She and my father believed that the fear from the attack had overwhelmed me and caused me to pass out. They let me sleep for an entire day to recover. What they didn’t know was that my mana had been completely drained, leaving me in a dreamless, unconscious state.
Since my soul had changed, I’d become acutely aware of my dreams. They were vivid and lucid, and I could do whatever I wanted in them. This time, however, was different. It was as if I’d blinked, and suddenly I was here, at the funeral.
Looking at the mourning villagers, I clasped my tiny hands together in a prayer of thanks for the two brave elves who had given their lives to protect us. I mourned their loss deeply, feeling a pang of guilt. Perhaps I was responsible for their deaths.
Of course I feel sad, I thought. I’m not a monster.
The memory of the attack still fresh in my mind, I opened my status screen to take stock of myself.
Name: Juren Knollen
Age: 1 Year
Level: 12
Unused Points: 60
Traits:
- Elven Swiftness
- Elven Talent
- Elven Longevity
- Elven Spirit
- Soul Memory
- Simultaneous Thinking
- Chosen
- Soul Vortex
Stats:
- HP: 225
- MP: 4,260
- MP Regen: 360/min
- Strength: 0.3
- Endurance: 0.3
- Agility: 3 (0.3 x 10)
- Intelligence: 42
- Wisdom: 36
- Charisma: 1 (+50)
- Constitution: 0.3
I had 60 points to spend and a good idea of how to use them. I have access to magic now, I thought excitedly. Oh, the things I can do!
As I reviewed my stats, I noticed a discrepancy. My health and mana were higher than they should have been—120 more HP and 60 more MP. A prompt popped up to explain.
+10 HP gained per level.
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+5 MP gained per level.
“So not all stats come from points,” I mused. Health and mana increased automatically with each level, but investing in Constitution or Intelligence would enhance them further. Five MP per level was modest, but with Intelligence giving 100 MP per point, it was worth prioritizing.
Another system note clarified the relationship between Intelligence, Wisdom, and magic. Spell power was determined two-thirds by Intelligence and one-third by Wisdom. Wisdom also controlled mana regeneration and casting speed, making it essential for any mage.
Elemental magic, however, didn’t rely on the system’s standard spellcasting mechanics. It drew directly from the soul, making it independent of formulas or runic structures. Even so, Intelligence and Wisdom still synergized, feeding into each other to enhance overall effectiveness.
I made my decisions carefully.
- 20 points to Intelligence: More mana, stronger spells.
- 20 points to Wisdom: Faster regeneration and smoother casting.
- 5 points each to Strength and Endurance: Enough to begin developing my body.
- 10 points to Agility: With a 10x racial multiplier, it would be foolish not to take advantage.
Running or fighting might be necessary someday, and enemies wouldn’t stand still to let me cast spells. Investing in mobility and resilience felt prudent, even if it cost a sixth of my points.
Satisfied, I mentally confirmed my choices.
I reached out to Zotherg, hoping for advice on how to proceed. His response was immediate and deafening.
“YEEEEEEEESSS! YOU DID IT!” Zotherg’s voice boomed in my mind like an earthquake.
“What?” I asked, wincing.
“You crossed the threshold, my lord! You did what no mortal has ever done. You awakened your elemental powers!” His excitement was palpable, his voice vibrating with pride.
“And why is that such a big deal?” I asked skeptically. “Humans can cast all elements with spells.”
Zotherg sighed, the sound like mountains shifting. “Spells are crude and inefficient compared to our magic, Juren. Mortals must use mana to draw runes or recite formulas, consuming immense energy in the process. Some spells supplement this by pulling in ambient mana, but even that is limited.
“We elementals, my boy, are different. Ambient mana flows into us naturally, fueling our magic without effort. It’s why even dragons fear us. Why do you think you were able to hold down that jaguar with only 3,000 mana?”
I let his words sink in. For the first time, I truly understood the significance of what I had become.
I wasn’t just a mage—I was a True Elemental, capable of wielding magic as effortlessly as breathing. If Zotherg’s claims were accurate, my abilities were on par with the most powerful creatures in existence.
I’m practically a baby dragon, I thought, though a more accurate term was “baby True Elemental.” Either way, the revelation was overwhelming.
One more secret to keep, I mused, feeling the weight of my growing list of hidden truths. At this rate, I’ll end up as the Elf of mystery. I chuckled at the thought. Well, they say women like a mysterious man.
Oh, the things I can do now!, I thought. I noticed a discrepancy in my stats. I had one hundred and twenty more health and sixty more mana than I should. I asked why and a prompt popped up.
Ah, so not all stats are just gained through points, I told myself. Health and mana points will increase automatically but spending ability points on Constitution or Intelligence will raise them further. Five Mp a level is better than nothing but a hundred Mp per point made spending points on Int worth it alone. Also, the system explained to me that the power of spells is increased two thirds by Int and one third by Wis. Wisdom was the source of mana regen and wisdom also controls how fast spell casting can be, at least... It normally does.
Who knows? Maybe I'll find a way to get a skill that uses Agl to increase casting speed. I said to myself internally. I was also pretty sure my enemies would not just stand there and let me work my magic. I may need to run or fight in hand to hand combat as well. Despite the fact that it was a sixth of my earned point I did not feel they had been wasted.
Yeeeeeesss, you did it!" The elemental exclaimed in mind shattering volume.
Ugh, one more thing to keep secret, I thought. It felt like I was becoming an Elf man of mystery! Well, I hear women like a man who is "mysterious".