Chapter 11: The Path to Awakening
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The first light of dawn had just begun to creep across the sky, casting long shadows across the training courtyard. Alen stood in the center, his gaze fixed ahead, his posture calm and unwavering. Though his face betrayed little emotion, inwardly he was focused, ready for the challenges of the day.
General Kael observed him from a distance, his arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes assessing every detail of Alen's stance. The general was not one to offer praise lightly, but it was impossible to ignore the progress Alen had made in such a short time. At just five years old, Alen was stronger and more disciplined than most warriors twice his age. His growth was a direct result of his unique bloodlines and relentless training.
Kael took a slow step forward, his boots crunching softly against the gravel. "You've advanced through the **Basic Mana Sensing** stage faster than I expected," he said, his tone neutral but carrying an undercurrent of approval. "But now you must push further. Feeling mana is one thing, Alen, but you need to command it. Today, we'll test your ability to **gather** and **control** it."
Alen gave a single nod, his expression unchanged. He had grown used to the general's demanding expectations. There was no need for words of affirmation or complaint; only action mattered here.
Kael gestured to the seven mana stones laid out in a circle on the ground. Each one faintly pulsed with a different elemental energy. "These stones are infused with various elements," Kael continued. "Fire, water, earth, air... You will draw the mana from them, one by one. Start with the simplest, then move on. If you can't handle this, we'll repeat it until you can."
Alen stepped forward without hesitation. His small hand hovered over the first stone, which glowed with a soft white light—the purest form of mana. He had practiced this before, feeling the energy within the stone, connecting to it, but today was different. Today, Kael expected more than just sensing. He wanted Alen to control the mana, to make it his own.
Closing his eyes, Alen slowed his breathing, focusing inward. His body felt warm in the early morning air, his heart steady and calm. The mana within the stone called to him, a soft hum just at the edge of his awareness. With practiced precision, Alen reached out with his senses, drawing the energy toward him.
The stone's glow intensified, and Alen felt the familiar tingle of mana flowing into his body. It was like welcoming an old friend, the energy slipping smoothly into his veins, merging with his own life force. His body responded naturally, absorbing the mana and holding it steady, but he knew this was only the beginning. He had to go further.
Without breaking his focus, Alen reached deeper into the flow of mana, willing it to fill him more completely. His body warmed, a gentle pressure building in his chest as the energy gathered within him. He controlled it carefully, maintaining the balance, preventing the mana from overwhelming him.
After a few long moments, he opened his eyes. The stone had dimmed, its energy nearly depleted.
Kael gave a small nod. "Good," he said, his tone measured. "Now, the others."
Alen moved to the second stone, this one flickering with a red, fiery glow. Fire mana. He could feel the heat radiating from it, though it did not bother him. His draconic bloodline stirred faintly at the edge of his consciousness, as if recognizing the familiar energy. But Alen did not let himself become distracted. He focused on the task at hand.
Again, he extended his senses, reaching into the stone. The fire mana was different—more aggressive, more volatile than the pure mana from the first stone. It surged toward him, eager to be absorbed, but Alen held firm, controlling the flow as it entered his body. He let the heat spread through his limbs, but kept it contained, refusing to let it overpower him.
The warmth grew into a burning sensation, but Alen's face remained impassive. He had felt this before, in earlier training sessions. It was intense, but nothing he couldn't handle. Slowly, methodically, he drew the mana into himself, letting it settle alongside the pure mana from before.
As the second stone dimmed, Alen exhaled softly, his breath carrying a faint wisp of heat. He quickly suppressed it, unwilling to show any sign of strain.
Kael watched him in silence for a moment before speaking. "You're adapting well," he said. "But don't become complacent. You still have five more stones. Each one will test your limits in a different way."
Alen nodded again, moving to the next stone without hesitation. This one was deep blue, resonating with water mana. As he reached out to it, he felt the shift in the energy. It was calmer, more fluid than the fire mana, but it required a different kind of control—one that demanded finesse rather than brute strength.
He inhaled slowly, letting the water mana flow into him. It cooled the lingering heat from the fire mana, balancing the elements within his body. The sensation was different, but Alen adjusted seamlessly, guiding the mana into place with the same quiet determination he applied to everything.
By the time he finished with the seventh and final stone, which hummed with a soft, earthy vibration, Alen could feel the weight of the mana gathered inside him. His body was tired, the strain of controlling so many different energies pressing against his endurance, but outwardly he showed nothing. His breathing remained steady, his face calm.
Kael stepped forward, his gaze sharp as ever. "You've absorbed the mana, but now comes the true test—control."
Without warning, the general raised his hand, and a surge of mana erupted from his palm, barreling toward Alen like a wave of raw power. Alen's eyes widened briefly, but he didn't flinch. He had been trained for this.
