The village of Eldoria lay nestled in a sprawling valley surrounded by dense forests and distant, mist-covered mountains. Simple cottages made of wood and stone dotted the landscape, their roofs layered with moss, giving the village a natural, earthy look. Life here was peaceful, untouched by the conflicts and magic that raged closer to the universe's center. The planet Aurelion, remote and isolated, was far from the heart of cosmic power, where mana flowed freely. Here, the purity and quantity of mana were limited, casting an almost sleepy stillness over the land. Magical creatures and powerful beings were rare. For many on Aurelion, tales of Ascendants, mythical realms, and high-level beings were bedtime stories a thrilling escape from their ordinary lives.

But today, that quiet was broken by the excited chatter of Eldoria’s villagers. It was the day of the System Awakening Ceremony, held only once each year for the children who had reached the age of eight. The event was held in the central square, a wide, grassy field surrounded by a circle of ancient stones that seemed to hum with a faint energy, perhaps a relic of an earlier, more magical age. This was the day each child would receive their first glimpse into the System, the force that governed strength, skills, and potential across the universe. For the village, and for the children, it was a day filled with hope, excitement, and perhaps a little fear.

Standing among the crowd, Kaelan took it all in. He could smell the crisp, earthy scent of pine trees nearby, mixed with the faint aroma of herbs and flowers from the market stalls at the edge of the square. All around him, families from every corner of Eldoria had gathered to support their children. He could see the elves with their ethereal grace and silvery hair, the sturdy dwarves with beards braided with charms and symbols of protection, towering minotaurs whose horns gleamed in the sunlight, and demi-humans like Cat Kin, Tiger Kin, and Wolf Kin, whose alert eyes and flicking tails or ears betrayed their excitement. Even a few dragonkin a rare sight here stood in the crowd, their scales shimmering in shades of red, green, and silver.

Yet today, one race stood apart from the others: humans. Few in number and generally residing on the village’s outskirts, humans often went unnoticed. In a world teeming with ancient bloodlines and powerful beings, humans were seen as somewhat ordinary, their abilities modest in comparison. Kaelan could feel the weight of this reputation pressing down on him, a pressure that felt both unfair and unshakable. He glanced at his friend Lira, whose energy was practically vibrating through her.

Lira, a Wolf Kin, nudged him with an excited grin, her wolfish eyes bright and eager. “I can’t believe we’re finally here!” she whispered. “After today, everything changes. We’ll find out who we can be adventurers, dungeon hunters, maybe even heroes!”

Kaelan chuckled nervously, his fingers fidgeting with a small, rough stone in his pocket. “Yeah, but… what if my stats aren’t that great? What if I’m just… average?”

Lira’s eyes sparkled as she leaned closer, her voice a low, confident whisper. “Stats don’t make heroes. It’s dreams, courage, and the will to keep going. You’ve got all that, Kaelan.” She grinned, showing her sharp canines. “Besides, remember those books we found in the underground base? They said even the weakest Ascendants started somewhere.”

The mention of the underground base stirred Kaelan’s memory. He and Lira had stumbled upon it years ago, a relic from a forgotten age buried deep in the forest. It was an old, rusted ship with faded symbols on its hull, half-buried in earth and draped in vines. Inside, they’d discovered books filled with stories of legendary Ascendants beings who had defied their humble beginnings to carve their own paths across the universe. Kaelan had spent countless afternoons there, reading by the light of a single torch, immersing himself in tales of distant worlds, forgotten magic, and the promise that one could be more than they seemed.

The memory made Kaelan’s heart race, filling him with a renewed sense of hope. “Yeah… Maybe you’re right.”

The ceremony began with the village elder, an angelic being with silver wings and an air of timeless wisdom, stepping forward. He moved with a quiet grace, his feathers shimmering faintly in the afternoon sun, and gestured for the first child to approach the Awakening Stone. His voice, though soft, carried across the square, silencing the crowd’s murmurs. “Today, you children awaken to your destinies. Each of you will place your hand upon the Awakening Stone, and the System will reveal the core of your potential.”

