“There you go, lad, your first essence. How does it feel?” The village ritualist was an overweight elf. You don’t normally see people with essences overweight.

“Come on, Son,” Dad said. “Tell us what that uncommon essence gave you. You should be able to feel it.”

Dad had sacrificed a lot to get this essence. I still don’t know how he did it. The Sharpen Essence was something I had never heard of. Dad could have used it himself, as he only had one essence, but he saved it for me. It would have gone very nicely with his knife essence.

“I think it bonded with my speed attribute. I can …” I felt the knowledge of the skill, “sharpen cutting or piercing objects to a razor edge.”

“That is very useful, son. You are going to be a great help in the shop.” He handed me a knife, “Try it.”

I took the knife, immediately felt where there were imperfections in the blade, and ran a finger along it. It was definitely now razor-sharp. Dad handed me some leather, and the knife smoothly parted it with very little effort.

“That is awesome, son. We will never have blunt blades again.”

My face fell a bit. I didn’t want to work in the shop. I wanted to go adventuring. Ooh, hang on, what is happening? I feel all funny and light-headed.

“Don't panic, Theo,” Evelyn said, “it is a racial evolution. This often happens when you absorb essences. You will get a feel for it in a minute.”

I stumbled at the feelings, and I became dizzy. I decided I was better off sitting down. The feeling went away soon thereafter.

“Can you tell us what happened, Theo?” Evelyn asked.

All races have characteristics that are particular to them. Celestines had resistance to Astral magic, and Leonids were usually more powerful. Humans could be anything, really, because they are such a mixed-up race.

“I think my mind has got… I don’t know; it's quicker, I guess. I can use Skill books now.”

“Good, good,” Evelyn said. The essence is bonded to your Speed Attribute, so speed and skill books are faster, if not very thorough. That is good. The Magic Society records these, and we can compare them with others. Sharpen is often in a crafting set, so skill books are not out of the expectations.”

I wasn’t sure. I had never seen a skill book, so I don’t know when I will get to use one.

“Good on you, son. We are proud of you,” Dad said.

Our village mainly consisted of Leonids, and Dad was the local hairdresser. I was sick of trimming manes and body hair, dyeing it different colours, platting, styling, and sweeping the bloody floor. Now I have the perfect skill for working with him and keeping the sheers sharp. Life is trying to trap me here. I was sixteen. I wanted to see the world.

“Thanks, Dad,” I said. It was amazing they got the uncommon essence and kept it for me. As I thought more about it, I got excited. This was an amazing adventuring skill. I could keep all my blades sharp, and there were bonuses to cutting through hides and scales.

“Are you still there, son? You seem zoned out. Your mother has a surprise for you.”

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I looked at Mum. She was small for a Leonid with dark, almost tabby fur colouring; unfortunately, I took after her.

“I saved this for you from that manifestation that happened when you were twelve and ran to me scared.”

“Oh, Mum. Not the one in the hair pile.”

She grinned, her sharp teeth showing. “Yes, son, the awakening stone of Hair.”

Dad laughed at the look on my face. “I would have taken it, son, but my five slots are full.”

There are only five skill slots for each essence, and the essence ritual awakens one of them. There are four essences, and you can have one for each of your attributes: Power, Speed, Recovery, and Spirit. Usually, you only need three essences, and they combine to make a fourth confluence essence.

I can awaken a second skill with this awakening stone. The awakening stone of Hair, though? What will that give me? Will I grow long hair? Hairballs are a common problem for Leonids. Common stones like this could give a wide range of skills, so it might not be useless. Please don't be useless. There is no changing them without divine help or lots and lots of money. So, for me, that means I need divine help if I get a useless skill.

“Thanks, Mum,” I said, trying to be thankful. It is unusual to get two skills on your awakening day. Most of the village can’t even afford a single essence, so I am very lucky. Dad is a premiere hairdresser and gets called to do the duchess’s hair for events, so we are well off compared to others. Hairdressing is a whole body profession for Leonids. Fur makes clothes annoying to wear, so we generally only wear utility belts and make our other natural assets shine. Our whole region is predominantly Leonids. Fur everywhere. Dentists and nail technicians are the other top professions, as our lion-type teeth and natural claws all need to look good and sharp. Wait, and sharp?

“Step forward, Theo, lad. This is a simple ritual, and your parents have already paid for it.”

I reluctantly stopped what I was doing and stepped forward. Please don’t be useless. Please, please, please, don’t turn into a hairball elemental.

Fat Evelyn performed the ritual. I held the stone, and it felt like hair was growing out of the stone and into my skin. It felt creepy and tickly all at once. Then It was over.

I was a bit scared to look. Oh! I relaxed. It was not useless.

“Come on, Theo, tell us,” my little sister Olivia said. She was two years younger than me, and we generally got along well, except when she was annoying.

“It is a passive effect that makes my fur harder to cut or pierce.” This was awesome for adventuring, but I tried not to let my enthusiasm show as I knew Mum and Dad didn’t want me to go adventuring.

Their smiles dropped a bit, “So not useful in the shop then?” Mum asked.

“Of course it is, dear,” Dad said, “ Do you know how many times he cut himself last year? This will save us massively on potions.”

Olivia and I shared a smile. She knew I wanted to go adventuring and she wanted to come with me. I was not sure I wanted my little sister tagging along, but it would be a few years before she could get Essences anyway. I planned to be well away from here by then.

“Thanks, Evelyn,” Mum said to the fat elf, “Come on, you lot, we have a feast ready to celebrate!”

I grabbed the leather strip on the way out and concentrated on my skill, then ran a claw down the leather, and it parted just like the knife. I caught Olivia watching me, and we shared a grin. She was almost jumping up and down in excitement.

We were related to half the village, so the family celebration was a large one. I was an adult now in the eyes of the village, so I was drinking my first ale. Well, the first ale in public. Dad was fine with us sharing an ale or a half glass of wine at home.

I spent a lot of the evening demonstrating my Skill, and I think I sharpened every knife in the family. The extended family.

“This is a one-off sample of my skill,” I announced a little drunkenly, “Tomorrow, you will have to pay for me sharpening your knives.” I got a lot of drunken boos for that announcement, but it was Mum’s idea and a good one for me to make some coin from. Mum always had a good head for business. She had one essence herself: the Paper Essence. She helped at the local Magic Society branch with their record keeping. I knew she only had three skills unlocked, but I guess she didn’t think the awakening stone of the Hair was a good fit for her.

The congratulations went on into the night, but I passed out from mana loss, as I had been overusing my new skill. That disappointed many people. It meant I woke up the next morning with much less of a hangover than I otherwise would have.