The mana inside him responded instantly. Alen raised his own hand, summoning the energy he had gathered from the stones. The pure mana was the first to react, forming a shield in front of him. It absorbed the brunt of Kael's attack, but the force was still strong. Alen quickly drew on the fire and earth mana, reinforcing the shield with their strength.
For a moment, the two forces collided, the air around them crackling with energy. Alen's heart pounded in his chest, but his expression remained controlled, his focus unshakable. He could feel the strain, the pressure of maintaining the shield while holding back the rest of the mana inside him, but he refused to let it show.
With a final push, Alen deflected Kael's attack, dispersing the energy harmlessly into the air. He lowered his hand, exhaling softly, his body still thrumming with the residual mana he had absorbed.
Kael regarded him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a curt nod, he stepped back. "You've done well today," he said, his tone slightly softer than before. "But this is only the beginning. You'll need to continue honing your control if you want to reach the next stage—**Mana Gathering**."
Alen gave a small nod, his mind already focused on the next challenge. He felt the mana coursing through him, the different elements swirling inside, waiting to be mastered. There was no room for satisfaction or complacency. Only progress mattered.
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The training ground was empty now, the silence a stark contrast to the earlier intensity. Alen remained seated on the ground, his legs crossed as he entered a meditative state. His breathing was slow and even, his mind clear, but within, he could feel the lingering effects of the day's training.
The **System** had been silent throughout the session, observing, waiting. But now, as Alen focused inward, its familiar voice echoed in his mind.
**New task: Complete the first stage of **Energy Collection**. Reward: Increased Mana Sensitivity and Minor Bloodline Awakening.
Alen's eyes remained closed, his expression unchanged. There was no surprise or excitement at the mention of his bloodline awakening, only a quiet acknowledgment. He had known this moment would come—his mother had spoken of it many times. The power that lay dormant within him was immense, but it would not awaken easily.
He accepted the task silently, his mind already shifting toward the challenge ahead.
As he continued to meditate, Alen could feel the mana within him—pure, fire, water, earth—all gathered in harmony, but beneath it, there was something more. A deeper energy, darker and more ancient, stirred faintly at the edges of his consciousness. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Alen could feel it.
His bloodlines—**draconic**, **vampiric**, and **demonic**—were not yet fully awakened, but they were there, waiting. Alen could sense the immense power they held, a well of energy that had yet to be tapped. But he did not rush toward it. He knew that trying to force the awakening would only lead to failure. He had to be patient, to let the power come to him in time.
The **System** had spoken of a minor awakening, but Alen understood that this was just the beginning. He would need to train harder, to push himself further if he
wanted to unlock the true potential of his bloodlines.
For now, he simply focused on maintaining his balance, his control. The power would come when it was ready.
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Later that evening, after hours of quiet meditation, Alen returned to his chambers. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candles casting long shadows on the walls. Alen moved silently, his mind still focused on the training from earlier, replaying the events in his head.
As he settled into the quiet, a soft knock came at the door.
"Enter," Alen said, his voice steady.
The door creaked open, and the familiar figure of the **Demon Queen** stepped inside. Her presence was commanding, as always, though her expression softened slightly when her eyes fell on Alen.
"You've been training hard," she observed, her voice smooth, yet carrying the weight of someone who had seen the world bow before her.
Alen nodded but said nothing in response. He didn't need to—his mother knew how focused he was.
The Queen stepped closer, her sharp gaze assessing him carefully. "General Kael has informed me of your progress. You've done well, my son."
Alen inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, though his face remained calm. Praise from his mother was not something that stirred excitement in him. He had grown accustomed to her high expectations, just as he had with Kael. Success was simply part of the path he had chosen.
The Queen knelt down, her hand gently cupping his chin, tilting his face up to meet her gaze. "But know this, Alen. The more power you gain, the more eyes will be on you. Not all of them will be friendly."
Alen's expression didn't change, but he understood her meaning. He had known, even from a young age, that his position was both a blessing and a curse. The strength of his bloodlines made him a target, not just a figure of power.
"I am ready, Mother," he said quietly, his voice steady.
The Queen's eyes softened for a brief moment, her fingers brushing his cheek. "I know you are," she whispered, her tone laced with both pride and something deeper. "But I will not let anyone harm you. Remember that."
Alen held her gaze for a long moment, his emotions tightly controlled, as always. "I will."
The Queen rose gracefully, her presence still as commanding as ever. "Rest, Alen. Your true power is close. Soon, you will be ready for the next step."
As she left the room, Alen sat in the stillness, the weight of her words settling over him like a cloak. He did not fear the path ahead, but he knew it would not be easy.
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