Ethan found himself surrounded by an immense expanse of darkness. No matter which way he turned his vision was met with a void that stifled sound and motion creating an unsettling atmosphere. Despite the absence of visible surroundings in this vast expanse, his feet sensed the presence of water, its cool touch raising questions about his surroundings.
"Is anyone here?" Ethan's voice pierced the darkness but it dissipated without a trace leaving behind a heavy silence. His words were absorbed into nothingness as if consumed by the boundless space around him.
Perplexed by his circumstances and the sensations in his chest, he pressed on, his steps causing ripples in the water beneath his feet. Each step took him deeper into the abyss an endless expanse of darkness that seemed to stretch on without end.
Amidst the endless journey, a distant speck of light emerged in the distance a lone beacon amidst the overwhelming blackness. In the backdrop of nothingness, its glow stood out in the stark contrast.
"Could that be an exit?" Ethan questioned the void aloud, his voice was a mere whisper in the vast emptiness.
Determination surged within him, lighting a fire to traverse this darkness. Attempting to run he realized that his progress was hindered by the water beneath his feet, forcing him to opt for steady steps. Each footfall sent out ripples as he journeyed.
Upon his eventual arrival, he encountered a gate standing amidst the boundless expanse. Stepping through it, he was met with a sudden shift in his surroundings. The overwhelming darkness that had surrounded him gave way to a tranquil expanse of pristine white. Now able to perceive his surroundings clearly, he found himself immersed in a space entirely bathed in radiant white light. This new environment enveloped him, every inch of space drenched in a pure and luminous brilliance. Amid this serene whiteness, his attention was caught by a minute black dot far in the distance.
He moved further and further in the vast expanse the echoes of his footsteps serving as his only companions in this boundless whiteness. The emptiness of the space was both unsettling and intriguing, a canvas for an encounter yet to be unveiled. And then, suddenly, as if a ripple in the fabric of this reality, a voice echoed through the vastness, whispering his name, "Hello, Ethan."
Startled by the sudden call of his name, Ethan's voice cut through the silence, "Who's there?" His eyes darted in every direction, searching for a form, a source for the voice that now resonated in his mind.
“I am nobody and also somebody,” the voice reverberated, its words as enigmatic as the space around him.
Perplexed, Ethan's brows furrowed in confusion. "What does that even mean?" His voice carried a mixture of curiosity and frustration as he continued to scan the luminous expanse.
“Where are you looking? Come here,” the voice gently beckoned, its melody wrapping around his thoughts like a gentle breeze.
Compelled by the allure of the voice, Ethan followed its calming notes. As he moved further, his steps carried him toward a distant figure, a presence surrounded by a radiant aura that set it apart from the pristine white surroundings.
"Are you the Mana Beings that people speak of?" Ethan's words carried a blend of awe and inquiry. Memories of his mother's tales during the awakening ceremonies flickered through his mind. "Or are you the God?" he added, his voice tinged with curiosity.
The voice chuckled with a resonance that echoed like distant thunder. "Ho Ho Ho, you are an astute young one. Think of me as you wish."
Ethan's eyes remained fixed on the figure before him, a being shrouded in an enigmatic aura, the whole figure was covered in aura that hid its body. Uncertainty mingled with wonder as he questioned further, "Why am I here?" His gaze continued to sweep across the expanse, seeking answers that remained elusive.
The voice responded with an echoing laughter, the sound resonating through the boundless expanse. Within the calming aura, he spoke "This realm exists within your own subconscious mind, a space formed as you go through your awakening."
A moment of realization swept over Ethan, prompting him to ponder further. "So, the dark room represented my evil or darkness inside me, while this white room symbolizes my purity?" he questioned, his brow furrowed in confusion.
The being remained silent, leaving only the echoes of Ethan's words in the space.
Unperturbed, Ethan pressed on his curiosity undiminished. "Why was I granted a second chance at life with the memories of my past intact?" His tone held uncertainty. "In my previous life, I was far from virtuous, and my end was marked by questionable actions."
A brief pause hung in the air, the being's aura flickering as if contemplating Ethan's inquiry. "Haven't your last moments been filled with regret? Yet, in this life, haven't many of those regrets been fulfilled?" the voice posed.
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A fragile smile tugged at the corners of Ethan's lips. "Yes, indeed. I now have the loving family I longed for—the very source of my past regrets."
"I am pleased to hear that you have found solace in your new beginning," the voice echoed warmly.
Ethan's curiosity remained unquenched. "Is the chance to be reborn and amend one's regrets granted to everyone, or am I an exception?"
"Ho Ho Ho", The laughter that followed seemed to fill the space "Ah, your curiosity is boundless. Each soul has their own fabric of life, shaped by its own circumstances."
"Now that I am here", Ethan's inquiry shifted. "What path should I take from here?"
A chuckle reverberated, the voice exuding a sense of guidance. "Your life is your canvas, and your choices paint the strokes. Forge your own path."
