บท 15: Awakening (1)

Ethan's POV

In the morning while having breakfast I was thinking of last night's talk with Mama. For the first time I realized how dangerous this world was and hearing her experiences I felt sad seeing her sadness and learning the circumstances about father's death but I decided to do everything to ensure her future happiness and well-being.

My mind drifted, imagining the day when my magical path would finally be unveiled, a moment that was now just four days away. Absentmindedly, I rested my chin on my hand, lost in thought, as fragments of knowledge about the different grades of magical potential surfaced in my memory.

Those with ordinary-grade talent were fated to live in mediocrity, often serving as cannon fodder in the grand schemes of mages. Their futures were bleak, forever confined to servitude or mundane roles in a world dominated by power.

On the other hand, individuals with moderate-grade talent had a glimmer of hope, a chance, however slim, to break through to the Elemental Sea Realm and earn the title of a proper, full-fledged mage. It was the path most aspired to, though few succeeded without immense effort and resources.

Those blessed with superior-grade magic talent, however, had a significantly greater likelihood of reaching the Elemental Sea Realm. Their natural affinity with the elements allowed them to handle the influx of elemental power with far less strain on their bodies. Their mana veins were naturally wider and more durable, enabling them to accumulate and convert greater quantities of elemental energy into magic power with ease. It was said that such individuals often showed remarkable growth early on, leaving their peers far behind.

Ascending higher in the hierarchy were those with mystic-grade magic talent, a rarity often found among the elite mage families with centuries of magical heritage. These families, through generations of refinement, had cultivated a bloodline rich in magical potential. The essence of magic itself altered their very DNA over time, ensuring that their progeny inherited exceptional traits and extraordinary talents. Mystic-grade talents were revered as the true prodigies of their age, destined to achieve greatness if nurtured properly.

Discovering individuals with legendary-grade magic talent was an exceedingly rare event. For the past several centuries, only one name stood out—the Divine Brilliance Emperor of the Central Heartland's Luminous Cradle Empire. Renowned as one of the strongest mages in the world, he ascended to the formidable Heaven Connection Realm, solidifying his reputation as an unparalleled figure of power and one of the strongest experts of the world.

Closer to home, another example of legendary-grade talent was Eisdrith Mistborn, the revered ancestor of the Mistborn family whose memory fragment had given me the Arctic Sovereign Immortal Body technique. Eisdrith was said to have lived over a thousand years ago, establishing the Mistborn lineage before mysteriously vanishing. His legacy remained a cornerstone of the family's prestige, with his name still spoken with awe and reverence.

Even though I was confident in myself I was still a little bit nervous as the awakening day came closer.

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Today was the day—my awakening day. Mama, Grandpa, and I boarded the Storm Eagle Hunter. My body and soul had finally matured enough to sense elemental energy, marking my first step onto the path of a mage. Mama had taken leave from the academy to witness this pivotal moment and lend me her unwavering support. As she held my hand, her reassuring smile warmed my heart. Our eyes met, and I felt her silent encouragement flow through me.

I glanced down, comparing my height to hers; I'd grown to match her at around 5'7", this reminded me of the time we had spent together since by birth ten years ago.

The sky roared as lightning flashed and thunder boomed. Hunter spread her wings, transforming into a streak of light across the stormy heavens. Within minutes, we soared past the towering city walls and arrived at the heart of Dark North City, where the Dark Star Continent Magic Association's branch was located. Hunter landed gracefully, shaking droplets of rain from her feathers before pruning them with her beak. We dismounted onto the paved stones of the association's grand archway, the air thick with an unspoken sense of importance.

Grandpa's demeanour shifted as we approached the building. His face bore a solemn, regal expression, exuding the strict authority that commanded respect. The guards at the entrance straightened and saluted as we passed, their curious gazes flitting to me, no doubt wondering about the young man destined for today's ceremony.

Inside, the inner halls were dimly lit, the air rich with the scent of ancient magic. A middle-aged man with a robust frame and a confident aura greeted us, his eyes lighting up as he spotted Grandpa.

"How are you, Arctis? And this must be your grandson. Quite the famous one, isn't he? Even little lady Aurelia has come to witness his awakening, along with Old Man Aelric." His laughter was boisterous, and friendly.

Caught off guard, I gave a sheepish smile and greeted him properly. "Greetings, Association Head. I thank you for receiving us and facilitating my ceremony."

Grandpa shook his hand and cut through the pleasantries with his usual sharp tone. "Enough chatter. Let's get this over with."

We proceeded to the underground chambers, descending a massive stairway carved into the depths of the earth. Each step resonated with the faint hum of magic, the walls lined with Dark Phantasm Crystals, a rare mineral said to be native to the Blood Veil Continent. These crystals were renowned for their ability to absorb intense magic fluctuations and neutralize attacks from mages below the Crystal Mage Realm. They had another sinister use and that was to trap mage criminals in jails made up of these crystals.

Finally, we emerged into a vast underground cavern, its air cool and heavy with latent energy. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like ancient spears, glittering faintly in the dim, enchanted light. At the heart of the cavern lay a serene, shimmering blue pond. Floating above its surface was a massive, three-meter-long prismatic crystal, radiating beams of seven-coloured light that danced across the cave walls.

I then saw an old man and a little girl similar to my age standing near the shore of the pond and looking at us with a smile.