Gelvian is now 9 Years in this World. He died in his old world. Reborn in this new world.

And the one thing that shocked him was that school was pretty short here. Or at least in Cainyorf.

You begin with 5 or 6 years and progress until you are 9 years old or reach 9 that year. The one-year free time you have until the Awakening the adults call it the ‘Choosing’. The children have the entire year for the try-out in the various fields they want to specialize in. Gelvian can participate in these tryouts but he and everyone who heard of him know he will go the path of the druid. Especially after the rat purge a while back. The owners of the grain store were pretty thankful after the word has come out that he is responsible for organizing the attack on the rats. The people put 1 and 1 together after the rapid decline in the rat population. They knew then he has a talent if they did not know before. Gelvian is preparing for his Awakening a year from now on.

Ravia has been pretty strict in her training. Reading the Hirawaldo Lexicon and the other basics books. Her colleagues Markus and Tredran brought back learning supplies 2 weeks after they decided to teach him here. More they were pressured into either teaching him here or risk antagonizing the family by trying to push them to have Gelvian move away. All this reading and learning improved Gelvian druidic knowledge.

Gelvian right now is studying another book. He thinks to himself “The druids really have cataloged a lot of stuff.” Gelvian turns the to next page. “Just this book alone shows me the side effect that a person can have from reading druidic without the talent.” Gelvian grimaced at the descriptions. “Treefication, spontaneous growth of other limbs, loss of sight, nausea, and all sorts of nasty stuff. Ironically this is written in druidic. The writer must have a really sick taste of humor.” All the symptoms remind him how similar it sounds to radiation poisoning. At least some of the symptoms.

While reading further pages someone knocked on his door.

“Come in” Gelvian says. Inside Ravia walks in. Already a smug smile plastered over her face.

“You know what time it is.” She says with a musical voice. She enjoys seeing him suffer. Gelvian thinks.

“No, I don’t Master Ravia please go away.” Gelvian weakly says. He knows he can't get out of what is coming for him.

“Oh no, my small Gelvian. I will help you remember” Ravia walked up to him her steps slow as to drag this out as much as possible.

“Casting training!” Ravia exclaimed. Gelvian just groaned in annoyance.

“Master Ravia you know it's useless. I can't cast without using my blood!”

“Yet!” Ravia quickly replied. “Gelvian I told you already all this is to prepare you for your Awakening.”

Ravia pondered for a moment. “I know you are enjoying your training with your father and sister. It's a lot of fighting.” She made a few boxing motions. “But aren't you also getting your butt kicked by your father?”

Gelvian immediately stands up. “First, he is a veteran knight! Second, he never truly went all out in training he still doesn’t do. Third, he is training us for real now. How to fight for real. Like a soldier. To quote him Master Ravia. ‘You are starting to grow taller and taller with each day my children its time I teach you how to fight for real!’” He says the quote in a somewhat mocking voice.

“Ah, that gives you the right to slack on your druid training?” Ravia asks.

“No...” Gelvian thought for a bit. “It just ‘grow this seedling, help this sapling. Talk with those animals. Try talking to that plant.” Gelvian breathes out his nose. “There is no progress. The only progress I have"

He points outside to a cat on the street sleeping in the shade. ”I can talk better with the cats but that’s all!”

“You can also hear grass.”

“After trying to cast [Talk with tree]! You said it was meant for a tree so why did I only hear the grass!” Gelvian frustrated throws his arms up.

“They aren't even interesting! I could only hear ‘SUN SUN SUN GROW GROW GROW WATER WATER WATER'!” Ravia sighed. Gelvian is one who quickly is frustrated if progress comes to a stop for a longer period of time.

“Gelvian. I understand your frustrations. Everyone was before the Awakening. Even after that, you will have stopgaps.” Ravia sat down on the bed near to where Gelvian still stands.

“This training before your Awakening is to strengthen the roots. Think of a house plant. People make the mistake of watering them wrong so their roots only are spread across the surface of the pot. Easy to rip out. Weak against the wind. With your training right now. You are a sapling who needs to strengthen his roots. You push deep into the soil. Your roots become thick and strong and, in the future, you will be hard-pressed to be pulled out by an unfriendly gardener or animal. You will endure the storms for ages to come.” Ravia smiled warmly at Gelvian who was talking it all in. “We are druids. A human druid can early reach 100 years without a sweat. A half-elf like me at least 500 years. I barely scratched my lifespan. You Gelvian." She puts hand on his shoulder.

