Elias flipped the brittle page of the Codex of Prophetic Whispers, his heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The section on bloodlines, mentioned by Anya, unfolded before him, shrouded in a veil of mystery.

The book acknowledged the frustrating lack of definitive knowledge on the topic. Records from before the First Holy War (God knows what that is), the supposed origin point of bloodlines, were scarce, leaving historians with mere speculation. The timeline shifted to the Second Holy War, where fragmented historical accounts began to appear.

The Rise of the Blossom Knights.

The civil war of the Sagar Empire.

The end of the Civil War and Rise of the Uncrowned King.

The invasion of the Alliance of States.

The victory over the Alliance of States and the Golden Age of Blossom Knights.

The Corruption of Blossom Knights.

Death of the Uncrowned King.

The End of the Sagar Empire and the Beginning of the Second Holy War.

It was fascinating. The history of this world, this place he was in, was just as fascinating as his previous one, if not more. According to the book, the calendar restarts after every Holy War. Since the current date was the 6th day of the 9th month, 1216, the Third Holy War ended 1216 years ago. The last date recorded in the book before the Third Holy War is 2371. The period after the Second Holy War is called The Age of Revolution, and it lasted for at least about 2400 years.

Elias shuddered at the implication of this knowledge. He was also curious why the level of this world was not technologically as high but-

'This is of no use to me currently. Where's the section about bloodlines....'

Elias continued to read.

The devastating Third Holy War, a conflict that shattered communication and ravaged countless worlds, shrouded everything after it in a thick fog of uncertainty. The Federation, Elias' current home, stood as one of the few relatively unscathed havens, protected by a constant, swirling fog.

'That's too short of a history compared to the Second Holy War. Perhaps the records were lost again. But why? The Third Holy War was the most recent one. It should have the most information passed down. Or maybe, It was passed down but hidden. Hmm... Oh, Found it! The section for bloodlines.'

Bloodlines, according to the text, were variations within the human psyche that manifested as magical abilities. These variations were believed to have arisen sometime before the First Holy War, though the exact cause remained a tantalizing unknown. Regardless of origin, these bloodlines, like whispers carried on the wind, imprinted themselves on family lineages, granting each generation a unique magical talent.

The book delved into the different types of bloodlines, categorized by the effect of their abilities. Conjurors, who manifested their abilities based on their surroundings. Whisperers talked to and formed contracts with different kinds of spirits, like those of wind or fire. Then there were Summoners who summoned beings directly from the spirit world or the Land Below. There were Morphs, who changed their own body with amazingly fine control. Then Influencers, who mainly dealt with mental and Illusion-type abilities.

And many more.

Likewise, bloodlines were also sometimes divided according to the variations produced in the human body due to them. These people were called variants and had more peculiar traits than usual. For example, Elves with their long ears, or the Titan bloodline distinct due to its large physique. Some researchers even claimed that they were an entirely different species than humans.

However, the text also noted a fascinating phenomenon – sub-branches within bloodlines. For example, the book described Elf bloodlines, generally characterized by long, pointed ears. But within this broader category existed Wood Elves, who possessed a natural affinity for plant-based magic, and Mist Elves, who showcased a blend of water and air manipulation. This complexity hinted at the potential for further diversification within bloodlines, suggesting a vast and intricate network of magical abilities waiting to be explored.

The book then touched upon the prevalence of bloodlines. The text revealed a stark reality – they were incredibly rare. Odds were that only one person in a thousand possessed a bloodline. This scarcity further emphasized the immense power wielded by these individuals. However, the book also introduced a disturbing concept – the "Forsaken."

The Forsaken, according to the text, were ordinary people devoid of any bloodline abilities. The book painted a bleak picture for them. The existence of the Mirror World, a barrier separating the world of humans from the realm where magic readily flowed, further distanced the Forsaken. It restricted their access to magic and bloodline and similarly, the awakened could not cross or communicate with the other side of the mirror world in any way. However, the mirror world could be observed. This led to high disdain and discrimination towards those who newly awaken from the normal world, no matter how rare they might be. It is said that for people on the other side, the chance of awakening is less than a million.

Stolen story; please report.

This revelation left a bitter taste in Elias's mouth. What was he then? A Forsaken, most probably. And he had definitely crossed over to the other side of the mirror world, the magical side, for some reason.

'That may be because I awakened.'

But that didn't explain why he had the acceptance letter for the Everbright Academy on this side. How?

'It couldn't have been a coincidence which means someone was involved in it. Someone who knew that I had crossed over to this side and was powerful enough to give me this acceptance letter. Without me noticing.'

