Chapter 2

Elemental Awakening

[System notification!]

[You have accepted a soul transfer.]

[You will experience physical and mental changes.]

[You may suffer catastrophic physical and mental injuries or die. Please stay prepared.]

Huh?!!

[3…]

[2…]

[1…]

"No, no, no, no. I meant no! No!!!" Bellamy awkwardly shouted.

[Starting soul transfer…]

!!

The halo spheres surrounding the Wood Sprite were sucked toward Bellamy, gradually entering his body. The blue energy spheres felt like a watery substance at first, and then, they became cold. Icy cold. His whole body started perspiring a cold sweat as if he had not lost enough bodily fluids already from his earlier nightmare.

[You have entered, abnormal condition, Sub-zero.]

[Isolating elements…]

Almost simultaneously, the purple halo spheres engulfed him. Upon entering, Bellamy was cut in several places, including his limbs, torso, and face. However, he did not bleed since his body temperature had reached a dramatic low and his blood was nearly frozen. His originally pale face turned even paler. Fingers numb and lips blue, unable to utter a single sound other than "wuwewuwewoh," he tensely trembled from head to toe.

Razor-sharp winds continued to leave traces of cuts on Bellamy’s entire body; he even got a free haircut. Soon, the cutting wind stopped, but the oxygen around him started to diminish. It was like being put into a vacuum, devoid of space and matter.

Hmmph

I can’t breathe!

Bellamy was panicked and felt suffocated.

[You have entered, abnormal condition, Vacuum.]

[Isolating elements…]

[Time remaining until completion: 60 seconds.]

[59 seconds...]

[58 seconds...]

...

If only I could survive this Awakening...

The day Bellamy turned 16, the age Thraeans are considered adults, he formally applied to leave his orphanage. He was granted permission soon after and was now living comfortably in his tiny, renting-apartment. Ever since leaving the orphanage, Bellamy began working part-time at the local blacksmith, saving up a small number of gold coins.

He had planned to study Elemental Craftsmanship next year since he had given up on waiting for an Awakening. By becoming an Elemental Blacksmith, Bellamy would get the license to forge, maintain, and repair standard Adventurer equipment and Hunter equipment with elemental attributes.

There is so much left to do...

Hroar, the local blacksmith owner, would soon turn 60. Lately, he had wanted Bellamy to become his successor. On the other hand, Bellamy lacked Elemental Craftsmanship knowledge. Therefore, they agreed that Bellamy would become his apprentice once he received an Intermediate Diploma from a blacksmithing academy.

And things to experience.

...

[Time remaining until completion: 0 seconds]

[Elemental Awakening has been completed.]

[Abnormal condition, Sub-zero, has ended.]

[Abnormal condition, Vacuum, has ended.]

…

[Stabilizing the user... System failure.]

[Stabilizing the user... System failure.]

[Stabilizing…]

System notifications kept popping up. Bellamy's eyes were dim and unresponsive.

[Stabilizing…]

After a short nap and continuing its happy-go-lucky brashness and somersaults, the Wood Sprite yawned, noticing that something was strange, and then flew forward, again placing his tiny hands upon Bellamy’s forehead.

"Heal Lv1!"

[Stabilizing the user. System failure.]

…

"Heal Lv1! Heal Lv1! Heal Lv1! Heeeeeal Lv1!"

Pant, pant

[Stabilizing the user.]

Bellamy finally opened his eyes, still freezing and out of breath.

Pant, pant.

Pant, pant.

[Congratulations, you have Awakened!]

[You have acquired Water Awakening Lv1.]

[You have acquired Cold Awakening Lv1.]

[You have acquired Air Awakening Lv1.]

[You have acquired Ether Awakening Lv1.]

!!

"F-f-four A-awake-n-nings!?" Bellamy was stupefied and still trembling.

