Deep in the middle of the Primeval Forest, there was a young man who was going to hunt beasts. The young man's name was Selarion Aetherion.
The forest was alive, an ancient cathedral of light, shadow, and raw mana. Moss-covered roots twisted across the soil like slithering serpents. Ferns quivered with the faintest movement. Shafts of sunlight fractured through the high canopy into scattered prisms of gold and emerald, painting the forest floor with flickering patterns. Every footstep Selarion took made no sound, yet the air itself seemed to pulse in response to him.
He adjusted the grip on Luminara, his sword, feeling its faint hum of latent energy. He murmured, "Status," and immediately a shimmering red-and-gold system panel appeared, floating before him like divine script etched in air.
System Status:
Name: Selarion Aetherion
Race: Elasian
Height: 185 cm
Age: 18
Status: Lost memories, Healthy
Titles: Reincarnator, Primordial Dark Gods Sealer, Divine King
Bloodline: ??????
Physique: ??????
Level: 4
Health: 41
Strength: 40
Agility: 35
Stamina: 41
Constitution: 41
Energy: 15
Intelligence: 41
Charisma: 41
Concepts: 0
Mastery of Concepts: 0%
Concepts Met: 0
Mastery of Basic Sword Techniques: 67%
Mastery of Energies Wielded: 20% (Terra Essence, Aqua Vitae Flow, Ignis Inferna, Ventus Gale, Aetherial Pulse, Lumen Flux, Umbral Veil)
Axions: Divine Perception, Protection of the Forest, Plant Manipulation
System Shop: —
System Points: 140
Unassigned Stat Points: 5
Missions: —
Selarion allowed himself a brief moment of pride. He flexed his fingers around the hilt, sensing the latent power humming beneath his skin. But the forest had other plans.
A searing fireball suddenly erupted from the underbrush, hitting him squarely in the chest. His robes ignited, blistering skin beneath, and pain shot through him like a dagger.
Health: 41 → 36
He spun, invoking Divine Perception, and the world fractured into layers of energy. Every creature, pulse, and hidden mana current lit up in his vision.
Divine Perception Scan:
Species: Ignis Drake
Type: Fire Elemental Predator
Level: 6
Health: 35/35
Strength: 38
Agility: 32
Stamina: 37
Constitution: 34
Energy: 22
Energy Mastery: 30% (Ignis Inferna)
Abilities: Fireball (ranged), Flame Claw (melee), Heat Aura (passive burn)
Weaknesses: Water currents, Wind manipulation, energy disruption
Threat Rating: High
Selarion's jaw clenched. His mastery of all seven primal energies—Terra Essence, Aqua Vitae Flow, Ignis Inferna, Ventus Gale, Aetherial Pulse, Lumen Flux, Umbral Veil—was fledgling at 20%. Speed, sword skill, and clever use of the forest would have to suffice.
"I can't waste energy… I'll have to consolidate everything… but how?"
The Ignis Drake roared, claws extended, flames licking its sinewy body. Selarion twisted and rolled through scorched dirt, letting the tips of the flames graze him.
Health: 36 → 33
He struck with Luminara, channeling Terra Essence and Plant Manipulation, summoning vines that lashed at the Drake. They tripped it slightly—but it recovered instantly, snapping its head with predatory precision.
He tried combining Ignis Inferna with Ventus Gale in a sweeping strike, but sparks scattered and fizzled, failing to injure.
System: "Warning: energy consolidation unsuccessful. Insufficient mastery of combined elements."
Selarion gritted his teeth, sweat blinding him. "Again…" He stepped back, energy draining with each movement.
Energy: 15 → 10
Health: 33 → 30
He visualized all seven energies as one continuous stream, threading through his body, into his sword, into a single coherent arc. He swung—but it dispersed, sparks scattering like fireflies.
System: "Partial consolidation achieved: 40% efficiency. Adjust timing and channeling vectors."
Selarion inhaled, grounding himself with Terra Essence, letting Aqua Vitae Flow steady his heartbeat. He threaded Ignis Inferna, Ventus Gale, Aetherial Pulse, Lumen Flux, and Umbral Veil like a single, unified stream.
Finally, Luminara glowed with concentrated primal energy, a compressed rainbow of Elarion elements.
The Ignis Drake lunged for a final strike. Selarion pivoted, channeling all energies into the tip of the blade, and swung.
Health: 30 → 27
Energy: 10 → 3
A blinding arc of light, wind, flame, water, earth, shadow, and aether cleaved through the Drake's chest. Its roar ended abruptly as it collapsed, lifeless.
System: "Experience gained: 40 XP. Level progress: 48% → 52%. System Points gained: 15 SP. Consolidation of all seven primal energies: 20% mastery confirmed."
The forest was quiet… until a faint golden shimmer appeared between the trees. Predators who use the energy of Solis vitae the strongest energy in this solar system, emerged, their radiant forms flickering like living sunfire, tendrils pulsing with raw vitality.
Selarion's chest rose and fell rapidly. Energy nearly depleted, health diminished, yet he could not retreat.
"I have to face this… myself," he muttered.
The first of the predator surged forward with blinding speed, a lattice of living light and energy rippling across its body. Its tendrils struck toward him, but Selarion rolled and twisted, letting them graze his shoulders.
Health: 27 → 24
Divine perception scan:
Species: Solithrae
Level: 8
Health: 62/62
Strength: 45
Agility: 48
Stamina: 50
Constitution: 46
Energy: 60
Energy Mastery: 50% (Lumen Flux, Aetherial Pulse)
Abilities: Life Drain (ranged & melee), Solar Flare (AoE), Regenerative Aura, Rapid Pursuit
Weaknesses: Shadow manipulation, Aqua Vitae Flow, energy disruption
Combat Difficulty: Extreme
Selarion clenched his jaw. He had 0 energy left, Stamina: 41 → 35, Health: 24/41. Every movement had to count.
He drew on Terra Essence to anchor, Aqua Vitae Flow to steady his heartbeat, and Umbral Veil to mask his presence in the shifting light. Each dodge, each feint, each swing was calculated to the microsecond.
A tendril of radiant energy lashed at him again—he ducked, rolling under, narrowly avoiding a direct strike.
Health: 24 → 22
Stamina: 35 → 33
He feinted left, then spun right, threading a strike of Ventus Gale + Lumen Flux into a sliver of the creature's core. The solithrae staggered, glowing fissures spreading across its body.
Selarion pressed the advantage, combining Aetherial Pulse + Umbral Veil + Aqua Vitae Flow, compressing every ounce of his skill and remaining energy into a single thrust.
The strike pierced the solithrae heart of radiant energy. It screamed, light flaring, tendrils thrashing. Finally, it collapsed in golden motes, dissipating into the forest.
Health: 22 → 19
Stamina: 33 → 28
Energy: 0 → 0
System Update:
Experience Gained: 60 XP
Level Progress: 52% → 63%
System Points: +25 SP
Mastery of Energy Consolidation: 40%
Mission Status: Survived Solo Combat Trial
Selarion pressed his forehead to Luminara, body trembling, chest heaving. Sweat, ash, and blood soaked into the moss. He had faced fire and life energy predators alone and survived.
"Each battle… each scar… each failure… teaches me…" he whispered. His voice was hoarse, yet resolute.
The forest exhaled softly, acknowledging the emergence of a new force. Selarion rose, Luminara in hand, calm and determined. The trials of the Primeval Forest were just beginning. But the Primeval forest was only the beginning of Selarion Aetherion, Reincarnator, Sealer of Primordial Dark Gods, Divine King of Elarion.