Chapter 3: The Awakening

The soft golden glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the heavy curtains as Alen slowly opened his eyes. His vivid red irises, a mark of his father's lineage, glimmered faintly as they took in the room around him. He had only just been born hours earlier, but his mind, filled with a strange awareness, processed everything with an unusual clarity.

His mother sat beside him, her gentle fingers brushing through his white hair. Despite her regal composure, her expression was filled with warmth as she gazed at her son. His father, the Dragon Prince, stood nearby, his arms crossed, but his proud eyes never left Alen. They both had many duties to attend to, but for now, their attention was completely on him.

"He's a strong one," his father murmured, admiration in his voice. "He'll grow to surpass us one day."

His mother smiled softly, pressing a kiss to Alen's forehead. "He's our greatest legacy."

Alen, though just a baby and unable to speak, could feel the love from his parents. It was a comforting presence, though soon his thoughts were drawn to another familiar feeling—the presence of the system. It appeared in his mind with a calm, steady tone, unlike the detached voices he had expected.

[Hello again, Host. How are you feeling after your nap?]

Alen's mind sparked with curiosity. He couldn't respond verbally, but the system seemed to sense his eagerness.

[I see you're excited. Good, because there's much to learn about this world. You'll come to understand it bit by bit, but let's start with the basics—power. This world has two main ways to gain strength beyond what normal humans can achieve: through mana and Qi.]

Alen's interest sharpened. His young heart raced as he absorbed the words, eager to dive into this new knowledge.

[Mana is the energy that flows throughout the world, used by mages to manipulate the elements around them. It's what makes the impossible possible. Qi, on the other hand, is the life force within living beings. It can be cultivated, strengthened, and used to achieve incredible feats of physical and spiritual power.]

Alen's mind buzzed with excitement. The system wasn't just feeding him cold, lifeless information; it felt almost like a friend explaining things to him, guiding him gently.

[But here's the thing, Alen. Most people can only choose one path—either mana or Qi. Very few can master both, and even fewer have the talent to go far in either. It's a tough journey, but knowing you, I think you'll enjoy the challenge.]

Alen's red eyes twinkled, and if he could, he would've smiled. The idea of becoming stronger, of mastering both mana and Qi, thrilled him. The system's gentle encouragement made it seem like an adventure rather than an overwhelming task.

His parents continued watching him, unaware of the conversation playing out in his mind. His mother whispered to his father, "He seems so calm, yet there's something different about him."

The Dragon Prince nodded. "He has great potential, no doubt. I can feel it."

The system continued, bringing Alen's focus back to the topic at hand.

[Let's start with the stages of mana. Mana control has nine stages, each one harder than the last. But don't worry, you'll get there step by step. Here's a breakdown:]

Mana Stages:

Mana Sense – The user begins to feel the presence of mana in the world.

Sublevels: Basic Sensing, Elemental Sensitivity, Mana Focus

Mana Gathering – The user draws mana into their body and learns to manipulate it.

Sublevels: Energy Collection, Mana Flow, Elemental Connection

Mana Core Formation – The user creates a core within their body to store and harness mana.

Sublevels: Core Creation, Core Stabilization, Core Expansion

Elemental Affinity – The user gains control over a specific element and can begin casting spells.

Sublevels: Elemental Bond, Spell Formation, Elemental Strength

Dual Element Mastery – The user begins to control a second element, combining its powers with the first.

Sublevels: Dual Element Connection, Fusion Techniques, Elemental Integration

Arcane Manipulation – The user can control multiple elements and weave advanced spells.

Sublevels: Elemental Mastery, Arcane Creation, Mana Overload

World Affinity – The user's connection to mana deepens, allowing them to sense and control the natural elements around them.

Sublevels: World Connection, Nature's Harmony, Environmental Control

Elemental Lordship – The user becomes a master of elemental forces, able to bend them to their will.

Sublevels: Elemental Command, Reality Shaping, Elemental Fusion

Primordial Mastery – The user transcends normal elemental magic and can control mana at a cosmic level.

Sublevels: Primordial Awareness, Universal Control, Infinite Mana]

Alen's heart swelled with excitement. The idea of working through these stages, mastering each element along the way, filled him with a sense of purpose. He wanted to experience everything this world had to offer, and the system's clear guidance made it feel achievable.

[But there's more. If you want to control all elements, there's a special requirement. You'll need to collect elemental stones, which can only be purchased in the system store. These stones will cost Draconic Demon Points—DDP—which you can earn by completing quests or absorbing the life essence of living beings you defeat.]

Though Alen couldn't respond, the thrill in his chest was undeniable. The system wasn't just showing him the way—it was making it fun. Collecting stones? Completing quests? It all felt like an exciting game.

As his parents doted on him, unaware of his internal thoughts, the system continued.

[Let's not forget Qi. Cultivating Qi is just as important as controlling mana. Here are the nine stages of Qi cultivation.]

Qi Cultivation Stages:

Qi Sense – The cultivator begins to feel the flow of Qi in their body and surroundings.

Sublevels: Basic Awareness, Internal Flow, Qi Pulse

Qi Gathering – The cultivator gathers Qi into their body, storing it for future use.

Sublevels: Energy Absorption, Qi Reservoir, Strengthening Flow

Qi Core Formation – The cultivator creates a core to store their Qi, similar to mana.

Sublevels: Core Creation, Core Strengthening, Core Stability

Foundation Building – The cultivator fortifies their body and spirit to handle greater amounts of Qi.

Sublevels: Physical Strengthening, Mental Fortification, Qi Fusion

Nascent Soul – The cultivator's Qi merges with their soul, greatly increasing their spiritual power.

Sublevels: Soul Bond, Spiritual Growth, Nascent Strength

Heavenly Tribulation – The cultivator faces a divine test, overcoming it to ascend to higher levels of power.

Sublevels: Trial of Heaven, Divine Resistance, Ascension

Immortal Ascension – The cultivator becomes immortal, transcending the limits of life and death.

Sublevels: Immortal Body, Eternal Qi, Spiritual Ascendance

Dao Understanding – The cultivator begins to understand the mysteries of the universe and Qi.

Sublevels: Dao Awareness, Qi Integration, Universal Insight

Heavenly Monarch – The final stage, where the cultivator becomes one with the universe's energy.

Sublevels: Monarch's Power, Universal Connection, Dao Supremacy

[It's a long road, Alen, but I'll be with you every step of the way.]

Alen blinked slowly, processing everything. His future was laid out before him, a thrilling path to strength and discovery. And though he was just a baby, his mind was already racing ahead, ready to explore every corner of this world, to push himself, and to grow stronger.

His mother, sensing his excitement, leaned down and kissed him again. "You're going to do great things, my little one," she whispered.

His father nodded, standing tall. "He's already destined for greatness."

Alen's red eyes glowed with determination. The world awaited, and he was ready to meet it head-on.