Lysandra nods, her mind already working through possible strategies. "And we'll need to be careful. The Star Dragon Forest is dangerous enough on its own. Add in the other families, and we're in for quite a challenge."
Orion speaks quietly, his voice steady. "But we're Aurelians. We've trained for this our entire lives. We'll come out on top."
Lyra smiles, though there's a determined edge to it. "We'll need to watch each other's backs. Family comes first, no matter what."
Aztar's eyes gleam with pride and a hint of challenge. "Remember, the Aurelian way is to be strong, even if it means challenging your own family. This trial will test not just your strength but your will, your resolve, and your bond as family. So eat well, rest tonight, and prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, your true test begins."
As the meal concludes, the grand dining hall transforms into a hub of whispered discussions and strategic planning. The cousins, their minds still buzzing with the details of the upcoming trial, gather in a secluded corner of the room. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and a hint of nervous energy.
Lysandra, ever the strategist, takes the lead. "We need to think this through carefully," she begins, her sharp eyes scanning the faces of her cousins. "The Star Dragon Forest is no joke, and with four other families competing, we can't afford to be reckless. We need to form teams that complement each other's strengths."
Kairos nods in agreement, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Orion, Lyra, and I should team up. Orion's healing magic will keep us in the fight, Lyra's water manipulation can control the battlefield, and my celestial magic can handle both offense and defense."
Orion, who has always been calm under pressure, nods. "It makes sense. We balance each other out. We'll have each other's backs."
Lyra smiles, her confidence unwavering. "I'm in. With the three of us together, we'll be able to adapt to whatever the forest throws at us."
Lysandra's gaze shifts to Caelum, who has been quiet, his expression thoughtful. "Caelum, what about you?" she asks. "You're an Elemental Mage; your powers are versatile. You'd be a great asset to any team."
Caelum, ever the proud and determined one, straightens up. "I'll team up with you, Lysandra. Your skills as an Arcane Archer will complement my elemental abilities. We can cover a lot of ground and take on anything that comes our way."
Lysandra grins, her confidence evident. "Agreed. Between my precision and your power, we'll be a force to be reckoned with."
All eyes then turn to Alaris, who has been leaning against a pillar, observing the discussions with a smirk. "And what about you, Alaris?" Kairos asks, already sensing the answer.
Alaris shrugs nonchalantly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "I'll go solo. I work best on my own, and my stealth and tactical skills give me an edge in one-on-one situations. Besides," she adds with a wink, "I wouldn't want to outshine you all too much."
Lysandra raises an eyebrow, but there's no malice in her voice when she responds. "Just be careful out there. We're all family, even if we're competing."
Alaris flashes a grin. "You worry too much, Lysandra. I'll be fine. You just focus on keeping Caelum from setting the forest on fire."
Caelum rolls his eyes but smiles. "You wish. Just make sure you don't get lost in the shadows, Alaris."
Kairos watches his cousin's banter, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie. Despite their competitive natures, there's an unspoken bond that ties them together—a bond forged through years of shared training, challenges, and triumphs.
Before they part ways to prepare for the trial, Kairos speaks up, his voice steady. "We've all got our strengths, but remember, we're still family. No matter what happens out there, let's make sure we all come back."
Kairos takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of his family's expectations pressing down on him. With a silent command, he summons his status plate. In front of him, a dark, translucent screen materializes, displaying his updated stats in intricate detail:
[Status Plate]
Kairos Solari (formerly Ichibei Sukejuro)
Age: 15
Race: Human (Aurelian)
Title: [??], [Star Child] - 60%
Affiliation: House Aurelius, Astella City
Attributes:
Strength: 90.0 +10
Dexterity: 70.0 +5
Endurance: 70.0 +5
Intelligence: 73.0 +5
Wisdom: 90.0 +10
Charisma: 40.0 +3
Luck: 36.0 +11
Mana: 1000.0 +0
Skills:
Movement Mastery Lv. 8 (Evolved from Crawling Mastery): Mastery over fluid and efficient movement, allowing for rapid and controlled mobility.
Swordsmanship Lv. 10: Proficient in the art of sword fighting, capable of executing complex techniques and maneuvers.
Intermediate Celestial Magic Lv. 1: Access to a higher tier of celestial magic, unlocking more powerful spells and abilities.
Observation Lv. 5: Enhanced ability to notice and analyze details in the environment and opponents.
Mana Manipulation Lv. 6: Skilled in controlling and shaping mana for various purposes, including combat and magic.
Celestial Magic Lv. 10: Mastery over celestial magic, allowing for the manipulation of cosmic energies and light.
Memory Retention: Ability to retain memories from past life with exceptional clarity.
Special Abilities:
Eclipse: A mysterious system granted by the dark god, serving as a guide and companion.
Galaxy Step Lv. 1: A Sword Art that combines celestial magic with swordsmanship. To obtain this skill, focus on applying celestial magic to your swordsmanship and see where it leads.
Pocket Dimension (Basic): A personal inventory space with a weight limit of 100 kg. Cannot store living things.
Kairos studies the plate, feeling a surge of satisfaction. His attributes have improved since the last time he checked, and the evolution of his Crawling Mastery into Movement Mastery is particularly gratifying. His new title, "Star Child," though only partially unlocked, stirs something deep within him—a sense of destiny yet to be fulfilled.
The appearance of Galaxy Step as a potential skill intrigues him. He has yet to unlock its full power, but the mere presence of it on his status plate indicates the potential for something extraordinary. He'll need to experiment more with his swordsmanship and celestial magic to see where it leads.