Two years later, the much-anticipated day of Elias' baptism arrived. Dressed in ceremonial robes, he stood with his family outside the grand church. His heart raced, not with nerves but with excitement. Today, he would finally discover his powers.
Inside the church, an air of reverence filled the room. The Pope, an elderly man with a commanding presence, began the ritual. He chanted an ancient incantation, and as the words filled the air, a brilliant light enveloped Elias.
In a flash, Elias found himself in an unfamiliar place. He stood on a marble platform surrounded by endless skies and glowing clouds. Before him were three towering figures: the Gods of Magic, Life, and War.
Shocked, Elias blurted out, "Where am I?"
The God of Life smiled kindly. "You are in the realm of the gods."
Elias' eyes widened. "Oh, okay," he said, though internally he thought, I thought he was just an old man in a costume.
The God of Life chuckled. "We can hear your thoughts, young one."
Elias froze, realizing his slip-up. "Uh… sorry about that."
The Gods laughed in unison. "You don't need to worry about offending us," the God of War said, his voice deep and booming.
Elias sighed in relief. "So why am I here?" he asked.
"To receive your powers," the God of Magic replied.
Excitement bubbled up in Elias. "Really? Thank you! Please grant me my powers!"
The Gods smiled and raised their hands. A radiant energy surrounded Elias as they spoke. "We grant you the maximum level of magic and physical strength: Level 10 in all domains."
Elias' jaw dropped. "That's too overpowered! I just want to be a chef!"
The Gods exchanged amused glances. The God of Life said, "Very well. We shall grant you the ability to edit your stats board. This way, you can hide your true power from others."
Relieved, Elias bowed deeply. "Thank you so much."
The Gods bid him farewell, and in an instant, he was back in the church. His father, Hugo, leaned down to him. "So, Elias, what's your blessing?"
Elias hesitated. "I'll tell you at the dining table," he said quickly. He needed time to adjust his stats board and decide how to present his powers.
As they left the church, Elias couldn't help but smile. This new world was full of surprises, and he was ready to make his mark—both as a chef and as someone who wielded unimaginable power.