The toy shop shimmered with colors, bright lights reflecting off the plastic covers of hundreds of toys. But my young eyes were fixed on only one.

  "Papa, I want this toy!"

  A little boy tugged on his father's pant leg — a five-year-old me.

  Inside the transparent display box was an alien figure: grey-skinned, slime-like patterns across its body, and a strange star etched on its face.

  "What's the price?" my father asked the shopkeeper.

  "100 rupees," the man replied.

  "Is there anything similar?" my father continued.

  The shopkeeper nodded and placed another toy on the counter beside the slime-alien figure — a fat, yellow, chameleon-like alien with a long red tongue and big round eyes.

  "This one's only 30 rupees."

  My father adjusted his glasses calmly. He wore a simple polo shirt, dark trousers, and casual shoes — neat, practical, and composed as always.

  My mother stood beside him in a black floral dress, carrying a brown handbag over her shoulder. Her long hair fell neatly down her back, and her calm smile added a gentle warmth to the moment.

  "It seems fine to me. What do you say, Ritvik?"

  No! I want the slime alien!” I cried, clutching my mother's dress tightly.

  She bent down and hugged me gently.

  “Boys shouldn't cry,” she whispered, though her eyes pleaded with my father: “Just buy it. Don't make him sad.”

  But my father spoke firmly — his tone echoing deeper than the shop walls.

  "Listen to me, son. If you want something in life of your own choice, then you must earn it yourself. Become worthy of it with your own hard work — only then can you purchase it."

  The words reverberated…

  The shop dissolved…

  The world faded to black—

  I jolted awake.

  "Oh… it was just a dream."

  No—more than a dream. A memory. A forgotten fragment from childhood.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I found myself lying on soft grass, my head resting on the ground. The humiliation from earlier crawled back into my mind — Misaki's slap, her tears, her anger…

  "…It doesn't matter anyway," I muttered. "No one cares for me. They're probably laughing at me right now."

  Movement caught my eye.

  Tiny ant-like creatures scurried across the ground — but they were green.

  "Oh, shit!"

  I jumped to my feet, brushing myself off frantically.

  "I hope none of those things crawled into my ear while I slept!"

  I hurried away from the swarm — only to slam into something solid.

  My body bounced back, and I fell flat on the ground.

  "Ouch!"

  Blinking, I looked around.

  There was nothing in front of me.

  But footsteps echoed on the grass.

  My heart pounded.

  "Wh–who's there?"

  The warm afternoon light washed across the courtyard as Ayush stood among earth-bending students. Their instructor approached him — calm, composed, wearing a wide bamboo hat and a white taichi robe.

  The old master had a long white beard and weathered features that reflected years of discipline and wisdom. His robe, tied with a sash at the waist, had faint cloud patterns near the hem. Despite his age, his straight posture and slow steps carried a quiet authority.

  His presence was peaceful, yet intimidating.

  "Now, let's see what you can do," the teacher said.

  "But you haven't taught me anything yet, Master Daichi," Ayush replied.

  Japanese name, Chinese outfit… this world is such a mix.

  "You're Chinese?" Ayush asked bluntly.

  "Chinese?" Daichi tilted his head. "What's that?"

  "…Never mind."

  "But why is your outfit different from Master Demetrius's?"

  "Earth-benders wear taichi robes," Daichi explained. "A tradition passed down for ages."

  "Looks like I'll need to study this world's history."

  "You have a curious mind," Daichi said.

  "Yeah, I'm curious."

  "Good. Then this will be interesting."

  "Class dismissed!" The students bowed and dispersed, leaving Ayush alone with his master.

  His voice sharpened. "Attack me."

  "You sure?"

  "Absolutely."

  Ayush raised his hand — and the ground shuddered. A massive boulder rose and hovered above Daichi.

  "You sure about this?" Ayush repeated.

  "Don't worry about me."

  Ayush clenched his hand into a fist. The boulder dropped—

  —only to shatter before it could reach the old master, breaking into dozens of stones that hung suspended in the air.

  "You didn't even chant!" Ayush gasped.

  Daichi pointed at him.

  The suspended fragments shot toward Ayush like bullets.

  Ayush instinctively raised one hand, stopping the storm of stone just before it could reach him, the rocks freezing in midair before dropping harmlessly to the ground.

  "Not bad," Daichi said. "But let's push further."

  He moved his hands in a circular motion.

  The ground erupted.

  Five rock golems rose from the ground and began moving toward Ayush from the front.

  "Your test isn't over."

  Ayush grit his teeth.

  "I'm not afraid of them!"

  Ayush raised his hands. The stones on the ground lifted and began orbiting around him before snapping onto his fists, forming jagged rock gauntlets.

  He dashed forward, smashing the head of the nearest golem. Pebbles exploded everywhere.

  Ayush struck the second golem again and again until it collapsed entirely — his stone gauntlets shattering in the process.

  Panting, he turned.

  Three golems remained.

  He raised his hands, trying to stop the golems — but nothing happened.

  "Damn it! What should I do?!"

  The golems closed in—

  And then Daichi unclenched his fists.

  All golems immediately crumbled to dust.

  The shattered stone across the courtyard trembled as cracks sealed themselves and broken slabs slid back into place, the ground restoring itself to its original, unbroken state.

  "You did well," Daichi said. "But you are overconfident and arrogant. That is your weakness. You must correct it."

  Ayush bowed respectfully.

  "You're right, Master. Forgive me."

  Daichi nodded.

  "But I have a question," Ayush said. "You used your powers without chanting. How?"

  A smile crossed Daichi's face.

  "Years of practice. I chant within my mind in an instant. But you—"

  He pointed directly at Ayush.

  “You are different. You don’t need to speak or think. It’s like you are born of Mother Earth herself. This is her gift to you.”

  Ayush blinked in shock.

  Daichi stepped closer, proud.

  "I am honored to call you my disciple. Now—shall we continue?"

  Ayush grinned, clenching his fists.

  "Yes, Master."