Chapter 5: The Awakening Path
Kael held the vial of the sparkling purple potion in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. He could feel the potency emanating from the liquid—the energy swirling inside it seemed to whisper promises of power and transformation.
With a deep breath, he downed the potion in one gulp.
It tasted bitter, almost metallic, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then came the surge.
"Aghh—!" Kael collapsed to his knees as his body was overtaken by a wave of heat. It wasn't painful, but it was intense—like his entire being was being reforged from the inside out. His muscles tensed and relaxed, his bones creaked, and a strange energy rushed through his veins, flooding every inch of his body.
Then, just as quickly as it began, the sensation subsided.
{Ding! The Host has consumed the Aura-Refining Potion.}
{Body transformation completed. Aura pathways unlocked. Host has officially stepped into the path of cultivation.}
{Cultivation Rank: Essence Refinement Realm }
{System will now enter Hibernation Mode. Estimated time: 365 days. Goodbye, Host.}
A final chime echoed in Kael's mind, and then the violet panel faded into silence.
The room was still once more.
Kael slowly stood up, panting. He felt different—stronger, sharper. It was as if he had been blindfolded his entire life and now could finally see. The world had depth, texture, an aura. He reached out instinctively and felt a faint ripple in the air respond to his gesture.
"So this is Aura…" he whispered, flexing his fingers. "The power of an Auror."
His gaze turned serious. For years, he had lived indulgently, chasing pleasure and ignoring responsibilities. But now he knew—his fate was no longer his own. The dreams, the memories, the system, and the knowledge of what was to come had changed everything.
Kael Theodore Nightshade had been reborn once again.
He turned to the window, watching as the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson. The skyline of Elysium City shimmered in the distance, towering high with steel and glass, the beating heart of the Elyrian Union.
A new life awaited him in this world—a life filled with power, enemies, schemes, and the looming shadow of fate.
But this time, he wouldn't be a pawn.
He would be the one pulling the strings.
He took a long breath, his voice low and resolute.
"One year without the system, huh? Then I better start making my own moves."
The game had begun.
To be continued...