Chapter 6: Awakened
Lucian slowly opened his eyes, his gray pupils reflecting the enlightenment and understanding he had gained through the trial.
He wandered his gaze around before landing on Solara's breathtakingly beautiful face. He gasped at the display of her beauty, trying to calm down his rapid heartbeat.
fuu
Releasing the pent-up breath, he turned his sight away from her.
Solara smiled, keenly noticing his weird behavior. She understood the young man's desire but she had a more important job at hand.
[Congratulations on your overcoming the most difficult step.] She responded, gaining a curious look from Lucian.
Most difficult step? He inquired.
[The Trial of Worthiness. Most individuals perished trying to overcome this trial. The Trial of Worthiness tests the challenger's willpower and mental fortitude. No mortals can overcome this trial with their pathetic sixteen years of experience.] She replied with firm will.
Really?
[Hmm…Maybe someone with inhuman willpower or some divine ability could overcome it but it ends there. A mortal body is too frail to withstand cosmic energy. Only extremely rare abilities or natural-born celestial treasures could grant a mortal body with enough strength. But, There is a difference between withstanding cosmic energy and utilizing cosmic energy.]
Lucian showed a confused look after hearing her explanation. Solara however ignored it and continued.
[To utilize cosmic energy, An illusory Starseed is absolutely needed. To condense an illusory Starseed, a wisp of cosmic energy is required which itself is an exceedingly rare treasure.]
So, in conclusion, without Blessing of the Stars, I would have to first acquire a wisp of cosmic energy. Then, overcome the Trial of Worthiness for the cosmos's recognition. Finally, I would require a natural-born celestial treasure that could allow a mortal body to withstand cosmic energy. Lucian frowned at the difficulty.
[Correct.]
Hmm…So I'm incredibly lucky to have acquired the Blessing of the Stars. Without this ability, It would have been nigh impossible for me to acquire cosmic energy. Lucian analyzed, lost in deep thought.
He felt luck wasn't the single factor and there was something more to it than what meets the eye.
clap
A crisp sound echoed through the space, waking Lucian from his deep thought process.
[Don't think too much.]
Lucian nodded, shaking the useless thoughts away.
How do I utilize this energy? He finally asked the question that he had been longing for.
He had tried using various methods to utilize the cosmic energy within his Starseed. Sadly it wouldn't budge despite his countless attempts. This irked him a little but the prospect brought by the cosmic energy calmed him down.
He looked straight at Solara hoping to find some answers.
She smiled feeling his gaze and stepped forward, arriving before him. Her smooth fingers lifted slightly and gently touched Lucian's forehead. A stream of mystical energy flowed from her finger's tip and entered his body.
A warm, soothing feeling took over Lucian as he sensed the mystical energy spreading across his body. He curiously looked at Solara, sensing the energy inside his body quite similar to the cosmic energy.
Is this? He inquired with a low voice.
Solara nodded, expressing her acceptance, and continued channeling her cosmic energy inside his body. The energy spread around like branches and reached the innermost part of his body ie his soul.
Lucian's soul was unlike others as a powerful seal was etched on it. He couldn't sense it but that very seal was stopping him from utilizing cosmic energy.
Solara's cosmic energy quietly circled around the seal before attaching itself to it.
crack
Countless spiderweb-like cracks spread though the seal and broke it apart under Solara's intense pressure. The seal slowly dissolved itself and vanished before Solara's eyes. She could see Lucian's soul through her naked eyes and was removing the seal from his soul.
Your role is done. Solara whispered inwardly retracting her comic energy from his soul.
Lucian felt liberated once the seal was completely dissolved. The cosmic energy within him flowed smoothly unlike before and its passive effect was also enhanced slightly.
Solara then changed her cosmic energy's direction from his soul to his consciousness.
The energy slowly melted in Lucian's consciousness, providing him with a particular energy manipulation technique.
[Practice this technique for a while. Once you're ready, I will send you back.]
Lucian quickly absorbed the energy. It contained the knowledge regarding cosmic energy and its usage.
Alright! A wide grin was plastered on his face as he excitedly circulated the cosmic energy through his body.
—
hmm…This fellow might awaken a powerful element considering the intense reaction from the void crystal.
The cosmologer scrutinized Lucian carefully, seizing him up. Multiple thoughts were passing through his mind as he contemplated for a while.
The rumors regarding Cosmologers being indifferent to worldly affairs were not entirely correct. They hated political affairs and found it too wasteful for their quality time but, traveling around the world gathering and training new talents were quite enjoyable pass-time to them.
swish
Suddenly, A low-energy wave escaped Lucian's consciousness, grabbing the cosmologer's attention. The energy wave leaked from the formation of a Starseed signified Lucian's successful awakening.
Very well, You are qualified. The cosmologer mumbled to himself, sensing Lucian's energy.
Cosmologers were quite sensitive to mana and could accurately observe other's strength just through their mana release.
Lucian's mana density was quite high and it seemed he had awakened a powerful element thus gaining the cosmologer's recognition.
[Mortals can't comprehend cosmic energy thus the cosmologer misunderstood the cosmic energy within Lucian as Mana. Despite Mana being an inferior version of cosmic energy, they share similar properties thus cosmic energy will be referred as Mana by most.]
Lucian, upon returning to reality quickly remembered his current situation and turned towards the cosmologer expecting further instructions.
Congratulations on your successful awakening.
Thank you.
You may leave. Further information will be provided after the Awakening Ceremony.
Hearing these words, Lucian bowed lightly toward the cosmologer and left the room.
Lucian's mind was a mess right now after obtaining various information from Solara.
He absent-mindedly passed through the spatial barrier, arriving at the Town Square. The crowd's murmurings broke his thought process as he happily passed through them.
Finally, I've successfully awakened. He roared inside his mind, displaying a calm behavior outside.
He approached his friends with a big smile on his face.
The crowd's curious gaze turned away from him after witnessing his smile. They could easily guess that he had awakened successfully.
Did you awaken? Both Kiara and Zeph inquired simultaneously. They had already gotten the answer through his smile but were asking for confirmation.
Guess?
Hmph, Congratulations. Kiara lightly snorted at his playful remarks.
Congratulations Bro! Zeph swiftly arrived before Lucian, giving him a bear hug.
Hehe..Thanks.
Congratulations, Master.
Lucian's servants took turns, congratulating him. He nodded at them and continued his chat with Zeph and Kiara.
By the way, It seems I won the bet. Lucian remarked with his usual smirk.
So What? The loser hasn't been decided yet. Kiara responded, ignoring his smirk.
They casually chatted for a while until one of the organizers called for him.
Best of Luck. I shall await you there. Lucian smiled at them before pointing toward the big building opposite the central area. The awakened individuals were gathered there, patiently awaiting further instructions.
You won't have to wait too long. Zeph confidently replied.
Alright, See ya. Lucian turned around and waved his hand, setting off.