Chereads / Frontline Empress / Chapter 12 - Evolution

Chapter 12 - Evolution

At dawn, the air was crisp and clear, golden light filtering softly through the thick canopy above the road. The knights, though most likely tired as well, seemed no different, showing no signs of their sleepless night. Their magically enhanced physiques kept them alert, their movements almost mechanical as they walked in front, beside, and behind the carriage. 

Inside the carriage, Ophelia gazed out the window, quietly taking in the sights as the forests grew denser, their shadows stretching across the narrow, winding path. She was extremely bored as everything in her mind had already been planned out. Even several backup plans for each key event had been formulated. 

"I guess it's time to handle this then," Ophelia muttered. 

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[Would you like to Evolve or obtain a Class?]

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Without hesitation, she muttered, "Evolve."

Before she had regressed, she had believed she was powerful, even discovering the secret to eternal life, only to discover how vulnerable she truly was. She had pushed herself to the brink of madness in pursuit of mastery over mana, aura, and proficiency with weapons. But, just as she felt close to unlocking her full potential, she hit an impenetrable barrier. Years passed, then decades, until she realized that what she faced wasn't a typical obstacle to growth—it was a curse.

Two centuries spent searching for answers, enduring grueling trials and painful experiments, had led to one conclusion: something had been preventing her from growing to her full potential. She had exhausted every known method to break past that wall, sacrificing her mind, body, and soul, only to remain stagnant. In a desperate bid for answers, she had finally recruited a powerful witch, who confirmed her suspicions—a curse was embedded into her very soul. 

And so, in this new life, Ophelia's only hope was evolution. Choosing a Class would mean tying herself once again to a human shell, vulnerable to the same curse. Evolution, however, offered a path forward. She knew it would not dissolve the curse instantly, but it had a high chance of allowing her to transcend her limits, of outgrowing her human flaw as one might outgrow an allergy. 

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[You have chosen The Path of Evolution]

[This has been registered]

[The Path of Classes has been locked and sealed away]

[Your Evolution Selections listed below]

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[Race - Mana-Touched]

[Description and History: The Mana-Touched are humans who, through exposure or attunement to mana, have started to integrate it into their very being. This subtle alignment with magic is often an early stage in the journey toward becoming a higher magical entity. Mana-Touched individuals are rare but revered in certain circles for their ability to channel mana effortlessly, albeit only in small amounts.]

[Abilities:

Mana Infusion: Allows you to infuse mana into most objects, strengthening them.Arcane Sensibility: Enhances sensitivity to mana, alerting them to nearby magical presences.

[Drawbacks:

Mana-Touched are physically fragile, as their bodies are more focused on mana rather than fortifying their durability. Over-reliance on mana can drain their physical energy faster than a typical human.

***

[Race - Fae-Blooded]

[Description and History: The Fae-Blooded are individuals with a faint trace of Fae lineage, granting them subtle, otherworldly features like reflective eyes or slightly iridescent skin. Their existence holds the line between the human and fae realms, and they are typically agile, elusive, and unusually attuned to nature, though still far from the power of true fae.]

[Abilities:

Fleet of Foot: Enhances agility and speed, making them swift in movement.Natural Camouflage: Provides a subtle ability to blend into natural environments, aiding in stealth and evasion.

[Drawbacks:

Vulnerability to iron-based weapons, which causes additional pain and takes longer to heal. Additionally, their connection to nature can lead to disorientation in artificial or barren environments.

***

[Race - Shadowborn]

[Description and History: The Shadowborn are humans with a slight connection to darkness, granting them enhanced agility and stealth in dim or shadowed environments. They often appear paler than average and have an instinctive affinity for shadows, making them ideal scouts or assassins.]

[Abilities:

Shadow Step: Allows quiet and quick movement in shadows.Glimpse of Darkness: Grants enhanced vision in low light, allowing for better awareness of hidden threats.

