The recent rampage of the four. Dangerous, yes—but a rare experience. They were destined to become top ability users, so he wanted to absorb their power, techniques, and battle sense as fuel for growth.
Experience. Yes, that’s what Abel craved. To internalize it as another pillar for the future.
And even that had become true nourishment, fully under his control.
“…I’ve always been incredibly simple. And I’ll stay that way.”
“What do you mean?”
To become an ability user. Any ability. In any way he desired. To stand among the world’s strongest.
When asked to name the stars of this world, he was determined to be one of them.
In the world… it was real.
Why had his body always been so resilient since childhood, even after breaking and shattering? Why hadn’t he ever given up?
Unconsciously, he’d known. His true ability was that will.
Desiring to be an ability user made him one. Craving something flashy granted Swordsmanship. Wanting to claim others’ power turned it against them.
How had he dismissed it all as mere ‘training’? In hindsight, it seemed foolish. If training alone could awaken and evolve abilities, everyone would be doing it.
What he’d thought was effort’s fruit—or a miracle—was actually a higher gift. A power.
“I want to become a stronger ability user.”
“A stronger one.”
“I want to wield a more brilliant ability.”
“A more brilliant one.”
The two men exchanged smiles. They’d reached their ends, waiting only for their sons’ growth. They’d hoped those boys might claim the title of strongest someday.
But it seemed destined for the student before them: Abel.
No, not destiny. It was his unique ability.
Or rather, not an ability at all. Beyond even Awakening.
Yes. A power.
The singular will that could defy the world itself.
“Abel, any interest in pyrokinesis?”
“Or hydrokinesis, perhaps. We’d be happy to teach you.”
Abel pondered briefly, then shook his head.
Now he knew for sure. His true ability was the will born of desperate longing and unyielding resolve. It couldn’t be bestowed by others. Finding necessity, knowing desire, etching it into his body—all required his own will.
And with that clarity, one urge surged strongest.
Jureung. Wielder of Ability Seal. The man who’d inflicted humiliating defeat.
He had to surpass him.
And to do so, not by mimicking Ability Seal—but by acquiring a power strong enough to shatter even that seal. His fierce will ignited like wildfire.