"You are an Elf and can live longer than that without being gifted in any way. So, stop being so frustrated. I promise you. After your Awakening. things will get easier because we are training now and not later.” She pulled him close into a close hug. Which surprised Gelvian but before embarrassment could paint his face red. She put him in a headlock and began rubbing the top of his head like a typical school bully. She dragged him outside his room while laughing at the apparent objections of Gelvian.

“Mother. Ravia is laughing like a witch again.” Levia says giggling.

“Ignore them, dear.” Elisia, mother of Levia and Gelvian replies. They are both getting ready to go outside in this cold weather.

“Well, this will be a good test today.” Her mother added. “You have been feeling more... what did you say yesterday?”

“Charged! It feels anything I touch could get shocked!” Levia says as they walk outside.

“Charged you say? You didn’t shock anything or anyone yet right, dear?”

“Nope! Since last week I have this feeling-” She hops clearly full of energy.

“Well, that’s good. We can confirm you for your potential of an arcane talent!” Elisia claps her hands together happily. “Ah, it will be good to teach you about the arcane! We will have so much fun!” She jumps up somewhat. It's clear from where Levia has her happy habits.

“Eh, mom you, ok?” Levia is a bit shocked by the reaction of her mother to see her so animated. Levia only saw her very concentrated when dealing with the magic in her workroom.

“I am my child. It's just your brother was so busy with Ravia's and your father's training we didn’t have time to do something together.”

Elisia and Levia reached the outskirts of the town. They are standing on a patch of empty soil. Elisia also got a few buckets of water next to her.

“Just in case.” She told her daughter. Levia was a touch nervous about that. She didn’t know the dangers of talents. Her mother assured her she is there in case something happens.

Elisia is a long spear length away from Levia. She has her staff ready and the buckets as well.

“Okay, dear. Remember what I told you.” Elisia says with a soft voice trying to calm the nervous Levia.

Levia was fidgeting in place. She looks as if she could just poof from existence.

“Yes, mother.” she stuttered.

Oh, girl. She is terrified maybe she shouldn’t have listed every single thing that could go wrong. Her mother thought.

“First-” she stammered. “you make a gripping motion-” Levia stretches her arm forward.

“Stop,” Elisia said. “Levia. Dear. You need to be more... Not confident that comes with experience. You need to commit to your actions. Here let me demonstrate for you.”

“First, you pull at your core. You concentrate!” Elisia breathes in deeply. Remembering how hard it was for her first time. Energy pools in her core.

“Second, you perform the gestures.” She forms the hand signs with her free hand. “You will not skip any of these steps or gestures that I thought you, my dear. You need to put everything you have into this so we can see the impact.” She forms only 1 out of the three gestures normally required for the spell.

“And third you call out the verbal component of the spell. [Jolt!]” She points her hand into the sky and an electric bolt the size of a stone thunders through the air from her fingertips. Normally the bolt would have been louder, faster, and larger. But by skipping the right gestures she can lessen the strength of the spell.

Levia jumps back a little. A few of the guards on the towers spectating it were also a bit startled.

“Now it's your turn. Pull at your core. Remember to go through all the motions, the verbal incantation, and shoot away.”

Levia breathes in deeply losing her eyes. She feels the charge she has in her pool around her core. Right above her heart, it’s the strongest. Her breath feels tingly. She opens her eyes. She performs the first gesture with both hands. The charge inside her is being twisted. The second gesture. The charge is being refined to something denser stronger. The third gesture. The charge is being formed into a thin arrow.

Levia mumbles her chant.

“Louder!” Elisia immediately reprimands.

“O' Lord of Lighting you split and roar. Power is what I seek! In my name! [Jolt!]” she finishes. Levia points her fingertips into the sky. The charge inside her travels from her core towards her right arm and... nothing.

Time seems to slow down to a crawl as both Levia and Elisia expect the Bolt to fly into the sky.

“Nothing?” Elisia asks.

Levia stays still in her position and is confused but just as he drops her pose. Something explodes from her fingertips. It throws her to the ground.

“Levia!” Elisia rushes to Levia with a bucket in hand but instead of a hurt Levia. She sees her child beaming.

“It did work?” Levia asks her mother.

“Well, not in the way I liked but yes. We already have begun breaking down the dam inside your core. You have arcane talent!” Elisia picked her daughter up and pulled her into a hug both spinning and laughing.

