Chapter 12 - Ascent

  I never felt particularly enamored with my past life while I was growing up. Even though the world was wide enough to explore and rich enough to travel, everything within it felt strangely dull. Too cataloged, too familiar, too worn down by those who came before me. There was a saying back on Earth that always sounded corny to me, but I admit it carried a grain of truth. People said that my generation was born too late to discover the world and too early to explore the stars. Forever stuck in an age where discovery existed only in history books or science fiction.

  Looking back now, that sentiment fits me perfectly.

  I never had the slightest spark of adventure in my old life. Yet all of that changed the moment I woke up here on Silara after being turned into paste by a truck. A ridiculous ending to one life, and a miraculous beginning to another.

  Everything about this world feels magical. The things I used to dream about and read in novels have become real here. Not just real, but woven into everyday life. A constant hum of wonder fills the air, igniting something deep inside me that I never knew existed. Each new discovery is like a breath of fresh air feeding a long-neglected flame.

  Meeting the dwarves amplified that feeling even more. Their underground city, their craftsmanship, their stories and culture, all of it is brand new and uniquely theirs. Even the ascent up this mountain filled me with excitement the moment my father told me I could join him. This world is a second chance, and although I felt the ache of loss when I first arrived, the abundance of new experiences has almost made me grateful for the chance to live again.

  After ten years in this life, I have also realized something important. My encounter with that so-called Santa was not normal. The older I grow, the more obvious it becomes that I am not an average existence in this world. Being Lightning Touched, awakening the System early, even if not fully, and the strange way events seem to unfold around me all point to that same conclusion.

  I cannot afford to waste this blessing. I cannot sit idle and ignore the advantages I have been given. This short trip alone has shown me that if I train hard and develop my magic properly, I can become truly powerful at a young age. It is an awe inspiring thought that fills me with—

  A sudden shout shattered my daydream.

  "By the gods, this waterfall hits like a damn Minotaur!" Sir Darvish bellowed.

  So much for quiet contemplation.

  We had crossed the crystalline pond beneath the falls only to realize that the water was no ordinary water. It stung like a physical blow. Father shook droplets from his armor and muttered, "Clever dwarf. He enchanted the waterfall to cleanse anyone passing through. A full mana wash disguised as nature. Could not even tell until we stepped inside."

  I trailed a few steps behind them, curious despite the discomfort. Before stepping through, I tried to inspect the water with my Mana Sense.

  The regret was immediate.

  A burning white light flashed across my vision. I recoiled and grabbed my eyes.

  "Augh, what the fu—"

  Father and Sir Darvish hurried back toward me. Father raised his voice over the thundering water. "What happened, Lance?"

  I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision. "I looked at the waterfall with Mana Sense. It was like staring directly at the sun."

  Sir Darvish placed a strong hand on my shoulder to guide me forward. "The entire waterfall is enchanted, Sir Lance. Imagine every droplet infused with mana. Now imagine all of them combined. That brightness is overwhelming for someone still new to Mana Sight."

  I could have guessed that much, but I had not expected the intensity. Thankfully, we finally stepped out from the deluge.

  As we reached dry ground, a booming voice struck our ears before we even absorbed the surroundings.

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  "Put ye back into it, lad! Garth wanted these done yesterday!"

  We found the source. A grizzled dwarf stood among miners, his helmet topped with a flickering light, his pickaxe resting across his shoulder. Father immediately produced the Keeper Medallion, letting it materialize in his hand as we approached.

  The dwarf slid a round glass lens down from his helmet. It clicked into place over his right eye and glowed with a faint blue hue as he inspected us.

  Father began to speak. "Sir, we just finished speaking with your Clan Head, Garth, about pass—"

  The dwarf silenced him with a single, flat stare.

  "Aye, I knew you were coming." He paced around us, analyzing every detail. "Tier Five. Quite young, you are. Impressive. Lightning affinity. Your boy has it too, only brighter. Hm. Got carried away for a moment, forgive me. You want passage?"