Kaelan’s gaze shifted to the Awakening Stone itself a massive crystal set into the earth, its translucent surface swirling with faint colors. Legend held that it was a fragment of a mana crystal from the universe’s core. The sight of it filled him with awe and a hint of fear; this was the moment they had been waiting for, the moment that could shape their futures.

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One by one, children approached the stone, placing their hands on its smooth, cool surface. A shimmering screen appeared above the stone each time, displaying their initial stats Constitution, Strength, Agility, Mana, and more. Some children had high stats, drawing gasps and cheers from their families. Others, more average, received gentle words of encouragement.

“Lira of Wolf Kin!” called the elder, and the crowd cheered as Lira bounded forward, her steps light and full of confidence.

She flashed Kaelan a smile before placing her hand on the stone. Instantly, it glowed, and her stats appeared:

System Awakening:

Name: Lira Race:  Wolf Kin Level: 1 Constitution:  7 Strength:  6 Agility:  9 Mana:  3 Intelligence:  4 Vitality:  6 Soul:  2 Comprehension:  1 Skills:  None

Whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd, and Kaelan felt a swell of pride for his friend. Lira’s agility and vitality were high, a clear sign that she was destined to be a swift and fierce fighter. “Lira, your stats are incredible!” he shouted, unable to contain his grin.

Lira beamed back, her confidence radiant. “Told you I’d make us proud!”

The elder’s voice rang out again, his eyes turning to Kaelan. “Next, Kaelan of Human Clan.”

Kaelan took a steadying breath, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze. He could hear the murmurs, some hopeful, others doubtful. Humans weren’t known for extraordinary abilities or ancient bloodlines, and the crowd’s mixed anticipation felt heavy. Slowly, he stepped forward, feeling the stone’s cool surface as he placed his hand upon it.

A flicker of energy surged through him, and he closed his eyes, feeling the mana pulse through his arm. When he opened them, the screen displayed his stats:

System Awakening:

Name:  Kaelan Race:  Human Level:  1 Constitution:  5 Strength:  3 Agility:  4 Mana:  2 Intelligence:  5 Vitality:  4 Soul:  1 Comprehension:  1 Skills:  None

A silence settled over the square as the villagers took in his stats. They were modest, nothing extraordinary. Kaelan felt a pang of disappointment as he compared his numbers to Lira’s. But before the weight of his own self-doubt could overwhelm him, Lira’s hand clapped onto his shoulder, her voice fierce and unwavering.

“Hey!” she said, her tone bright and unyielding. “Stats don’t define who you are. You’ve got something even better: the heart of an adventurer.”

Kaelan managed a small, grateful smile, her words easing his doubts. Around them, parents whispered softly, their expressions a mix of sympathy and encouragement.

“There are many stories,” the elder’s voice rang out, commanding the crowd’s attention once more, “of those who rose beyond what their stats foretold. Some were lucky enough to stumble upon ancient ruins or lost tombs, where they encountered artifacts, mysterious elixirs, and even ancient bloodlines. It is said that a fortunate few have gained powers that let them soar to the heavens in a single step. But know this such power always comes at a price. Many sought these wonders and paid with their lives, never to be seen again.”

Kaelan shivered at the elder’s words. He’d read about such tales in the books he found stories of adventurers who discovered unimaginable abilities, transforming from ordinary people into legends. But there were always dark warnings, hints that one misstep could mean doom.

Lira’s gaze was intense, her excitement barely contained. “You know what that means, right? We could find something like that one day. You, me, and the wild unknown!”

Kaelan laughed, the thrill of adventure stirring within him. “Maybe… but I’d rather not end up a tragic story.”

As the ceremony concluded and parents guided their children home, Lira lingered a moment longer, her eyes catching Kaelan’s.

“You know,” she said with a grin, “we’ll be making our own stories soon. Someday, we’ll be in those books just like the legends.”

“You really think so?” Kaelan asked, a spark of hope igniting within him.

“I know it.” Her gaze shifted skyward, where stars were just beginning to emerge. “We have something no stat can measure a desire for more. And that’s what will make us unstoppable.”

As he watched her disappear into the crowd, Kaelan felt a renewed resolve. His stats might be modest, but his spirit burned bright. And as the stars began to glimmer, he made a quiet vow to one day reach them.