Great progression ensued.
Years passed as humans became stronger. Five years later, the first human adventurer finally found the boon that the human race received.
It was a mutation! Mutation via bloodline!
The first human succeeded in mutating with a foreign bloodline in the Evertale world, the 2nd world connected to Earth.
That legendary powerhouse bathed in the heart-blood of a dragon while being fatally wounded, which caused him to mutate in his despairing time when he sought to live and used that blood in a desperate attempt to save himself.
After that first instance, the law that the human race could now mutate via bloodline got branded in the existence of reality, changing a few things.
People could receive bloodline orbs from high-grade dungeons. It was super rare, but chances were there.
The human race was getting stronger, slowly becoming on par with other big races.
But that also meant that humans were stepping up onto the main stage.
…
10th April 2049.
Phoenix City, Lightglow Residency.
It was seven in the morning, but Agatha was getting ready in her room while Arankar was already in his academic uniform and was waiting for Agatha in the living room.
Arankar had turned seventeen years old nine days ago and also finished his basic studies. Today was an important day for all seventeen years old, as they would start their true journey and try new paths for their future.
So as a kid of Neo-Generation, Arankar was also going to go through mana and mind involving process to awaken his status panel and various starting talents.
This awakening was possible after seventeen years of age for all humans born after the 1st bridge portal connected to Earth.
"I am ready, Arankar. Let's go."
Agatha came out of her room wearing loose jeans, a gray sweater, and a long creamy coat matching her boots. Her silky red hair freely scattered behind her as she didn't bind them, but it enhanced her beauty as she gave a mature but energetic vibe.
Despite seventeen years passing, her beauty hadn't decreased, and her age seemed less than thirty.
It was more like she became more beautiful as time passed due to her becoming stronger. Her physical stats were already at the peak of legendary rank.
"You are looking beautiful as always," Arankar said with a laugh; his voice was airy, and pleasant, with a hint of maturity that could not be hidden.
"And you are getting handsome and handsome, humph. You are entering that age, but don't just start dating any random girls that approach you, okay?"
"Hahaha, I've already heard this many times, Mom ~."
"You! Stop calling me Mom."
…
Agatha and Arankar soon arrived at the Phoenix Academy.
All cities had only one academy for essential education regarding this new world that required a new way to live and survive in this world.
This education involved learning basic information about the four fantasy worlds, basics of dungeons, items, adventurer's tales, basic combat, knowledge of other magical occupations, present human society structure, and such.
This education lasted until kids turned seventeen, or more if some entered the academy a year or two late.
Afterward, they could join private training dojos, other magical occupation schools, training centers, or guilds.
They were free to pursue anything of their choice; this was the new system.
"Number nineteen! Rudolf Wling."
In the center of the academy's Awakening hall was a platform with a big rectangular dreamy blue monolith stone at its center.
It was called Awakening Stone by humans, but this type of stone was used by other races in the other three worlds to measure one's status, but it became a trigger of awakening for humans.
"Put your hand on the awakening stone and just focus. Try to feel the mana and infuse it into the stone," a middle-aged man with dark blue hair, wearing an open suit with a white light blue shirt and a tie.
"Yes, Sir Leon," said Rudolf with nervous excitement visible from his body language.
Leon adjusted his rectangle rims as his sharp eyes glanced at Rudolf. 'Good. He had already succeeded in trying to feel mana before.'
Rudolf put his hand on the awakening stone and closed his eyes.
After five seconds, he successfully infused a bit of mana into the stone and, in turn, triggered his awakening.
His body shone briefly before a status panel appeared on the rectangle monolith awakening stone.
***
[_Level: 1]
[_Lifeform: Mortal]
[_Class: —]
[_Titles: —]
[_Stats:]
—> {~ Strength: D+ ~ Agility: D ~ Stamina: D ~}
—> {~ Magic: C ~ Mana: C ~}
[_Talents:]
—> {~ Affinity: Water, Ice ~}
—> {~ Spear General ~}
[_Skills:]
—> {~ Beginner Spear Mastery, Novice Water Control, Novice Ice Control ~}
***
"Dual affinity and one is Ice, an advanced affinity! And that additional talent… damn."
"Lucky fatty."
People started discussing while scout members of various guilds and other organizations had their interest piqued for the third time today.
"Arankar, do you know about your stats already or not?" Agatha curiously asked.