Fang hates everything. He hates the gods. He hates his old family. He hates the cold. He hates the muzzle. He hates that the sun isn't out. He hates this limiting weak body. He hates he can't cultivate. He hates absolutely everything right now. Oh yes, he has grown to the size of a dog. A golden retriever-sized lizard his Saviour Gelvian mentioned. He hates everything so much he has taken to swashing bugs right now.

Crack. There goes another one.

Oh, some things are going great. He has another person to talk with. If only that person wasn’t so irritable to him. Being so smug all the time.

‘A smart venom drake? Oh, that is wonderful. You are also pretty small for your age.’ If looks could kill, the entire nation would have been annihilated this instant. But besides that, he feels fine. The venom milking by that wretched woman is also something he got used to. Even if it feels like she trying to break his neck by the way she manhandles him. That Elisia. She is scared. She right to fear him. A bite from him can be pretty deadly and painful if no antidote is given in time.

Her reason for still keeping him muzzled even if he has proven to 'safe'. ‘Better safe than sorry.' She told Gelvian when he inquired about getting rid of the muzzle. She at least did build him a more comfortable one. And so, he sits near the window looking outwards to the two druidic fools. Ravia and Gelvian who are in the process of 'training' again. Seeing the sandy blond half-elf reminding the boy how to do something right. That makes him remember a conversation between him and her a few weeks back.

“Master Druid Ravia of the Faldur Grove.” Fang said with a grumbly voice.

“Oh, Fang, was it?” She turned to the cultivator turned venom drake.

“Indeed. I have some questions.”

“Well, I am here and free. Just ask away oh unique one.” She had a condescending smile.

Fang starts to regret trying to explain to Ravia that he was a reincarnated soul who was sent here to spite the other gods. The gods of this world.

“Did you ever hear of a powerful turning into a human?” Fang holds the venom in his voice back as much as he can.

“Yes, they're a lot of being that can shapeshift if you believe the stories. Werewolves or other forms of lycanthropy curses can turn into a human. Or rather into the animal. I can turn into an animal and back. That process is painful and I rather not do it. You would need to have the druidic talent and be trained to do so.” She shuttered, remembering the painful transformations.

“I heard back when Vesta was smashing into our world in the capital city Derviu a human shifted into a massive black dragon when the shield failed. He then used his wings to protect the people. Not everyone was protected by that but enough to rebuild the city. They also have built a massive statue to honor him. Irgis the Saviour the people call him or her. Nobody really knows." She shrugs

"Some say it was a woman or some a man. The only clear thing, a black dragon saved a lot of people 200 years ago.” Ravia hovered her hand above the grass and closed her eyes. To Fang, it looks as if she was listening for something.

“That is great and all but I want to know if I ever can gain the ability to turn into a human or humanoid. Has there been a story or rumor?” Ravia opened her eyes and turned to Fang.

“You are kidding. Fang, you are young venom drake you may be smart but why do you want to turn-” She was interrupted.

“Because I was once a human, woman. I did not joke about what I said.” Venom clear in his voice.

“Okay.Okay. Even if that was true. No, there is no chance in the hells you could turn in something else. You don’t have the talent or the natural ability to do that. Venom Drake are just strong and venomous. I am sorry little one.”

“Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean there isn't a way. I heard a lot of people tell me it was impossible before I showed them the proof.” Or when he killed them with the proof. But he left that unsaid.

A young boy with black hair and blue eyes is sitting inside a circle drawn with chalk on stone. He is concentrating hard on something. Just across him is a middle-aged man. Who is concentrating aswell but more relaxed.

The boy just sighs and slouches.

“I can’t do it Uther-” He catches himself in the mistake “I mean Master Uther.”

“You can, you must believe that you can.” Uther takes a sip from his cup. “You need to feel the intrusion into your mind. We can't have you be overwhelmed by every dark god who has taken an interest in you.”

“Master it is impossible! What you are asking me is to pretty much predict the future!” Inside Elrian shame and anger are surfacing. “He or whatever it was just come whenever it pleases! It just shows me these pictures and emotions! I can't wait for any-”

“Elrian!” Uther stands up and places his hands on his shoulders. Giving the young Elrian a light squeeze. “Everyone faces such a challenge in their life. Most often they are alone and don’t know what to do.” He looks into his eyes with a warm smile. “I ask you. Are you alone?”

Elrian is still a bit agitated.

“No...”

“No? Who is here with you?”

“You are.”

“And? I am not the only person here for you.”

