Ancestral Lineage

Chapter 43 Ancestral-line. Ancestry Races(2).

"Now, let's move on to my race, the Dwarves. Only a few know what dwarves really are. The rest are just assumptions," Madeleine began, calm yet commanding. Ethan was immediately hooked, ready to absorb the knowledge.

"The name 'Dwarf' has always been associated with short stature, and that's what most people have taken as reality. Sure, dwarves are short, but that's just a surface-level observation. In truth, we can grow as tall as any other race. Our ancestor was said to be nearly 8 feet tall. So why are we called Dwarves? That's a mystery that we haven't even fully unraveled." Madeleine smiled faintly, the mystery seemingly as old as time itself.

Ethan leaned in closer, intrigued.

"Dwarves are masters of forge and earth—everyone knows that—but that's just the most basic trait of our kind. All dwarves possess these talents, though not all of us choose to become forgers. Some of us, like myself, take different paths." She paused, looking at Ethan with pride.

"However, what most don't realize is how our power is connected to our breed. For example, an Earth Dwarf has a 90% chance of awakening the Earth affinity. But here's where it gets interesting—whenever we are near the earth, our power increases by 30%. Of course, you must first understand the earth itself to unlock that potential. A Noble Dwarf like me gains a 50% power boost from heat in the environment, while the rarest breed, the Dwarf King, gains a 100% boost from the presence of lightning in the atmosphere."

"That's... insane," Ethan muttered, imagining the implications of such power boosts.

"It can be considered overpowered, but it comes with a price," Madeleine cautioned. "To wield these powers, you must first fully comprehend their core principles. Earth, heat, and lightning are not just elements for us—they are part of our being. Understanding them is what allows us to temper our bodies and minds."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. This wasn't just about brute strength. It was about mastery.

"As we grow and use these traits, our bodies evolve naturally, strengthening to accumulate and channel more power. Eventually, a dwarf's body can become as hard as metal, impervious to most attacks. It's one of the reasons why we're so feared in battle."

Ethan's mind raced. He could imagine the sheer strength a Dwarf could unleash once fully evolved.

"But there's more. Dwarves are known for their wisdom. We're naturally adept at mastering our affinities, and we can even mutate them with our inherent traits. Imagine water as hard as stone, or earth infused with lightning. The possibilities are endless."

Ethan could barely contain his excitement. This was more than just power; this was innovation, and creativity—the kind of strength that came from deep understanding and strategy.

"And then there's our physical appearance," Madeleine added with a sly smile. "Have you ever seen a dwarf in their true form?"

...

He glanced at the system notification and saw that his progress toward racial evolution had almost reached completion. He was just a breath away from unlocking it, but he still needed something—perhaps witnessing a vampire transformation would tip him over the edge.

Before he could dwell on that thought, Ethan decided to ask about Sync. His mom had been so knowledgeable so far—maybe she could shed some light on that as well.

"Mom, do you know anything about Sync?" Ethan asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Madeleine's eyes widened in surprise. "Sync? Have you already achieved Sync? My Ethan is a genius! I'm so proud of you!"

"Wait, what? What do you mean?" Ethan was taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm.

"Sync is a special skill, Ethan. It allows you to merge with your spirit beast for a certain period. You share everything—senses, abilities, power. It's like becoming one being. And the benefits are enormous. Your power is amplified, and if you're lucky, you might even achieve enlightenment."

"That sounds... incredible," Ethan whispered, his mind racing at the thought of merging with Angitia, his serpent.

"Not many achieve Sync, though," Madeleine continued. "Only about 10% of mages ever reach that level of connection with their spirit beasts. Most see their beasts as mere tools, but Sync requires a deep bond—trust, respect, love."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. He had always treated Angitia as more than just a beast. She was his partner, his friend. Maybe that's why he could feel Sync approaching.

"Don't worry too much about it, though," Madeleine reassured him. "The fact that you've felt Sync means you're on the right path. You just need to continue deepening your bond with Angitia. In time, you'll achieve it fully."

Ethan smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and relief. His progress toward Sync had moved to 2%, a small but significant step forward. Now, he just needed to focus on becoming one with his spirit beast.

For the next hour, Ethan and his mother talked about everything—his life at school, his friends Clara and Harley, and random things like his favorite foods. It felt good to have some time together, and as they laughed and shared stories, Ethan couldn't help but feel grateful for the guidance and love she had always given him.