The Hard Truth

Elaine sit's, her hand stroking Stella's hair as she stares out through the window. Mulling over the encounter she'd had the previous night.

Stella sit's upright abruptly, "Papa!" she shouts' her hand reaching out in front of herself.

Elaine jumps in surprise, then says soothingly. "You're safe, we're at Leviathan Headquarters," She places a hand gently on Stella's shoulder.

"There was smoke, and fire, so much fire." Stella sobs, holding her face in her hands, between sobs she asks, "What happened to my father?"

"Let's take it easy, okay?" Elaine says slowly in a comforting tone, "Can you tell me what your name is first?"

"I'm Stella Luminaria, please just tell me what happened to everyone." Stella turns, staring at Elaine through puffy red eyes.

Elaine lets out a soft sigh, meeting her eyes she gives her the bad news, "You're father died, a arrow killed him before we could arrive..."

Stella sit's with a shocked look on her face, tears slowly tracing down her cheeks. Elaine reaches out, holding her in a soft hug. "I know it's a lot when you just woke up, but you had to know the truth." she says as her hand strokes down Stella's back, "I'm sorry we couldn't stop this from happening."

Stella, still mute and stunned into silence, notices warm drops landing on her hair. "I-It's not your fault," she sobs.

Valeria opens the door after quite some time, seeing the two sitting on the couch and conversing. "Well, it's good to see you finally woke up." She says coming inside and starting some tea on the stove.

"Welcome back, Valeria. She woke up some time ago, but I figured it'd be best if she had some time..." Elaine explains as she comes over putting small snacks on a plate.

"That's quite alright, after all I did tell you to use the room as long as you liked." Valeria smiles, carrying a small plate with three tea-cups on it, she sets them out. Taking a seat as Elaine gives them the muffins she'd plated. Valeria takes the cup and plate, folding her legs over one another, "So, what is your name young lady?"

"I'm Stella Luminaria," she responds quietly. Looking into her tea cup, she gasps at her reflection. Her hand shakes lightly, "Why is my hair Silver..." she asks quietly.

"You've been asleep for 3 days'," Elaine explains, "Due to going through an awakening, Do you remember much that happened before you fell asleep?"

Stella sits staring at her cup for a moment, before speaking. "My father grabbed me from my bed, and had be drink from a flask he always carried with him. It had a silvery liquid inside, and was very sweet." Stella pauses, taking a deep breath, "Then he ran us out of the house, he tossed me under the bushes at the estate. I think that's when I went unconscious... The rest I don't remember," She sips on the tea, gently placing it down.

"Then it sounds like you drank some kind of potion. That means you Awakened by Evolution, it basically means you drank some concoction derived from a Tier 7 or higher being." Valeria smiles lightly at her, "I am sorry for your lose, Your estate was at the edge of our response area. I wish it had been closer..." Valeria trails off staring into her cup, with long sigh.

Elaine set's her teacup down, "Stella," she looks into her eyes. "Just because you are awakened, doesn't mean your required to become a hunter. However, it is an option if you would like to pursue that route."

Stella takes a small bite from the muffin in front of her, meeting elaine's eyes she swallows. "I want to become a hunter, I don't want anyone else to feel the way that I did when I discovered the news."

Valeria smile's brightly, "That's brilliant, since you just awakened we can skip the proficiency exam. If you could try something for me though." Valeria sits up, grabbing her own muffin, "Visualize a Screen of some kind, and say 'System Interface' out loud."

Stella sets her muffin down, sitting upright on the chair. She closes her eyes for a moment, opening them she says. "System Interface."

Valeria watches her closely, "Did anything come up?"

"Y-Yes, should I read through it?" Stella asks her eyes already roaming on the screen that appeared, the same light blue backdrop with a soft white glowing outline.

"Of course, take your time," Valeria says sitting back, "By the way, great job doing it on your first try."

Elaine and Valeria continue making small talk as Stella review's her Interface.

Name: Stella Lunaria

Level 1 (0/100)

Age: 13

Awakened: Evolutionary

Current Race: Half Elf

Health status (Healthy)

Attribute's

Low grade (Yin/Yang, Ice, light)

Strength: 10

Speed: 14

Stamina: 15

Mana: 100

Charm: 2

Luck :1

- Skills

Solar Ray Rank C (Executes a beam of light, from the moon, may be combined with the nature of Yin/Yang)

Ice Sculpture Rank D (The caster can form ice into weapons or defensive structures)

Moon's radiance Rank C (All allies within the effective range of the aura are freed from Fear and Charm status)

"Uh, excuse me," Stella says looking at Valeria nervously.

"Yes, do you have a question about something?" Valeria turns her attention to Stella.

"Sorry for interrupting, but it says here my 'Race,' is Half - Elf?" Stella reaches up, a finger tracing her ear, surprised she does it again. The top of her ear slightly pointed, moving her hair to show Valeria and Elaine

Valeria smiles lightly, "That's normal, most Evolutionary Awakenings can slightly alter your human form into something different." She smiles, opening her mouth a bit and raising her top lip. Two canine's slightly pointed hang down further then her other teeth. "I myself am a Neko, I'm part cat. As you evolve the unique traits will become more pronounced, some Demi-humans will even have alterations to their personality. Some worse than others," Valeria winks, leaning back into her chair.

Elaine smiles, "As a half elf you probably have higher Mana then other awakened at your rank. All the unique traits come with pros and cons'. What are your stats like, if you don't mind me asking."

Stella sits up, "System Interface. It says I'm level one with 10 strength, 14 speed, 15 stamina, 2 charm and 1 luck, with 100 Mana."

Valeria nods her head, "Just as elaine said, a regular awakened will generally have 10-20 in Strength, speed and Stamina, with a 50 in Mana. As you level you will receive 5 skill points so you'll be able to physically catch-up with the others with ease. Putting one point into mana will give you 10 extra mana to use. Putting it into Strength, Speed, Stamina, Charm or Luck will give you +1. Since you already have an exception mana, I'd suggest putting anything you get into strength, speed or stamina until your level 5."