Damian entered the cozy living room, his eyes adjusting to the warm lighting. Seated on the plush sofa was a middle-aged man with a familiar face. Damian's eyes widened as recognition dawned on him—it was the Guardian who had saved him from Prince Khronos's attack yesterday!
Next to the Guardian sat a boy slightly older than Damian, with an enthusiastic grin. On the other side of the Guardian sat the blonde girl who had summoned him, her expression still icy.
"Ah, Keslore, welcome," the Guardian said. "Please, join us." The Guardian gestured to the empty chair across from them. "I'm Elijah, as you might have guessed. This is my son, Max, and my daughter, Ava."
Max's eyes sparkled. "The Damian Keslore from the Valtanian representative team at the Nova Terra? I watched the competition online! You were leading in the academic quiz!" He bounced forward, bombarding Damian with excited questions. "Wow, you were really smart back there! What's your secret? Are you planning to join a magic academy after graduation?"
Ava rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain. "Max, give the bumphead some space."
Damian smiled warmly at Max. "Thanks, I just study hard. And yeah, maybe after high school."
Elijah nodded. "You have time to decide. Your potential is impressive."
Ava countered her dad's praise, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Please, Father, 'impressive potential'? I doubt he can even awaken an element. He did terribly in the Physical Endurance Test during the Nova Terra's trials." She snorted, her voice dripping with contempt. "He should put that genius brain to use in culinary arts or something. Chef Damian, has a nice ring to it."
Elijah's expression turned stern. "Ava, that's enough."
Max frowned at his sister, unhappy with her harsh words. "Ava, come on, no need to be so mean."
Damian's smiled good naturedly, while Elijah's scolding brought Ava back in line, but her gaze still held a hint of disdain.
"Sorry, Father."
Damian's smile never wavered. "No worries." Elijah leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Damian's. "Let's get down to business, Keslore. You're part of the representative participants who came down here to Rome for the Nova Terra competition, right?"
Damian nodded politely. "Yes, sir."
Elijah's gaze remained intense. "What country are you representing, and what school?"
"Oakwood High, representing Valtania," Damian replied.
Elijah's expression turned thoughtful, his hands clasped together under his chin. "Hm... So, what were you doing in that alleyway where I found you with a bloody uniform?"
Max's eyes widened in confusion, darting between his father and Damian. "Bloody uniform?"
Damian's eyes dropped, his voice measured. "After the competition, Principal Rotswinkston asked me to hold onto the Luminous Lyre for a photo opportunity with the Valtanian embassy. I had it with me when I went for a walk to clear my head."
Ava raised an eyebrow, her disdain deepening.
Damian continued, "I noticed people trailing me. I tried to lose them, kept walking until I didn't even know where I was. When they realized I'd noticed them, they confronted me."
Max's expression darkened. "What happened?"
Damian's voice remained steady, but his eyes betrayed a hint of pain. "They beat me, snatched the Luminous Lyre from my bag. I managed to escape briefly, but they caught up to me in the alleyway... and..." His voice trailed off, the memory still raw.
Elijah's expression turned grim. "And that's when I found you."
Ava's gaze lingered on Damian, her voice dripping with contempt. "Too weak!"
Max's eyes flashed with anger. "Ava, come on! That's not fair."
Damian's jaw clenched, a hint of determination in his eyes.
Elijah's expression turned thoughtful. "So, what do you intend on doing now? Should I take you back to your principal?"
Damian's eyes widened in anxiety. "Uhm... Uhm, I... I don't think it's a good idea," he stammered.
Elijah's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
Damian's voice trembled. "They'll accuse me... and I don't know what consequences I'll face... Losing the Luminous Lyre, getting beaten... They'll think I'm irresponsible."
Elijah's expression softened. "It's alright, Keslore. You can stay here with us until I figure something out. Maybe I'll need to see the Pope."
Damian's eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!"
Max watched on, sympathy etched on his face.
Ava stood up and left the room without a backward glance, her silence speaking volumes.
Elijah nodded. "You can go back to your room, Keslore. Rest and recover. We'll discuss this further tomorrow."
Damian nodded, relief washing over him. "Thank you, sir."
As Damian left, Elijah turned to Max. "Keep an eye on him, Max. I'll make some calls."
Max nodded. "Got it, Father."
Elijah's eyes narrowed in thought. "This incident goes deeper than a simple theft... I need to uncover the truth."
Damian burst into his room, excitement radiating from every pore. He jumped onto his bed, feeling a sense of freedom and possibility. "System, open my status screen!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing off the walls.
The air before him shimmered, and a holographic display materialized.
[STATUS SCREEN]
Name: Damian Keslore
Race: Nephilim (Hybrid: Human/Angelic)
Level: 1
Level Progress: 0/100 XP
Next Rank: Level 2 (Nephilim Ascendant)
Attributes:
Strength: 10/10
Agility: 10/10
Intelligence: 10/10
Holy Energy: 10/10
God's Gift:
Element: Light
Element Tier: Legendary (Tier 1)
Abilities:
* Nephilim's Grace: Passive ability, granting increased strength and agility, allowing you to perform physical tasks with ease and precision. This ability increases your physical damage output by 10% and reduces physical damage taken by 5%.
