Lord Evolution: Starting With SS-rank Skills

Chapter 193 : Migration ( 43 )

Although Winterseed wasn't a magic-oriented village, the successful awakening of Riela and the appearance of Dragun and Vishirk—who could use magic—made the people understand its power and importance. Therefore, when news spread that Rowan was going to attempt his own awakening, just like Riela, most of the villagers rushed to the village square to witness it.

It was already afternoon, but the sun's glow and heat were gentle, making the environment comfortable and relaxed for everyone.

In the village square, many villagers had already gathered, discussing among themselves.

In the middle stood Dragun, who had just finished drawing the magic formation to aid Rowan's awakening and ward off demons from exploiting his vulnerability during that moment to possess him.

While Dragun worked on the magic formation, Vishirk didn't stay idle; he began drawing a large box on the ground around the formation to prevent the villagers from stepping closer.

The villagers stood outside the box, not daring to step in. They continued discussing among themselves.

A few moments after Dragun completed the magic formation and other preparations, Rowan and Riela arrived.

"Good luck, Lord Rowan!"

"Lord Rowan, we believe your awakening will be successful!"

"Awaken and grow stronger for us, Lord Rowan!"

The people cheered as Rowan strolled toward Dragun.

Rowan responded to their cheers with a smile on his face.

Riela kissed him and wished him good luck before he crossed the line and stepped into the box with Dragun.

Dragun welcomed him and spoke to him for a few minutes before Rowan sat down in the middle of the magic formation, assuming a meditative position.

He then brought out the awakening potion from his inventory and stared at the bottle of glowing liquid for a few seconds, as if contemplating.

After a few moments, he heaved a sigh, uncorked the bottle, and downed the contents in one gulp.

The liquid slid down his throat; its taste was difficult to describe—it was sweet, bitter, sour, and somewhat hot all at the same time.

While Rowan was trying to decipher the potion's taste, Dragun began chanting.

The magic formation around Rowan lit up immediately.

Small pillars of light appeared at different nodes of the formation. The pillars grew taller by the second, and after a few minutes, a glowing cage entrapped Rowan.

Almost simultaneously, Rowan felt a burning sensation in his stomach, as though all his internal organs were being fried.

Rowan's eyes were shut; the movement of his eyelids revealed to the people the pain he was enduring.

A few seconds after the burning sensation appeared, the pain intensified rapidly.

Not only did it intensify, but it also spread across his body, first invading his stomach before traveling down to the tip of every limb.

The pain was indescribable; it was as though he was experiencing every form of torture simultaneously.

Mostly, he felt as if his body were being cooked in a pot of boiling lava—it was hell!

His body began to tremble, his muscles tightening uncontrollably. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, trickling down his face.

The villagers noticed the change, and murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Is he alright?" someone whispered.

"He looks like he's in so much pain," another replied, concern evident in their voice.

Dragun and Vishirk were the only calm ones at this moment; they knew what was happening within Rowan. They could only pray that he wouldn't succumb to the pain.

The captains and soldiers were worried and scared for Rowan as well.

As for Riela, she appeared visibly worried; her hands clutched the hem of her dress tightly, and her mouth moved rapidly, silently, as though she was praying.

Meanwhile, Rowan's trembling escalated into violent shivers. His hands gripped his knees tightly, knuckles turning white.

The agony was overwhelming, and he could no longer contain it.

With a sudden burst, he let out a loud scream—a sound filled with pain, rage, and other dark emotions—that echoed throughout the village square.

The villagers gasped, some taking a step back. Silence fell upon them as they watched him, their hearts pounding.

They had witnessed Riela's awakening, but hers hadn't appeared this painful.

Rowan's scream of intense emotion continued for two more minutes before, all of a sudden, he fell silent.

He remained in his meditative position, eyes closed, face expressionless. The sudden stillness was unsettling.

"What's happening?" a young man asked nervously.

"Is it supposed to be like this?" another murmured.

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, troubled by the sight of Rowan's motionless form.

Riela stood at the edge of the box, her hands clasped tightly together. Worry flickered in her eyes, but she held her ground, trusting in Rowan's strength.

While the silence was threatening to the villagers, to Dragun and Vishirk it was a sign that the awakening was proceeding successfully.

'He has entered the phase that determines his magic path!' Dragun thought as he observed his son.

Would he succeed in becoming a mage like him? Or would he fail?

While he hoped for the former, he couldn't be certain that the latter wouldn't occur.

While everyone gazed upon Rowan, his consciousness snapped out of his body and appeared in a strange dark place.

Rowan calmly observed the dense darkness around him, trying to understand his current location.

But then, a sharp and glorious light blasted across the space, banishing the darkness at once and almost blinding him, causing him to shield his face with his hands.

The intense glow subsided.

Rowan lowered his hands from his eyes and observed his now transformed surroundings.

"A cave?" he muttered with a frown, observing his new surroundings.

Rowan looked around and saw he was in a bright cave-like structure. The walls were covered with various symbols and historical drawings of bloody wars. Each drawing depicted fierce battles and the struggles of the past. The symbols glowed softly, casting light on the ancient scenes.

As Rowan continued to study the walls, trying to understand their meaning, a voice suddenly called out to him. It was loud and clear, echoing through the cave—a powerful voice.

"I knew you would stubbornly awaken magic, dumbass."