Summer had always been an outcast among the elves. She could point to three clear reasons why.
First, she was the most beautiful and unique elf in Eldoria. Her long platinum hair and violet eyes stood out sharply against the sea of blonde hair and green eyes around her.
So they outcast her. Because they were jealous.
Second, she loved to fight. While the rest of the elves devoted their lives to increasing their INT stat to awaken high-level healing talents, as their ancestors had, Summer preferred blood and battle.
So they outcast her. Because they were afraid of her blood lust.
Third, her fiancé was the current crown prince of Eldoria. Not that she had any say in the engagement, but what could she do when the emperor himself decreed it?
And her fiancé happened to be the most talented elf to appear in a hundred years.
So they outcast her. Because they believed she did not deserve him.
"Forget them, Summer. I will never cast you aside," said a familiar voice. The description barely mattered—a blonde-haired, green-eyed elf.
There was nothing unique to note except his name, Sylven Arkovich Drevorin. Better to call him Sylv.
"I prefer you to be just like them," Summer muttered.
She could feel sharp stares on her back. No need to look around; Sylv was a walking magnet for green tea bitches, and she was inevitably the one held that magnet.
No one had dared challenge her in front of him. Not that it mattered. They couldn't fight her anyway. What else could they do other than glaring? Bite her?
Haha. Like they dared.
Summer was not particularly diplomatic; she preferred breaking noses to exchanging words. So she actually didn't need his help.
But the crown prince didn't think so. For him she was like a fragile glass.
Today, her mood was worse than usual, having been dragged from sleep by the annoyingly punctual crown prince.
"That cannot be helped. Today is your awakening ceremony. You cannot be late," he said.
"Why are you reading my mind again, Sylv?"
"Anyone could read that, Summer. Your eyes are screaming sleep."
Summer decided to ignore him for the moment. They stood below the awakening podium, shaded by the Yggdrasil.
Unlike other races, elves drew their talents directly from the Yggdrasil, usually awakening healing abilities.
The quality of a talent depended on the elf. Sylv's was of legendary quality, placing him among the six new generation legends of the seven races.
"Welcome to the 1987th awakening ceremony of the elves…"
The inquisitor's voice droned on, but Summer barely registered a word. Everything he said faded into a dull hum as a yawn escaped her lips.
She leaned against Sylv, closing her eyes, letting the warmth of his presence lull her further.
"At least you are better as a sleeping pad," she muttered.
Sylv sighed softly, a mix of amusement and resignation.
'Whatever. Let her sleep. It's not like there is any danger in the awakening,' he thought, watching her settle comfortably against him.
Time passed slowly. The inquisitor continued his speech for what felt like an eternity. Even Sylv was bored to death.
Everyone wore exhaustion on their faces except Summer, who slept soundly in his arms.
"…and now, let us begin the awakening ceremony," the inquisitor finally announced. His sharp gaze cut through the murmurs of the crowd as he called the first name from the list, his tone crisp and formal.
The first elf stepped forward, but Sylv ignored him, his eyes fixed on the side profile of the troublemaker in his arms.
"Summer, it's started," he said, shaking her gently. She opened her eyes groggily.
"Finally. I am so tired," she mumbled, making Sylv twitch his lips. Brushing imaginary dust from her clothes, she stepped forward, watching the awakening ceremony with interest.
One by one, young elves stepped onto the podium and activated their talents. Most were ordinary or common, nothing to catch anyone's attention.
A girl with dark hair awakened an uncommon talent, and murmurs of praises spread through the crowd.
"It's just an uncommon talent. What's special in it?" Summer rolled her eyes.
Talents were classified by quality: Ordinary, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary.
Nearly everyone in the world awakened Ordinary or Common talents. Anything higher was a miracle.
Summer had read about this long ago, before the arrival of the World System, when talents alone determined a Binder's fate.
After the system arrived, everyone could improve further.
Those with lesser talents grew slower, but the ceiling was no longer absolute. However higher the quality of the talent, the faster their growth would be.
Sylv was a perfect example.
Despite being only eighteen, he was already an Initiate healer with two circle spells.
"Are you worried?" Sylv asked. "Don't—"
"Yes," Summer interrupted.
"Huh?" Sylv's face registered surprise.
"I'm worried I will be like them. Ordinary and boring," she scoffed.
"Oh. For a moment I thought you were worried about the quality of your talent," he said, shaking his head with a small smile.
Summer rolled her eyes. "I never once doubted my quality. I am the most talented elf in this kingdom."
Nearby elves glanced at her with disgust.
"What? You doubt me?" she asked, rolling up her sleeves.
"How embarrassing for the prince," one whispered.
"Yes, look at how red-faced he is," another said.
"He has luck in everything, except this…"
The onlookers continued to whisper, trying to watch the crown prince struggling to restrain his future crown princess.
What they did not know was that Sylv's mind screamed a very different thought: How cute.
Summer sulked until her name was called. She lifted her chin and walked onto the podium, placing her hand on the awakening crystal.
"Allow the crystal to sweep into your soul," the inquisitor instructed.
Summer obeyed. But instead of the usual soft glow, the sky above Eldoria turned a deep crimson, like molten blood poured across the heavens.
"What the hell…" whispers turned to panic as elves recoiled.
A low hum vibrated through the roots of Yggdrasil, amplifying the crowd's unease. Then the awakening stone shattered.
[Congratulations! You have awakened 'Bloodline Stacker'.]
Summer exhaled in relief. 'Thank God, not a healing talent.'
Trait 1: When you get hit, there is a chance to gain permanent attribute points and a small chance to acquire the opponent's talent.
Trait 2: When you get hit, you may gain Spell Points. These can be used to upgrade the quality of any skill.
Trait 3: Every hit you take converts into mana.
Trait 4: Each hit you endure is stored in your blood. When the stack reaches 100%, you can release it all at once.
[Searching for suitable system to bind…]
[Find the warrior system. Go to the System Tower to bind with the system. All the best.]
Excited, Summer turned to show off her talent. The crowd's stunned silence met her gaze.
"Oi, what's with those faces?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"This talent," the inquisitor said coldly, stepping forward. "It lacks elegance, it lacks refinement. It is unworthy of the blood of Eldoria. Summer, you must abandon it immediately, or abandon being the blood of Eldoria."
Summer lifted her chin, unfazed. "Fine. I abandon the blood of Eldoria."
The inquisitor's eyes widened in shock as he spat blood.
"You…" he had no idea what to say.