As their conversation ended, the expanse surrounding Ethan appeared to shimmer and break apart like fragments of a shattered mirror. Urgency propelled him as he asked. "Wait, do I get some Overpowered Skills or abilities now that I've awakened?"
The laughter echoed once more, vibrant and enigmatic. The surroundings began to dissolve, the aura fading. "Ho Ho Ho."
Ethan's consciousness snapped back his head emerging from the medicinal bath as he gasped for breath. The remnants of the encounter lingered within him a momentous exchange.
As the ceremony concluded, a few remnants of the green paste still clung to Ethan's body as he stepped out of the tub. The tall figure of the High Priest approached him with a warm smile placing a hand on Ethan's chest to check warmth into his body.
His words were reassuring as he turned to Aldric and declared, "The awakening is successful without any issues. Once he learns the spells, he will be able to harness the magic."
Ethan smiled as he felt rejuvenated and warmth inside his body, he could discern that he was indeed awakened with mana, After all these years of wait he would now be able to wield Magic.
While Aldric and the High Priest conversed, Ethan's mind drifted to the time his father had introduced him to the magic circle. He recalled the moment he had applied his mathematical knowledge to enhance the spell, optimizing mana usage and increasing the speed in the circle.
Driven by his thoughts and trying to use his newfound awakening, Ethan decided to attempt casting the spell himself. He began to channel mana through his palmar nexus, meticulously following each step of the process and activating the eight nodes within himself. Visualizing the intricate magic circle in his mind, he focused on his hand, and slowly, the first layer of the magic circle manifested over his palm.
"Ethan, stop! You haven't practiced yet," Aldric's voice interjected, attempting to prevent Ethan from proceeding.
The prospect of a misfire due to lack of guidance worried him. However, the High Priest intervened, understanding Ethan's determination. Ethan remained engrossed in forming the magic circle, oblivious to his father's warning. Without the need for an incantation, he successfully created the foundational first circle that underpinned all magic.
This universal circle serves as the foundation from which mana first emerges, coursing through the inner circuitry before being distributed outward. Ethan contemplated as his eyes focused on the intricate design before him. Remembering his past discussions, each step etched vividly in his mind.
With that knowledge as his guide, he recreated the scene within his imagination mimicking his father's adjustments with precision. He felt a surge of determination as he altered the third magic circle in the very same manner.
The next step loomed: to harness the heart of elemental-infused magic encapsulated in the second circle. His breath steadied as he shifted his attention to the spell's core. He visualized the flow of mana, how it intertwined with the elements, and how his will would shape its outcome.
"Fascinating," the High Priest spoke, his tone filled with amusement.
Ethan continued as he channeled his mana, seamlessly crafting the low-level fire spell. The air around him flickered as a lively fireball materialized in his palm. Its warmth radiated against his skin, a tangible proof of his magical aptitude.
A triumphant smile curved Ethan's lips as he opened his eyes and glanced at the creation. However, as his gaze shifted across the hall the fireball's brilliance wavered. The sudden loss of concentration caused the magical flame to dissipate.
"I failed" Ethan murmured, his disappointment evident in his subdued tone over the failed attempt.
Aldric, sensing his son's frustration stepped closer and laid a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder. "It's alright, Remember you have managed to create your first spell without any guidance. These things take time and practice. Failure is just a step on the path to mastery." Feeling the warmth of the words, he considered his father's perspective. It was true that he had taken a significant step forward today, even if he hadn't achieved the intended result.
At that moment, the High Priest had keenly observed the remarkable efficacy of the spell. Despite it being Ethan's first time wielding both the spell and mana, he had managed to craft an unusually effective incantation—distinct from the typical fireball spells, even if it had ultimately dissipated.
"How did you do that? And who taught you to modify the spell in such a manner?" The High Priest's curiosity was vivid, his gaze fixed on Aldric with an eager glimmer. The manifestation of heightened firepower within the hands of a young child defied the conventions of a standard fireball spell.
With a confident stride, Aldric stepped closer, a proud smile gracing his lips. "Ethan conceived the technique on his own and later shared it with us all," he responded.
At that moment, the High Priest's words ceased, replaced by an action that conveyed his intent. He produced a small token and extended it toward Ethan. This gesture held significance; if Ethan successfully passed the trials and earned admission to the academy, the token would grant him free access to education.
As the token changed hands, Ethan felt its weight and texture—an ornate emblem fashioned from gleaming gold. Its surface bore the intricate etching of a majestic griffin, while below it, the name and seal of High Priest Valerius were imprinted, accompanied by a celestial Sun and Moon motif that symbolized the temple's essence.
"Your Holiness, I am sincerely grateful," Ethan uttered, bowing respectfully, acknowledging it with a warm smile from the High Priest. With expressions of gratitude exchanged, they departed the temple, carrying with them not only the token but also a renewed sense of purpose.
Observing their retreating figures as they departed the temple, the High Priest's lips curved into a knowing smile. "That brat hasn't lost its touch yet, seems to have discovered another talent" he murmured to himself, the words tinged with a sense of intrigue.