Chapter 22: Awakening First Circle
"Young master..."
The Vice Patriarch's voice trembled with confusion and awe.
In this world, everything, the wind, the rivers, even the soil beneath their feet, pulsed with mana. It wasn't just a source of power. It was life itself.
Every being was born with a connection to mana. And over the centuries, two distinct paths had been carved from this energy:
The first were those who channeled mana within their own bodies, enhancing their strength, speed, and durability. These were the Warriors or Martial Artists, known as Internal Mana Users.
The second were those who drew mana from the environment, using it to bend the elements and cast spells. They were the Mages, the External Mana Manipulators.
And there was a truth accepted by all:
No one could walk both paths.
A body born to wield internal mana could not command spells.
A conjurer attuned to nature's flow could not refine aura.
That was the law of the world, a truth etched into history, unbroken since the dawn of cultivation.
There had never been a case where a mage wished to be a warrior, nor a knight longed to cast spells.
Not because of rules but because of nature.
From early childhood, one's path became clear.
Those destined to become mages would feel the pull of the elements. sparks dancing on their fingertips, whispers of wind answering their cries.
And those meant to be warriors would feel mana stirring within their muscles, an instinct to move, strike, and conquer with their own strength.
Desire followed affinity.
A child who would one day become a mage wanted to be a mage.
A child born with a warrior's body yearned to fight.
Even more so, bloodlines played a role. Families carried the traits of their lineage.
The House of Noctvain was one such example, a renowned martial clan, with generations of warriors forged in battle.
Among them, no mage had ever been born.
That's why the Vice Patriarch stood frozen in disbelief.
'Aether Noctvain, a martial artist had conjured ice as naturally as any mage.'
that should have been impossible.
But the Left Guardian… he said nothing.
He, too, was astonished, but he had seen the signs.
For 1,200 years, his bloodline had waited for this being.
The one who would reshape the foundation of power itself.
And as he knelt before the boy who now radiated with divine cold, he felt no fear…
Only pride.
Pride to witness the future. Pride to serve the one destined to change the world.
* * *
"So you're saying… you don't know what just happened?" The Vice Patriarch asked, his voice filled with confusion.
"Yes," Naoki replied calmly. "I was looking at the sword, and when I turned around… both of you looked stunned."
"So for you… not even a minute passed?" he asked slowly. "Aether, it's been half an hour since you opened your eyes."
"Oh, it that so" Naoki pretended to be shocked.
Though he had just finished his cultivation, Naoki found himself weighed down by questions. But instead of answering them, he chose to play dumb. And that only made the Vice Patriarch more suspicious.
"Ah… what a strange and mysterious thing just happened," he said with a fake sigh, hoping to brush it off.
The Vice Patriarch narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing that Naoki was hiding something. But after a short pause, he let it go.
Naoki turned toward the Left Guardian.
The man was now standing tall, calm as ever, hands folded behind his back.
But Naoki remembered clearly, He had been bowing. Kneeling in silence while Naoki was deep in cultivation.
Why does he always bow the moment I look away? And I already told him to keep that prophecy nonsense to himself…'
Naoki clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.
He hated being treated like some foretold savior.
Still… Naoki said nothing.
'Anyway, it seems I've reached the First Circle…'
'If I compare it to martial artist levels… I'm at Sword Expert Low Stage.'
As both mage and martial artist have different way of cultivation. They have different real name.
If compared side by side:
Sword Expert (Low) = 1st Circle
Sword Expert (Mid) = 2nd Circle
Sword Expert (High) = 3rd Circle
Sword Master (Low) = 4th Circle
Sword Master (Mid) = 5th Circle
Sword Master (High) = 6th Circle
Transcendent (Low) = 7th Circle
Transcendent (Mid) = 8th Circle
Transcendent (High) = 9th Circle
Unrestrained (low) = 10 circle
Unrestrained (mid) = 10 circle
Unrestrained (High) = 10 circle
Beyond that:
Sword God = Grand Mage
Life and Death Realm = Life and Death realm
Ascension celestial being = Ascension to Celestial being
Naoki took a quiet breath, feeling the flow of mana settle within him.
'So… I'm now a First Circle Mage and a Sword Expert High-Stage swordsman.'
As Naoki stood there, lost in thought, the Vice Patriarch finally broke the silence.
"Now that things have calmed… do you want to try claiming the sword?"He paused, eyeing Naoki's pale face.
"Or would you rather rest and return another time?"
The Vice Patriarch was clearly concerned.
After all, Naoki had just awakened his first mana circle, something even prodigies from noble magic families struggled to achieve.
Naoki gave a faint smile.
"Thanks for worrying about me," he said calmly. "But I'm fine."
He turned his eyes toward the ancient blade resting at the center of the room.
"Let me try."
As Naoki stepped forward to approach the cursed sword, a sudden, heavy knocking echoed from the vault's massive door. Locked from the inside, the thick oak rattled under the forceful blows.
The Left Guardian moved swiftly to the door and opened it.
A man in a neat, elegant uniform stood at the entrance.
'Head Butler!'
It was none other then the family's Head Butler, Edwin.
Before he could ask why he was here, the head butler shouted urgently.
"The young miss, Lyra, is in danger!"
Hearing this, Naoki's heart pounded wildly.
The memory of losing his little sister Milly, who looked just like Lyra, flooded his mind.
It felt like it was happening all over again.
Head Butler, what happened?" the Vice Patriarch asked quickly. "Why is she in danger?"
"She left the estate to visit the triplet brothers, But now… a nearby village is under attack by a Soulborne." Edward replied, breathing heavily.
"Soulborne!!!" Hearing the name, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Soulborne...a high ranking monsters that lived in the Chasm, the place feared by all.
A cursed land known as the Graveyard of Madness.
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To be continued....