The forest pulsed with life, yet Evolis had long since grown accustomed to its rhythm. A couple of days had passed, or maybe it was a week, he no longer bothered counting. The sun filtered through the thick canopy in golden shafts, painting the undergrowth in shifting patterns of light and shadow. The morning air was crisp, carrying the distant calls of unseen creatures and the soft rustling of leaves as the wind whispered its ancient secrets through the trees.
Evolis crouched on the thick branch of an ancient oak, his golden eyes gleaming as he surveyed the valley below. His once-pristine training clothes were now tattered, bearing the scars of countless battles against the beasts that roamed these lands. His physique, already honed by years of rigorous training, had become even more refined—his muscles lean and coiled with power, tempered through blood and battle. His once hesitant steps were now deliberate, his movements honed by survival.
In the past week, he had pushed himself beyond his limits, engaging in battles he would have once considered impossible. He had fought creatures far above his current rank, using every ounce of his strength, speed, and the flickering grasp of his newfound abilities to survive. The forest had become his training ground, and the beasts, his unwilling mentors.
He had learned to use his gravity affinity in new ways—manipulating his own weight to enhance his speed, creating bursts of movement that allowed him to dart across the battlefield like a phantom. His ability to sense danger had sharpened, his [Future Sight] activating instinctively when his life was at risk. His control over Novaris had deepened, and the more he fought, the more he felt his body adjusting, growing stronger, more attuned to the power within him.
His status had increased significantly as well.
Name: Evolis Aetherion
Age: 17
Race: ???
Attributes:
Strength: 47 → 58
Agility: 48 → 61
Endurance: 47 → 55
Vitality: 51 → 59
Intelligence: 54 → 57
Charm: 49
Etherion Core Level: 17 → 21
Talent: SSS
Bloodline: Locked
Affinities:
Time (8% unlocked)
Greater Gravity (Stage 4)
Plantae (18% unlocked)
Fire (14% unlocked)
Abilities:
Innate Skills:
The Seer's Gaze [Grade: Unknown] [Evolvable]
Body of the !O# %F @$%pt$b$%#@y %$& G#$wt% [Grade: Stage 1] [Evolvable]
During this time, he had managed to achieve Stage 4 of his gravity element, but he could feel an uncrossable bottleneck, which he wouldn't manage to break through until he advanced to the Novice Stage.
He could now use his gravity element to sense his surroundings within 100 meters. Everything had a specific weight, and he could use this fact to sense the weight of everything around him. Even though it was less clear than his divine sense, when combined with it, it allowed him to get an even clearer picture of the surroundings.
The only drawback was that if something was able to minimize its weight to near zero, then Evolis wouldn't be able to tell if it was a threat or not, or he might not be able to sense it at all.
Despite the growth, however, he knew he had only scratched the surface of his potential. Every battle taught him more, but he had yet to fully grasp the depths of his abilities. There was still something missing, a puzzle piece he had yet to uncover.
And then it happened.
The slip of paper he had long forgotten pulsed with an eerie, golden glow. It was subtle at first, almost like a flickering ember, but within moments, it became undeniable. The symbols on its surface shifted, rearranging themselves into a map, one that had not been there before. Evolis's breath hitched as he stared at the glowing parchment, realization dawning upon him.
'A ruin?'
His gaze traced the markings, his mind quickly piecing together what this meant. This wasn't just any location; this was his next step. Whatever inheritance his supposed past self had left behind, it was waiting for him.
He exhaled sharply and stood. His instincts told him this was no coincidence. His time in this forest had served its purpose, but now… now it was time to move forward.
Evolis made his way back to his cave, gathering supplies, dried meat, a water flask he fashioned from beast hide, and a simple leather pouch he had crafted to carry extra Etherion crystals he had collected from fallen beasts. Preparation was key. He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but if his instincts were right, this was no ordinary ruin.
The deeper he traveled, the more unnatural the forest became. Trees twisted into grotesque shapes, their bark pulsing with veins of Etherion. The creatures that lurked within the shadows had grown stronger, more intelligent, as if drawn to the same power that now called to him. The air itself felt heavier, thick with something unseen.
Then, as he made his way through a narrow ravine, the ground trembled.
A massive figure began to emerge from the earth, towering over the trees. Its body was composed of jagged, shifting stone, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural golden light.
An Earth Elemental Golem.
Evolis tensed, his instincts screamed at him, this was no ordinary beast. Its presence was ancient, primal, as if it had been slumbering for millennia.
The golem raised an arm the size of a boulder, the ground beneath its feet shuddering with each step. Without warning, it slammed its fist down, so hard that it caused the very landscape to erupt, as well as destroying itself in the process, sending jagged pillars of stone shooting upward.
Evolis barely managed to leap aside, using his gravity manipulation to lighten himself, launching into the air just in time. But as he did, the golem reformed, its shattered limbs pulling back together seamlessly.
