Zhang Wei blinked hard, trying to focus on the strange threads of light drifting through the air. They flickered in and out of his vision like something seen through water—translucent, wavering, frustratingly unclear.
*Is this... magic?*
He squinted, straining to make out the details. The green specks seemed to pulse with life, but they were so faint, so blurred at the edges that he wasn't sure if they were real or just his imagination playing tricks after staring at that impossible light.
*Why is it so... dim?*
In stories, awakened people described seeing magic as brilliant streams of color, clear as daylight. But this? This was like trying to read through frosted glass. The threads moved sluggishly through the air, some a pale green that reminded him of new grass, others a dusty brown like freshly turned earth.
Zhang Wei reached out instinctively, trying to touch one of the floating specks. His fingers passed through it harmlessly, but for just a moment—a split second—he felt something. A whisper of wind, cool and gentle. Then nothing.
"What the hell..." he muttered, flexing his fingers.
He tried again with a brown speck. This time, the sensation was different—solid, grounding, like the feeling of rich soil between his fingers during planting season.
*Wind and earth?* The realization hit him slowly. *Is that what this is?*
But why was it so unclear? So weak? In this life, he'd read countless stories where protagonists awakened with blazing clarity, seeing magic as vividly as the world around them. This felt more like being nearsighted without glasses—everything was there, but frustratingly out of focus.
*Maybe I'm just... not talented.*
The thought stung more than he expected. Even in this new life, even with all his knowledge from before, he was still ordinary. Still lacking.
Zhang Wei closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again. The magical threads were still there, still blurred and faint. But they were *there*. That had to count for something.
*At least I awakened at all.*
*And with my ability, it might not be too hopeless.*
Zhang Wei comforted himself, glancing at the corner of his vision as a blue interface full of sci-fi flavor materialized.
It was his greatest foundation and one of the reasons he had confidence to live a good life in this world.
**Name:** Zhang Wei/Ethan Vale
**Age:** 14
**Technique/Skill:** Intermediate Swordsmanship (2/10)(+), Language Expert
**Magic:** Wind Affinity (Weak), Earth Affinity (Weak)
**Points:** 0 *(can be used to upgrade skills, magic and knowledge)*
The panel had changed. His intermediate swordsmanship now showed progression markers, and there was something new at the bottom.
"Well, it seems like I'm not talented at magic either," he muttered, looking at the word 'Weak' after his magic affinities. Zhang Wei smiled bitterly.
*Hmm? What are those points for?*
Zhang Wei noticed the new entry at the bottom. Just as he was about to examine it further, a voice rang out behind him.
"Well... looks like someone else found their way here."
Zhang Wei spun around, his heart jumping into his throat. Instinctively, his hand moved to grip the sword at his back, then quickly let go when he realized the voice didn't sound hostile.
Two figures emerged from the darkness of a side tunnel. One was a girl about his age with simple clothes and an expression of pure amazement—her eyes darting everywhere, clearly seeing the same magical specks he was.
But it was the other figure that made his breath catch.
The girl who spoke moved with impossible grace, her bare feet making no sound on the rough cave floor. Her hair seemed to shimmer even in the dim light, and when she looked at him, Zhang Wei felt like she could see straight through him.
*This girl is... different.*
He didn't know why, but something about her presence felt otherworldly.
"I was wondering why I sensed a different presence earlier—so it was you," the ethereal girl continued, her voice carrying that same musical quality that made the air itself seem to listen. "Though I have to say, your magical ability is... rather weak, isn't it?"
She was genuinely curious. The first presence she'd sensed had felt strong, considering the murderous aura she'd detected while resting. Intrigued, she'd traced it and found Mei Yan first.
In her eyes, both Zhang Wei and Mei Yan appeared like newborn magical entities—barely any aura, with magic only slowly beginning to flow through their bodies instinctively.
*They're like magical infants,* she mused. *No—even newborns have better magical instincts than this. Is this human race naturally magicless?*
*But if so, how could they have built an empire?*
She studied them with growing fascination.
"Eh? How did she know?" Zhang Wei's face burned with embarrassment, but he forced himself to stand straighter. "Who are you?"
"My name is Elarae." She tilted her head, studying him with curious eyes. "And you are?"
"Ethan," Zhang Wei replied, using his current identity's name. It felt safer somehow.
*Yes, it's Ethan who's untalented, not the real me,* he thought defensively.
The other girl—the one he'd tried to save and the reason he'd come here in the first place—stepped forward excitedly. "I'm Mei Yan! Did you just awaken too? This is incredible, isn't it?"
"Yes, but are you okay?" Zhang Wei asked, concerned.
Mei Yan paused, confused. "Huh?"
"Are you hurt from the fall?"
The question seemed to trigger something in Mei Yan. She took a step back, looking at Zhang Wei warily. In her joy over awakening, she'd almost forgotten that someone had been hunting her above ground.
Seeing her defensive expression, Zhang Wei explained quickly. "Don't be so wary. You should thank me—I killed those guys who were chasing you."
After several minutes of explaining and providing proof, Mei Yan finally relaxed her guard. However, her initial enthusiasm had dimmed considerably.
"I see... thank you. I don't know how I can repay you for that. Do you want this treasure they were looking for?" She held up a glowing flower shyly—it was all she had of value.
"No, I'm good. I don't need that," Zhang Wei replied after a glance. Though valuable, it wasn't something he particularly needed.
"Hmm, did you use my things?"
A pleasant voice suddenly rang out, making Zhang Wei feel a chill run down his spine. *Is this the owner? Damn, I got caught! Should I pretend to be ignorant?*
His mind raced, thinking of ways to get out of this situation.
Fortunately, Elarae didn't seem particularly angry.
"It seems my awakening circle is what triggered your magical awakening," she observed with mild interest.
"Yes... I'm sorry, I didn't expect—"
"No, it's okay. But in exchange, I need you to sign this." Elarae smiled and handed Zhang Wei a glowing sheet of paper, similar to what she'd given Mei Yan.
"A magical contract?" Zhang Wei recognized it immediately from his noble upbringing.
"Yes!"
The terms and conditions were identical to Mei Yan's contract: Elarae would follow them and they would help maintain her secret identity, in exchange for the magical awakening she'd inadvertently provided.
After reading through it carefully, Zhang Wei signed his name.
Seeing the completed contract, Elarae's smile brightened. "When are you planning to return to the outside world? And..." she paused, excitement creeping into her voice, "can you help me think of a suitable identity?"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation—like someone about to embark on the greatest adventure of their life.