Kairos stood back to admire his work. The weapons and gear he had crafted were spread out before him, each piece glowing faintly with the magic he had poured into them. He had made enough with his cousins in mind, equipping them with the tools they would need to survive the trial. Among the items was a bow that felt special, a weapon designed to channel and amplify magical energy through its arrows. Kairos decided to keep one of the swords for himself, feeling a strange connection to it—as though it was an extension of his own power, forged from his determination and mana.
Exhausted, Kairos staggered back to his quarters. His legs felt like lead, and his vision swam from the depletion of his mana reserves. By the time he reached his bed, he was barely able to keep his eyes open. He collapsed onto the mattress, his body sinking into the soft fabric as his muscles finally relaxed. Every part of him ached from the hours of intense work, but a deep satisfaction welled up inside him. He had accomplished something significant tonight—something that might make the difference between life and death in the trial.
"Eclipse," he whispered, his voice barely audible, as though even speaking required too much effort. "Show me my status plate."
The familiar glow of his status plate appeared before him, but what he saw made his breath catch in his throat.
[Status Plate]
Kairos Solari (formerly Ichibei Sukejuro)
Age: 15
Race: Human (Aurelian)
Title: [??], [Star Child] - 60%
Affiliation: House Aurelius, Astella City
Attributes:
Strength: 80.0
Dexterity: 70.0
Endurance: 70.0
Intelligence: 73.0
Wisdom: 90.0
Charisma: 40.0
Luck: 36.0
Mana: 100,000
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.
Smelt Lv. 10 (MAX): A technique for enhancing and imbuing weapons with mana, using ancient methods.
Galaxy Step Lv. 2: 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.
Inventory:
10 Health Potions
10 Mana Crystals
5 Enchanted Swords (Strengthened with Smelt)
10 Javelins
1 Enchanted Bow (Magic-Channeling)
1 Basic Bow
2 Quiver
50 Enchanted Arrows (Tracking & Explosive)
50 Regular Arrows
1 Pair of Enchanted Boots (Speed Enhancement)
Kairos stared at the plate, stunned. His mana had skyrocketed to an unimaginable level—100,000. He could hardly believe it, but then he realized why. He had poured everything he had into those weapons, pushing his mana to its absolute limit.
"Eclipse… what happened?" he asked weakly.
Eclipse's voice was soft, almost proud. "By pushing yourself to the brink, your mana capacity expanded exponentially. Tapping into something greater, something that will serve you well in the trials to come."
Kairos felt a small smile form on his lips as sleep began to overtake him. "I am ready now," he murmured, before the darkness of sleep claimed him.
As the morning sun broke through the dense canopy of the Star Dragon Forest, the air was thick with anticipation and the scent of earth and pine. The Aurelius family arrived at the northern edge of the forest, where the towering trees loomed like silent sentinels, their ancient trunks disappearing into a swirling mist. This was the site of the trial, where each generation would prove their worth and carve their place in the annals of history.
Several other families had already sent their heirs into the depths of the forest, the echoes of their departure still lingering in the cool morning air. The House of Icarus had been first, their bird beast-kin soaring overhead as they watched their young ones vanish into the mist. The House of Draconis followed, their dragonkin offspring marching with the confidence of their ancient bloodline. The House of Fenrir had sent their descendants of the great wolf spirits, who melted into the shadows with silent determination. Finally, the House of Umbra, known for their demon-folk heritage, had released their kin into the trial, their dark figures blending seamlessly into the gloom of the forest.
The Aurelius family, however, was the last to arrive. This wasn't due to any tradition or custom, but because Kairos, the newly appointed captain, was nowhere to be found when it was time to depart. His cousins had waited impatiently for two hours, their irritation growing with each passing minute.
When Kairos finally arrived, his disheveled appearance and hastily donned armor earned him a chorus of jabs and jokes from his cousins, who had been waiting in the carriage.
"Well, well, look who decided to show up," Caelum Aurelius said, leaning casually against the side of the carriage, his arms crossed. His tone was teasing, but there was an edge of annoyance in his eyes. "Our fearless captain, late on his first day. How very inspiring."
Lysandra Aurelius, her silver hair catching the morning light, smirked and added, "You know, Kairos, they say punctuality is the key to leadership. If you wanted to make an entrance, you've certainly succeeded—just not in the way you might've hoped."
Orion Aurelius, the quietest of the group, couldn't resist a jab either. He raised an eyebrow and said with mock seriousness, "Maybe you were too busy polishing that sword you're so proud of. It's important to look good, after all."