I groaned, pulling myself into a sitting position. My body felt heavy, like I’d been hit by a truck, but strangely, I was fine—no broken bones, no gashes or bruises, just pain. A lot of pain. I tried to remember the fall, the impact, but everything after that moment was a blur. Maybe that was a good sign? If I had really died, I wouldn’t be sitting here.

I glanced down at my hands, flexing my fingers, searching for some kind of indication that my aura had awakened. But there was nothing. No glow, no surge of power, no sign that I was any different from before. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but I definitely thought there’d be something.

“Come on…” I muttered, getting to my feet. The dizziness from earlier had faded, replaced by a dull ache in my head. My body felt sluggish, like I’d run a marathon, but I was alive, and that was the important part.

I checked my watch again. Five minutes. That’s all it had taken. Either the concoction had worked, or I’d just survived a fall that should’ve killed me through sheer dumb luck.

I needed answers. Staggering toward the edge of the cliff, I peered down, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The drop was brutal, easily enough to kill anyone. There was no way I should’ve walked away from that.

“Okay… so now what?”

I closed my eyes, concentrating, trying to sense any changes in my body. I focused inward, searching for something—anything—that felt different. The testimonials had all talked about how awakening aura wasn’t just about the physical change; it was something deeper. I tried to reach out, to feel for whatever that was.

At first, nothing. Just the usual dull thrum of my pulse, the lingering adrenaline from the fall. But then, just as I was about to give up, I felt a flicker—a tiny spark deep in my chest, like a match being struck in the dark. It was faint, barely noticeable, but it was there.

I concentrated harder, focusing on that flicker, trying to coax it into something more. Slowly, it grew, like a small flame being fanned, spreading warmth through my chest and down into my limbs. The pain began to recede, replaced by a strange sense of lightness, as if I was no longer bound by the same physical limits.

“Holy shit…” I whispered.

This was it. The awakening. The aura.

But as the warmth spread, I realized something else—this wasn’t just any aura. This was something… different. Something more volatile. I felt a surge of energy, but it wasn’t stable, it wasn’t controlled. It pulsed erratically, like a live wire sparking dangerously inside me. My heart raced as I struggled to keep it in check.

I stumbled backward, my breath coming in ragged gasps. This was more than I had bargained for. The concoction had worked—too well, maybe. The energy inside me felt raw, untamed, and I had no idea how to harness it.

“Okay… calm down, Reynard. You’ve got this.”

I needed to figure out how to control it. Otherwise, I was just a walking time bomb.

I took a deep breath, feeling the heat simmering in my chest. It wasn’t painful, but it was definitely uncomfortable, like a furnace just under my skin. I ran a hand over my sternum, half-expecting to feel something burning through, but everything seemed normal on the surface.

“Hmmm…” I muttered to myself. “This must be a side effect of awakening aura too quickly.”

I’d read that without a proper guide or controlled awakening, there could be unpredictable results. That was fine, though. I’d expected it. The important thing now was figuring out my affinity—what type of aura I had. There were Seven methods, or “states,” for using aura: Fighter, Seeker, Dealer, Trickster, Caster, Maker, and Reader. Each one represented a different style of combat or interaction with the world, and each came with its own unique abilities.

The trick was figuring out which one I’d fallen into.

“I feel healthier already, though…” I muttered, rolling my shoulders to loosen up. “Still feel hot in my chest.”

I stretched, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort, and as I did, I noticed something strange—my body moved with more fluidity than before. My muscles responded quicker, more effortlessly. It was like the usual resistance I felt with every movement had been dialed down.

Interesting.

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Fighter auras typically enhanced physical strength and durability. Maybe that’s what I’d awakened? But there was more to this than just physical enhancements. There was that heat in my chest, that surging energy… I needed to test this further.

I turned toward a nearby boulder and clenched my fist, focusing on that flicker of energy in my chest. I imagined pushing it down into my arm, letting it build up like pressure in a valve.

With a sharp exhale, I threw a punch.

The boulder cracked, a fine spiderweb of lines spreading from the point of impact. I stepped back, wide-eyed.

“Okay… not bad.”

But there was no stability. I felt that raw, volatile energy pulse again, out of my control. It was like holding onto a live wire, and every time I tried to focus, it threatened to break loose.

I needed to figure out how to channel it properly. Without control, I’d be more of a hazard than anything else.

