"Only a portion?" Julian asked, pushing the matter of the soul weapon aside.
"Yes." Magnus said. "Every race, except humans, undergo two awakenings. The first is at 5 years of age, where you awaken the physical characteristics of your race. And then at 10.
And since you're a vampire and part dragon, you're going to see an increase in speed, agility, strength, and a strong body."
"Why two?" Isadora asked.
"You remember that red wisp that came from daddy's hands?" He asked and Isadora nodded. "That was mana. You awaken that along with your status, affinities, and titles at the second awakening.
But the process is too much for a regular ten year old to handle, that's why the gods gave us two awakenings, so that your body can grow stronger and be able to handle the toll of the second awakening."
'A status?' Julian thought.
Almost all main characters in a reincarnation novel awakened one, and Julian was certain that he too, will get a system.
Even though he wasn't given one yet, he had this instinctive feeling that he would definitely get one, it was just a matter of time.
But now, Julian heard that he will not be the only one with this advantage, and he felt kind of disappointed that he was not as special as he thought, but there was no complaints from him.
The fact that he would get one is good enough for him. Beggars can't be choosers, after all.
"Why don't humans get two awakenings?" Julian asked the question that plagued him the most.
"No one knows or rather no one cared enough to find out, but the gods compensated the humans for this, by making special families high humans–they called themselves 'nobles'–and gave them blessings that the humans called Bloodlines."
"High humans?" Isadora asked.
"Let's just say that they are better than your ordinary human in every way possible. Better looks, higher physical strength, more intellectual capacity, and they grow faster.
A 5 year old high human will look like a 7 year old ordinary human, at the same age.
But this doesn't mean that ordinary humans can't awaken, it will just be excruciatingly painful and they will be weaker in power than a high human." Magnus said.
"And bloodlines?" Julian asked.
"High humans are very secretive about this, so there is not much I can tell you. But what I do know, is that, the strength of the bloodline depends on its grade.
It's graded from common at the lowest, to uncommon, rare, epic, legendary and mythical at the very top.
Oh, and the type of bloodline depends on which god the family serves. For instance, a family that serves Zeus will gain the 'Bloodline of the Lightning God'.
This is a very powerful bloodline, and the wielders can bend lightning in mind-boggling ways."
"And affinities?" Julian already knew what they were, but still asked in order not to appear suspicious.
"You can learn more about it in the library?" Carmilla cut in, noticing that they were going off track.
Julian relented, remembering why they came here in the first place.
"Right," Magnus said, scratching the back of his neck. "Julian, place your hand on the awakening stone."
Julian did as told, and put his right hand on the smooth red stone. It was cold to the touch.
A hum of energy released from the stone and vanished into Julian's hand through his pores. Julian could feel it moving along his veins, into his blood and soul.
It felt like worms crawling underneath his skin.
Julian attempted to move his hand away from the stone, but was unable to move a muscle. He felt like he was trapped into his own body.
Like the day he first came to this world.
He gained back control of his body a moment later, and immediately withdrew his hand from the stone.
Julian clenched his fist, and he felt power flowing through his veins. It wasn't much, but it was way more than any five year old should have.
"How does it feel?" Carmilla asked.
"It feels strange, but not uncomfortable. Like... the good kind of strange." Julian said, still staring, clenching and unclenching his hand in amazement.
"That's good," Carmilla said, "no unwanted side effects."
There has never once been a case where an awakening stone caused a child to have negative side effects, but Carmilla's motherly instincts didn't care.
"Isa, you're next." Magnus announced.
Isadora stepped in to the awakening stone, placed her hand on it, and the energy coursed through her being too.
"Wow! That was awesome!" Isadora was filled with joy.
Between the two of them, Isadora were the only one that sometimes acted like her age, though rare.
Julian never once acted like a toddler, but he was a special case, after all.
"That's good, Isa. But we're not done yet." Carmilla said.
"Oh, what's next?" Julian asked.
"Weapon choosing."
Julian's eyes widened in anticipation, a big smile appeared on his face. He looked very cute in that moment, and it was the first time he acted like a child.
"Pick any weapon you like." Magnus said.
Julian move slowly through the assortment of weapons, scanning them, paying astute attention to detail.
Each of the weapons were impressive in their own right, but none of them spoke to him.
Julian knew how important choosing the right weapon is, as it is a choice that will follow one for the rest of their life.
That's why he wasn't hasty with it.
A moment later, he caught something in the corner of his eye.
Encased in the two separate glass box, were two weapons floating next to each other.
Two katanas.
They were impeccable weapons, made of fine iron. The blades was curved, sharp and dark. Like the absence of light, dark.
The hilts were made of black and red leather, and at the end of the hilts, two red ribbons were tied.
(Image in discord channel)
'They are probably meant for a left handed and red handed swordsman.' Julian didn't know if that was a thing, but with no one to rebuke him, he considered it true.
"That's a good choice son." Magnus praised. "Which one will you choose?"
Julian pondered for a moment, but then the edge of his mouth curled up into a smile.
"Father," he began, never once taking his eyes off the weapons, "why would I choose between this one and that one, when I know that I can have both?"
Magnus looked at his strangely for a moment, then the corner of his lips also went up into a smile.
He liked what he heard.
"I guess you made your choice then?" Magnus removed the glass cases and handed the weapons to Julian.
The moment Julian took hold of the katanas, he felt their energies invading his soul. Their combined energy was chaotic, they were clearly fighting one another.
Julian closed his eyes, and reached deep inside of him. Into his soul.
He didn't know how he could do this, but he instinctively followed what his heart told and it said that he could pull it of.
He could feel the two energies of the sword colliding, so he tried to mediate between them, but his efforts was in vain.
The katanas were not listening to him.
So, he decided to try another approach.
Instead of trying to calmly get the weapons to get along with each other, Julian decided to enforce his will on the weapons and get them to bow down to him.
It took some time, but the energies finally calmed down in his soul space, obediently floating.
Julian willed for the two energies to merge.
The energies showed apprehension for this, but when Julian added more of his willpower, they did as told.
"Haaah." Finally opening his eyes, Julian sighed, exhausted.
But when he felt the connection between the two weapons, his exhaustion vanished.
"These weapons," he murmured under his breath, "are a work of art.
Simply holding it, I can feel the thousands, no, tens of thousands of times when steel hammered steel to forge it.
Their weight in my hands, the perfect balance, a testament of craftsmanship developed over years and years of making swords.
I shall take these weapons to battle.
With these swords, I will defeat all the enemies of the empire.
My name, Julian Valerius Dracul, will be feared in the hearts of our–"
"Julian!" Carmilla called out breaking Julian out of dreamland.
"H-huh?!" Julian asked, cheeks heating up.
"Did you say something?" Carmilla looked worried.
"N-no!" Julian said quickly. "I just said that these were good weapons."
"Are you sure?" Concern was evident in her voice.
"Yes!" Julian's whole face has turned red by now.