[Drawbacks:

The Shadowborn feel uncomfortable and sluggish in direct, bright sunlight, which can even cause minor irritation if they remain exposed for too long.

***

[Race - Ironbound]

[Description and History: The Ironbound are individuals who, through ritual or endurance training, have developed a body with enhanced durability. Their bones and skin have a faint metallic sheen, and they are known for their impressive resilience in combat, often favored as front-line fighters.]

[Abilities:

Iron Skin: Offers slight resistance to minor injuries and slashing attacks.Enduring Will: Increases stamina, allowing them to resist pain and mental strain effectively.

[Drawbacks:

The Ironbound are slower than average due to the density of their bodies, and their agility suffers as a result, making them less suited to evasive maneuvers.

***

[Race - Verdant Scion]

[Description and History: Verdant Scions have a minor link to natural magic, resulting in physical traits like faintly green-tinged skin and an aura that enhances nearby flora. They draw a small amount of strength from natural surroundings, making them resilient in forested areas.]

[Abilities:

Nature's Respite: Passively heals minor wounds when in natural environments.Rooted Presence: Grants enhanced stability in combat, making them harder to knock down or disrupt.

[Drawbacks:

Away from nature, Verdant Scions weaken, experiencing reduced physical resilience and longer recovery times. Their connection with nature also makes them susceptible to certain poisons derived from unnatural sources.

***

[Race - Soulmarked]

[Description and History: The Soulmarked bear faint spiritual traces that act as a minor protection against curses or dark magic. Often seen with a faint birthmark or scar that pulses with energy when near dark forces, the Soulmarked are respected for their natural resilience to dark influences.]

[Abilities:

Spiritual Fortitude: Provides minor resistance to curses or hexes.Focused Resolve: Boosts mental clarity, making them difficult to deceive or mentally sway.

[Drawbacks:

The Soulmarked's spiritual energy is highly taxing, leading to mental exhaustion with repeated use. Prolonged exposure to dark energy can also destabilize their focus, leaving them vulnerable if overextended.

***

"Ugh…" Ophelia groaned, leaning back in her seat, her eyes rolling back as she realized just how much more thinking she would have to do. 

First of all, immediately she narrowed down her choices to the Soul-Marked, Mana-Touched, and Fae-Blooded. They were all incredible choices with the obvious choice being the Soul-Marked due to its abilities pandered to getting rid of hexes and curses, however, this is where the knowledge of her past life became so very useful. 

The Soul-Marked seemed intriguing, offering strange and formidable powers, yet at an impossible price: servitude. Becoming a pawn to a demon god was a fate she could never accept. She'd spent countless years chasing freedom from the curse within her, and she refused to exchange one shackle for another. The Soul-Marked path was discarded with hardly a second thought, leaving her with two plausible options: the Fae-Blooded and the Mana-Touched.

The Fae-Blooded race had its appeal, with its unique blend of agility, charm, and a natural connection to the mystical world. Fae-Blooded beings were rumored to be swift and perceptive, tapping into fae-born magic and the natural elements in a way that humans could only dream of. 

She could see herself moving through battles with grace, weaving both enchantment and misdirection into her strategies. But the race's affinity for nature and whimsical tricks didn't align with her calculated, unflinching resolve. The Fae-Blooded were creatures of wild intuition, less rooted in control and meticulous planning than she preferred.

Moreover, fae magic came with strange quirks and limitations—potential constraints and bindings to natural laws that might hinder her. The Fae-Blooded evolution would give her an alluring agility and elemental attunement, but it wasn't the raw control over her power that she sought. Her mind demanded precision, and absolute command over her abilities and surroundings, and the fae's unpredictable and playful nature could pose risks to her ambitions.

That left the Mana-Touched option, which, as she recalled more memories of the race, resonated deeply with her goals. Mana-Touched beings weren't bound to nature or whimsy but were creatures of pure magic, having an unparalleled affinity for mana itself. This path would allow her to overcome her cursed limitations with the controlled power she desired, directly addressing her past life's struggles. 