It could regenerate.
Shit.
Dodging another strike, Evolis quickly analyzed the situation. His attacks wouldn't work unless he found a way to permanently destroy its core.
"Where is it?" he muttered, scanning the creature with his Seer's Gaze.
Then, he saw it—a glowing Etherion core embedded deep within its chest.
Got it.
With a sharp exhale, Evolis amplified his gravity, decreasing his weight as he dove toward the golem. At the last second, he shifted his weight to make it heavy as he could, making his descent unpredictable.
His blade sliced through the outer stone, chipping pieces off, but the golem barely reacted. It swiped, nearly catching him midair.
'Shit! Why is it so hard to cut through!'
Evolis reversed his gravity again, launching upward toward the core. The golem roared, its chest splitting apart, attempting to trap him.
"Now!"
With a surge of Novaris energy, he twisted his blade and pierced directly into the Etherion core.
A moment of stillness.
Then—
A massive explosion of Etherion energy erupted, the golem crumbling instantly. The force sent Evolis tumbling back, but he managed to regain his footing, breathing heavily as dust settled around him.
He had won.
But something told him the true trial was only just beginning.
As he stood amidst the debris, he felt it again—that instinctive pull.
The ruin was close. And he wasn't the only one heading there.
---
Unbeknownst to him, not far away, a group of elves was making their way toward the same location. At their head, a young woman with piercing emerald eyes and flowing silver hair moved with graceful efficiency, her expression unreadable. Her presence alone commanded attention, each step carrying the weight of authority and purpose.
The Elven Princess.
She had sensed it as well—the call of something ancient, something powerful. The ruin was not simply a place of historical significance to her people; it held something she desperately needed. And she would not let anything stand in her way.
Not even the unknown human who was about to cross her path.
"We've almost arrived at the ruin Princess." One of the elves following her spoke, his tone laced with reverence.
The Elven Princess turned her head slightly, her piercing emerald eyes surveying the dense forest before her. Without breaking stride, she replied in a voice as cold as the moonlit frost.
"The talisman is responding to it." She said as she felt the slight throbbing in her pocket.
Her voice held no excitement, only quiet determination. This was more than just a discovery—it was a necessity.
Behind her, a noble elf with striking golden hair and expensive, intricately woven robes smirked. His amber eyes, however, didn't shine with reverence for the mission—only conceit.
"Then shall we proceed swiftly, my lady? Or do you wish to admire the trees a little longer?" The noble's tone was playful, yet dripping with condescension.
The princess didn't even spare him a glance. "Watch your tongue, Elandor. I did not request your presence."
Elandor chuckled, brushing aside a stray leaf that had landed on his pristine robe. He placed a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "Oh, but your father did, dear princess. A noble like myself cannot simply stand by while the future of our race ventures into unknown danger." He stepped a little closer, his voice dropping to a more sickeningly smooth tone. "Besides, I would hate for something… unfortunate to happen to you. Perhaps you need someone strong to protect you?"
A few of the other elves subtly grimaced at his words, but none dared to interrupt.
The princess halted in her steps, slowly turning to meet Elandor's gaze. Though her face remained impassive, there was a flicker of icy disgust in her eyes.
"You overestimate yourself, Elandor." She spoke softly, but the weight behind her words was as sharp as a blade.
Elandor's smirk twitched. He was used to her cold nature, but not her outright rejection. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper only she could hear. "You know… our houses have been close allies for generations. Your father favors our union. It wouldn't be so bad, would it? To be mine?"
For the first time, she acknowledged him with a slight tilt of her chin, meeting his arrogant gaze without fear. "If you continue this nonsense, Elandor, I will personally ensure you leave this ruin with fewer limbs than you entered with."
The air grew tense.
A flicker of anger crossed Elandor's face, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle. He took a small step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Ah, how cruel. But I suppose that icy heart of yours will thaw eventually. Perhaps after we uncover this great treasure, you'll look at me differently."
The princess turned away without another word, resuming her steady pace forward. The elves quickly followed, though a few exchanged wary glances.
One of the elven warriors, a more experienced soldier with a stern face, walked up beside her. His voice was low, but concerned. "He grows bolder, Princess. Are you certain you do not wish to… handle him?"
She exhaled quietly. "For now, he is a nuisance. Nothing more. If he becomes a threat…" She trailed off, her fingers tightening slightly over the hilt of the dagger at her hip. "Then I will deal with him myself."
---
Evolis reached the edge of a ravine, where the ruins lay hidden beneath layers of overgrowth and the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. He could see it now. A massive structure, partially buried beneath the land, its entrance marked by two towering statues of warriors clad in ancient armor. Time had worn their faces, but their presence remained intimidating, their weapons still sharp despite the centuries.
As he approached, his golden eyes gleamed with anticipation. Whatever lay inside was calling to him. His past, his future, the answers he sought—everything was waiting beyond that entrance.
And he would claim it.