Walking for a few minutes, Arya and his father reached their destination. As they stepped into the village hall, Arya noticed he wasn't the only one there to test his blood and uncover his abilities. Including him, there were six children—four boys and two girls. The room was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy.
After everyone settled down, Bryan, the village elder, walked onto a small wooden platform. In his hands, he held a hand-sized transparent stone, its surface smooth and faintly glowing in the dim light. The children's curious eyes followed his every move.
"This," Bryan began, holding the stone aloft for all to see, "is a Seed Stone. It is used to determine two crucial things: the level of your inborn cultivation and the element you are naturally aligned with. Today, each of you will drop a single drop of blood onto this stone. The stone will respond to your essence, revealing your potential."
The children exchanged glances, their excitement mingling with fear. Bryan continued, his tone firm but encouraging. "This will be your first awakening. It will guide you on the path to cultivation. After today, when you wish to check your progress, you will simply need to channel your elemental energy into the stone. Remember, the path of cultivation is not easy. But with discipline, you can grow stronger."
One boy raised his hand timidly. "Elder, what about weapons? Will we learn what we're destined to wield?"
Bryan nodded. "Good question. The weapon you are destined to wield will become clear when you receive your first elemental seed, typically upon reaching Level 10. However, during this initial awakening, if you focus hard enough, you may catch a glimpse of its basic form."
He gestured to the children. "Now, come forward one by one and perform the awakening."
The first child, a boy with a confident expression, stepped forward. Bryan pricked the boy's finger with a needle, letting a drop of blood fall onto the transparent stone. Everyone in the hall, from the hopeful parents to the village elders seated behind Bryan, watched with bated breath.
But the stone remained unchanged. Seconds passed, and still no reaction. Disappointment flickered in the elder's eyes, and Bryan shook his head gently. The boy stepped down, his shoulders slumped as he joined the others, his confidence now replaced by a shadow of shame.
The second child, a girl in a red dress, stepped forward hesitantly. Her hands trembled as she extended them to Bryan. After a moment's pause, her blood fell onto the stone. For a moment, nothing happened, but then a faint gray glow began to radiate from the stone.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Bryan's face broke into a small smile. "Congratulations," he announced. "You have an affinity for the Earth element, and your inborn cultivation rank is Level 2."
The girl's eyes lit up with relief and joy. Bryan continued, addressing everyone, "Inborn rank determines the speed of your cultivation. For example, a Level 1 inborn cultivator may take over a month to reach the second rank, while a Level 10 could do so in just three weeks. This advantage matters most in the early stages but becomes less significant after Level 50."
The girl walked down the platform, her face glowing with pride. The elders smiled, murmuring words of encouragement.
"Next, Arya," Bryan called.
Arya was pulled from his thoughts, which had drifted to memories of his past life—a life marked by monotony and unfulfilled potential. The world he had left behind had offered no chance for greatness, no path to break free from the mundane. Now, standing in this hall, he wondered: Is this my chance to prove myself? Or is fate determined to keep me insignificant?
Sighing softly, he stepped forward. The room seemed to grow quieter as all eyes turned to him. He reached the platform, extending his hand. Bryan pricked his finger, and a single drop of blood fell onto the stone.
Time seemed to slow.
The stone absorbed the blood, and for a few agonizing seconds, nothing happened. Arya's heart sank. Perhaps this is it. Perhaps I truly am destined for nothing.
Then, the stone flared to life.
A brilliant, multicolored light erupted from its core, shifting rapidly between hues of red, blue, gold, and green before settling into a radiant red and blue. Gasps filled the room, and the elders leaned forward, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.
Bryan's voice wavered. "dual element … That's… incredibly rare."
One of the elders rose from his seat, his eyes wide. "This child... He has an affinity for fire and water both elements."
The crowd erupted into whispers, the air buzzing with excitement. Arya stood frozen, staring at the stone as it continued to shine. For the first time, he felt the weight of possibility settle on his shoulders. Maybe… just maybe, this is my chance.
Bryan raised a hand to silence the crowd. "Arya's awakening is unprecedented in our village. A silver glow indicates dual—or possibly multiple—affinities. Such an ability is both a gift and a challenge. It will allow him to harness power beyond the reach of most cultivators, but his path will be far from easy."
He turned to Arya, his expression serious. "Starting tomorrow, your training will begin. You will need to work harder than anyone else if you are to realize your potential. But remember this: greatness is forged through perseverance. The choice to succeed is yours."
As Arya stepped down from the platform, the whispers and stares of the villagers followed him. His father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, pride and concern mingling in his eyes.
Arya's mind raced. For years, he had felt forgotten by the universe, a soul adrift with no purpose. But now, the path before him was clear. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but he vowed to face them head-on.
"I will write my name into history," he whispered to himself, a quiet determination settling in his heart. This time, I will not be forgotten.