Chapter 9: The Dimensional Awakening

Light stood in the grand hall of the Apex Spire Tower, surrounded by his family. The air was thick with anticipation as Light's family followed him inside, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. His sisters flanked him, their presence a source of comfort, their silent support an unspoken testament to the strength of their bond. They had journeyed together to this moment, and now, they stood at the threshold of an event that would forever alter Light's destiny.

Light stood tall as he entered the awakening chamber, his confidence radiating through the room. His eyes, sharp and focused, swept over the vast, dimly lit space. As they stepped across the threshold, Light felt a shift in the atmosphere. The air inside the chamber was cooler, denser, charged with a faint hum of power that sent a shiver down his spine.

The chamber was enormous, with high ceilings and walls lined with ancient inscriptions that seemed to pulse with a faint, mystical energy. The only light came from the glowing runes etched into the walls, their soft blue luminescence casting an otherworldly glow over everything. In the center of the chamber stood the Awakening Stand, a simple yet imposing pedestal carved from obsidian, on which the Awakening Stone would be placed. The pedestal was empty for now, waiting for the sacred stones that would soon occupy it and play a pivotal role in Light's destiny.

The Collector, a tall figure with piercing eyes that seemed to see through to the soul, regarded Light with a mixture of curiosity and respect. He had seen many young magicians pass through these halls, each with their own hopes and dreams, but there was something different about Light. It wasn't just his age—barely thirteen. It was something deeper, something intangible yet undeniably powerful. Or perhaps it was the calm, unshakeable confidence that radiated from the boy, as if he knew something that no one else did. The Collector's instincts told him that this boy was unlike any he had encountered before.

"Which element do you wish to awaken?" the Collector asked, his voice echoing in the chamber.

Without hesitation, Light's gaze met the Collector's, his eyes steady and filled with a quiet determination. "I wish to awaken the Space Element," he said, his voice clear and resolute.

The word hung in the air, and for a moment, the Collector's expression flickered with something akin to shock. This was the second time this boy had managed to surprise him; the first was when he learned that Light was only 13 years old and already standing in the Awakening Chamber of the Apex Spire Tower, the most prestigious in the Asia Magic Association.

"The Space Element?" he repeated, as if needing to confirm he had heard correctly. His voice held a note of disbelief. "You must understand, awakening the Space Element during a first awakening is nearly impossible. The odds are astronomical."

Light nodded, fully aware of the challenges, but his confidence was unshakeable. "I understand, but I also know that the impossible is merely a challenge waiting to be overcome," he replied calmly, his tone carrying a depth of conviction that left no room for doubt.

The Collector studied him for a long moment, as if trying to decipher the source of this boy's certainty. Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying a tone of cautious respect. "Very well, if you are set on this path, I will do all that is within my power to assist you. However, I must warn you again—this endeavor is fraught with difficulty."

Light didn't waver. "I request the use of a Dimensional Awakening Stone and a Dimensional Guiding Stone to increase my chances," he said, his words deliberate and precise. These were not just any stones; they were among the rarest and most potent tools in the magical world, known to significantly enhance the odds of awakening a difficult element like Space.

The Collector's eyes widened slightly at the boldness of the request. These stones were not only incredibly rare but also exceedingly expensive, and their use was generally reserved for those of high standing within the magical community. "You ask for the best of the best," the Collector murmured, more to himself than to Light. After a brief pause, he nodded decisively. "Very well. I shall grant your request."

He turned to his attendant, a young mage-in-training who had been silently observing the proceedings. "Fetch the highest quality Dimensional Awakening Stone and Guiding Stone," the Collector instructed, his voice carrying the weight of authority. The attendant bowed deeply before hurrying off to fulfill the command, the soft sound of his footsteps echoing in the vast chamber.

As they waited, the Collector turned back to Light. "The process of awakening is a delicate one," he began, his tone now more instructive. "The fewer people present, the better. Too many individuals in the room can lead to interference, both in terms of will and magical energy. It is vital that your focus remains undisturbed."

Hera, who had been standing quietly to the side, stepped forward at this. Her presence was commanding, yet she spoke with a mother's gentle authority. "Everyone will leave, except for Light's sisters—Athena, Su Xuanhua, and Su Hongxiu," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument. "They share the deepest bond with him, and their presence will only strengthen his resolve."

The Collector nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in her words. "As you wish," he said, stepping aside to allow the other family members and attendants to exit the chamber. Soon, only Light, his three sisters, and the Collector remained.

The attendant returned swiftly, carrying the requested stones with the utmost care. He was carrying a gleaming crystal orb— the Dimensional Awakening Stone—and a smaller, intricately carved stone—the Dimensional Guiding Stone. Both were flawless, glowing with an inner light that spoke of their purity and power.

Light noticed that the Awakening Stone was surrounded by lustrous silver pearls, each one radiating the distinct aura of the Space Element. The sight sent a thrill of anticipation through him. His heart raced as the reality of the situation began to sink in—this was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

He placed them on the awakening stand and stepped back to allow the Collector to inspect them.

To ensure the best possible outcome, the Collector had already prepared a complex dimensional magic formation around the awakening stand. This formation, designed to amplify the energy of space magic within the room, was intricately connected to both the Awakening Stone and the Guiding Stone. The Collector explained this to Light as he made final adjustments, his hands moving with practiced precision over the magical sigils.

"These stones are the purest available, free of any impurities," the Collector said, his voice tinged with a note of pride. "You're fortunate to have a family that can provide such resources. For a normal person, this entire setup would cost more than a million in currency. It's an opportunity most can only dream of."

