Awaken: Dying Light

Choices And Consequences

Jayden focused intently on every word his father said, and as he did, he noticed something peculiar. Upon checking his status again, he observed that "Willpower" appeared on his transparent screen, yet his father had not mentioned this particular attribute at all.

"Father, you mentioned that there are only 5 main statuses. Is it possible for other ones to appear, and if so, how can I increase them?" Jayden inquired, his mind buzzing with countless questions. He was eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible to be better, stronger, and faster. He wanted to live his life fully and without any restrictions.

His father paused before responding. "Son, throughout history, there have only been 5 main stats recognized, but I can only speak to what is recorded in our history books. Legends and rumors whisper of rare individuals possessing additional attributes, but their existence remains unconfirmed."

"Very well, father. Can you-"

"Sweetheart, I think it's important for you to rest," his mother interrupted gently, placing a cool hand on his forehead. "You've been through so much, and I know you have a lot of questions for us. But for now, let's focus on your well-being. I promise that once you're feeling better, we'll answer all of your questions." She planted a soft kiss on his forehead as she and Elio left the room.

Silence descended upon the room after their departure. Jayden closed his eyes, the exhaustion of the ordeal finally catching up to him. Yet, his mind remained active, replaying his father's words about the additional stat and the whispers of legendary figures. Sleep eventually claimed him, but the seeds of curiosity had been firmly planted.

Meanwhile, in the living room, a different kind of tension simmered. Valeria and Ruele exchanged a worried glance as Elio entered, his face a mask of conflicting emotions.

"What do you think, Elio?" Valeria asked, breaking the silence.

Elio stood by the window, his gaze lost in the blue-as-sky ceiling. A long moment passed before he spoke, his voice barely a whisper, "Monster!"

Valeria and Ruele's brows furrowed in unison. Ruele's face hardened. "Elio! How can you say that about your son?"

Elio turned, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Hahaha, you don't understand, my wife. My hands are still shaking right now. Let me ask you both, why don't we let our kids awaken without any supervision?"

"That's common sense," Ruele answered, her voice laced with annoyance. "Even though the surge of power from the mana core can't affect the awakened one, that's not the same for the people around them. Also, if even a small thing goes wrong, he can be crippled or worse, die. That's why the Central Government put the rule in place."

"Good, good," Elio chuckled, a glint of pride in his eyes. "So, Jayden awakening at the age of only four blasted a quarter of our mansion! Do you get that? How much power was generated by his awakening to do that?"

Valeria's jaw dropped. "Son, what do you mean by that?" she stammered, her confusion mirroring Ruele's. "You told everyone that the intruder blasted the room as he tried to kill Jayden, but he awakened in that instant and with some heaven-defying luck, the power of his mana core protected him."

Elio looked at them with a mischievous glint in his eyes. With a flourish, he produced a tattered scroll from seemingly thin air, placing it on the table with a dramatic thud.

"Do you know what this is?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ruele's breath hitched. "N-no way!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. Valeria, equally shocked, stared at the scroll in Elio's hands with a mixture of awe and dread.

"D-don't tell me that this, but how, where is the body?" Ruele stammered, her voice trembling.

"The body...good question," Elio mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I couldn't find the body anywhere, so my only explanation is that Jayden's awakening completely pulverized that guy." A thrill of excitement coursed through him as he contemplated the implications.

"What sort of skill is that?" Valeria finally managed to ask, her curiosity piqued.

Elio shrugged. "No clue, and I won't look at it. It's Jayden's property, and only he will have a look at the scroll. If he doesn't want it, then we can take a peek after."

Understanding dawned on Valeria and Ruele's faces. They both knew the importance of respecting Jayden's privacy and allowing him to make his own choices. Despite the awe they felt at their son's immense potential, a flicker of concern remained. The power Jayden possessed was both a blessing and a curse, a double-edged sword that could elevate him or endanger him.

"Now, onto some more serious stuff," Elio said, his tone turning serious as he faced Ruele. "Once he's fully recovered, Jayden will begin a comprehensive education program. He'll delve into the history of our world, learn valuable geographical lessons, and acquire other knowledge crucial for his growth. Additionally, if he's willing, we can initiate combat training as soon as possible."

He outlined a rigorous plan that would encompass various disciplines, aiming to prepare Jayden for the challenges that lay ahead. Valeria listened intently, her heart clenching with a mixture of pride and apprehension.

"No!" Ruele exclaimed, her voice rising above a whisper. She slammed her fist on the table, startling both Elio and Valeria. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood up, her voice trembling with emotion. "He'll spend the next eight years living a normal childhood! I want him to experience the joys of playing with friends, exploring the world with innocent curiosity, and simply being a child. There will be time for training later when he's older and can understand the burden he carries."

Elio reached out to touch her hand, his expression softening. "Honey, please, just listen to me," he pleaded. "I want to protect him just as much as you do. That's why I'm proposing this. If he's prepared, if he has a head start, he might be able to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. He might even succeed where our ancestors failed...where we failed."

Ruele's shoulders slumped, the weight of his words settling upon her. She understood his logic, the need to prepare Jayden for a future that seemed bleak. But a mother's instinct yearned to shield her child from the harsh realities of the world for just a little while longer.

"I know..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "But I just...I just want them to be happy, without any burdens, without anything to weigh them down."

Elio pulled her into a tight embrace, offering silent comfort and Valeria watched them with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"We both know the truth, and it's not pleasant," Elio said softly. "That's why I believe Jayden has a critical choice to make, not just for himself but for his sister, his cousins, and our entire family. He needs to decide what kind of future he wants to create."

Valeria nodded slowly, her voice filled with wisdom. "Let's leave this decision to him, my children. Jayden has shown a maturity that sometimes surprises even me. Perhaps the child can choose his own path."

A flicker of hope ignited in Ruele's eyes. The thought of Jayden having some agency in his own future offered a sliver of comfort.

"The same goes for Kiara," Elio added. "We'll start her with a more child-centered education, focusing on basic skills and knowledge. We'll tailor her training as she grows older and her abilities manifest."

With a heavy sigh, Elio leaned back in his chair, the weight of responsibility etched on his face. They had a lot to consider, and a lot to prepare for. But one thing was certain: their children's lives would never be ordinary.

As they decided on the kids' future, Valeria turned to Elio with a serious expression. "We need to be prepared for whatever comes next. If there's someone out there targeting Jayden, we need to make sure he's safe."