Chương 43: Ancestral-line. Ancestry Races(2).

"Now, let's move on to my race, Dwarves. There are only a few who know what dwarves really are. The rest are just assumptions," Madeleine began, her voice calm yet commanding. Ethan was immediately hooked, ready to absorb the knowledge.

"The name 'Dwarf' has always been associated with short stature, and that's what most people have taken as reality. Sure, dwarves are short, but that's just a surface-level observation. In truth, we can grow as tall as any other race. In fact, our ancestor was said to be nearly 8 feet tall. So why are we called Dwarves? That's a mystery that even we haven't fully unraveled." Madeleine smiled faintly, the mystery seemingly as old as time itself.

Ethan leaned in closer, intrigued.

"Dwarves are masters of forge and earth—everyone knows that—but that's just the most basic trait of our kind. All dwarves possess these talents, though not all of us choose to become forgers. Some of us, like myself, take different paths." She paused, looking at Ethan with pride.

"However, what most don't realize is how our power is connected to our breed. For example, an Earth Dwarf has a 90% chance of awakening the Earth affinity. But here's where it gets interesting—whenever we are near the earth, our power increases by 30%. Of course, you must first understand the earth itself to unlock that potential. A Noble Dwarf like me gains a 50% power boost from heat in the environment, while the rarest breed, the Dwarf King, gains a 100% boost from the presence of lightning in the atmosphere."

"That's... insane," Ethan muttered, imagining the implications of such power boosts.

"It can be considered overpowered, but it comes with a price," Madeleine cautioned. "To wield these powers, you must first fully comprehend their core principles. Earth, heat, and lightning are not just elements for us—they are part of our being. Understanding them is what allows us to temper our bodies and minds."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. This wasn't just about brute strength. It was about mastery.

"As we grow and use these traits, our bodies evolve naturally, strengthening to accumulate and channel more power. Eventually, a dwarf's body can become as hard as metal, impervious to most attacks. It's one of the reasons why we're so feared in battle."

Ethan's mind raced. He could imagine the sheer strength a Dwarf could unleash once fully evolved.

"But there's more. Dwarves are known for their wisdom. We're naturally adept at mastering our affinities, and we can even mutate them with our inherent traits. Imagine water as hard as stone, or earth infused with lightning. The possibilities are endless."

Ethan could barely contain his excitement. This was more than just power; this was innovation, creativity—the kind of strength that came from deep understanding and strategy.

"And then there's our physical appearance," Madeleine added with a sly smile. "Have you ever seen a dwarf in their true form?"

"Not that I know of."

"Many confuse us with demons, mostly because of our horns," Madeleine explained. "Each dwarf breed has differently colored horns. Earth Dwarves have golden-brown horns, Nobles like me have red ones, and the Dwarf King has black horns. Our horns are coiled and curved like a ram's, which is the easiest way to differentiate us from demons."

Ethan was fascinated. He had always thought of dwarves as stocky, bearded figures, but this was something entirely different.

"In this era, many of us hide our racial traits, thanks to the mixed bloodlines," Madeleine said, her eyes glowing softly. "We've learned to maintain our human forms, like how I'm doing right now. But when necessary, we can transform into our true forms."

Suddenly, Madeleine's aura shifted dramatically. Her calm, motherly presence was replaced with an intense, almost overwhelming power. Her green eyes glowed, and her long hair became wild and luminous. Ethan watched in awe as his mother grew taller, her delicate features sharpening into something otherworldly. He could feel the temperature in the room rise as two red, coiled horns emerged from her forehead, twisting elegantly like a ram's.

"This is a dwarf," Madeleine said, her voice filled with power. "A Noble Dwarf."

Ethan was speechless. Before him stood his mother, transformed into a being of raw, untapped power. The air around her buzzed with energy, and the room felt alive with heat. She exuded an aura of nobility and wisdom that made Ethan feel like he was standing before a queen—no, a goddess.

"I'm seeing a god. Mom, you're a god!" Ethan blurted, his voice filled with disbelief.

Madeleine chuckled, her voice like molten lava, both warm and dangerous. "I'm not a god, Ethan. I'm just a dwarf. But I appreciate the compliment."

The awe in Ethan's eyes was undeniable. Even as she reverted back to her normal form, the image of her true self lingered in his mind. He couldn't believe his mother had been hiding that much power all along. He had always known she was strong, but this was on another level entirely.

"This transformation takes a lot of effort, especially at the beginning. The horns bring pain, and there's blood every time you change. But with experience, it becomes easier and painless," Madeleine explained, her voice returning to its soft, motherly tone.

Ethan could only nod. His mind was still reeling from what he had just witnessed. But amidst his amazement, something shifted within him.

…

[Racial Unlock: 99% Sync: 0%]

…

He glanced at the system notification and saw that his progress toward racial evolution had almost reached completion. He was just a breath away from unlocking it, but he still needed something—perhaps witnessing a vampire transformation would tip him over the edge.

Before he could dwell on that thought, Ethan decided to ask about Sync. His mom had been so knowledgeable so far—maybe she could shed some light on that as well.

"Mom, do you know anything about Sync?" Ethan asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Madeleine's eyes widened in surprise. "Sync? You already achieved Sync? My Ethan is a genius! I'm so proud of you!"

"Wait, what? What do you mean?" Ethan was taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm.

"Sync is a special skill, Ethan. It allows you to merge with your spirit beast for a certain period. You share everything—senses, abilities, power. It's like becoming one being. And the benefits are enormous. Your power is amplified, and if you're lucky, you might even achieve enlightenment."

"That sounds... incredible," Ethan whispered, his mind racing at the thought of merging with Angitia, his serpent.

"Not many achieve Sync, though," Madeleine continued. "Only about 10% of mages ever reach that level of connection with their spirit beasts. Most see their beasts as mere tools, but Sync requires a deep bond—trust, respect, love."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. He had always treated Angitia as more than just a beast. She was his partner, his friend. Maybe that's why he could feel Sync approaching.

"Don't worry too much about it, though," Madeleine reassured him. "The fact that you've felt Sync means you're on the right path. You just need to continue deepening your bond with Angitia. In time, you'll achieve it fully."

Ethan smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and relief. His progress toward Sync had moved to 2%, a small but significant step forward. Now, he just needed to focus on becoming one with his spirit beast.

For the next hour, Ethan and his mother talked about everything—his life at school, his friends Clara and Harley, and random things like his favorite foods. It felt good to have some time together, and as they laughed and shared stories, Ethan couldn't help but feel grateful for the guidance and love she had always given him.