Chapter 6: Awakening
Anastasia was meditating in a room. The room was white and a marvel of advance technology. It exudes a sense of modernity and innovation, with its sleek design and amazing features.
Its pristine walls and polished floors create an atmosphere of purity and focus, while the room itself is bathed in a soft, ethereal light, giving it an otherworldly ambiance.
Only the Ravenstein family and a few others who, due to their immense wealth and influence, can afford such a remarkable training room. Serving as a testament to their status and power.
As she sat cross-legged, her breathing steady and her face serene, trying to channel mana and increase her power, suddenly, amidst the tranquility of the night, Anastasia felt a a surge of mana emanating from her son's room.
Without wasting any moment, Anastasia sprang into action, propelled by a mother's unwavering love and protective instincts.
As she approached the door to his room, a sense of foreboding gripped her, intensifying her urgency.
'What could have caused this sudden surge of mana? Is Atticus in danger?' Anastasia's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with countless scenarios.
With a swift motion, she pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
The once serene and tidy room had been transformed into a scene of chaos and destruction.
Anastasia's heart skipped a beat, fearing the worst for her son.
However, her worries were instantly alleviated when she spotted him, safe and sound, in the midst of the wreckage.
With a mixture of relief and bewilderment, Anastasia rushed over to her son, scooping him up in her arms.
She examined him carefully, ensuring he was unharmed despite the destruction that surrounded them.
A few seconds later, Avalon burst into the room, ready to face any enemy threatening his son's life.
He became calm when he saw his wife hugging his boy in the middle of a wreckage, both unharmed.
"What the heck happened?" Avalon asked, wondering what caused the surge of mana.
He noticed a ton of mana emanating from Atticus, but he just couldn't believe his 1 year old son caused it. It sounded so absurd that he killed the thought in his mind.
As if mocking his stupidity, Anastasia replied "Atticus awakened his core," she still couldn't believe it.
If the other families heard that a one year old awakened his core, they would use every resources they have at their disposal to make sure he doesn't live to the next day.
'Especially the Obsidian order' she thought gravely.
The Obsidian Order, this dark group, shrouded in secrecy and fueled by a fanatical devotion. It's members deny their humanity and instead worship the enigmatic Zorvans.
They firmly believe that these alien entities have been sent to bestow salvation upon the realm of Eldoralth. Driven by their zealous convictions, the Obsidian Order has infiltrate not only the human race but other races as well. Their insidious reach extends across the globe.
'I have to make sure this doesn't get out' she thought.
"Arya" Anastasia called her Ravenblade immediately.
"Yes, my lady". Arya replied, bowing.
"Make sure no one finds out about this. Create a rumor, make it seem like Atticus was attacked by assassins."
They weren't the sole individuals within the estate. Anyone possessing even a modicum of strength would have sensed the powerful surge of mana.
If left unaddressed, they might formulate various interpretations, all of which would eventually attribute uniqueness to Atticus. To preempt this, it was wiser to divert their thought processes from the outset.
"As you wish, my lady" Arya replied, vanishing into the shadows.
She was just as bewildered as Anastasia. Not expecting a one year old to awaken. She had always noticed mana surround him, but had assumed he just was talented and was absorbing it subconsciously. She never thought that'd Atticus would awaken.
To awaken, you either have to absorb mana in a sealed room, with a high mana density as most children from big families, who can afford it do.
And even then, it takes a month or two to awaken.
Or wait to awaken naturally at around 10-12 as their core would have absorbed enough mana naturally.a
She didn't think he'd be so talented to have absorbed enough to awaken so soon. "I'll protect him no matter what" she muttered, determined to protect Atticus.
She had been Anastasia's Ravenblade for two years when she married into the Ravenstein family.
From a young age, Arya displayed exceptional talent for combat and stealth, making her a perfect candidate for the role of a personal bodyguard and protector.
Ravenblades were raised as assassins from a young age, and act as the bodyguards of a privileged few in the Ravenstein family
Arya's loyalty and dedication to Anastasia are unwavering. She has sworn to protect her lady at all costs and is willing to go to great lengths to ensure her safety.
The first day she saw Atticus, something within her stirred, and she felt an overwhelming desire to protect and care for this innocent life.
Despite her ruthless upbringing, Arya's heart was touched, and she made a solemn promise to shield Atticus from harm.
After Arya left, Anastasia turned to her husband, her face etched with concern. "We have to keep this under wraps, honey. His life will be in danger if anyone finds out" she said.
"Don't worry, Anna. No one will find out" Avalon assured affectionately and kissed his wife on her forehead. He couldn't help but worry about their son too.
After a few minutes, they left the wrecked room with Atticus, each in serious thought.
***
After tucking Atticus to sleep, Anastasia stood by his side, her gaze fixed upon him, lost in deep contemplation.
In that moment, she exuded an air of unwavering determination and strength, a testament to her formidable presence on the battlefield.
