Chapter 2: Secrets of the Past

After dinner, Light retreated to his room. He sat by the window, gazing at the stars and the hanging moon. The tranquility of the night provided a perfect backdrop for his thoughts to wander back to his conversation with Old Man Ying. The old man's tales had stirred something deep within him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the world of magic than what he had been taught.

---

"Light, your awakening ceremony is coming up soon, isn't it?" Old Man Ying had asked as they sat on the porch sipping tea.

Light nodded. "Yes, it is. I'm both excited and nervous."

Old Man Ying smiled kindly. "That's natural. You're on the brink of a great journey, my boy. Your time will come."

The conversation shifted to magic and the old stories that Old Man Ying loved to tell. He spoke of totem beasts, ancient creatures of immense power and wisdom. According to the old man, these beasts once roamed the earth, protecting humans and guiding them.

"But the Magic Association refuses to acknowledge their existence," Old Man Ying said, a note of bitterness in his voice. "They've erased the totem beasts from history, wanting to believe that humans were never under their protection."

Light listened intently. He had heard these stories many times, but they never ceased to fascinate him. Old Man Ying claimed to be a member of a totem tribe, one of the few remaining who remembered the truth.

"They don't want to accept that we were once like children under the care of these mighty beings," Old Man Ying continued. "Their arrogance blinds them. They prefer to see themselves as the pinnacle of power."

Light frowned. "Why is the Magic Association so against the idea of totem beasts?"

Old Man Ying sighed, his eyes gazing into the distance as if recalling a time long past. "The Magic Association fears anything that could challenge their authority. The totem beasts were incredibly powerful, ancient creatures with wisdom and strength far beyond our understanding. They lived in harmony with humans, protecting them and guiding them through difficult times. However, the Association couldn't accept the idea that something greater than them existed."

Light leaned in closer, captivated by the old man's words. "So, they just erased them from history?"

Old Man Ying nodded slowly. "Yes. The Magic Association embarked on a campaign to eradicate any mention of totem beasts from our records. They propagated the belief that humans were always the dominant force, that we never needed guidance or protection from these beings. It was a move to consolidate their power, to ensure that no one would question their authority."

He paused, looking at Light with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "The totem beasts represented a different kind of power—one that was based on balance, respect, and mutual growth. The Association's power, on the other hand, is based on control and dominance. They feared the influence and the following that the totem beasts might garner, should their true history be known."

Light's mind buzzed with this new understanding. "Is there any way to bring this knowledge back? To make people see the truth?"

Old Man Ying sighed deeply. "It's a difficult path, Light. The Magic Association has a tight grip on the dissemination of information. But there are those, like myself, who remember and pass on these stories. It's up to the new generation to question, to seek the truth, and to bring back the balance that has been lost."

Old Man Ying then leaned closer and whispered, "Among the totem beasts, there were four leaders known as the Sacred Totem Beasts. Their leader was the Azure Dragon, a majestic creature of immense power and wisdom. Alongside the Azure Dragon were the Sacred Totem Vermillion Bird, known for its fiery spirit and grace, the White Tiger, a symbol of strength and courage, and the Black Tortoise, a guardian of the earth and waters."

Light's eyes widened in awe as Old Man Ying continued. "These Sacred Totem Beasts led other totems such as the Moon Moth Phoenix, revered for its beauty and healing abilities, the Silver Serpent, master of cunning and stealth, the Crimson Wolf, known for its loyalty and pack mentality, the Sapphire Falcon, a symbol of freedom and precision, the Lightning Eagle, a watcher of the skies, the Divine Fiery Bird, bringer of transformation, the Obsidian Lion, a bastion of courage, and many others. Each of these totem beasts played a vital role in maintaining the balance of our world."

---

Lost in thought, Light didn't notice his sister approaching. It was only when Su Xuanhua, his second eldest sister, called his name that he snapped back to reality.

"Light, what are you doing out here so late?"Su Xuanhua asked, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She was tall and slender, with sharp features and an air of confidence.

Light looked up at her and smiled. "Just thinking about something Old Man Ying told me yesterday."

Su Xuanhua raised an eyebrow. "Old Man Ying? The gatekeeper? What did he say?"

Before Light could respond, Su Hongxiu, his other elder sister, joined them. With her short, wavy hair and warm brown eyes, Su Hongxiu had a more approachable and gentle demeanor. She was half a head shorter than Su Xuanhua but still carried herself with grace.

