Chapter 2: The Awakening and Preparation
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Nova's dreams were rarely vivid, but this night was different. As he lay asleep, the silver pendant hanging around his neck pulsed with a soft emerald glow, casting faint shimmering lights across the room.
Then, darkness consumed him.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a vast, endless void. A deep silence surrounded him, yet he felt a presence—a being beyond comprehension. In the distance, a formless entity floated, neither humanoid nor monstrous, shifting between shapes that defied logic.
"You have awakened," the entity spoke, though its voice echoed directly in Nova's mind, layered with countless overlapping tones.
Nova tried to respond, but no words left his mouth. The entity continued.
"You will walk a path unknown to mortals. The sight beyond the veil has chosen you. Soon, you shall tread upon a road from which there is no return."
A chill ran down Nova's spine. Before he could ask anything, the world around him shattered like glass, and he felt himself being pulled back into consciousness.
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Nova woke up with a sharp intake of breath, sweat trickling down his brow. His heart pounded in his chest, and as he sat up, something unexpected happened.
A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
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[Status Window]
Name: Nova Alistair
Age: 17
Race: Human
Rank: G
Health: Normal, No abnormality
Attributes:
Strength: G+
(Measures physical power and brute force.
Affects melee attacks, lifting capacity, and overall combat capability.)
Agility: F
(Governs speed, reflexes, and overall movement ability.
Affects reaction time, dodging, and attacking speed.)
Endurance: F-
(Determines stamina, physical resilience, and pain tolerance.
Affects how long a person can fight, run, or exert themselves before exhaustion.)
Intelligence: C
(Measures logical thinking, problem-solving, and magic-related comprehension.
Affects spellcasting efficiency, mana control, and learning speed.)
Mana: D (Locked)
(Represents the user's magical capacity and energy pool.
Affects the number of spells a person can cast before exhaustion.)
Charm: B+
( Reflects a person's charisma, presence, and influence over others.
Affects persuasion, leadership, and interactions with people.)
Skills:
Eyes of Odin (??-Rank)
Evaluation:
Current State: Physically weak, lacks combat experience, but has a good foundation.
Potential: If properly trained, he could reach B-Rank within a few years.
Strengths: High intelligence, good endurance, decent mana pool.
Weaknesses: Lacks raw power, needs to improve agility and fighting techniques.
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Nova stared at the screen, blinking in disbelief. He had read stories about systems in fantasy worlds, but seeing one for himself was something else entirely.
"G-rank to S-rank... so this is how strength is categorized here?" he muttered.
From what he understood, G-rank was the weakest, barely above an average civilian. S-rank, on the other hand, was a level of power reserved for heroes and legendary beings.
His potential was B-, meaning he had the capacity to become a strong individual, but not the best. Most nobles or gifted warriors likely had A-rank or higher potential. However, one thing stood out—his skill, Eyes of Odin.
Curious, he focused on it. A smaller window appeared, expanding on the details:
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[Eyes of Odin] (??-Rank)
Allows the user to perceive truths hidden from others. Grants the ability to analyze objects, people, and environments, revealing details such as history, weaknesses, and status information.
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Nova's breath hitched. This wasn't just some basic appraisal skill—this was powerful. If used wisely, he could gather an immense amount of knowledge others couldn't.
"This might be my greatest advantage," he murmured.
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With only two weeks left before enrollment, Nova knew he had to prepare. He needed a weapon. After eating a quick breakfast, he stepped outside into the bustling streets of Lunaria. The city, with its blend of medieval and advanced architecture, was as lively as ever.
As he walked, his mind drifted back to the dream he had. Who was that entity? What did "sight beyond the veil" mean? He shook his head. There were no answers for now.
Eventually, he spotted a weapon shop nestled between two larger buildings. The wooden sign above read "Grimwald's Armory".
Pushing the door open, he was met with the scent of oiled steel and wood. Rows of weapons lined the walls—swords, daggers, spears, and wands.
Behind the counter stood a burly man with a thick beard, his arms crossed. "Welcome, lad. Looking for something specific?"
Nova hesitated for a moment before responding. "I need a weapon suited for a beginner mage apprentice."
The owner scratched his chin. "A mage, huh? You'd want something to enhance your mana output. I've got just the thing."
He walked over to a glass case and retrieved a simple, dark wooden wand. "This here is an apprentice's wand. Basic, but reliable."
Nova activated Eyes of Odin.
