Chapter 06: A New Beginning

Herris blinked open his eyes, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.

He craned his neck and discovered he was sprawled on a floor mat in a cramped room.

Propping himself up, he clutched his gut and winced in discomfort.

"Did I really transmigrate?" 

Herris's voice echoed in the room, morphing into a high, grating tone.

A prickling sensation radiated from his right cheek. Probing it elicited a sharp twinge.

The discomfort served as a stark reminder that he was no longer Erik. He grudgingly accepted his new reality.

Having confronted reality since his early days on Earth, he had developed a habit of preparing for the worst with each decision.

With a grunt of effort, Herris attempted to rise, barely managing to steady himself.

Glancing down, he noticed his attire - a dark green shirt paired with olive green shorts, and a small knife dangling from a satchel at his waist.

Lifting his shirt revealed a massive bruise marring his pale skin, spreading across the left side of his stomach, resembling a large football.

His gaze swept the room, searching for a mirror to confirm his suspicions.

The modest room housed a low table tucked in a corner, devoid of chairs. The only other item was a large mirror adorning the door.

Grimacing, Herris ambled towards the mirror, revealing a white-haired teenager with elongated, pointed ears. The teenager stood barely 4.8 feet tall, his lean frame resembling a skeleton draped in pale skin.

Herris let out a heavy sigh, muttering, "I've truly become Herris, the elf from the novel."

He gingerly touched the swollen cheek on the right side of his face. The memory of how he got the bruise returned as vividly as the sting from the bruise. His mind replayed the moment of impact, the sharp pain, and the rush of anger that followed.

Herris examined the back of his left hand, spotting a faint cherry blossom etched into his skin like an insignia.

The cherry blossom was almost invisible. His only clue to its identity was from the novel he had read.

The pain in his guts made him recall the fate of the previous Herris, who had been murdered by his own father. He lashed out in anger at the mirror, his punch only amplifying his pain.

At the tender age of twelve, every species on Planet Anmoa is bestowed an insignia on their left hand below their knuckles.

The insignia symbolizes their affinity to nature elementals and their potential to form a pact with nature spirits to wield spirit magic.

There are eight nature elemental affinities: 

o Water 

o Wind 

o Rock 

o Plants 

o Fire

The aforementioned are deemed common affinities, while two others are viewed as a blessing and a curse.

o Light is revered as a divine blessing. 

o Dark is feared as a curse from death itself.

Lastly, the eighth elemental affinity is dismissed as worthless by all: 

o Colorless - the very insignia Herris bears, the colorless cherry blossom.

Each elemental affinity is represented by unique insignia symbols and colors, ranging from blue waves for water to red flames for fire.

Despite receiving the insignia at twelve, they are unable to harness the elemental gift from nature spirits until they turn fifteen.

Unlike other novels Herris has read, the species of Anmoa cannot naturally wield spirit magic. They must form a pact with nature spirits to utilize elemental power.

Those with water elemental affinity organize a ritual at fifteen, summoning the water spirit and beseeching it to share its powers.

Each elemental affinity conducts distinct rituals to acquire magic.

In this world, wielding spirit magic entails borrowing power from spirits. However, nature spirits are not generous in bestowing their power.

Each spirit subjects the insignia bearer to a trial, awaiting a proposal that satisfies them enough to grant their power.

Spirits and individuals form a contract of exchange. To utilize spirit power, an individual must offer something of equal value. For instance, if one wishes to use water magic from a water spirit, they must sacrifice a small portion of their lifespan each time they use it.

Some offer parts of their bodies, while others even pledge their offspring.

Spirit Magic is the lifeblood of this world, a privilege Herris is denied, being colorless and unable to form a pact with any nature spirits.

When the previous Herris awoke on his 12th birthday, he discovered the colorless insignia on his hand.

The previous Herris understood immediately. While other species deem the colorless insignia as useless, superficial Elves perceive the colorless insignia as a harbinger of doom. Some even label it as a sign of the apocalypse.

In the past, Herris attempted to conceal his colorless status, but his father discovered it before he could hide it.

Enraged, his father assaulted him and strangled the previous Herris to death before any villagers could discover the truth.

Now, Erik gazes at his reflection as Herris in the mirror. He lifts his neck to inspect the handprints. Herris wipes his neck to remove the grease from the handprints.

Suddenly, the memories of the previous Herris flooded his mind, and he clutched his head in agony.

Memories of the previous Herris gasping for breath as his father strangled him, tears streaming down his face, and his desperate pleas prompted Herris to strike the mirror in fury.

"THUD!" "THUD!" "THUD!"

Herris's knuckles tore from the impact, blood splattering, and the mirror cracked under the relentless pounding.

"CREAK!" 

Amid Herris's onslaught, the door swung open abruptly, striking Herris's head and sending him sprawling on the floor.

Herris felt disoriented and shook his head to clear his vision.

"Herris!" A male voice echoed with concern.

Herris looked up, startled, and thought. 

'Who the fuck are you?'

[End of Chapter]