Coming out of the rift was always surreal. One moment Ael was surrounded by a sweltering volcanic hellscape, and the next the world snapped back into place—normal air, normal temperature, normal sky. It felt like stepping out of a fever dream.
Marcus patted Ael on the shoulder with a seriousness that didn't match his usual casual confidence. "Good job, Ael. You were great in there. I hope you'll join us for a few more runs."
Coming from a veteran D-Rank awakened, the respect in his voice carried weight. Ael could only nod, accepting the handshake with equal sincerity. "Thanks, Captain. We'll see how things go."
But internally, Ael already knew where his eyes were set. D-Rank rifts. Stronger enemies. Faster growth.
I need to get stronger, he repeated in his mind, the thought carved as deeply as instinct.
And Lyra… she was the only one who could green-light that.
…
Lyra's office smelled faintly of fire blossoms and parchment, and Ael leaned back in the chair with an insufferable smirk plastered across his face. Lyra saw it immediately—of course she did—and one of her brows twitched in barely restrained annoyance. This brat knew exactly how to poke her patience.
"So, Guild Master," Ael began, tone dripping with self-satisfaction, "how was my performance?"
Lyra inhaled slowly. She absolutely considered kicking him through the window, but instead she exhaled and spoke evenly. "Marcus reported that you were exceptional. Better combat awareness than his own, and… apparently the strongest member on the team. Enough to make senior members rethink their lives."
Even she couldn't deny it. His stats were monstrous even before he entered the rift.
Ael leaned forward. "So… did my core evolve?"
Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm almost afraid to ask."
But she needed to know—because if she didn't understand what she was dealing with, she couldn't protect him.
"I felt my core evolve twice," Ael said plainly.
Lyra's face went slack with shock. "Twice?"
She grabbed the device immediately.
─────────────────
Awakened Name: Ael
Strength: 28
Agility: 28
Vitality: 28
Stamina: 28
Intelligence: 32
─────────────────
Lyra's eyes widened. The numbers didn't make sense. Three Intelligence per refinement, two points in every other stat… and all without mana stones. Just the kills.
Her expression darkened with confusion and awe as she flipped through the report. "This is… Ael, are you sure you're human? Because I swear, you're breaking half the foundations of awakening theory. You've undergone five refinements and your stats are already mid D-Rank."
Ael scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I'm… also questioning that, honestly."
Lyra sighed heavily. "Ael, going from Initial Awakening to five refinements in two rifts—without mana stones—is unheard of. You're growing faster than anything recorded in the guild archives." Her voice softened. "Just… don't get complacent. Strong awakeners die when they assume their stats make them invincible."
"I understand." Ael straightened. "Guild Master… I want permission to start entering D-Rank rifts. My stats are well above standard, and based on Amanda's report and everything I've seen… I have a bad feeling. I need to get stronger. For my family."
Lyra's heart sank.
He was serious—painfully serious.
"Ael…" she murmured. "I don't want to throw you into a death trap. You're strong, but you only have one reliable combat skill. That supernova thing you do drains you dry. So here's my condition." She leveled a stern finger at him. "Give me one or two new combat skills. Ones you can use safely in mid-range combat. One week. If you can do that, I'll authorize a D-Rank run."
Ael nodded, but a mischievous grin curled on his lips. "So that means I'm your disciple now? Not just your punching b—GHHH—!"
Her fist slammed into his stomach, launching him into the wall.
Lyra brushed imaginary dust from her knuckles. "Your sense of humor is as terrible as ever. And yes. You're my disciple. Happy?"
Ael, still against the wall, gave a thumbs-up.
Lyra dismissed him with a wave. "Train. Create the skills. Then we talk about D-Ranks."
…
When Ael opened the door to his home, something slammed into his chest with enough force to knock the wind out of him. Isla clung to him, trembling.
"WE WERE SO WORRIED!" she cried. "You didn't tell us about the incident with your previous team! AEL, IT WAS ON THE NEWS!"
Behind her stood his mother and sister—both with puffy eyes, both staring with a mix of anger, fear, and betrayal.
Ael lifted his hands helplessly. "Isla… Mom… Sis… I didn't tell you because you would've locked me inside the house and thrown away the key."
"We—" Isla tried to argue, but Ael cut her off.
"I know you care. I know. But being awakened means taking risks, and I intend to get strong enough to protect all of you. That's my choice."
He winked at them. "Besides… my stats are at D-Rank now."
Silence.
Absolute, stunned silence.
"Ael…" Isla breathed, "how is that possible? You've only gone to one—no, two rifts—there's no way…"
He told them about his stats, explained his kills, how the fights went. He left out the D-Rank plan for now; no need to get collectively murdered.
"Wow…" Isla muttered. "This is insane. You're practically mid-tier D-Rank already."
His mother cupped his face gently. "Just be safe. I can't lose you too."
He knew why. His father had been her world. Losing him had broken something deep in her.
Then his sister stepped forward, eyes glinting with pure opportunistic greed. "Little brother… you're not using your mana stones. So does that mean… you're rich?"
Ael sighed. "I'm saving half the stones for Isla, and the rest is in my account. Between payments and stones, I have maybe… two hundred and fifty thousand credits. So yes. Go buy something if you want."
She lit up like a festival lantern, grabbed Isla, snatched Ael's card, and stormed outside with the speed of an Olympic athlete.
Ael watched them leave, defeated. "I am so soft…"
He showered, dried off, and finally sat alone at the edge of his bed.
"Status."
─────────────────
STATUS SCREEN
─────────────────
Name: Elyrion Vaelora
Race: ???
Ether Core Level: 5 (30/1600)
Title: The Vessel
Class: Ether Paragon (Unique)
Class Skill: Ether Manipulation
─────────────────
Stats:
Strength : 24 -> 28
Agility : 24 -> 28
Vitality : 24 -> 28 [HP: 280 / 280]
Stamina : 24 -> 28
Intelligence : 26 -> 32 [Ether: 320 / 320]
─────────────────
Skills:
Ethereal Weaponry(A) - 12 -> 13%
Barrier(E*) - 10%
Sun of Oblivion(S) - 1%
─────────────────
Ael stared at the numbers.
At the stat increases.
At the title.
The Ether Paragon Class.
The Vessel.
"…What am I?"
The question echoed in the quiet of his room, unanswered.