Sirius fixed his gaze fixed on Atticus with a serious intensity. "Listen closely, kid. Our magic system follows a clear progression, moving through various stages of power."
He began to explain, his voice steady. "The journey begins with Novice, the initial stage of awakening and moves on to Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, Master, Grandmaster and then Paragon, the pinnacle of strength.
Most children naturally become Novices around the age of ten, but the tiered families often hasten this process by exposing their children to high mana density environments, causing them to awaken earlier."
Atticus nodded, absorbing the information. "So, being a Novice is just the starting point."
"Exactly," Sirius confirmed. "To progress to higher stages, one must simply absorb mana into their mana core. However, not everyone possesses the same ability to absorb mana. This is where talent comes into play."
Sirius continued, "Talent is categorized into five grades: Dormant, Unlocked, Adept, Empowered, and Transcendent. The higher you talent, the more mana your body can hold, and consequently, how far you can climb the power ladder."
He illustrated the concept further, "For instance, those with Dormant talent will remain Novices throughout their lives, while someone with Unlocked talent can reach the intermediate level and no further. Adept talent can take you up to the expert level, Empowered to grandmaster, and Transcendent to the pinnacle of power, the paragon level."
Atticus furrowed his brow in thought. "And what about Mythical grade talent?"
Sirius' eyes showed slight shock, but he quickly recovered. "Mythical grade talent is a rare, almost legendary phenomenon. It's basically a myth. Where did you hear it from?"
"Mom told me stories about people with mythical grade talent". Atticus lied with a straight face.
"Hmm, okay. It hasn't been seen in a few centuries though. I doubt it even exists". Sirius stated.
Atticus absorbed the information, his mind racing with the possibilities. "So, my talent will determine how far I can go in the magical hierarchy."
"Yes, but remember," Sirius emphasized, "While talent sets the limits, your determination, hard work, and discipline play a significant role in how far you can push those limits. And always bear in mind the responsibility that comes with power."
Atticus nodded, a newfound determination gleaming in his eyes. "I understand."
Sirius offered a small smile. "Since you awakened early, we can assume you have a high talent. You can ask Anastasia to take you to check later"
"Alright," Atticus replied, but in his mind, he thought, 'I don't need her to check. I'm glad I have a system to tell me. Who knows what would happen if word ever got out that I had mythical-grade talent. I trust Mom, but you never know what could happen.'
"Now, let's talk about another aspect of power, Atticus. There are those born with a heritage that grants them unique bloodlines, enhancing their strength and abilities. Your bloodline type is determined by your lineage, tracing back through your family's history."
He took a moment to let that sink in before elaborating further. "For instance, our Ravenstein family has a distinctive bloodline that allows us to manipulate the elements.
Your father has a bloodline that grants him mastery over fire. Lord Magnus, controls the forces of lightning. Ariel, who we tragically lost, possessed dominion over darkness, and I harness the power of air."
Atticus listened intently, his curiosity piqued. "So, bloodlines determine the specific abilities we have."
"Exactly," Sirius confirmed. "But here's the intriguing part, bloodlines can sometimes manifest unexpectedly. You might encounter individuals from ordinary families, both parents devoid of any bloodline, yet their offspring could possess the ability to control fire, for example.
It's a phenomenon we don't fully comprehend, but one hypothesis is that ancestral bloodlines could resurface through generations."
Atticus nodded, absorbing the complexities of bloodlines. "So, it's not solely about your immediate family, but your ancestry as well."
"Indeed," Sirius agreed with a nod. "Now, let's discuss when bloodlines awaken. It typically happens when an individual reaches the Intermediate- rank in power. By then, the potential of your lineage begins to unlock."
Leaning in, he continued, "There are five distinct stages to this power, but I'll only explain three for now."
"In the first stage," Sirius elaborated, "you'll find that you can only wield your bloodline's powers within your immediate touch. Imagine an earth manipulator, who can only control the element when their physical form is in contact with it.
The power remains confined, an extension of your being but limited to your touch alone. It's the starting point, the foundation upon which the rest of your mastery will be built."
