Amid the tangled shadows of the forbidden forest, Ryo sat in silence before the system screen.
> "Only one skill? Shapeshifting?"
He smirked bitterly.
> "This world isn't that different from the last…"
Then, he closed his eyes—and the transformation began to tear through his young, fragile body.
In mere moments, his small frame shifted into that of a tall, lean teenager. Though he was only fourteen, his appearance now resembled that of someone in their twenties. From his back sprouted a pair of torn, black wings. Twisted black horns curled from both sides of his head.
His hair turned a deep midnight blue, darker than any night. His eyes glowed blood red, like twin moons soaked in crimson.
His skin turned deathly pale—almost inhuman—glistening under the moonlight. His beauty was deadly, haunting, nearly indescribable. Sharp fangs gleamed like blades, hungry for the blood of this merciless world.
Then the system voice echoed:
> "New skill unlocked: Flight."
Suddenly, Ryo's wings spread wide—and with a burst of speed that shattered the sound barrier, he soared into the sky, leaving a shockwave splitting the clouds behind him.
He soon descended back to the earth, his body glowing with power. A strange realization hit him:
> "It seems... my strength activates through transformation."
Craving magic, he focused his thoughts and imagined himself as a tree—one with the land and nature itself—hoping to awaken earth and nature magic.
The system responded instantly:
> "New magic unlocked: Earth Magic."
"New magic unlocked: Nature Magic."
"Level: Not Applicable."
Ryo landed forcefully, creating a massive crater. Instinct burned in his chest—he wanted to test his newfound powers.
Suddenly, a massive beast approached—its glowing eyes filled with malice, razor-sharp fangs bared, and rocky armor covering its entire body. Its roar shook the forest to its roots.
But Ryo didn't flinch.
He raised his hand calmly—no chant, no words.
He simply imagined.
A towering tree, crackling with lightning in its roots, rose from the ground, piercing the beast, then igniting it from the inside.
The vision became reality. The earth split open, and emerald flames swallowed the creature whole.
The beast stood no chance.
Then came the system:
> "Conditions met."
"Desired skill has been achieved."
"Pain no longer applies to the user."
> "That's... an amazing skill. But... did I really wish for it?
Oh, that's right... before I died…"
Ryo spread his wings once more and took to the skies, enjoying the thrill of flight. Then he paused mid-air. He had once carried the name of the royal family—Elzarel—but he no longer felt tied to it.
He whispered to himself:
> "Right… I almost forgot. I should change my name.
What should I choose…?
How about… Ryo Valkeryn?
That sounds good.
Now then… let's continue the journey."
He flew on, cutting through the wind, until distant roars echoed in his ears.
> "Sounds like a fight…"
Ryo darted toward the noise and spotted two massive beasts attacking a small, helpless bird.
Without hesitation, he dropped from the sky, slammed into the earth, and summoned thick roots and walls of stone to bind the monsters in place.
With both beasts trapped, he gently lifted the trembling bird and said softly:
> "Alright, little one... you're safe now."
The end.