The energetic Wood Sprite from earlier crashed his face down on the floor with his bottom wagging left and right. He had spent all his Mana. Bellamy smiled cheerfully at the Wood Sprite even though the gratitude was left unnoticed.

[Congratulations! You have obtained a Hunter Class!]

[You have acquired the hidden Class, Soul Devourer. It is a Growth type class. Rating: Bronze.]

[You have obtained Soulseeker. It is a Growth type item. Rating: Platinum.]

[You have obtained The Compass of Truth. Rating: ???]

[You have obtained Multi-Purpose Cloak. Rating: Amethyst.]

[You have acquired the title, Pinnacle of Retribution.]

[You have acquired the title, Judgment.]

[You have acquired the title, The Mind of the Shrewd.]

!!!

Bellamy was stupefied earlier. Now, with eyebrows raised, he had become completely dumbfounded.

"Wait..."

His curiosity got the better of him. Though he had done plenty of research on Awakeners' abilities and capabilities, he had never seen a Hunter’s Soul Window firsthand.

"Open stats."

Name: Bellamy Aarick

Race: Human

Gain +10 Wisdom; +5 Stamina; +1 Thrae's blessings, upon an Elemental Awakening.

Gain +1 to each main attribute upon leveling up.

Stats have been added!

Level: 0

Stats:

Health points: 189/410

Mana points: 576/576

Strength: 15

Stamina: 38

Agility: 11

Dexterity: 18

Intelligence: 13

Wisdom: 55

Speed: 6

Luck: 1

Goddess Thrae's blessings: 4

Class: Soul Devourer (0%)

Growth-type Class. Rating: Bronze

You will increase damage by +10% to any soulbound being.

Unlock more characteristics at higher ratings.

Elemental Awakenings:

Water Awakening Lv1

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Water-based skills.

Cold Awakening Lv1

You can learn Lv1 to Lv 2 Cold-based skills.

Air Awakening Lv1

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Air-based skills.

Ether Awakening Lv1

You can learn Lv1 to Lv2 Ether-based skills.

Pets:

Wood Sprite

+ open pet information

Titles:

Pinnacle of Retribution

If you receive damage greater than 25% of your maximum HP; or if your Health drops below 25% of maximum HP, all Physical Attacks are increased by +100%; all Elemental Attacks are increased by +75%, and Defense and Elemental Defense are increased by +50% for 30 seconds.

Passive title. Cooldown: 10 minutes.

Judgment

All attacks are increased by +50%; Strength and Stamina increase by +20 for 20 seconds. The Title will evolve at higher Class ratings.

Active buff skill. Cooldown: 3 hours.

The Mind of the Shrewd

Your clever nature gives you an advantage in a battle of wit and debate. Increase Dexterity and Speed by +20% at all times; increase Intelligence and Wisdom by +10% at all times.

You are more likely to make the right choice. Affected by Intelligence, Wisdom, and Luck attributes.

Active title.

Bellamy's withered hopes were finally recuperated. He tried to calm down while his heart and arteries were still pulsating ridiculously fast. He wasn't sure what was the cause anymore. Whether it was the veins working hard to transport deoxygenated blood from his damaged organs and limbs. Or whether it was excitement. Only Goddess Thrae knew.

Bellamy stood still for several minutes as he browsed his status window repeatedly.

Forget about the blacksmithing academy; his plans had changed!

He sighed.

After some pondering, he mumbled to himself, "It's time to go purchase some Skills." After that, he would visit Tisha. She was in for a huge surprise!

!

No, wait.

Bellamy met Tisha when they were both 10, nearly two years after being brought to the orphanage. They had a few things in common from day one. Both of their parents had gone missing the same way, and they both detested Sister Morana. They would sometimes anger the sisters when piles upon piles of chores could not be finished on time, often getting beaten or starved.

Luckily, after a few years at the orphanage, Tisha was adopted.

"I have a better idea," he paused and deliberated, "I'll surprise her where everyone will be gathering before the new Moon."