His words flowed like a river, carrying Atticus deeper into the revelation. "Then comes stage two," Sirius continued, "where your control extends beyond your body's confines. A fire elementalist, for instance, gains the ability to project flames beyond their fingertips.
However, the control wanes as soon as the power leaves your body – a fleeting burst of your bloodline's potential."
Atticus's gaze held a glint of anticipation, as if the journey had just begun.
"And then, in the third stage," he explained, "your bloodline's reach stretches to encompass a range. Here, you're no longer tethered by proximity. You wield your bloodline with finesse, bending the elements to your will within that defined radius. It's a leap forward, granting you the freedom to shape your power as you see fit.
It's important to note that this primarily applies to individuals with elemental bloodlines. In our world, bloodlines come in diverse forms, each with its unique potential and levels of progression. Among the tiered families, various bloodlines exist, each with its distinct path of development and mastery."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Now that you have a solid grasp of our power system, Atticus, let's move on to a practical aspect, fighting. Given your ability to coat and enhance your body with mana, we'll skip the basics and delve right into it."
A spark of determination flickered in Atticus' eyes. "I'm ready."
"Good," Sirius said with a nod.
Atticus selected one of the wooden swords lined up neatly on a rack. He turned to face Sirius, who stood with a composed expression, his aura radiating a sense of readiness.
Sirius motioned for Atticus to begin. "Attack. Show me what you've got."
Atticus lunged forward with an ardent swing of the wooden sword. His movement was riddled with inexperience. The wooden blade cut through the air with a determined whoosh, aimed at Sirius' form.
Sirius remained unfazed by the sudden assault. With fluid grace, he lifted his own wooden sword, its edge meeting Atticus' strike in a perfectly timed parry. In a seamless motion, Sirius redirected his counterattack, striking Atticus lightly on the head with the flat of his blade.
The impact was enough to make Atticus drop his weapon, his hand instinctively reaching to cradle the spot of impact. His head throbbed, and he winced in response. 'Fuck, that hurt!' Atticus grasped.
"Again!" Sirius' command echoed with unwavering authority, cutting through the training ground. His voice carried a tone that demanded perseverance and relentlessness.
Atticus gritted his teeth, his determination unfaltering despite the slight sting. He retrieved the fallen wooden sword and steadied himself. With a renewed fire in his eyes, he launched into another attack.
With each precise strike and skillful counter, Atticus seamlessly applied the lessons ingrained, seamlessly weaving them into the fabric of battle. His mind was a wellspring of tactical insight, his heightened intelligence stat propelling his every move.
Upon encountering his intelligence stat for the first time, Atticus had been intrigued by the potential it held. Curiosity swirled within him, a longing to unravel the depths of its significance. As he delved into the complexities of his newfound abilities, a gradual realization began to dawn.
The revelation came not in a moment of grand epiphany, but through the gradual assimilation of knowledge. Atticus started to absorb intricate concepts effortlessly, deciphering complex subjects with an ease that left him awestruck. The jigsaw pieces of understanding fell into place, and he realized that the answer was right there, embedded within the system's explanation.
'It determines the ability to learn, reason, and analize information,' the system's explanation echoed in his mind, resonating with clarity. Atticus understood that his intelligence stat was a key to unlocking the realm of comprehension, an open door to rapid absorption and assimilation of knowledge.
Sparring with Sirius and the process of learning from his mistakes assumed a new light. The challenges that once seemed formidable now felt like child's play, for Atticus's elevated intelligence stat imbued him with a mental prowess that elevated his learning curve.
Every interaction with Sirius became a canvas for refining his techniques, an opportunity to fine-tune his strategies and implement them with precision.
As the hours passed, Atticus felt his body grow weary, his muscles aching from the rigorous practice. But he pushed through, driven by his determination to improve. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breath grew heavy, yet he persisted.
By the end of the grueling training session, Atticus stood before Sirius, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.
"You're improving," Sirius acknowledged, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "But remember, this is just the beginning. Your journey to power has just started."
Atticus nodded, his determination unwavering. He then turned and left the training ground.
This was the start of a journey that would shape Atticus into an entity revered by all.