"So, what path are you thinking of specializing in, Levi?" Elijah asked, he was sipping a cup of tea, the entire family was sitting in their leisure room, it was what they called the rectangular structure in the middle of their courtyard, it was white domed, with beautiful flowers and plants in all directions, the whole family except for Levi's two eldest brothers were present. Levi was about to pour himself a cup of tea, the awakening ritual was 2 days ago, he was forced to apologize to the head of the White Tiger clan for the damage he had caused Lee Hyung, it took him 28 hours to finally wake up and his energy flow was completely messed up. Elijah had tried to appear strict but everyone knew that he was secretly amused. Nobody had dared to challenge Levi after they saw the beating Levi gave to one of the most promising warriors that the entire province had to offer. Noah was sitting besides Elijah, he showed no reaction but his ears picked a bit when he heard the question his father had just put forward

"Now dear, give Levi some time to think, its only being a couple of days since he awakened after all", Tessa smiled at Levi. Levi returned her smile and looked at his father who was deep in thought. Suddenly Noah spoke up.

"I think..", he began, all eyes turned towards him, even Joakhim who was sitting a bit further off, reading a book. The cover read, 'Practical Courses on Close Combat', "I think it would be better to wait for Arthur and Xavier before we decide anything". Arthur and Xavier were the two eldest sons of the Phoenix family. Elijah nodded thoughtfully.

"I think that's a wonderful idea, isn't it Levi?", his mother clapped her hands together in delight and looked towards Levi, he nodded at her, there was no harm in waiting for them, after all they were really accomplished martial artists who could guide him on his journey. Xavier was the oldest of them all, he had followed the Path of Fire and was a really famous archer. The last they had heard, he had climbed to No. 3 spot on the Eight Pillars and was the right hand man of Zeus, the general of the Northern Alliance. The Northern Alliance was a sect which comprised of the various clans of the northern region including the Phoenix clan. The sect was well known for producing powerhouses, including 5 members of the Eight Pillars.

On the other hand there was no news of Arthur, he had completely disappeared, the last thing that was heard about him before he vanished was that he was promoted to the 6th position in the Eight Pillars. He was a peculiar warrior who had mastered almost all the weapons that were provided to him. The Elders were shocked when they found out that he had 100% mastery in both sword fighting and spear techniques. This was almost unheard of but he had disappeared before the Alliance was able to recruit him. He said he wanted an adventure and had simply vanished from his lodgings one day. He had however, sent a message that he will arrive at the Phoenix household the next day. Tessa had almost fainted with relief when she heard the news.

Both of them were literal powerhouses with countless notable achievements, but that was not the only reason Noah wanted to wait for them, they were warriors specializing in different Paths, while Xavier followed the Path of Fire, Arthur specialized in the Path of Water. With both of them here, they would have all 4 of the basic Paths gathered at the same place, it would give Levi an opportunity to follow his own Path. Noah's scar tickled a bit. It always did, but he smiled happily at an almost faded memory of his past.

"Very well then we will wait for them to arrive, till then we should avoid further discussion of this topic", Elijah said, everyone sitting there nodded, Levi was silent all this time, something was playing in his mind, a slightly concerning message from Freya.

Last night, just before he was going to sleep Freya had spoken to him again, Esther had seemed quiet worried the whole day but even after repeated questions from Levi she had not revealed anything.

"Levi", Freya spoke. Levi looked at her in surprise and turned red in embarrassment as he was half naked. His huge four poster was made up for him quite comfortably and he was just about to doze off when Freya rudely disturbed his sleep. His room was located away from both his brother's and his parents' on the southern corner of their house. The entire building was set out in the shape of square with the main hall in the middle.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Freya... I didn't expect to see you so soon", Levi said and pulled the bedsheets closer to him, thankfully it was dark, so she won't be able to see much of anything.

"A rather... let's say concerning problem has come up", she said and peeked at him and tried to grab his bedsheets, "trying to hide from me, not quite cute", she shot a mischievous grin at him. Levi pulled the bedsheets closer.

"I would say your behaviour is more concerning", He said. Freya threw her head back and sighed. Levi could not help but blush, she was really beautiful.

"Well, I just wanted to remind you of our agreement", she said. Levi nodded, he remembered what she had said to him last day.

"So, what's this problem you mentioned?" He asked.

"Well... how should I say this? It's related to you..." She said. Levi suddenly became sober. To him? What had he done?

"Levi, you did not awaken", she said with a heavy and serious voice unbecoming of her. Levi's heart fell.

"Wha... what do you mean Freya? I did... Everyone confirmed it... it's not possib-" He started to mumble nonsense. Finally he had achieved what he wanted to his whole life but now his dreams were being rudely shattered yet again.

"Calm down Levi, its not necessarily a bad news", she said, Levi stopped blabbering when he heard that. He started to listen intently to what Freya had to say, "While you didn't awaken, you have obtained something even more valuable" she said.

"What do you mean?" Levi asked, he was as confused as he sounded.

"You have obtained the Blessing of the Vanir!" Freya paused dramatically for effect but it was wasted on an unworthy audience. Levi's face was one of utter confusion mixed with a bit disgust and concern.

"Freya are you sure you don't want to meet our family physician, he's quite goo- OUCH!" Freya had wacked him on his head with the stick she was carrying.

"Pay attention brat! You are currently the only one with this gift, do not let my confidence on you go to waste", She tried to appear stern but a small smile played out on her lips.

"Okay mommy, pwease forgive me"( What Freya thought she heard, not what actually happened ) , Levi looked at her with his sparkling golden eyes. Freya slapped her head in exasperation.

"You humans are a truly bewitching race, especially guys like you with those dangerously hot looks of yours", she laughed, Levi shrugged and said, "Genetics".

"Whatever, so let me explain how this system will work", She said, Levi stopped laughing and listened to her with rapt attention.

"Blessing of the Vanir is essentially a boon for the weak, that symbol...", she pointed to Levi's wrist, "...is the proof of our connection, you will be provided with all the abilities of an awakened warrior and also some additional benefits" she winked at him.

"Benefits?", Levi mused.

"Esther will guide you through it, all you have to know is you will not be able to follow any of the four basic Paths", she said.

"Wha... WHAT! How can you just drop a bombshell on me like that? How will I possibly survive without a Path?!" He was outraged at what he just heard.

"Don't worry, we will prepare a Path. Just. For. You" she tapped him on his chest with each period, "Till we meet again, Adieu", and she had disappeared yet again leaving Levi with a lot of questions.

This scene had played out in Levi's mind while he was sitting with his family in the leisure room and he had missed most of the discussion, absent mindedly smiling at his mother when she grinned at him. The only thing he heard was that Xavier and Arthur were coming tomorrow and why wouldn't they? Their younger brother who had passed the Age of Finality had just supposedly awakened.

Joakhim cleared his throat loudly, everyone looked at him, "Young Master Levi, it's time for your lessons", he said.

"Oh, of course, we will leave you to it, come on Noah, dear", Tessa said and rose, Elijah and Noah also followed her out. Joakhim came and set his book on the table, he looked at Levi.

"I wanted to say this earlier, but congratulations Young Master Levi on your awakening", he said and for the first time in his life flashed a genuine smile at Levi. Levi returned it heartily as well and thanked him.

"Now let me just say something", Joakhim said.

"Go on Teacher", Levi urged him.

He looked gravely at Levi and said, "Your win against Lee was nothing but a fluke".