The wind swirled around him, carrying light blue and white energy that wrapped around his arm.
He watched as the icicle spun violently in front of him, shimmering with power.
Though he had successfully formed the icicle, Noah suddenly realized he didn't know how to release it.
Panic started to set in as he struggled to figure out what to do next.
"How the hell do I have hurl it towards something?...."
The spinning icicle began to freeze his fingers, the cold creeping slowly across his hand as he felt trapped by his own creation.
Noah took in breaths, fast at first but gradually slowed.
His fingers were getting numb from the gradual cold and freezing.
"Okay...just calm down and imagine releasing it..."
Just like he thought, the icicle shot out of his arm as it hurled into the horizon.
There was a high frequency sound, windy at that the icicle let out.
The force from shooting it left Noah's right arm shooting up and him skidding backwards a bit.
He was sweating as he slumped into the grass breathing in and out.
"I...I did it...my first real magic cast..."
He felt a bit exhausted but quickly regained the energy.
Since he still had his previous life's conscious it felt oddly strange but he couldn't dismiss the fact that he was really in the game he played for 5 years.
"Normally, magic users need a medium to cast spells..."
He began muttering aloud but thinking at the same time.
"Such were referred to Medium Users..."
"Medium users use wands or staffs or any other item to cast magic.
The reason for such was mediums were a bit more accurate and easy to learn and use as all one needed to do was concentrate mana onto the item..."
"But with time, people realised there was no need for them until someone tried casting with their bare hands..."
"It worked but soon realised it came with a cost of exerting more effort and practice...and since noone was up for that they stuck with using mediums."
'Tch...lazy bastards...'
He thought.
Though there were some that used their hands. They were discriminated against for a while and still are till date.
Such were called 'Non-medium Users'.
"Still, I tend to only use my hands, carrying sticks and logs around sounds tedious."
He knew he would get made fun off at the academy for being a non-medium user but he couldn't care less.
Lost in his thoughts the system chimed in.
[Ding!]
[■Mana levels are low]
[■Mana left: 2]
[■Player will now receive the penalty of 'Mana Deficiency']
Noah almost instantaneously felt as if his body had gone heavy as he struggled a bit to breath but soon adapted to it realizing it was just like being in his previous life body.
Mana did make one's body lighter but to him, it was like being back in the old one, so he didn't have anything to worry about.
[■Time until penalty will be lifted: 36 Hrs 50Mins 26 secs]
"Tch...that little spell cost 8?"
He remembered his initial mana levels being at 10.
"Should have took in more mana before actually casting...but the damage is already done."
While laying there Noah had his mother calling.
He knew she couldn't see him in the grass so he decided to stand up.
Margaret immediately saw her son under the blazing sun.
"Come on, did you forget you were taking the affinity process today at the church?"
Margaret asked.
That thought had almost gotten lost while Noah was practicing magic.
"Ohhh...haha sorry mum..."
"That's okay sweetie, Alice told me you were practicing magic as usual...
Now let's head to the car, your dad is waiting."
Margaret said tussling Noah's hair, a gentle smile on her face.
Noah followed his mother as they arrived at the car.
'I almost forgot cars were invented in this world...though it's not similar to the modern ones back...'
Noah thought as he entered and his mother closed the door and went to the front.
He looked at the window and noticed his father talking to Alice. When they were done he approached the car, got in and started the engine.
"You ready son?"
"Yeah..."
Noah gave a short response but with a smile.
The car that was black with golden linings went through the small town neighbouring Elderwood.
The town of Sapphire.
This was where one of the branches of the church of the god of elements was located.
"It's more bigger in person than seeing it behind a monitor..."
Noah mumbled.
The Church of the God of Elements was an awe-inspiring sight from the outside.
Its tall, spiraling towers were crafted from stone that shimmered with hues of blue, green, red, and gold, representing the four elements.
The entrance was framed by a massive archway carved with intricate patterns of flames, waves, winds, and mountains.
Inside, the church was equally breathtaking.
The walls were adorned with murals depicting the elemental god in action—fire blazing, water flowing, earth quaking, and wind swirling.
'Still beats me that's how they think the constellation of elements looks like...'
Noah thought as with the progressing Acts and scenarios in the game, the constellations would begin to show themselves and getting involved with the world in general.
Even going as far as to take part in the Act IX War.
The ceiling was a domed masterpiece, with a grand chandelier that seemed to float, its lights flickering like stars.
In the center of the room, an altar made of crystal stood, radiating a gentle, shifting glow that echoed the power of the elements.
The air was cool, yet carried a subtle warmth, as if the elements themselves were alive within the sacred space.
There at the altar he saw it.
Looking as vivid as it did in the game.
The large magic circle blending in with the ground. The six crystals all around signifying the different elements.
It was off as he knew it only activated when a person stood in the middle.
Noah was feeling like a proud player and feeling nostalgic as ever.
"Ahhh young Ashbourne...you have arrived."
"Follow me this way to the altar."
Father Aric said.
Noah made his way and stood in the middle.
One would expect it to immediately glow but something else was needed to activate it.
"Blood..."
Noah muttered.
Aric proceeded to take hold of Noah's arm and Noah complied.
A small cut was made on his thumb as a blood drop made it's way on the magic circle instantly activating it.
The magic circle glowed white illuminating the church walls more brightly.
Then the crystals began glowing one by one.
Yellow - Earth
Green - Air
Blue - Water
Red - Fire
Light Blue - Ice
Purple - Lightning
Noah knew there were more elements but these were the founding ones the others branched from.
He looked behind and saw the glass mural of the Elemental Constellation depiction.
Almost staring at him as the eyes glowed white and beamed a similar light on him.
Then one by one the crystals dimmed and went off.
"Each crystal that goes off means you lack the affinity in it."
He watched as they went off until two were left.
The system chimed in.
[Ding!]
[■The Constellation of elements has blessed you!]
[■Magic Attributes]
○Ice: ★☆☆☆☆
○Lightning: ★☆☆☆☆
---