Chapter 122: Olivia's Natural Awakening

Leo had already experienced this spell once before; it was the "Mind Lash" of Lawrence, a priest of the Holy Light.

However, the power of Lawrence's Mind Lash was like taking a cleaver to one's forehead—enough to split a brain in two. It would instantly incapacitate a target, and weaker victims might even die on the spot. Having witnessed both Lawrence’s Mind Lash and Denise’s fireball, Leo had gained some understanding of magic in this world. Even the lowest-level spells were lethal to ordinary people, meant specifically for transcendents. If not for Master Bobak’s protection, Leo, despite his formidable physical strength, would have been reduced to a vegetable by Lawrence.

Olivia’s spell, by contrast, felt like a whip cracked against his forehead. It was painful, yes, but caused little actual damage. Leo was both surprised and delighted, though somewhat bewildered. He asked Olivia, "Did you awaken naturally?"

Olivia appeared even more confused than Leo. "What is 'awakening'?"

Right. There were no transcendents in Riverbend; everyone was illiterate in the realm of the supernatural and could not provide sufficient theoretical knowledge. The villagers’ perception of the extraordinary was limited to the notions of "noble" and "powerful," with no foundational concepts.

Natural awakenings were not unheard of in this world, but they were rare enough to be recorded. Women who awakened were even scarcer; most in the Southern Territories were burned as witches by the Church. In the North, some village shamans or seers practiced simple magic. By comparison, the wild tribes had a higher chance of natural awakening, and many large non-human tribes possessed shamans capable of magic.

However, the primary method of awakening came from the alchemical lineages of various clans and sects. The Empire referred to these potions, which stimulated awakening, as "Awakening Potions," and they were sold in the major cities of the three territories. Unfortunately, the price was exorbitant; only wealthy landowners and lords could afford them. A single qualified Awakening Potion cost around one hundred gold Solers—the equivalent of two full sets of equipment for a Corner-Flag Knight. In his past life, this would be like needing a million dollars all at once—and in the remote villages of the early 2000s, at that.

Riverbend was in the peak of its development, and Olivia stretched every copper coin until it broke. They could barely afford a set of equipment for a Corner-Flag Knight, let alone an Awakening Potion. Only families like the Petukhovs, who relied on the income from four knightly estates, could afford to purchase one for their heir.

Rigolav himself had failed to ascend to the transcendent level, but his younger brother was a well-known transcendent in Iserpol, a retired veteran of the Gale Knights and a prestigious knight personally commended by Grand Duke Mitchell Odalov. However, Rigolav’s current worry was that his son, Romon, had reached the physical foundation required to take an Awakening Potion, but his second brother’s eldest son was even more talented. Due to military merit, that nephew had already been granted a Pioneer Knight's fief through the second brother's influence and was successfully invested as a Pioneer Knight. If the Petukhov family were to buy an Awakening Potion, a conflict between Romon and his cousin would be inevitable, as neither would willingly give up the opportunity to ascend.

Leo could not judge Olivia’s condition, but he vaguely sensed that she had awakened naturally. Master Bobak had once touched upon the topic of transcendent awakening, but since it seemed so distant from the realities of Riverbend, they had never delved into it. Awakening was not a process that turned an ordinary person into a powerful, transcendent being overnight; it was a gradual transition. Ordinary people trained their bodies to their peak, reaching their physiological limits where their attributes ceased to improve. Awakening was the process of breaking those shackles. Even after awakening, one did not become strong instantly; one had simply broken the ceiling, allowing for continued improvement through training. This shackle had to be broken at every rank—some could be bypassed with potions, while others required talent, insight, or opportunity.

According to this theory, Leo suspected he, too, had likely awakened. But without experience, it remained uncertain. Who knew if this was some sort of mutation? Thinking of this, Leo felt a wave of frustration. Ah, it was the fiftieth day since he had last seen Master Bobak!

Sitting together before the warm fire pit, Leo asked with interest, "Do you know any other spells?"

Olivia took out Lawrence’s Holy Light Canon, flipped to the final pages, and pointed to one. "I know this one: Holy Light."

Most of the content in this Holy Light Canon was scripture written in Imperial Elegance, which Olivia and the Little Mouse used as a primer for the kobolds and the children. After all, it was the only book in Riverbend. By now, even the smallest kobold could solemnly preach in Imperial Elegance: "May the Holy Light be with you!" "The Holy Light shall judge you!" "Using the infinite divine to walk the path of the finite!"

The villagers took it as a miracle and nearly knelt to worship the little kobolds.

Leo was even more excited than Olivia. "Try it! Try it!"

Olivia, looking shy and reserved, set down the canon and closed her eyes to meditate. It took a full minute before a pale golden light appeared in her palm. Under the glare of the fire, the light was barely visible, only revealing its holy radiance in the darkness when she turned her back to the pit.

Olivia pressed the faint light against Six’s kobold head to make him feel a little better, then said with frustration, "It’s basically useless. It can barely treat a minor cold, cough, or runny nose. It can't even cure a fever, let alone heal physical wounds."

Leo didn't see it that way. He encouraged her, "It’s already quite impressive. Better than nothing, right? Practice diligently, and it will only get stronger."

This was a natural awakening—it was like winning the lottery! Why was she so distressed about such an opportunity? Only then did Olivia begin to brighten up.

"But stop using the dogs to practice your Mind Lash," Leo added. "They’re already dim-witted enough; if you keep lashing them, there will be no hope left."

Olivia retorted indignantly, "You think I want to? They’re just too mischievous, worse than the children in the village. It was only after you sent the older ones to military training that they improved even a little."

In truth, the little kobolds were not more mischievous than human children; they were simply intellectually stunted and lacked guidance, often only realizing what not to do after being punished. But they had their advantages—human children would forget a lesson days after being disciplined, while the kobold pups would remember for a long time. The kobolds of the Third Squadron were actually much more disciplined than the human youths in the same class.

Looking at Six, who was still huddled under Olivia’s skirt with only his head peeking out, Leo felt that these puppies were growing up and shouldn't be so attached to their "mother." He asked, "Aren't you the sixth-born? Why are you so small? And why aren't you in military training?"

Six looked flustered and answered in a voice even less confident than the Little Mouse’s.

"Big Brother, I’m a girl."