“An interesting choice, child. So be it the knowledge of Earth. Let’s see...” The eyes of the cat start glowing again. ”Hmm, a scientific approach not a forceful one, it's good just… I’m sorry I’m not sure this one is suitable.”
“Why not, it has the answer, no?” I frown in confusion.
This is stupid, why provide it as a choice if it's not a good one? Wait, did I choose wrong?
“Do not be concerned, Elyssia. There are no wrong choices, it's just…there is some knowledge in here that isn’t necessarily correct. What I mean is that the world it derives from is quite different from ours, this in turn means things were examined from a different viewpoint. Furthermore, it contains some information that we’d like to keep under wraps, it is not meant to be in mortal hands.” Now it's the cat that seems conflicted, but that expression disappears quickly.
And who is that ‘we’ it mentioned?
“How about I place some restrictions on this one and in exchange give you something in addition to the answer? There have been many precedents for such measures when the question was too significant. It won't ruin what you gain just… limit its use.” The deal is on the table, now it’s just up to me whether I take it or not.
“Could you elaborate on that?”
“There is knowledge in here that if used could shake the Aelion as a whole. To be direct, you won't be allowed to talk about what you learn, or else you will be punished. This is for your and everyone else’s good. The other glaring problem is that the more complex elements are not grasped properly. There’s great wisdom here about them, don't get me wrong, but it might not be the correct approach. I’ll have to remove them or else I’d be giving you false answers”
“So it is still the answer I’m looking for, mostly, and I have to keep it to myself and some of it might not have actual use?”
“That’s a good assessment, yes. In exchange, I’ll give you a boon. Your kind, the Celestials, are quite the special one, I think I already have something in my mind.” It lays back down, getting comfortable till I make my decision. “So what will it be? Choose a new answer or bear the restriction and receive a boon?”
I have to go over things again just to make sure I didn’t misunderstand anything.
“So you’re saying my question gets answered one way or the other. With the second option, however, I get some nice bonuses for keeping my knowledge secret. Like… I’d be stupid to not take the second one. I was planning on keeping quiet about this whole debacle anyway. Mom taught me that some secrets are never meant to be shared.” I declare with confidence in my voice. “And could you please keep the incorrect parts too? I’m curious even if they might be wrong.”
The cat’s eyes flash yellow again. “Whether your choice is the correct one or not remains to be seen as the future is ever-changing but I like your attitude. Very well, your blessing has been decided upon.” The cat looks toward the incoming waves where a calm is washed ashore.
My guide looks at me and nods. I walk up to the shell and it opens revealing words inside:
[Crimson's Blessed - Arcane]
You were born under the Comet of Change. It is a curse upon every living being in the world yet you receive its blessing. In exchange for the hardship, a boon is due. You were born in desperate times when mana surged, nature raged and the living trembled. As one of the youngest of the survivors of the calamity, your future is to rebuild, grow and prosper. May you bring balance to the world, or shake it to the core once more. May the Crimson's blessing be upon you.
[+6 Free Points per level]
I remain motionless, just staring at the shell, processing the meaning of the words before me. So I was born under the Crimson Comet and that's it. Then I reread it, survivors? Does that mean that every person born during that time receives the same stuff?
“Not the same, just similar. The Blessing is centered around one’s personality. It’s also not just every person.” The cat pauses and it dawns on me. “That’s right everything born under the Comet gets the same chance, its light does not discriminate.”
“Wow, I mean this is huge but how does my Blessing work?” I ask as I don't notice anything different and don't know anything new.
“Oh, you’ll have to wait until you wake up. For now, I think our time here has come to an end, this occasion was a special one, as we won't see each other again now that balance’s been restored. Farewell, little one.”
As it starts to walk away something important comes to mind, I forgot my manners. “Wait, what is your name?”
The cat turns its little head, amusement flickering through its eyes again, for a second it just stands there. “Librea, my name is Librea.” And it continues walking away.
“Thanks for everything Librea and you stay safe too.” I shout after her as I begin to feel lightheaded and collapse in seconds
***.
I wake up in my bed the next morning, sweat dripping down my face and I sit up in excitement. So? When will I know?
Just as I’m about to get really impatient pain pierces through my head and I let out a silent scream. My body collapses back onto my bed writing in agony as the new knowledge embeds itself into my brain. I’ve had headaches before, trying to read books I couldn't understand or simply reading too long.
This, on the other hand… It's like the same thing pushed beyond its upper limits and with spices added. I try screaming but no sound comes out of my mouth so I just shiver on my bed, curled up in a tearful trembling ball waiting for it to end one way or the other.
After what feels like an eternity of piercing headache my mind clears, the pain fading and I find something wonderful left in its wake. A whole new world, invisible to the naked eye, in constant motion. Energy and matter are in everything and everywhere. The particles, building blocks of any and everything.
These are all just fillers for what I actually wished for. My answer. Fire is heat, energy, a reaction. Wind is gaseous matter with a lot of freedom, water is a bit more cohesive and earth is orderly, not motionless though. Metal is kind of a better earth and a whole lot different. Light is… what the fuck?