Light acknowledged this with a slight nod, his focus unwavering. He had been taught well by his family, and he understood the drills required for the awakening process. The Collector briefly reiterated the steps, but Light was already familiar with them—his mind was already attuned to what was about to happen.

The collector turned back to Light. "You know the drills," he said. "Clear your mind, focus on your spiritual world, and let the energy of the Awakening Stone guide you. The Dimensional Guiding Stone will help channel the space magic into your spiritual space."

Light listened intently, appreciating the gravity of the situation. He was aware of the drills before a magic awakening, having been well-prepared by his family's extensive knowledge. The Collector, satisfied that everything was in place, gave a final nod of approval. Light nodded, already beginning to center himself.

Once the final preparations were complete, the Collector stepped back, his role now finished. He cast one last look at Light, a mixture of hope and admiration in his eyes. "Good luck, young one," he said quietly before turning to leave the chamber. The heavy door closed behind him with a resonant thud, leaving Light and his sisters alone.

A profound silence fell over the room, the kind of silence that precedes a moment of great significance. Light took a deep breath, clearing his mind of all distractions. This was his moment, and he would not allow anything to disrupt his focus. With a sense of calm determination, he closed his eyes and placed his palm on the cold surface of the Awakening Stone.

As soon as his palm made contact, the stone reacted. A soft light began to blossom from its center, growing brighter and more intense with each passing second. Light focused all his attention on sensing the energy within the stone. He could feel it moving, flowing like a river of power, searching for a place to anchor itself. Light could feel the energy within the stone, a strange, pulsating force that flowed through his palm and into his body.

Suddenly, Light felt a strange, otherworldly sensation. It was as if he was standing in a vast, empty universe, surrounded by the pure, raw energy of the dimensions. The energy flowed through his veins, filling every corner of his being, before finally rushing into his Spiritual Universe.

With his eyes still closed, Light concentrated on this bizarre energy as it coursed through his veins, surging towards his Spiritual Universe. He knew that the key to a successful awakening lay in focusing on his Spiritual World—a void that would appear within his mind when he emptied it of all thought.

The void was vast and empty, like a sky without stars. At first, there was nothing but darkness, an endless expanse of emptiness. It was in this emptiness that the true nature of his element would reveal itself. For a long moment, there was nothing—just the silent void.

But then, suddenly, a miraculous power burst into existence within his Spiritual World. A brilliant silver arc streaked across the darkness, dazzling and magnificent, its radiance filling his mind with a sense of wonder. It was a power unlike anything he had ever felt before, a force that was both majestic and mysterious. The silver light carved out a space within the darkness, a territory that was entirely its own.

It was as if a new life was being born within the chaos of his Spiritual Universe, a force that was both powerful and mysterious. Light could feel the transformation taking place, the very fabric of his Spiritual World changing as the energy claimed its domain.

As Light watched, tiny motes of stardust began to emerge from the void, each one shimmering with a faint silver light. These motes of stardust began to gather, slowly taking shape as they carefully tiptoed into this new territory. They carried with them the intention of invading, of claiming a larger expanse of the void for themselves.

They were small, almost insignificant, but Light knew their importance. These motes of energy were the building blocks of a Mage's power—the more of them that occupied the void, the stronger the Mage would become. It was the essence of their power, the very thing that determined their cultivation.

As the stardust continued to accumulate, it began to coalesce, forming into distinct shapes. One by one, stars started to appear within the void. Light counted them silently in his mind—one, two, three…until finally, all seven stars had taken shape. The formation of the stars signaled the completion of the awakening. And yet, as he gazed upon the stars, Light knew that this was only the beginning.

But there was still one question that remained unanswered: Which element had he awakened?

Light knew that each element has a specific colour of its own.

Silver represented the Space Element.

Space Element!

It must be Space Element.

The silver stardust in his Spiritual World confirmed it, glowing with a light that was both ethereal and profound.

The realization of what he has accomplished filled him with a profound sense of awe. He has done it. He has awakened the Space Element. The silver stardust, the unmistakable sign of the space element, confirmed it.

As Light opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was the silver light flashing from the Awakening Stone, its brilliance filling the room with a radiant glow. He could feel the energy pulsing through him, alive and vibrant, as if the very air around him was charged with magic. His pupils, now glinting with a faint silver hue, reflected the transformation that had taken place within him.

But his sisters, who were still watching intently, had yet to see the full extent of what he had achieved. Slowly, Light opened his eyes, and a brilliant silver glint flashed within his pupils. He looked at the Awakening Stone, now shining with a bright silver arc, the light flickering with a faint crackle of energy.

His sisters had been silent throughout the process, their eyes never leaving the stone. But now, as they saw the silver light emanating from it, their expressions changed. Athena's eyes widened in astonishment, Su Xuanhua's lips parted in a silent gasp, and Su Hongxiu's hands flew to her mouth in disbelief. They knew instantly what this meant—Light had succeeded in awakening the Space Element.

"Congratulations, Light," Athena finally said, her voice breaking the silence. "You've done something that most mages could only dream of. You've awakened the Space Element…on your first try. This is a moment we will never forget."

Su Xuanhua shook her head, unable to tear her gaze away from the stone. "This is beyond extraordinary," she murmured. "Do you know how rare it is to awaken the Space Element on the first try? I can hardly believe it."

Su Hongxiu, usually the most composed of the three, was visibly shaken. "Light, you…you've done something incredible," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "This is a sign of greatness. Do you realize what this means?"

As they congratulated him on his success, Light felt a deep sense of contentment. He had achieved what he had set out to do, and he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them.

And with the power of the Space Element at his command, there was nothing he couldn't accomplish.

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