“What do you mean-”

“Your mother, your father they are also here. Your friends are also here if you can drop the attuite towards them, eh?” Uther goes back into his seat. “We try again. Tell me when you feel an intrusion and when you feel it. Draw at your god-given talent. Use that to shore up your defenses! Delay and weaken me. That’s how the gods can't take a foothold for long!”

Elrian was already preparing himself. He focuses on his mind palace. A flat sandy shore with black sand with light waves brushing against the sand. He stands there trying to look for any signs of an impending intrusion into his mind. He remembers the first time the dark god was inside his head. Back then he didn’t have a palace. So no way of fighting off the impending attack.

The water has begun to ripple. Small areas arent hitting the shore at the same time. This could mean one thing.

“You are attacking, Master Uther.” Elrian smirks proud that he finally noticed his master. All the other times Uther just appeared next to him.

“You are getting ahead of yourself. Build your defense.” At the horizon of Elrian mind ocean, he can see a massive horde of white knights on horseback riding towards him. He behind to raise hills inside his mind. The knights just charge through as if it was thin air. The water surface ripples at the force of the hooves. He builds the hills higher and tougher. They still breakthrough. Elrian can feel the bright aura of Uther coming closer. This time he raises a large wall made of stone. The knights try to charge through. They aren't stopped but slowed. Elrian raises another stone wall after that another stone wall. The knights losing their speed with each wall they breakthrough. After what feels like an eternity Elrian sits on the black sand. Exhausted.

Uther who led the charge. Get down and sits next to him.

“My, my. Elrian. You slowed me really hard out there. I am proud that you listen to my teachings. When the day of your Awakening comes. You will be ready. Ready to push the gods themselves back.” Uther looks up into the blue cloudless skies. “You will feel different about your talent. When you Awakening has been done. Now come let us take a break.”

In the dark corners of a large cave near Cainyorf hooded people are gathered. This group consisting of 12 people looked armed to the teeth.

A male voice belonging to a large man speaks. “Where is the boss? He was supposed to be here two hours ago. Didn’t he say he wanted us to have a week before the Awakening Ritual of this year's ‘harvest’ is ready?” A slender person with a female voice replies. “You know why the boss wanted us to be here a week early.”

The large one answers. “No, was there any reason? I mean we do this all the time. We go into large village and snatch the most talented kids and sell em.”

“You didn’t listen... again. This ‘Village’ the boss has chosen is an elven town. The only elven town for miles and miles. This won't be easy as the other times. This town is well fortified. This isn't your simple wooden stake wall either.”

“I can crack any wall or door!” The large one laughed.

“But can you do it as often and in rapid progression? They call it the Onion City not without reason after all. Bandits and feral orcs years ago tried their luck and failed miserably.”

A thin figure speaks up.

“Not only that. We have to fight off a veteran elven Knight and a pre-Vesta archmage. I personally think we need more time to prepare. It will be hard to keep someone of that power in check.”

A male voice speaks up. He has a presence of some highborn.

“You wish they were the only strong one. They also have an old Paladin with a strong divine gift. It will be hard enough to sneak into the ritual cavern beneath the city.”

“Boss!” The large one spoke. “Where have you been?” the slender one asks.

“Talking with our client and buying us a lot of time.” He unfolds a letter he kept inside his cloak. “The client wishes to gather the strongest talent from that elven town. Our clients' sources indicate that only moderately or weak talents will awaken this year.” He walks closer to a wooden table. “Next year there will be at least two people of strong talents according to my sources. I recommended our client to wait as he expressed wishes to have strong young male talents. A druidic one and a divine one. We also have heard that at least a moderately arcane one is also in town but she is not a priority. We only take talented girls at the opportunity.”

"Why the focus on boys? Normally we do both." The slender one asks.

"Our client has daughters. No sons. And as you know a dying house with only daughters? Is a doomed house. Their holding will be absorbed by other houses when they marry." The boss smiles wickedly "But with a grandson? They can justify holding on. You know the rest. It gives the household hope and us a lot of gold."

“Do we know their names or know how they look?” the thin one asks.

“No, that will be found out in time.” The boss answers.

“Boss what do we do against the powerful ones? I rather not be skewered by a magic bolt or cut down by the veteran elven knight.” The large one asks.

“Don't worry we will have time to plan. For now, we scatter. We see us back here in 6 months. The client was happy to pay us 20% upfront.” The boss turned to a large one “Don't gamble it all away.” He turns around. "I see you later."