Things are a bit cloudy though. Who the hell is Newton and what is Kelvin? What are atoms… oh, I got that. What are the particles made out of? Am I missing things because Librea still redacted things? These physics and chemistry ingredients are like a terrible fairytale.
Also, that’s a lot of numbers, I don’t like math. And who the hell thought it a good idea to use letters in math? They should be hung and quartered!
Eh, I’ll just have to work it out.
I lay in my bed, rearranging what I’ve just learned. Enough knowledge for a lifetime, more than any adult could learn before going bald. Now I’m just more curious about things that the blessing doesn’t touch upon.
Like Life and Nature magic and void magic, there are some concepts about Gravity, Space and Time, so it's not a total bust…
I can work with this, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth.
The experience of attaining this knowledge was way more painful than anything that had happened to me before although less emotionally damaging than the robbery incident. I’m not sure I want to tell mommy and papa about this, I’ll just make them worry over something that I can’t even explain properly.
[Congratulations, you’ve changed your Class to [Crimson's Blessed - Arcane].]
[Your Class [Crimson's Blessed] has reached lvl 1, +6 Free Points]
[Congratulations, you’ve unlocked the skill [Savant lvl 1], slotting skill forcefully.]
I blink in surprise, not understanding where this all came from. So I reach for my System.
Name: Elyssia
Age: 9
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Mana: 110/110
+12/hour
Racial Trait:
Celestial Elf
Stats:
Free Points: 6
Might: 7
Mana: 11
Speed: 11
Willpower: 12
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 11
Dexterity: 11
Focus: 12 (+0)
General Skills:
Savant lvl 1.
I. Class: Crimson’s Blessed - Arcane lvl 1
II. Class: *Locked*
III. Class: *Locked*
Wow, I finally have it. I finally have skills and attributes and everything.
I’m so overjoyed I almost totally forget the previous excruciating experience, and slightly wince as I jump out of bed, still not fully recovered.
Savant: Understanding the invisible principles guiding the world, a blink into the cogs of reality. You grasp the inner workings of mana better and see the reason behind its nature. (Focus +0.3% per level.) Sharing the knowledge of the skill may draw harmful repercussions.
Now this makes the previous agony absolutely worth it, I’m not saying I’d do it again, because I’d rather not but this skill is really good. I think, after all I have little to no reference. It's my only skill and it sounds good to me. My stats are rather magic oriented which is understandable if you look at my species. On the other hand, really just seven Might? C’mon, I’m not that weak.
And what is that plus zero? Is the bonus so abysmal that it doesn't even show? C'mon...
The starting values are ten on average for everyone and the deviations show what one’s strong and weak points are. The initial potential.
“I couldn’t even deny who, or what, my parents are. Magic and agile mobility are just screaming for attention” Again, without anyone nearby I just talk to myself.
Let’s get some Skills.
I wrap up my musing and burst out of my room. “Mom, dad I’m nine, I got a class! I can also level up now!” I holler loud enough for even the neighbors to hear it.
Well, I just can’t help it, it's my day and I’m too happy to keep it down.
It looks like I woke up a bit too early, the barely visible sunrays outside confirming this suspicion. All I hear is grunts and shuffling from my parents’ room except that slow pace doesn’t last forever as the meaning of what I just said settles and they blast the door off its hinges running towards me. Poor doors.
They snatch me into a big, thight and incredibly warm family hug, just the way I like it. And we just stay like that, no words needed, we just share each other's excitement in silence. Of course, it's me breaking the silence, as I can’t wait to tell them the changes.
“Listen, listen it turns out that being born when that Crimson thingy was in the sky is special. I got a class called Crimson's Blessed, it gives +6 Free Points.” I paused slightly to observe their reaction.
No excitement on their part, only blank eyes and open mouths.
“That’s… incredible dear. Mine was nowhere as cool.” Dad flashes a fake smile while praising me.
Was it not incredible enough?
“Oh yeah? Listen to this then. I also got a very special skill for magic called…” I try uttering the Skills name when something tightens around my neck.
Something cold and oppressive, preventing me from even speaking… “I can’t,” I whisper and the words flow without any restrictions.
The restriction on Savant. Let’s just tell them about everything else.
***
My parents just listen, smiling at me lovingly as I tell them all that happened in my sleep. They are surprised at first, enthusiastic second and for some reason worried towards the end. I don't know what the problem is, I just have to avoid mentioning the skill and I’m good, right?
“Eli my dear, judging from what you just said, you’re not the only one with this Blessing, right?” I nod, as that's what Librea told me. ”That means that people like you are special, and special people are always coveted by those in power.” Mom presses her mouth into a thin line and looks away. “What I’m trying to say, Eli, is that I’d like you to keep this a secret, and if anyone asks your birthday is in two days, okay? Now, this might just be me being paranoid but I think it's better to be careful. Can you do it for mom? Can you not tell anyone, only the people you trust with your life?” She asks sincerity, anxiousness written on her face.
I don't really understand why it would hurt to share that but I trust mom’s judgment. “I promise. Not even the gang?” They are my best friends so surely...