Unlike the fae's elemental magic, the Mana-Touched relied on the raw, unfiltered energy that ran through the very veins of existence. In addition, the thought of honing this unbridled force, bending it to her will, was irresistible.

The physical fragility of the Mana-Touched form was a concern, but it wasn't a dealbreaker. She could compensate with her knights' protection and her own strategic prowess for now. Besides, of course, there were the useful abilities granted by Mana-Touched: Mana Infusion and Arcane Sensibility which would enhance her combat and magical aptitude over time. 

Finally, there was that aspect. 

Before she had regressed, she had hit a wall. Her swordsmanship was pretty good but was nowhere near good enough for the foes she faced, so she switched to magic. She trained and trained and trained, yet… never surpassed being at most decent with that… 

However, this life was going to be different. She wasn't going to waste the chance to use her past memories to give herself a base on both swordsmanship and magic, where this evolution covered the ladder.

"Right now, there is no need for me to fight. I can also later cancel the drawback with the flower…" She muttered before smiling ever so slightly. "Mana-Touched, it is.

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[Would you like to select the Evolution Choice: Mana-Touched?]

[You cannot change your selection]

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"Yes." 

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[You have chosen the Evolution Choice: Mana-Touched]

[Evolution will begin immediately]

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As the choice solidified in Ophelia's mind, a wave of energy pulsed through her body, surging like a storm that threatened to shatter her from within. The evolution began abruptly, pain searing through her veins as raw mana flooded her very being, unraveling the human essence she'd been bound to all her life. 

It was excruciating. A relentless hell ignited every cell as if her body were being stripped apart and reforged.

Anyone else would have screamed, lost to the agony of this transformation as their sanity splintered under the sheer intensity. But Ophelia's resolve was sturdy, her willpower and mind sharpened by centuries of trials and anguish.

As she gritted her teeth, holding back any cries, her face remaining eerily composed as she bore the pain. Her only outward sign of suffering was her lip, bitten down so hard that a thin line of blood trickled down her chin.

Her senses blurred, colors and sounds becoming sharper and stranger as her perception expanded. Mana surged through her core, every inch of her tingling with the force of the arcane, a force that reshaped her body to resonate with the flow of pure magic. It was like she was shedding a skin that had always been too small, her bones and muscles adjusting painfully to accommodate this new essence within her.

Finally, as the transformation drew to a close, the pain began to subside. Ophelia took in a sharp breath, releasing her lip from her teeth, her body aching yet alive in a way she'd never felt before. The carriage around her seemed less significant, almost muted. And as she opened her eyes, she could almost see the mana coursing through the world, like invisible rivers, she could reach out and touch.

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[Congratulations! You have evolved into a Mana-Touched!]

[Excess XP has been transferred]

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[A few skills have evolved]

[Silver Tongue → Golden Tongue]

[Commanding Voice → War Rallying Cry]

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[A few stats have changed]

[Visual Intelligence: 5 → 15]

[Musical Intelligence: 3 → 5]

[Naturalistic Intelligence: 3 → 10]

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『Status』

[Name: Ophelia von Aubessec]

[Race: Mana-Touched] 

[Level: 7/25] (30/50) XP Needed

[HP: 15/15 | MP: 10/10 | SP: 10/10]

[Visual Intelligence: 15] 

[Linguistic Intelligence: 25]

[Logical Intelligence: 15]

[Kinesthetic Intelligence: 1]

[Musical Intelligence: 5]

[Interpersonal Intelligence: 15]

[Intrapersonal Intelligence: ERROR]

[Naturalistic Intelligence: 10]

[Skills: [Golden Tongue] [War Rallying Cry] [Mana Infusion] 

[Passive Skills: [Regressor's Memory] [Regressor's Active Recall] [Arcane Sensibility]

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Ophelia couldn't help but smile with satisfaction as she looked at her new status.