Strongest Trash Spirit

Kai felt the energy circulate through his body, it was warm and comforting. He began to focus on the energy, how it circulated and were putting all his attention on it. However, once the energy reached his chest the energy just seemed to… disappear. Kai began to panic as closed his eyes, trying even harder to focus on the new energy being sent from the elder.

Elder Gary had also realized something was wrong. He used enough energy to awaken two or three other children so far, and yet nothing happened. Unwilling to make a fool of himself he began to increase the amount of power.

Kai soon felt a burst of energy enter his body, but unlike the warm energy from before, this one was tyrannical and powerful. It raged through his body, entering every nook and cranny. Just as it was about to reach his chest Kai felt something shatter inside of his mind, bringing a serene and comforting feeling to his body.

However, just as quickly as that energy came his ears began to burn as if his ears were being flayed. Kai put his hands to his ears before falling to his knees, his forehead covered in sweat and his breathing ragged and deep.

The people in the plaza were silent watching this. They had never seen such a violent reaction to the awakening ceremony. To most people it was extremely comfortable, almost liberating. They could only wonder what type of essence Kai had awakened.

Just as Kai felt he was losing consciousness the pain began to recede, however it was replaced by a series of loud noises rushes towards his ears. He could hear the birds chirping from the rooftops surrounding the plaza. He could hear the whispers amongst the crowd as if they were speaking right into his ear.

All the noises rushed at him all at once, like someone was drumming against his ear. It was almost worse than the pain from before. Kai began to shake, unable to process all the information that was being thrown at his brain.

Soon a series of whispers assaulted his ears, like broken radio static they seemed to be speaking to him, but he was unable to make anything out. He was rocking back and forth cradling his ears, waiting for this nightmare to end. As if obeying his wishes the voices immediately went silent.

The silence was deafening, finally a moment of peace. Kai was finally able to take a deep breath.

Getting up and turning around, Kai looked questioningly at the Grand Elder. He could see the shock on Grand Elder Gary's face as he exclaimed.

"Spirt Ears…?"

"Not the clan's hereditary spirit?" Patriarch Dorian frowns lightly as he chimed in.

Kai hurriedly looked into the crowd only to see his father frowning just like the patriarch. He then looks at Uncle Wang who, just like the Grand Elder, was too shocked to do anything.

The crowd, seeing and hearing the reaction of the Elder and Patriarch quickly began gossiping among themselves.

"An illegitimate child? To think that something like this happened in our clan."

"A trash spirit… at least he still has his music."

"Our Little Songbird really is just that, a songbird."

"Enough!" the Patriarch released some of his spirit power, a roar echoing throughout the silent hall. Dorian took a deep breath before continuing. "I will not have gossip be spread such as that in this clan, Kai is still a member of this clan regardless of his Spirit Essence!"

Kai, dispirited and confused after awakening his spirit ears, mindlessly places his hands on the crystal ball. Moments later, the crystal ball suddenly unleashes a blinding light that seemed to consume the awakening platform, forcing the people watching to close their eyes.

Releasing his hand from the ball, he turned to face the elder expecting more bad news. However, he was met with a stupefied crowd and speechless elder. The Patriarch's voice could be heard, breaking the silence.

"My god… Innate… Innate Full Spirit Power!"

Never in the history of the clan had anyone ever awakened with Full Innate Spirit Power. Even Draven, who had awakened the Clan's strongest hereditary spirit, only had a spirit power of 8. Not even the clan founder had an innate spirit power that high, and he had become a titled spirit master!

To think that someone outside the clan's main line would be able to awaken it… on top of that, he had a trash spirit essence of spirit ears, which was even rarer then spirit eyes!

The patriarch and his son's faces grew increasingly unsightly as the crowd began to understand what had just happened. The gossip and whispers anything but secret.

"A trash spirit, but god given talent… you don't think its another Tang San do you?"

"Heavens have truly blessed the Draken Clan on this day!"

"But it's a trash spirit, the clan's techniques won't help him!"

One of the elders seated next to the patriarch was the first to react, infusing his voice with spirit power he turns to face the crowd.

"Silence! Every be quiet!"

Hearing the elder speak, Patriarch Dorian also snaps out of his daze before speaking as well.

"Elder is right! Everyone should calm down." He then fixes his gaze onto William before sitting back down. "William, I would like to speak to you in the main hall after this please"

It was at this point that Elder Gary had finally recovered.

"The Awakening Ceremony is now over. The Awakening Festival will begin shortly, I whish you all a grand evening!"