“Please keep it from them too. Your path in the future might deviate from theirs and this is just in case this knowledge slips from their lips later. It might bring unwanted attention to you.”
“Okay, and just to be clear I really don’t like keeping the secret of my race and now even my class from them.”
“Sorry sweetie, just bear with it for mom, okay?” She strokes my cheek. “We have something that might make up for it after all today is not only your Initiation day, it's also-”
“Birthday!” I finish the sentence.
It did actually slip from my mind. Well, one is a once-in-a-lifetime event and the other happens every single year.
“Just a second.'' Mom takes off to her famous treasure chest, which holds all the fun and weird stuff she gathered through her adventuring years and rummages through its remains.
I did manage to take a peek inside when I was around five and the amount of swords and shiny objects there really piqued my interest. Sadly ever since the robbery incident, she locks said chest, barring even her own daughter from exploring it.
“Here it is.” She hurries back, with something behind her back. “Tada!”
She presents a worn bronzeish pocket round metal thing.
“Wow?” I’m a little clueless here. “What is it?”
“Youngsters these days.” She shakes her head feigning disappointment. ”It's a pocket watch.” She pops it open. “My father gave it to me when I left home, to and I quote Keep your allies close and your enemies even closer. Time is both. You’ll get it as you grow up.” She spreads her arms and shrugs.
I take the watch and inspect it closer. The outside is vaguely adorned, although most of it is worn off. The inside however still looks pristine. The three hands of the clock, thankfully I made the effort to learn how a clock works, perform their round dance meticulously, to the perpetual ticking of its inner working.
“I like it. Time is an ally and the greatest enemy, huh?” I keep staring at the watch before realizing that I missed something.
“Thanks, mom,” I give my mightiest of hugs. “I’ll treasure it.”
She knows I’m happy with it and I know she’s just as happy that I like it for what it is. Not something overly useful, or crazy expensive. It has its own value, emotional value.
“Khm.” Dad clears his throat, likely antsy waiting for his turn. “From me, something similar. An heirloom passed down from parent to child in my family.” Dad pulls out a bracelet made of… wood?
Some twigs twisting together in a strange yet beautiful pattern. It’s a bit too big for me, more like a necklace honestly so maybe it's for when I get older?
“My father gave me this for my very own Initiation, as did his own father before.” He caresses the mundane-looking object. “Your hand, please.”
I reach out my right hand.
I guess he wants to make it even more sentimental by sliding it on. I’m not against it, quite the opposite really. I like my parents’ antics, even the dumbest ones.
As the wooden ring slides over my wrist it all of a sudden shines dimly and creaks.
I try to pull my arm away, yet dad holds it still, nodding at me with a calm demeanor.
“I had the same reaction.” He smiles.
The wood slowly contracts and shrinks until the bracelet fits perfectly on my arm. Not too snug, not too wobbly, just perfect.
“As you can see it's somewhat magical, weirdly without any crystal in it to supply the mana. My grandfather told me it's from none other than Wyrel.” He says like it's supposed to mean something to me.
I tilt my head, signaling the necessity of further explanation.
“The World Tree darling, creator of all elves.”
I've heard about that, or her, before. A tree reaching out to the stars and one of the beings closest to the Gods.
“Okay, damn.” I’m much more impressed now.
“What the fuck Lucious!?!” Mom also sounds… angrily impressed. “You had THAT in our house all along? It’s from the World Tree, THE World Tree. Do you even know-”
“I know dear, and fear not, outside of this little charade it behaves like ordinary wood.” He tries to calm the storm called mom. “Besides being nigh unbreakable.” He adds quietly.
Not quietly enough.
The quarrel is already on, as mom is, according to my experience, pissed because dad's present is a little cooler. I just engross myself in my new gift. It really does look like some branches from any normal tree twisted together, and it even feels like it.
“How much would this sell for?” My thoughts escape my mouth.
“Please don’t.” Dad looks frightened. “It’s likely worth more than our house, much more. Could you just.. accept it as something to remind you of me, please?” He pleads.
“I’m just kidding.” I really was. “Thanks for the gift dad. I’ll cherish it.” OR WAS I?
“Now, let's see what other skills you can get, shall we?” Dad asks, likely trying to change the topic, which succeeds as I can’t wait to learn new skills.
“Yesss, let’s go, I have slots to fill.” I fist pump and bolt towards the backyard giggling in happiness.
The wait is finally over, now my destiny is in my hands.
I’m still weak and an older rabbit could probably kill me but now I feel less helpless for some reason. I just have to put the work into it and results will follow, now I actually have a say in the course of my life.
“By the way Eli, what weapon do you want to use in the future? Do you have any concrete ideas already or should we just try out as many as we can?” Dad asks a question that totally went out of my head.
Weapons, huh? Now that I have Savant… I mean, it's still viable, it's just…now that I know all this, weapons sound like a waste of potential. I don’t even know how to describe it for short… Do I really want to swing a sword around instead of casting spells?
“I'm not so sure about weapons anymore dad. Magic might be the thing for me I guess.” I say with a sheepish grin.
I know both of them were very enthusiastic at the prospect of teaching me their weapon skills but things have changed.