After thinking this far, Elias noticed that he was heaving for breaths. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead and his heart was thumping rapidly. He didn't know if it was due to excitement or fear but for now, that didn't matter. Thinking about how he got involved in this mess was tempting but was not what he needed right now. Especially since he had no leads for that matter. He forcefully cut off that line of thought.

Taking a deep breath, Elias continued reading.

The next section of the Codex delved into a captivating concept – Imprints. These were not simply inherited abilities, but rather a form of ancestral memory embedded within the very fabric of a bloodline. It spoke of knowledge passed down not through explicit teaching, but through a subtle, subconscious influence. Imagine a melody carried on the wind, a whisper echoing through generations. That was the essence of an Imprint.

For example, a descendant of a bloodline attuned to the wind wouldn't be born with the ability to conjure a hurricane. Initially, they might only experience a heightened sensitivity to air currents, a subconscious awareness of the world's ever-present breeze. This sensitivity, this whisper from their ancestors, was the Imprint at its most basic.

However, with practice and dedication, the descendant could refine this raw potential. They could learn to harness the subtle whispers of the wind, coaxing it into gentle gusts or deflecting dust particles with a flick of the wrist. As their skill grew, so too did the Imprint within them. It became not just a whisper, but a chorus, a symphony of ancestral knowledge guiding their actions.

This was where the true power of Imprints resided. Imagine a young Pyrokinetic, who has flame related abilities, their initial Imprint merely a spark of warmth in their palm. Through years of training, they could fan that spark into a raging inferno. But what if, upon reaching a certain level of mastery, they could rewrite their bloodline's Imprint? What if they could ensure that their children, from the moment of birth, possessed the ability to conjure flames with a thought?

This was the profound impact of Imprints. Awakened bloodline users who honed their abilities to a peak could rewrite the ancestral code, leaving behind a stronger Imprint for future generations. This explained why, as the book mentioned, older clans were often considered more powerful. Generations of refinement, of ancestors leaving behind stronger Imprints, resulted in descendants who were practically born with advanced skills. It created a snowball effect, each generation building upon the foundation laid by those who came before.

However, the book also cautioned that Imprint rewriting wasn't without limitations. The process was complex, requiring a deep understanding of one's bloodline and immense willpower. Additionally, there was always the risk of failure, of muddying the ancestral code and weakening future generations' abilities. This delicate balance between refinement and disruption made Imprint rewriting a privilege reserved for the most skilled and revered members of a bloodline.

Elias was fascinated by the concept he was reading. Excitement surged within him as he continued to read.

The final section of the Codex transitioned into a subject that finally sent shivers down Elias's spine – Revelation. It was the best method to check whether a person has awakened his bloodline or not and to know about their own bloodline and abilities.

It detailed the process by which awakened bloodline users could delve into their own essence, a journey to understand their abilities and the purity of their lineage. This self-discovery, however, wasn't a simple act of introspection. It involved a process called "touching the soul."

Here, the book acknowledged the ongoing debate amongst researchers. Did one truly touch upon their soul during Revelation, or was it merely an exploration of the subconscious mind? Regardless of the semantics, the process itself was both fascinating and slightly unnerving.

There were two primary methods for initiating Revelation. The first involved meditation within a specially prepared chamber. These chambers, the book explained, were imbued with energies that facilitated the descent into one's inner self. The process itself required deep meditation and a focused mind, allowing the individual to shed the distractions of the physical world and navigate the intricate labyrinth of their own psyche.

The second method was more drastic – the Elixer of Certainty. This potent potion, the book warned, acted as a potent catalyst, forcefully unlocking the subconscious mind. While it offered a faster and seemingly easier path, the Elixer came with its own set of risks. The sudden unveiling of one's inner self could be overwhelming, even traumatic, for some individuals. Additionally, the Elixer was notoriously difficult to procure, its recipe a closely guarded secret amongst a select few alchemists.

The true heart of Revelation, however, lay not in the method chosen, but in the experience itself. The book emphasized that the journey into the subconscious was unique to each individual. It was shaped by their deepest desires, their fears, and the very essence of their being. Some might envision landscapes reflecting their abilities – a raging inferno for one, a vast ocean for someone else. Others might encounter symbolic representations or cryptic messages whispered by their ancestors.

Revelation was the true awakening for most people.

The book offered no definitive guide to navigating this personal odyssey. It simply cautioned that Revelation was a deeply personal experience, a confrontation with the very essence of one's bloodline. It was a test of willpower, a chance to not only understand one's abilities but also to come to terms with the legacy they carried within them.

Elias closed the Codex, a contemplative silence settling around him. Revelation. The word echoed in his mind, weighty and alluring. One full day of nothing but anxiety and confusion, of being led around by ignorance.

Elias smiled

'Finally..'

He had a goal.