Aryan couldn't sit still.
Breakfast sat before him—his mother's finest work, the kind of spread she only made for special occasions. Spiced lamb kebabs still smoking from the grill, golden-fried chicken drumsticks, a mountain of scrambled eggs, thick yogurt to cool the heat. The kind of meal that would fuel his body for hours. Each dish was a masterpiece. Yet for once, he barely tasted any of it.
Had it not been for his relentless practice of the Vajrasana Body, meals like these might have shaped him into a football. But thanks to Vajrasana body, his well-toned physique, honed with dense muscle fibers, burns every calorie with ruthless efficiency. He remained a food enthusiast untouched by weight gain—a blessing many would envy.
Still, as he took another bite, a subtle emptiness crept in. No amount of culinary artistry could fill it. It was the absence of someone who should have been there.
"Mom?" Aryan's voice was quiet.
"Hmm?" She didn't look up from serving.
"Remember when the Vajrasana Body made me look... weird?"
A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Of course I remember. How could I forget the day my little Aryan cried because he wasn't cute anymore?"
Aryan huffed. "It wasn't my fault. Who told Dad to bring home such a strange physique art? You two always got quiet when I asked where it came from."
For a fleeting second, her hand froze above the dish. Then she resumed as if nothing had happened. "It's something your father acquired on one of his adventures. When he showed it to your grandfather, do you know what he said?"
Aryan shook his head.
"He called it the most perfect Physique Art he'd ever seen. If your father had submitted it to the Association, it would've earned him millions."
"Really?" Aryan flexed his arms unconsciously. "Well, I do feel much stronger after completing it. But aren't all Physique Arts supposed to be like this?"
His mother's smile softened. "You'll understand one day. It's a magnificent Origin Art, yes—but do you remember how many rare resources it needed? Your father worked hard to gather them. So be sure to thank him properly."
Aryan's chopsticks paused mid-air. "I want to, but... when is he coming back, Mom? It's been nearly two years. Will he miss my Awakening Ceremony?"
Silence stretched between them. When she finally spoke, her voice carried a weight he rarely heard. "He might be dealing with things more urgent than we know. Ever since his Core injury, life hasn't been easy for him. He's no longer the man who could roam freely. Providing for us has become difficult. Please, Aryan... be patient."
A familiar ache stirred in Aryan's chest. His father's Elemental Core had been injured by a guardian of the empire. The injury had drained their family savings, plunging them into hardship—socially, mentally, economically.
But sympathy was hollow, and his parents never sought pity. What Aryan could offer was resolve—a silent promise to rise above it all.
After breakfast, they prepared for the journey. A peculiar vehicle waited outside—resembling a horse-drawn carriage, but powered by a metallic engine instead. Steam puffed from pipes on either side as the spherical core hummed with energy.
Their destination was 20 kilometers away in Redien City—the local branch of the Elemental Association. These branches orchestrated Awakening Ceremonies across the Council of South Armea, a fractured alliance of five kingdoms united only by necessity against the Aslan Empire.
As they rode, fellow passengers discussed the limits of mechanical transport.
"These vehicles are fast, but useless off-road," one man remarked.
"Exactly," another agreed. "No serious Elementalist relies on them. Beast mounts are far more practical—some winged species can carry riders and fight alongside them."
The conversation stirred a memory in Aryan. He'd been four years old, playing in the garden, when a massive shadow fell over him. Looking up, he'd seen a giant eagle descending—ten-meter wingspan, terrifying. He'd screamed for his mother.
But then he'd seen the man riding it. His father, on the back of a Garuda.
That was the first time Aryan had seen a beast mount.
"Do you want one, Aryan?" His mother's voice pulled him back to the present.
"A beast mount?"
"Not just a mount. A companion that would go through life and death with you. Like your father's Paru." Her tone was serious, emphasizing the bond between Elementalist and beast.
Aryan's eyes lit up. "I'd love one! But wouldn't it be hard to care for while I'm at the academy?"
She chuckled. "Battle academies encourage students to bond with companions. They even have departments for it."
With a teasing grin, she added, "So what kind would you want? A rabbit?"
"Mom!" Aryan groaned. "Why would I want a rabbit? I want a Garuda, just like Dad."
She laughed, ruffling his hair. "Alright, alright. Garuda's are Wind beasts. So, you have to have wind affinity first."
"Really? What if I don't awaken the wind affinity?", Aryan mumbled.
"Don't worry, dear. I'll ask dad to find you a suitable cub."
As they neared Redien City, the streets grew lively. Vendors hawked everything from skewered meats to cultivation resources, their stalls displaying bold claims: 'Awaken a Godly Element in 3 Days!' and 'Cultivate Like a Genius Without Talent!'
Aryan shook his head at the spectacle but couldn't help smiling. These merchants knew their craft.
Ignoring the chaos, he headed straight for the auditorium, his mother following with a patient smile. Registration took time, but eventually Aryan received his number: 123.
"Guess I'm not the only eager one," he muttered.
He took a seat beside his mother, his gaze drawn to the stage where rows of peculiar boxes were neatly arranged.
"Mom, what's in those?"
"Sensory Serums," she replied. "They heighten your senses so you can detect Origin Energy. You'll receive one too. If it feels strange, stay calm and follow the advisor's instructions."
"I will."
The auditorium gradually filled with families. Murmurs blended into a rising tide of anticipation. After an hour, a man in a sky-blue suit walked onto the stage.
His presence alone commanded silence.
"I am Richard Arrington," he began, his voice carrying easily through the hall. "The 17th seat in the Hall of Blue Rangers. The only Sound Elementalist in Redien City."
A ripple of awe moved through the crowd. Sound Elementalists were exceptionally rare.
Richard continued, "I know you're all eager. I was too, at your age. So lets keep this brief. But first, we want to make sure everyone understands what we're doing here."
He gestured to a young boy in the front row. "You. Tell me—what is Elemental Affinity?"
The boy stood nervously. "It's... the connection between a person and an element. It determines which element they can command."
"Close enough," Richard said with a slight smile. "Affinity is your bond with an element—your eligibility to wield it. It comes from continuous interaction with that element, influenced by lineage and environment. But remember this—" His voice sharpened. "No element is superior or inferior. People belittle Earth or Water users, forgetting that every step we take is on Earth, and our bodies are seventy percent Water. Every element has purpose and power."
A brave voice called out from the crowd. "Then how do we measure strength if all elements are equal?"
Richard's smile widened. "Good question. Battle prowess isn't determined by your element alone. It's shaped by your Origin Arts, your combat sense, and how you use your element's unique properties. You'll learn more when you begin forming your Elemental Core."
He clapped once. The sound reverberated through the hall like thunder, silencing every whisper.
"Now we begin. You'll be called by name and number. We'll administer a Sensory Serum, and you'll approach the Elemental Essence Crystals behind me. Absorb their essence, and your affinity will reveal itself."
With a final sip of water, Richard took his seat, his expression shifting to one of practiced disinterest.
"Serial One, Denial Silva. Please come to the stage."
The auditorium erupted into excited chatter.