* Angelic Sense: Passive ability, granting enhanced senses and intuition, allowing you to perceive your surroundings more clearly and make more informed decisions. This ability increases your critical hit chance by 5% and reduces the chance of critical hits against you by 5%.
Daily Tasks:
* Meditation: Meditate for 10 minutes to increase Holy Energy (+1 point)
* Physical Training: Perform 10 push-ups to increase Strength (+1 point)
* Knowledge Acquisition: Read a book on angelic history to increase Intelligence (+10 points)
* Prayer: Spend 10 minutes in prayer to increase XP (+5 points)
[The status screen displays your current progress and abilities. To rank up from Level 1 to Level 2, you need to accumulate 100 XP points. Completing daily tasks and growing stronger will help you achieve this goal.]
Damian's eyes gleamed with excitement as he scanned his status screen. Becoming stronger was no longer just a dream; it was a tangible goal within reach. He focused on the Elemental tab, his grin widening. "Legendary Tier... I actually awakened a Legendary Light Element!" The thought sent shivers down his spine.
Next, his gaze fell on the Abilities tab. "Nephilim's Grace and Angelic Sense... These passive abilities will make me unstoppable!" The Daily Tasks caught his attention, and his eyes sparkled. "XP points and stat increases? This is incredible!" He read through each task, his mind racing with anticipation.
Meditation, physical training, knowledge acquisition, and prayer—all simple yet rewarding tasks. Damian's eyes locked onto the XP counter: 0/100. "Just 100 points to reach Level 2... Nephilim Ascendant." The title echoed in his mind, fueling his determination.
A sudden hunger for power stirred within him, like a flame ignited in his core. Damian's eyes burned with resolve. "I'll complete these tasks every day. I'll become stronger, no matter what."
With his newfound excitement, Damian decided to see his Legendary Light Element abilities. "System, what spells can I cast with my Light Element?" he asked aloud. A holographic display flashed before him, listing various spells. Damian's eyes widened as he scanned the options.
Light Element Spells
Tier 1: Basic
* Luminaria: Emits a burst of light, illuminating a small area (10-meter radius).
* Lux Orbis: Creates a glowing orb that can float and move according to the caster's will.
* Lumina Wave: Generates a gentle, shimmering wave of light that can cleanse minor impurities.
* Spark: Produces a small spark of light, useful for igniting flammable materials.
* Glowing Ember: Creates a small, persistent flame that can provide warmth or light.
* Radiant Beam: Emits a narrow beam of light, useful for signaling or illumination.
Tier 2: Intermediate (LOCKED)
* Stellaluna
* Dazzle
* Healing Radiance
* Illuminated Path
* Luminous Shield
* Solar Glow
* Lightning Flash
* Beam of Hope
Tier 3: Advanced (LOCKED)
* Solar Flare
* Light Shield
* Luminous Wings
* Purifying Beam
* Astral Projection
* Radiant Blast
* Healing Aura
* Illusory Duplicate
Legendary Spells (LOCKED)
* Aurora Ascension
* Celestial Judgment
* Refraction Manipulation
* Spectral Blade
* Echoes of Light
* Luminous Rebirth
* Solar Apocalypse
* Prismatic Barrier
Abilities Granted by Legendary Light Element
* Enhanced Speed: Move at incredible velocities, able to outmaneuver most enemies.
* Radiant Aura: Passively emit healing light, restoring health to yourself and nearby allies.
* Lightweight: Reduce gravity's effect on yourself, allowing for easier movement and jumping.
* Illuminated Mind: Gain increased clarity and focus, enhancing mental abilities and resistance to mental attacks.
Damian's eyes remained fixed on the holographic display, his mind reeling with the endless possibilities. As he scrolled through the locked spells and abilities, his heart swelled with longing. He envisioned himself wielding unparalleled power, protection, and wisdom.
Memories of his tumultuous past flooded his mind—the loneliness, the mockery, the desperation. No parents to guide him, no one to confide in, no escape from the crippling poverty. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he recalled the countless nights spent shivering with hunger, the endless days of feeling lost and forgotten.
But now, everything was different. This System, this gift from the heavens, had changed everything. Damian's future unfolded before him like a canvas of promise and potential.
Overwhelmed by the weight of his emotions, Damian's sobbing began as gentle tremors. Tears streamed down his face, hot and unchecked, as he mourned the life he once knew. The weak, vulnerable Damian, once ridiculed and belittled, would rise no more.
In the doorway, Max watched silently, concerned about Damian's erratic behavior. He had never seen anyone exhibit such raw emotion. Uncertain how to react, Max decided to leave Damian be, retreating to his own room.
Damian's sobs intensified, shaking his entire body. He wept for the life he had endured, for the struggles he had faced, and for the future he would forge.
Exhaustion eventually took over, and he collapsed onto his bed, asleep amidst tears of hope and resolve.