Making his way down from the platform Kai was lost in thought over what had just transpired. Could he of awakened a trash spirit essence? How could this happen? Thinking back to his father's frowning face Kai couldn't help but blame himself.

Just as Kai was having those thoughts, Draven could be seen staring daggers at kai. Today was supposed to be HIS day. He's the son of the Patriarch, the strongest person in the clan! Even he knew he had the best martial talent in the clan, yet some branch member with a trash spirit awakened better cultivation talent then him? Unbelievable!

Draven then began to walk towards his father, not hesitating to shove Kai on his way before muttering under his breath.

"A trash spirit will always be trash, no matter how talented you are. You're just better-looking garbage really!"

"Hey! You better shut up before I make you!"

Nicole quickly came to his defense, however before she could follow up on her threat Kai put his hand on her shoulder before speaking shakily.

"No, he's right… it is trash"

Seeing this, Draven scoffed before walking away. Seeing him just leave, Nicole turned to face Kai before reprimanding him.

"You can't let him speak to you like that! Let me-"

Before she could finish Kai cut her off, his face completely expressionless as he spoke in a monotone voice.

"Let's just go find our parents"

Nicole just stared at him in disbelief before Uncle Wang Suddenly appeared.

"No need, c'mon lets head on home and get ready for tonight"

"Are we not going to wait for my dad?"

"He said not to wait up, he'll meet with us later."

Kai could only clench his fist before nodding and following the man.

The trio quickly made through the clan estate silently, no one dared say a word. Once they had arrived at Kai's house Nicole decided to split off and get ready herself. With just two in the house, Uncle Wang began to move hurriedly around the house, packing a small backpack with a variety of items.

"We need to hurry, there isn't much time left."

Catching up to Uncle Wang, Kai could see the older man's worried expression and couldn't help but ask quizzically.

"Uncle Wang, is something wrong? What's happening?"

Uncle Wang's face had lost all his warmth as he looked at Kai seriously, helping Kai put the backpack on as he spoke.

"You need to leave, and soon. Here-"

Uncle Wang pressed a letter into Kai's hands, a tear could be seen falling from his eyes.

"You know how to get to the train station right?"

Kai nodded slowly, overwhelmed by what was going on around him.

"Good, in your bag you should have everything you need. You need to get to Heaven Dou City as soon as possible, alright?"

The pot-bellied man showed a pained smile as he pushed the stunned boy to the door.

"But what about Daddy?"

Wang could hear the confusion in the boys voice, which only led to more tears to fall to the ground silently. He then took a deep breath before hugging the boy deeply.

"Don't worry about your dad, he's just busy right now so he can't go with you. Make sure that when you arrive you immediately go to the address on the letter."

Kai, however, didn't respond to the question, instead he stood there motionless as he clenched his fists.

"It's because of my trash spirit isn't it…" A few tears could be seen forming in the boy's eyes, contradicting his expressionless face.

"No, no, no!" Uncle Wang began to hug the boy more tightly then before, before he began to pat Kai's back slowly, hoping to stop the boys dangerous train of thought "He's doing this because how strong you are."

Uncle Wang then stood up before looking at the silently for a bit. He wanted to make sure to remember Kai's face, in case this was the last time they saw each other. After a minute or so, he reached over to ruffle the boy's hair one more time, but his hand was swatted away by Kai.

"Don't worry Uncle Wang, I'll go!"

Kai stood resolutely as he whipped the tears off his faces. He then turned towards the door, before saying one last thing.

"I'll be back."

Uncle Wang stood silently as he watched Kai run into the night before he too eventually broke down into tears. Kai was like a son to him and pushing him away like this was… painful. He could only hope that Kai would make it.

Kai continued towards the Clan entrance, his mind still going over what had just happened. It was during this time that Kai made a promise to himself. So what if he had a trash spirit! So, what if his dad was disappointed! He would become someone his parents would have be proud of! Weren't there others who had it worse than him in the past? If they could become strong, so could he!

…

Soon after Kai left, Nicole entered the house.

"Dad?" she called out wondering where he was. Soon Uncle Wang appeared from a corridor, a wry smile on his face.

"Come let's go to the festival."

He grabbed her hand before bringing her back outside.

"What about Kai?"

Wang paused for a moment before responding.

"He's feeling a little sick, he won't be coming."

Nicole and Uncle Wang were silent while they walked, Nicole's expression constantly changing. A little ways from the Festival ground Nicole suddenly spoke out.

"Father, I want to fight for the position as Patriarch!"