"Hey, Light. Hey, Xuanhua," Su Hongxiu greeted them. "What are you two talking about?"

"Light was just about to tell us something Old Man Ying told him,"Su Xuanhua replied, looking expectantly at Light.

Light sighed and recounted the conversation he had with Old Man Ying about the totem beasts, including the details about the Sacred Totem Beasts. When he finished, both his sisters looked thoughtful.

"I've heard a little about totem beasts," Su Xuanhua said slowly. "There are a couple of ancient books in the library that mention them, but the information is sparse."

"Yeah, I remember reading about them too," Su Hongxiu added. "But we don't know much beyond what's in those books. It's interesting that Old Man Ying knows so much."

"Well, he claims to be part of a totem tribe," Light said. "He seemed really passionate about it."

Su Xuanhua nodded. "It sounds like there's a lot more to learn. We should try to find those books and see what else they can tell us."

Su Hongxiu smiled. "But let's not get too caught up in ancient legends. We should focus on our cultivation too. How's your study going, Light?"

"It's going well," Light replied. "I've been learning a lot, especially since my awakening ceremony is coming up."

"That's great," said Su Hongxiu. "I remember my ceremony. It was nerve-wracking but also exciting. You'll do great."

"How's your cultivation going, Hongxiu?" Light asked.

Su Hongxiu's eyes sparkled. "I awakened one year ago, and it's been amazing. I'm learning so much every day. The feeling of channeling magic, of connecting with the elements, is incredible."

"You have awakened powerful FIRE element ." Light asked.

"Yes," Hongxiu replied with a smile. "It's powerful and vibrant. I love the way it feels, like I'm holding a piece of the sun in my hands."

"That's good," Light said, his eyes filled with admiration. "And you, Xuanhua? How's your training going?"

Su Xuanhua smiled proudly. "I'm in my second year of magic high school, and I'm making good progress. I awakened the trynnical LIGHTNING element, which is all about speed and swiftness. It's challenging but also incredibly rewarding."

Light nodded, absorbing their words. "I can't wait for my own awakening. I hope I get something unique."

"You will, Light," Su Hongxiu said reassuringly. "You've always been special."

Just then, Ye Xin Xia, Light's younger sister, appeared. With her delicate features and soft, chestnut hair, she looked every bit the picture of innocence. She used a wheelchair due to her inability to walk, but her spirit was undeterred.

"Good evening, everyone," Ye Xin Xia greeted, her voice cheerful.

"Evening, Xin Xia," they all replied.

"What are you all talking about?" Xin Xia asked, wheeling herself closer.

"Old Man Ying's stories about totem beasts," Light explained. "But now we're catching up on our training progress."

Xin Xia's eyes widened with curiosity. "Totem beasts? That sounds interesting. But I'm still just learning the basics in primary magic school."

"You'll get there, Xin Xia," Su Xuanhua said warmly. "We all start somewhere."

They continued talking about their training and their eldest sister, Athena, who was studying at the Imperial College, the top magic college in the country.

"Athena is doing amazing things at the Imperial College," Su Xuanhua said with pride. "She's making a name for herself."

"I heard she's already one of the top students," Su Hongxiu added. "Her dedication and hard work are paying off."

Light smiled, feeling a surge of inspiration. "Athena has always been incredible. I want to follow in her footsteps."

"You will, Light," Su Hongxiu said. "We all believe in you."

As the night grew deeper, the siblings eventually said their goodnights and went to their rooms. Light and Athena used to share a room before she went away to the Imperial College. Now, Light had the room to himself, while Su Hongxiu and Su Xuanhua shared another, and Ye Xin Xia had her own.

Light climbed the stairs and went to the rooftop, gazing up at the stars and the moon. The cool night air was refreshing, and he felt a deep sense of peace.

"I want to awaken the dimensional magic:

Space element," Light thought to himself. It was a rare element, one that even advanced mages found difficult to master. But Light felt a connection to it, a calling.

"I hope I can awaken the Space element," he whispered to the stars. "It would be amazing."

After some time, Light returned to his room and pulled out an old book about totem beasts. He read until his eyes grew heavy, the stories of ancient creatures filling his dreams. With a final, sleepy glance at the stars outside his window, Light drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with visions of majestic totem beasts and the hope of his own awakening.