“Alright… what’s next?” I muttered. I’d need to experiment with the Seven States, see which one aligned best with the aura coursing through me.

But first, I needed to cool down. Literally. The heat in my chest was still building, and if I wasn’t careful, it might burn me out before I even got the chance to learn anything.

I took a light bath by the river stream.

I wondered what kind of ability I manifested. I was fairly certain it had manifested already, considering I had no injuries despite the fall. The punch I performed earlier couldn’t be a byproduct of a fighter-type aura… because it wasn’t proportional to the amount I had.

“I don’t know much about aura, but I have an inkling of suspicion that I am starting with a lot more than the average starters.”

I reviewed my knowledge of the Seven Methods—

As I sat by the river, letting the cool water flow over me, I mulled over the Seven Methods. If I was going to understand this new power, I had to start with the basics—what each state could offer and how it aligned with the aura flowing through me.

The Seven Methods were essentially the Seven ways one could channel aura, each corresponding to a particular affinity. They shaped how aura manifested in individuals, and each came with its own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities. I mentally reviewed them as the water cooled the lingering heat in my chest.

Fighter—This was the most straightforward of the bunch. Fighters used aura to enhance their physical capabilities: strength, speed, durability, endurance. Think of them as living, breathing battering rams. But it wasn’t just about brute force. With enough control, Fighters could perform extraordinary feats of combat precision, becoming nearly invincible in hand-to-hand combat. They could take hits that would kill an ordinary person, and dish out blows that could shatter boulders. While the punch I threw earlier seemed like it could fall into this category, something felt off. It was too... sharp.

Seeker—Seekers were attuned to tracking, perception, and awareness. Their aura enhanced their senses, allowing them to see, hear, and feel things others couldn’t. Some Seekers could even detect the aura of others or foresee danger before it arrived. Seekers were often used in reconnaissance or as scouts, always one step ahead of their enemies. I didn’t think this fit me, though. I hadn’t felt any heightened senses since awakening—no sudden clarity or hyper-awareness. Just the heat.

Dealer—This was an interesting one. Dealers were aura manipulators, capable of transferring or controlling aura in others. They could drain, augment, or share their aura with teammates, making them incredibly valuable in group settings. Dealers often worked in support roles, ensuring their allies were always powered up. Their abilities would often require certain ‘conditions’ being met before activating. I doubted this was my ability either. No strange feedback from the aura around me, no sense of connection to others. Besides, I was more of a solo act.

Trickster—Now, this was the wildcard. Tricksters used aura in unconventional ways, often manifesting illusions, misdirection, or reality-bending abilities. They were sneaky, using their aura to deceive or confuse enemies. I couldn’t completely rule this one out. Tricksters’ abilities often manifested in unpredictable ways, so I’d need more time to figure out if my aura leaned in that direction. But still, the raw power I felt didn’t scream “subtle.”

Caster—This was the most mystical of the Methods. Casters used aura to wield elemental or magical abilities. Fire, ice, lightning—these were the kinds of powers Casters controlled. Some could conjure storms or manipulate natural forces to devastating effect. Given the heat I’d been feeling, this was a possibility. Maybe I was manifesting something fire-related? I hadn’t seen any flames, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there, simmering under the surface.

Maker—Makers used aura to craft, repair, or enhance objects. They could imbue weapons, armor, or tools with aura, turning ordinary items into extraordinary ones. Some Makers could even forge entire constructs out of pure aura energy. This was another intriguing possibility. The punch I’d delivered to the boulder earlier might’ve been a form of aura manipulation I wasn’t aware of—like shaping the energy into something more precise. I’d need to test this further.

Lastly, there was the Reader—the rarest of the Methods. Readers could delve into the minds, memories, and emotions of others. They used their aura to read the very essence of people, making them powerful manipulators of information and influence. I’d heard of some Readers who could even predict actions before they happened. I didn’t think this was me, though. I wasn’t feeling anyone’s thoughts, no sudden insight into the minds of others.

I leaned back against the rocks, closing my eyes, the cool water trickling down my skin.

“Alright,” I muttered, “so what am I?”

I felt different, stronger, but the heat in my chest was still a mystery. I wasn’t any closer to figuring out what had actually awakened inside me. But one thing was clear—whatever this power was, it wasn’t typical. There was too much raw energy, too much potential. I’d need to experiment, push myself further, and see what this new power could really do.

For now, though, I’d just have to take it one step at a time.