Newfound Strength

After his conversation with his father, Eden sat alone in his room, reflecting on everything that had changed. 

He decided to examine his system window once more, hoping to uncover any new changes before stepping outside to test his strength.

The moment he opened it, he noticed something different.

The once neutral interface had taken on a faint purplish hue, an unmistakable sign of Aether's influence. It was a small detail, yet it carried immense significance. With curiosity burning within him, Eden scanned the updated information.

Name: Eden de Sylvain

Age: 16

Awakened Ability: Time Sight - Divine

 - *New* Passive Ability: Instinct - To unlock, use Time Sight 250 times current uses:

 39/250

Flaw: You are blind

Strength: D- -->D+

Agility: E+ -->D+

Stamina: E+ -->D

Mana Pool: E- -->E

Mana Control: E -->E+

*New* Aether Core: F

 - *New* Open?

*New* Aether Control: F

Legacy Martial Art: Sword of the Mind and Body SSS

 - *New* Open?

As usual, there was a lot to unpack. Aether had done more than just change the system's color—more details were now available, allowing Eden to better understand the changes to his stats and even examine aspects like his awakened ability in greater depth. Another unexpected bonus was the *New* markers highlighting recent additions, making it easier to track changes. It almost felt as though his system had gained a form of intelligence—a subtle yet surprising quality-of-life improvement.

Eden had no clue what would happen if he did successfully gain Aether but it seemed there was a lot more than just a boost in strength.

Looking at his ability he now saw the passive/ hidden effect. Many awakened abilities have these kind of effects, often realized after having had the ability for long enough to see its hidden effects.

"39 out of 250, huh?" Eden murmured to himself. He still had a long way to go before unlocking whatever this 'Instinct' was, but he had no doubt it would be invaluable. If the system was right, all he had to do was activate Time Sight 250 times to awaken it.

To test it, he activated Time Sight once more. Immediately, his perception shifted. Seeing both the present and the near future at the same time was disorienting—he wasn't yet accustomed to the dual perspectives. The strain weighed on his mind, but even through the fatigue, one thing was clear.

This ability was nothing short of extraordinary.

Deactivating the ability, he glanced back at the system window. Sure enough, the count had increased by .

40/250

An idea struck him.

'What if I just activate it for one second, then deactivate it, and repeat? Couldn't I rack up stacks that way?'

Excitement flared as he tested his theory, rapidly toggling Time Sight on and off. But his anticipation quickly faded. The system didn't budge. It was as if it could tell he was trying to cheat the process, refusing to count his half-hearted attempts.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue, half amused, half annoyed. So much for taking shortcuts. However, he wasn't angry, taking shortcuts wasn't something he was keen on doing. 

The next thing to unpack was the change in stats. This change was expected however Eden was unsure what would change. As far as he knew, once someones mana had changed from attribute less to having an attribute, some of their stats would increase depending on which attribute they chose. Since he had two attributes, lightning caused his strength, agility, and mana pool to increase by one tier, while Aether had caused his Stamina, Strength, and Agility to go up one tier.

Also was the addition of both aether control and the aether core. Like mana, both started at F rank. One interesting thing was that there was something new under Aether core. He opened it

*New* Aether Core: F

 *New* Stage 1 ability: Mana Perception 

With the new circulation, Eden's mana perception had indeed gone up tremendously, mixed with his already high perception from training Sword of the Mind and Body, Eden could now actually put his hypothesis to the test. Focusing he began to perceive the mana around him. Within seconds all of the mana around him became visible. He could see the outline of the couch, the floor, the tv, the table, his father across the room. It was like a whole new vision.

Looking back at the system window he was so grateful. While he still couldn't see in a traditional sense, this mana sense was the closest thing to it he could ask for. With this he at least had a chance to survive.

Moving on from there he read lower.

Finally there was the new message under his legacy, this one was very intriguing so he decided to open it right away.

Legacy: Sword of the Mind and Body

 - A martial art created by ??? Made possible by the Transcendent Ability: One with the Sword

 - Passive Effect: While the memories have been forgotten, the feelings, emotions, experiences, and will left behind by the creator still remain. Subtly affecting the user.

It was nice to finally learn more about the legacy however it sucked he still couldn't see the name, he guessed that only once he himself found the name of the creator would it show up. 

One particularly interesting detail was that the creation of this martial art had only been possible due to the founder possessing the transcendent ability—One with the Sword. That alone explained its uniqueness.

Most likely, this ability had granted the creator unparalleled knowledge, instinct, and keen insight into martial arts, allowing them to forge the SSS-rank technique, Sword of the Mind and Body.

This also explained the changes Eden had felt within himself—the quiet sense of calm in the face of uncertainty, the inexplicable thoughts urging him toward certain actions. Knowledge he shouldn't have possessed, yet somehow did, like Aether's name. Fragments of a puzzle he once struggled to piece together were finally beginning to align.

But understanding alone wasn't enough. Now, he wanted to experience these changes firsthand.

With his heightened awareness guiding him, Eden navigated through the house toward the backyard.

...

Once he stepped outside, a whole new world unfolded before him. It was more beautiful than anything he had ever seen. The ground was dense with earth mana, while currents of wind mana flowed effortlessly through the air. Even the tree stood outlined in earth mana, its core pulsing with traces of water mana.

The lightning mana coursed through the power lines of the electricity grid, silently supplying his home with energy. Then, a butterfly fluttered past—its mana a dull white, delicate yet distinct.

After taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature, Eden shifted his focus to testing his newfound strength. He began with the basic exercises he had been practicing for months. Now that he could perceive his surroundings more clearly, he was finally able to run outside instead of relying on the treadmill.

The difference was far more pronounced than he had expected. He was significantly faster, and his stamina lasted much longer than before. Every movement felt lighter, more efficient, as if his body had been fine-tuned.

Satisfied with his physical improvements, Eden turned his attention to something even more important—his mana. Wanting to integrate his new attributes into his martial arts, he retrieved the practice sword his father had given him. Breathing in slowly, Eden centered himself as he activated his mana. The moment the lightning attribute surged through his body, he felt an immediate rush—his entire being thrummed with energy, electricity crackling beneath his skin, eager to be unleashed.

As the mana circulated, a new sensation washed over him, a change to his perception. His thoughts fired faster, his reflexes sharpened, and every movement felt charged with potential. The butterfly fluttered nearby—before, it had been quick and elusive, but now, he could process every minute shift in its wings with clarity, as if his mind had caught up to the world rather than slowing it down.

This was the essence of lightning. Not just speed, but the ability to think, react, and feel at a pace beyond the ordinary—his body and mind surging forward in tandem.

He coated the practice sword with the lightning mana, it was difficult due to the material however he made it work. Taking from his legacy he began practicing the sword art. Downward slash, horizontal slash, multiple swings coalescing into a uniform attack. He continued, digging deeper into his knowledge. He utilized the footwork, circulated the breathing technique, enhanced his attacks with the mana. 

For the first time since his Awakening, he felt truly free. Finally being able to put all the knowledge he had gained into practice was immensely gratifying.

A few minutes passed this way. Eden was sweating, slightly exhausted from the practice, yet his eyes shimmered under the sunlight, a smile slowly forming on his face.

Reviewing his practice, Eden finally observed the changes the lightning attribute had brought to his martial art. His sword swings were now faster—each strike sharp and precise, with electricity crackling along the blade to amplify its destructive power. His footwork had transformed dramatically, allowing him to move so swiftly it felt as though he were teleporting between steps, though he knew that wasn't truly the case. And when he executed the defensive techniques, the lightning coiled around him like a protective barrier, an extra layer of defense that bolstered every movement.

Satisfied with these improvements, Eden took a short break before shifting his focus inward. Now he turned to reflect on Aether—a force that wasn't just another element, but the very foundation upon which mana existed. Just as a cell contains the blueprint of life, Aether was the unseen force binding together the very laws of mana. In that moment, he realized its potential was limitless; it was the fundamental essence that allowed mana to take shape.

With newfound clarity and purpose, he prepared to channel Aether through his sword, curious to see how this ancient power might alter his martial art. Excitement surged as he reached inward, summoning Aether. It began to flow through him, circulating effortlessly. Unlike lightning—which charged his cells, quickened his perception, and accelerated his thoughts—Aether was entirely different. He felt weightless—like a feather, moving with absolute control, able to glide with both grace and speed. Yet at the same time, he felt as heavy and immovable as a mountain, grounded with an unshakable presence.

He struck out with his fist, and the weight of that mountain moved with it. A gust followed his attack, rustling the grass beneath his feet

Looking at his senses they also had changed. With lightning it was an accelerated change, he could perceive quicker he could feel quicker. With Aether it was a completely different ball game. Instead of becoming faster, his senses grew deeper. He felt a connection with the world in which he hadn't felt before. There was an understanding between himself and the world. It felt as though he had become one with it. He was no longer just an animal that existed within the world but he was a being that was apart of it. There wasn't any change physically but he could feel it. Instead of rejecting him as a parasite the world accepted him as a partner.

The feeling was so foreign and different Eden didn't know how to process it. It was just too much.

He decided to try adding Aether to his sword one time before deactivating it however when he tried to separate the Aether from himself into the sword it refused to listen. He again willed it to flow through the sword imagining the sword as an extension of his own body yet again Aether had refused.

Perhaps he was looking at it wrong. Was there something bad about his approach?

He looked it over. Just like lightning he had first flowed the attribute throughout his body and then willed it to coat the sword.

That was where he was wrong, again he had subconsciously tried to assert his will over Aether, to dominate it. Instead he had to work with it to reach his goals.

He tried once more this time working with Aether instead of trying to dominate it. Aether swiftly coated the sword. The coating caused an intense pressure, a pressure felt even by Eden. He decided to begin with a simple downward slash, drawing upon the knowledge given to him through his legacy. The strike was swift and powerful, sending a sharp wave of Aether flying from its path. 

The strike flew about ten meters before dissipating, leaving behind a large cut in the yard in its wake.

Eden was stunned, not only had the attack consumed almost all of the Aether within his body but it was much more powerful than he had anticipated.

But there was something else as well.

Since he had his mana perception active he could see it. The Aether had sliced right through the mana particles in its wake. Eden watched as the cut mana particles began to dematerialize seemingly into thin air.

Eden's mind struggled to comprehend the sheer scale of the force he'd just unleashed. In disbelief, he found himself sinking to the ground, his legs giving out beneath him as he collapsed onto his butt. The raw power of the attack was so unfathomable, so far beyond what he'd expected, so much so that it left him speechless and shaken.

Just as Aether was the glue that held mana together, it could also be the force that tore it apart. The weight of this realization settled within him, a quiet understanding that made him pause.

From then on he entered a trance, training everything at his disposal. When he finally snapped out of his trance, he was stunned to find that it had grown dark outside. The entire day had slipped away, consumed by his relentless training.