Once a force to be reckoned with, she had left her life of warfare behind after becoming pregnant with Atticus.
"I won't let anything happen to you". Anastasia muttered, face filled with affection. Then she kissed Atticus on his forehead and left the room.
A few minutes after Anastasia left the room. Atticus opened his eyes as though he wasn't sleeping in the first place.
'I thought she'd never leave,' he thought. 'It felt like she was going through some kind of inner monologue or something.'
He pretended to fall asleep when Anastasia was around so she would leave quickly, but got frustrated when she just stood there staring at him.
'I remember seeing some kind of system interface before mom came into my room,' he pondered.
'Reminds me of those novels I read on Earth.' Suddenly, a memory surfaced in his mind, prompting a thought, 'Status!' Atticus called out within his thoughts.
He suddenly noticed a flicker of light out of the corner of his eye.
Intrigued, he thought about how easy it would be if it appeared in front of him and was astonished to find a holographic system interface materializing in front of his face.
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Character Profile:
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Username: Atticus Ravenstein
Age: 1
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Attributes:
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Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Endurance: 1
Vitality: 3
Intelligence: 5
Charm: 3
Rank: Novice -
Talent: Mythical
Bloodline: Locked
Abilities:
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Innate Skills:
* Conceal [Grade: Mythical]
- The ability to conceal your power from anyone regardless of rank. You may choose what level you want to be shown.
================
'Shit! How did I not think to check if I had a system!' Atticus berated himself, frustration bubbling within.
'It's basically Reincarnation 101. You get reborn, you get a supercharged system. It's like the standard package. Damn it, I've wasted a whole year!'
Regret gnawed at him as he realized he had overlooked what seemed like a fundamental aspect of his new existence.
It took Atticus a few minutes to recover and get his thoughts in order, after that, he started checking out his system. The first thing he noticed was the skill and locked attribute.
'Hmm, locked, huh? Maybe I'll awaken my bloodline later? I hope,' he reasoned, his mind processing the information. 'Oh, I got a free skill. Nice! And it's pretty useful too,'
His thoughts then shifted to the absence of guidance. 'Hey, where's my quirky AI? Am I supposed to figure out this system myself?'
He recalled the tropes from novels he had read, where protagonists often had an Artificial Intelligence to assist them with their newfound abilities.
'He probably thought I wouldn't need one, that bastard. It does seem pretty straightforward, I guess,' he surmised.
'Well, at least it's better than nothing. It'll certainly help me track any progress i make easily.'
Atticus focused on his attribute and was surprised to see the display explaining the meaning of the attributes he focused on.
Strength: This attribute measures the physical power and muscle capacity of an individual. It determines the ability to exert force, lift heavy objects, and engage in physically demanding tasks.
Agility: This attribute represents the speed, nimbleness, and coordination of an individual. It determines the ability to move quickly, react swiftly, and maintain balance in various situations.
Endurance: This attribute measures the stamina, resilience, and ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort. It determines the capacity to withstand fatigue, endure challenging conditions, and maintain performance over extended periods.
Vitality: This attribute reflects the overall health, energy, and vigor of an individual or system. It encompasses physical and mental well-being, including factors such as vitality, longevity, and overall vitality.
Intelligence: This attribute represents the cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of an individual or system. It determines the capacity to learn, reason, analyse information, and make informed decisions.
Charm: This attribute measures the ability to attract, influence, and persuade others. It encompasses charisma, likability, and the power to captivate and engage people through interpersonal skills and magnetic personality.
Rank: This represents your rank on the power scale.
Abilities: This encompasses the abilities you learned, such as combat techniques, craftsmanship, or specialized knowledge.
Bloodline: This attribute that denotes the host's heritage or lineage, often associated with unique traits, powers, or abilities passed down through generations.
'Yep, pretty straightforward. The novice rank must be the first rank,' Atticus concluded.
'Good, now i know i can get stronger. I'll focus on increasing the quantity of energy contained in this core for now. I know nothing about how people in this world train, but what i do know is; more is always good'
Determination burning inside him, he tried to gather the energy 'I wonder what my bloodline would be...' he thought while letting out a cute yawn. 'Damn this infant's body! I guess I'll continue tomorrow' his eyes and drifted to sleep.
Unbeknownst to Atticus, Arya, ever vigilant, observed his every move from the darkness.
She noticed a subtle change in his aura, as if he was gathering mana into his mana core. This sight only fueled her determination to protect him from any potential harm.
Arya's eyes remained fixed on Atticus, unwavering and filled with a mix of concern and determination.
She knew that her role was to shield him from any danger that might arise, and she was prepared to do whatever it took to fulfill that duty.
With a sense of purpose, Arya seamlessly blended into the shadows, her movements swift and graceful. She became one with the darkness, her determination shining through her eyes.
***
Hey, fellow traveler of tales! ?? Your presence here is a journey filled with surprises, like finding hidden treasures. ???? Isn't it fascinating how a little GOLDEN something can change everything?
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