How I Became the Strongest King

Chapter 1:Mike

In a world where the extraordinary was the norm, a boy named Mike found himself remarkably ordinary. From his earliest memories, the fantastic was commonplace—men and women who could conjure fire, control water, or bend the earth to their will. This was the world into which he was born, yet for Mike, the most he could hope for was a good meal and a safe place to sleep.Mike's earliest years were spent in the bustling village of Rose. Though he lived among the villagers, he wasn't truly one of them. Abandoned at birth, he was taken in by a man named Luke. At first, this seemed like a blessing—a roof over his head, the promise of food, and the semblance of a family. But as Mike grew, he learned that blessings could turn to curses in a heartbeat. Luke, who was supposed to be his guardian, was a cruel taskmaster. Mike quickly became his slave, forced to do menial labor, enduring days without food. The warmth of his new home was soon replaced by the cold reality of his circumstances.

Luke had a talent for fire, a gift that earned him respect and fear in equal measure. He used his powers not to protect or nurture but to intimidate, ensuring that Mike's spirit remained as subdued as his body. Each crackle of flames that leapt from Luke's fingertips was a reminder of Mike's own powerlessness. He would watch, wide-eyed, as Luke demonstrated his control over the elements, feeling a mix of awe and dread. But when the flames died down, Mike was left with nothing but the sting of his own ordinariness.

As Mike approached his teens, the oppression became unbearable. He had seen enough of the world to know that it was filled with people who wielded power with grace and kindness, not cruelty. Luke left for work one morning, as he often did, leaving Mike to his chores. This time, however, something within Mike snapped. He saw his chance, and he took it. Without a second thought, he fled, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. He knew that if he didn't escape now, he might never have another chance.

The road ahead was uncertain, and Mike had little but his wits to guide him. He ran through forests and across fields, his thin legs carrying him further from the only life he had ever known. Yet in his heart, a strange sense of gratitude lingered. Luke had kept him alive, even if it was only to serve his own needs. That small act of mercy, however twisted, had allowed Mike to reach this moment. And for that, he felt a bitter kind of thanks.

Days passed as Mike wandered, hungry and cold, unsure of where he was heading. He avoided towns and villages, afraid that Luke might have sent someone after him. It was on the outskirts of Rose that he stumbled upon a small, secluded farm. Exhausted and desperate, he approached the house, ready to beg for food if necessary.

To his surprise, the man who answered the door was neither hostile nor indifferent. Gary, an old farmer with a kind face and eyes that seemed to twinkle with an inner fire, welcomed him in without question. Mike hesitated, half-expecting some trick or trap, but Gary's warmth melted his suspicions. The man was a master of fire, just like Luke, but where Luke had used his power to dominate, Gary used his to nurture. The hearth blazed with life, filling the house with a cozy warmth that Mike had never known.

For the first time in a long while, Mike had a warm bed, regular meals, and a sense of safety. Gary became a mentor, showing him the ways of the farm and teaching him the values of hard work and honesty. Under Gary's watchful eye, Mike learned to till the land, care for animals, and harvest crops. It was hard work, but it was fulfilling in a way that his old life had never been.Yet, as much as he was grateful for his new life, a sense of emptiness gnawed at him. Everyone around him had powers—abilities that seemed like second nature to them. Gary could ignite a field with a flick of his wrist or douse a blaze with a wave of his hand. The villagers, too, wielded their powers with ease, reshaping the world to their whims. But when Mike tried to tap into these supernatural energies, he failed every time. It was as if he was the only ordinary person in an extraordinary world.

"Why can't I do it?" he asked Gary one evening, his voice barely a whisper. They sat by the fire, the room illuminated by the gentle glow of the flames.

Gary looked at him thoughtfully, his eyes reflecting the flickering light. "Not everyone is meant to have these powers, Mike. Sometimes, our strength lies in what we do without them."

Mike frowned, the words offering little comfort. "But what can I do? I'm just...ordinary."

"There's no such thing as 'just ordinary,'" Gary said gently. "You've survived more than most, and that takes a kind of strength no magic can give."

Despite Gary's words, the doubts lingered. Mike couldn't help but feel like an outsider in this world where the miraculous was mundane. As he worked on Gary's farm, the questions haunted him. What place did he have in such a world? What could he offer when he had no powers of his own? He watched the villagers, marveled at their abilities, and wondered if he would ever find his purpose.

But life had taught him a harsh lesson: sometimes, it was through pain that you found your way to safety, and through pain that you found your purpose. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with dangers and challenges he couldn't yet foresee. But Mike knew one thing—he would walk it, step by step, until he found his place in this extraordinary world. He had no powers, but he had his will. And in a world of magic and might, maybe that would be enough.