'Status,' Aeon muttered inwardly.
Ding!
[Aeon Sylvan]
Race: High Elf
Rank: E
Talent: SS
Affinity: Nature, Soul, Space-Time
Traits: Incorruptible, Mana Domination
Unique Skills: Heal, Riftwalk
Physique: Wood Refinement Physique
Bloodline: Imperial Sylvan
—
The first thing Aeon noticed when he opened his status was his talent.
Talent determined everyone's potential—the higher one's talent,
the greater their chances of becoming powerful in the future. Elves, humans, dragons, and all the other races on Terra could awaken talents, with the lowest being [F Rank] and the highest [SSS Rank].
Each rank was further divided into three sub-ranks: [F-], [F], and [F+].
Aeon awakening an [SS Rank] talent meant his progress would be faster and easier than those with lower talent.
Still, talent rank usually also meant that naturally advancing beyond its limit into a higher rank was near impossible—even with natural treasures or alchemy potions.
The next thing that caught his attention was his affinities. Not the number, but the rarity.
Nature was expected, considering his mother, and since elemental affinities could be passed through bloodlines.
Soul affinity, though uncommon, was not unheard of.
But Space-Time… that was a first for him.
He had heard of time affinity, and of space affinity,
but never had he seen them bound together as one. Two of the rarest affinities, woven into a single whole.
"Well…"
Isolde interrupted his thoughts, leaning closer. Not that she could see his status—status screens could only be viewed by their owners.
"What's your affinity?" she asked, her excitement already spilling over onto him.
"I've got Nature, Soul, and Space affinities."
"Wow!"
"And you?"
"I've got Lunar and Ice affinities," Isolde replied, pride lighting her face.
'Not too surprising', Aeon thought, his eyes drifting to Lady Firael.
"And what's your affinity rank?"
"Isolde," Lady Firael said in mild reproach.
"It's alright, Aunt," Aeon answered quickly.
"After all, it'll all be public once our talents and affinities are tested at the palace."
Whenever a member of the royal family awakened, talent and affinity orbs were used to measure their worth and allocate resources accordingly.
The affinity orbs, marvels of ancient magic, gave precise readings—even down to the faintest affinities below [F Rank] that the system itself could not detect.
The talent orb, while less refined, still provided remarkably accurate forecasts with little to no error.
Calling his status up once more, Aeon turned his focus back to the affinity section.
Ding!
[Affinity]
Nature — SSS
Soul — SSS
Space-Time — SSS
___
He blinked once. Twice. The screen didn't change.
"No way," he whispered. "That can't be right."
"What does it say?" Isolde leaned in even closer, as if she could pry the truth out of his eyes.
Even Lady Firael, who had been quietly distant since the ride began, now watched him intently.
"My affinities…"
"They're all SSS Rank."
"Heh, heh, heh," Isolde laughed mischievously, her silver eyes sparkling with triumph. "That's nothing. I've even got an EX Rank affinity."
"..."
"..."
---
The carriage ride after that was mostly quiet. Lady Firael forbade any further discussion, as though afraid they might start revealing traits or unique skills.
'Can't blame her though', Aeon thought.
The [EX Rank] wasn't public knowledge. Only a handful of elven nobles even knew it existed.
Even in Aeon's case, his awareness came only from the "confidential documents" he once stumbled across in his father's office.
For among the few who were aware, it was widely believed that anything beyond [SSS Rank] belonged to the realm of divinity.
'I can still remember the look in his eyes when he made me promise never to speak of what he called matters of national security.' Aeon thought
Stealing a glance at Isolde, he noticed the way her brows scrunched and her cheeks puffed in agitation.
He didn't know whether to marvel at her potential or laugh at how goofy his younger cousin still managed to be.
...Sigh.
To distract himself, Aeon pulled up the rest of his status screen.
Ding!
[Stats]
Rank: E
STR: F+
AGI: E
STA: E
MANA: D-
—
Compared to the rest of his screen, his stats were far more ordinary.
His strength, at [F+], was weaker than his other stats but still within range for a newly awakened High Elf—especially compared to common elves, or weaker races like humans, who only awakened around the age of twelve, two years later than High Elves.
His agility and stamina at [E Rank] he attributed to his superior bloodline.
But his mana… that was what stood out the most. He couldn't help puffing his chest slightly in pride.
'All the pain and effort I put into stabilizing my foundation during the Awakening paid off. Now I've got more mana reserves than I should, and my veins can handle three times the usual flow.'
He considered exploring the traits and physique section, but decided to wait until he returned home.
When he looked back at Isolde, she had somehow drifted asleep against Lady Firael's arms, far from her earlier seat.
Lady Firael, catching Aeon's glance, gave him a serene smile.
Aeon had never seen her frown before, and wondered if she even could. He tried to imagine it—but the thought alone felt impossible.
Drowsily, he looked out the carriage window as they rolled through the city streets, lined with shimmering trees that glowed softly in the dusk.
His mind lingered on the two silver-haired women, their beauty magnified by the light, their forms seemingly ethereal.
He didn't remember when exactly sleep claimed him, only that when he dreamt, he dreamt of them.
He dreamt also of people with faces just like his, speaking to him in various foreign languages he could not understand.
And of standing beneath the shade of a magnificent tree, so vast and endless it seemed to stretch into eternity.
He did not know it then, but these were the first of many strange dreams that would follow in the years to come.