"Nope. I'll let my awakening happen naturally," Arankar replied, his eyes showing anticipation.
The entire hall had around five hundred people, including parents and their kids, who graduated from the Phoenix Academy this year while also turning seventeen.
The awakening continued as Head Professor Leon called out numbers and names individually.
"Number Fourty-four. Erina Starwoods."
A seventeen years old girl with an indifferent but serene expression walked towards the platform with calm steps. She had long icy-blue white hair and light red eyes on her white face with a hint of reds on her cheeks, indicating her healthy constitution.
Many boys had fallen for her, but she was unapproachable by the common masses due to her aura and background, as she was the daughter of a legendary power couple, Adam Starwoods and Lilian Starwoods.
The couple was close to breaking through from Legendary rank to Mythica rank; such was the rumor.
Many people were anticipating a powerful awakening from her since her parents were already legendary-rank hunters when she was born.
Erina put her hand on the awakening stone and closed her eyes.
Her body glowed briefly two seconds later, but the process didn't stop at that.
A mysterious phenomenon descended in the hall as a faint deific avatar of a beautiful female lady appeared with a gentle golden aura around her and a pair of otherwordly feathered wings with golden and white feathers. She wore a layered white dress with colorful patterns, making her look divine.
The hall's entire atmosphere turned sublime, pure, and peaceful.
"Blessing! She received a blessing!"
"Wow, it's my first time seeing one instead of just hearing about it!"
But it didn't end at that as another avatar appeared! This time, the avatar was of a gentle and pleasing woman with an exquisite long wooden horn and dreamy greenish-brown wings. She wore an otherworldly viridescent dress that enhanced her natural beauty even more.
"One more blessing!"
"What the f-"
The hall was in an uproar. Still, their eyes were glued on the blessing phenomena.
Erina was bathed in colorful rain for several seconds before the phenomenon vanished.
'Those avatars… They didn't seem fully alive or conscious. Maybe this blessing phenomenon was put on the automatic process by them using some mediums such that if their avatar detected someone suitable and worthy of their blessing, it would activate and bless them?…,' Arankar thought and internally nodded as his guess was correct.
He had heard about the blessings, but he was seeing one for the first time, and this event piqued his interest.
He wondered if some beings would also bless him, though he found it amusing when thinking about it and didn't want such attention.
"Wow, she is one lucky lass," Agatha said with amazement.
Erina's status was powerful, and so was the uproar occurring in the hall.
"Holy affinity, Nature affinity, and Earth affinity…. Two of them are advanced!"
"What's with those two additional talents? Isn't this too crazy?"
"That Angel's Halo talent is definitely that blessing she got!"
"Damn it. I am envious!"
The uproar was high, and all scouts looked at each other in shock.
Adam Starwoods and Lilian Starwoods were not affiliated with any guilds. Rumour was that they had found some backing in Battle Spirit World many years ago, but they had recently returned to live in one of the biggest mansions in Phoenix City.
That's why all scouts were eager. They wanted to talk with Erina's parents and ask if they would make their daughter a member of their guild or organization despite knowing that the chances were slim.
The legendary couple sat in the front seats as Erina returned to her parents. 'Humph, that's right. This is Erina Starwoods, the future super hunter.'
Although she showed a cold exterior outside, she giggled and laughed in her head due to her present joyful state.
Even she was not expecting to get a blessing, let alone two!
"Number 49, Arankar Raven."
Arankar stood up from his seat and walked down the aisle before arriving at the central platform.
Most people were not paying attention to him since they were still talking about Erina and her awakening, trying to guess her talents' effects, what kind of class she would generate, and such.
Rei entered the platform and arrived in front of the awakening stone before touching it as he followed Leon's instruction.
But in the next second, Arankar was dumbfounded. 'You all… fuck.'
He cursed, something he never did in his previous life. But there was a valid reason for it.
He triggered too many blessings, sensing over twenty avatars coming to bless him with various boons, causing him to take drastic measures to prevent such mayhem.
He unsealed his soul power and forcefully rejected all incoming blessings as he didn't need such things.
Arankar didn't want unwanted attraction since he wanted to live at his pace and enjoyment.
'Now let's see what kind of awakening I have,' Arankar thought, his eyes brimming with anticipation as a status panel generated in his head and on the monolith awakening stone simultaneously.