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[Apprentice's Wand]
Type: Magic Focus
Effects: +2 Mana, +2 Intelligence
Durability: High
Description: A standard wand used by beginner mages. Increases spell efficiency slightly.
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A detailed analysis appeared in front of him, but no one else seemed to see it.
"So only I can see this..." he thought.
The stats weren't amazing, but for a beginner, it was a good starting point.
"How much?" Nova asked.
"Two silver coins."
Nova nodded and handed over the money. As he placed the wand in his belt, he thought about the currency system here.
100 Copper = 1 Silver
100 Silver = 1 Gold
100 Gold = 1 Premium Coin
Currently, he had about 2 gold and 30 silver coins, with an additional 10 gold from his parent vault waiting for him when he turned 18. Not rich, but enough to live comfortably.
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After purchasing the wand, Nova wandered the marketplace, buying books on magic theory, mana control, and basic spellcraft. With his hands full of scrolls and supplies, he returned home.
As noon approached, he settled down in his room and opened the first book, eager to dive into the world of magic.
The dim glow of candlelight flickered against the aged pages of the book, casting shifting shadows across the modest wooden desk where Nova sat. His fingers traced the neatly written lines of text, absorbing every word with unwavering focus.
To wield magic, one must first understand its nature. Every spell follows a strict formula—an intricate composition of mana, will, and structure. Without a proper chant to guide the flow, a spell remains incomplete, unable to take form in reality.
Nova exhaled deeply, his sharp black eyes scanning the passage again.
"So chanting is mandatory… But," he murmured, tapping his fingers against the edge of the book. "If someone masters the spell to perfection, maybe they can bypass chanting altogether."
It was just a theory, yet something about it felt right. If people were capable of casting magic instinctively in the heat of battle, then surely, there had to be a way to eliminate the reliance on verbal incantations. He resolved to test this idea once he had a grasp of the basics.
For now, he had another, more pressing challenge—unlocking his mana.
The book had been clear on the process: Mana is a dormant energy residing within every individual. It can be awakened through deep meditation, where one must reach the innermost depths of their consciousness to stir the slumbering power.
It had also warned of the dangers—one should never attempt this process alone, especially before the age of ten. A trained magician was always required to guide the process, ensuring the person wouldn't suffer internal damage or worse, mana deviation.
Nova, however, had neither a magician's guidance nor the luxury of waiting. If he wanted to stand a chance at Grand Aetherium Academy, he needed to take the risk himself.
Sitting cross-legged on his simple bed, he closed his eyes and began focusing inward. His breathing steadied, his thoughts slowed, and gradually, he felt himself sinking into a deep, tranquil state.
Minutes stretched into hours as he delved deeper, his mind seeking the elusive wellspring of mana buried within his being. The world around him faded. He was weightless, floating in the abyss of his consciousness.
Then, something stirred.
sharp jolt shot through his body.
Nova's breathing grew heavy as his insides twisted. It was as if something was suffocating him, gripping his chest with an unbearable weight. Pain erupted through his veins, burning and unrelenting. His body convulsed, his teeth clenched to suppress a scream.
But he refused to give up.
'Just a little more… Just a little closer…'
A sudden surge of energy struck his core like a bolt of lightning. White-hot agony spread through his limbs, his vision blackened, and the last thing he remembered was the deafening silence before everything went dark.
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Three hours later, Nova woke with a sharp gasp. Sweat drenched his clothes, and his limbs felt as heavy as lead. He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, before a defeated sigh escaped his lips.
"I failed."
His mind replayed the moment he had lost consciousness. The pain, the suffocation—it had been too much. He had reached for mana but had been rejected, as if his body had refused to open the gates.
Clenching his fists, he forced himself to sit up. Perhaps he wasn't ready. Perhaps the book was right—unlocking mana wasn't something a person could do alone. The risk of trying again loomed over him like a shadow.
For now, he decided to let it go.
By the time he recovered, the night had already fallen. The stars twinkled above Lunoria like distant beacons, illuminating the silent cityscape beyond his window. His stomach rumbled, reminding him of the time.
Dragging himself to his small dining table, Nova had a simple meal before leaning back in his chair, lost in thought. Tomorrow, he would go to the church. It was the only place where he might find more answers—perhaps even someone who could guide him properly.
With that decision made, he climbed into bed, allowing exhaustion to pull him into sleep, where dreams of strange entities and incomprehensible whispers awaited him once more.
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( To be continued…)