  He led us deeper into the tunnel network. Miners glanced up at us from their work, curiosity flickering across their soot-covered faces.

  "Yes," my father answered, "we aim for the top of the mountain. Your tunnels save us considerable time. Will you guide us?"

  The dwarf barked a laugh. "Me? No chance. One of our little tunnel rats will take care of that."

  He pressed his palm against the stone wall. Without chanting or posing dramatically, he channeled mana directly into the rock. The stone trembled, softened, and began to reshape itself under his touch. A small creature outlined itself, gaining form like a sculpture being sculpted from clay.

  Within ten seconds, he withdrew his hand and held a clay-like creature that resembled a mole rat the length of his arm.

  "This little golem will guide you to the end of our tunnels. It will not take you all the way, but far enough." He placed it gently at Father’s feet. "Be careful, Keeper. The miners have been hearing strange digging deeper in the mountain. Creatures moving where they should not be."

  Father bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. Every dwarf we have met has been nothing but helpful. Give this to your Clan Head. If he ever needs anything, tell him Sir Lars Loren, Baron of Knighthelm, will be near."

  The dwarf accepted the crested medallion and gave a respectful nod. "Off you go. The vermin will not last forever."

  We took the hint and followed the golem deeper into the tunnel.

  Sir Darvish eventually broke the silence. "Lars, what is the plan once we reach the surface? I know we will be hiking, but I have never traveled this route."

  Father answered calmly. "I will make contact with the Guardian once we exit the tunnel. From there, he should send a guide or... something. The last time I met him was not exactly by choice."

  A thrill ran through me. The Guardian of the North. I could hardly contain my excitement.

  I decided to ask a few questions while I still had the chance. "Father, why did you not ask the first dwarf for his name when we entered the tunnel earlier?"

  He chuckled lightly. "Dwarves have a custom. Proper introductions require an entire day of drinking and exchanging stories and secrets. We did not have the time, so I refrained. Perhaps another day."

  I suspected he was simplifying the truth, but the custom sounded entertaining regardless.

  Another question tugged at me. "How did they know so much about us? That dwarf knew you were Tier Five and even your affinity."

  Father nodded. "Nearly every dwarf we passed is Tier Two or higher, aside from the children. The important ones we met were Tier Four, and their Clan Head is Tier Five like myself. The System also plays a role, which you will gain access to soon. And the dwarf who made the golem had a pair of MageCraft Oculars. Gnome work. They can reveal more information than most people realize."

  My questions only multiplied, but I knew it was best to save them until I gained my System access.

  "Stay close," Father warned. "We are nearing the end."

  He gripped his war axe. Sir Darvish raised his spear. I instinctively reached for the custom elven blades strapped at my lower back. I was meant to receive them on my tenth birthday, but Mother gave them to me early for this trip.

  Light glimmered at the far end of the tunnel.

  I was about to complain about how long we had been walking when Father abruptly halted. Sir Darvish shifted behind me, placing me between them.

  Father’s voice dropped. "Darvy, left side. Three of them, moving fast. I cannot tell if they are digging toward us or waiting at the exit. Prepare yourself."

  Sir Darvish grinned. "Finally. I was getting bored."

  A cold shiver ran through me.

  Scary.

  ---

  ─── SYSTEM STATUS ───

  Name: Lance Loren

  Family: House Loren, Knighthelm Frostwall

  Tier: 0

  Level: 0 Experience: (0/100)

  Class:(N/A)

  Core: (N/A)

  AFFINITIES: (N/A)

  BOND:(N/A)

  BLESSINGS: [REDACTED] (Ancient, Bloodline)

  -Effects: [REDACTED]

  SKILLS (N/A)

  Class Skills (N/A)

  TIME TO ASCENSION: 35 Days

  ─── SYSTEM STATUS ───