After examining the Godhood System and seeing Raj in the Mortal Connection tab, Vedik felt a sense of relief wash over him.

He vowed in his mind that someday he would save Raj.

As night fell, Vedik walked toward the sleeping quarters of the orphanage. He lay down on his thin blanket, still pondering the mysteries of the Godhood System.

Suddenly, like the night before, he heard a voice—an echo of a forgotten existence.

In his dreams, celestial battles unfolded before him, and shadowy figures with faces obscured by black mist danced in and out of view.

These visions remained elusive, slipping through his fingers like stardust, yet they hinted at a purpose beyond his mortal life—a purpose he must unravel.

The next day, as Vedik woke up, he felt something was different.

As he tried to check what was wrong, he sensed an unfamiliar surge of energy within him.

Vedik also remembered that Raj had told him that when he had awakened, he felt mana coursing through him.

So Vedik realized that he has also awakened but not wanting to attract attention, Vedik decided to keep this information to himself.

After completing his chores at the orphanage, Vedik made his way to William for training.

"Do you know?" William asked as they began their session. "Tomorrow, a priest is coming to town to conduct a free awakening ceremony.

The priest belongs to the Church of the God of Equality."

Vedik listened to this without saying anything; his expression remained unchanged.

After a few minutes, he asked curiously, "Why do people need an awakening ceremony? Raj awakened without it."

William nodded thoughtfully. "Fourteen is typically the age of awakening for most.

However, even after this age, people can awaken through ceremonies—though the chances are close to zero percent.

Even if they do awaken later in life, they usually can't reach higher levels. But for common people, even awakening can change their lives significantly.

Those with high potential often awaken at fourteen without any external help."

Vedik nodded understandingly. After learning about Raj's situation, he realized he needed to be cautious.

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There had to be a hidden motive behind their visit. So even though he had awakened, Vedik decided not to tell anyone about it except William.

As he trusted William and could see his favorability , Vedik felt even more secure.

After swinging the borrowed sword ten more times, Vedik stopped and stared into William's eyes. "William, you've been teaching me for almost two years.

You can even be considered my teacher; after Raj, you're the first person I could confide in."

Listening to Vedik's heartfelt words, William felt a surge of emotion. Though he wouldn't admit it aloud, he had also begun to see Vedik as his student.

"Don't be so emotional, you fool," William replied with a chuckle. "I didn't teach you anything special—just some sword techniques and herb gathering." But as he spoke, a smile crept onto his face.

Vedik felt something shift within him and checked the system. In the Mortal Connection panel, William's favorability had increased from 4 to 5 stars.

Knowing that William was someone he could trust completely, Vedik took a deep breath and said, "I've awakened."

William's expression changed instantly; he stopped smiling and said, "Wait here, Vedik."

William dashed into his house and returned with a tattered book. "This is the basic book of Arcane spells," he explained quickly. "Chant the first spell."

Vedik opened the torn book and began reading a fire spell aloud. To his astonishment, small sparks of fire flickered into existence on his fingertip.

"Wow! Vedik, you have really awakened! I am both happy and sad—you could have been a great warrior."

William continued, "So what have you decided? Will you continue to be a warrior or become a mage?

But remember: you can't be both."

Vedik could feel both Mana and Qi energy coursing through him; instinctively, he concentrated and released both energies simultaneously.

"Vedik! Stop!" William shouted in panic.

Vedik halted immediately upon sensing William's alarm.

William examined Vedik's body and qi points worriedly for several moments before gasping in disbelief. "What... how can you...?"

"What happened?" Vedik asked earnestly . "You told me I can either be an Arcane mage or a Martial Arts Warrior—but I can use both energies! So why can't I be both?"

William took a deep breath before sharing a cautionary tale.

"A few years ago, there was a powerful magician who wasn't satisfied with just being a mage; he wanted to become a warrior too."

He explained how Martial arts Warrior acquire and use Qi energy.

They firstly absorb Mana from their surroundings and then pass that Mana in their Qi points.

Then that Mana changes which results in the creation of Qi energy.

As Martial Arts Warrior repeat this Cycle their body also becomes immensely stronger .

Conversely, mages have Mana veins that allow them to intake mana directly but sadly they cannot store it .

"That mage unlocked his Qi points," William continued gravely. "At first, everything went well—but as soon as he tried to store mana in his Qi points—it is said that his body exploded from the strain."

William's expression turned serious as he added quietly, "Thus it is said that a mortal body can't handle both qi energy and Mana as they oppose each other."

"But how are you able to do this? How is it even possible? I can't understand," Vedik pressed.

All color seemed to drain from William's face as horror washed over him.

Without further explanation, he said urgently, "Wait here and practice; I have to bring some herbs and sleep here tonight." Then without waiting for Vedik's response, he ventured out.

After two hours, William returned and handed five herbs to Vedik without any explanation. "We don't have time for a potion; just eat these five herbs together," he instructed.

Vedik complied without hesitation.

The System responded immediately as he checked his attributes panel:

- Strength : 25

- Speed : 15

- Charisma : 100

- Constitution : 10 (---------)

- Potential : Restricted

- Skills:

• Weapon Mastery: 10%

• Herb Gathering: 15%

• Mortal Qi Basic Mastery

• Arcane Magic Awakened

• Cursed by: (-------------)

• Weakened

• Soul State: Shattered

• Poisoned by Mana Suppression

Herbs

He stared at William in confusion. "I can't feel my Mana."

William replied gravely, "That's what I intended—I've given you mana suppression herbs."

He began explaining further: "I've never heard of anyone who can use Mana alongside Qi.

If such a person existed, most would try to kill him as he'd be seen as a threat to both mages and Martial artists."

"I informed the orphanage that you are sick and will spend the night at my house," William added.

"Have you told anyone about your awakening?" he asked.

Vedik smiled confidently. "I'm not a fool; I only trusted you—William—that's why I told you about my awakening."

"Good work keeping it secret," William said earnestly. "Otherwise we would have had to flee the village."

"Tomorrow," he continued firmly, "the Awakening ceremony will be held by the priest.

This ceremony can only be conducted by a priest who is also a mage; as far as I know mages can detect other mages through Mana."

"So , I had no choice but to feed you these herbs," William concluded gravely.

"Tomorrow, don't leave the house . Let's wait until the priest returns to the church."

Vedik wanted to ask more but felt an overwhelming wave of sleepiness wash over him instead. With heavy eyelids, he closed his eyes and succumbed to slumber.

As Vedik slept soundly beside him, William mumbled something softly under his breath.