Chapter 159: Three Days to Awakening

The journey to Great Rock City passed with unusual tranquility.

The sky remained clear throughout almost the entire trip, as if nature itself were conspiring to make the journey more pleasant.

Only a few white clouds slowly drifted across the horizon, their gentle shapes constantly changing under the influence of the wind.

The horses maintained a steady pace, their hooves producing a rhythmic sound against the packed dirt road. The rhythm was almost hypnotic, creating a cadence that lulled the carriage’s occupants into a state of relaxation.

The sound of the hooves blended with the songs of birds and the wind swaying the treetops. The forest around them was alive but not threatening. Leaves rustled, insects buzzed, and the sunlight created dancing patterns of light and shadow across the ground.

No beasts or monsters appeared along the way. Not even the small wild boars or deer that normally crossed the forest made an appearance that day. It was as if every animal had decided to make way for that special journey.

It was a calm trip. Peaceful. Perhaps even too peaceful. The tranquility was so perfect that it almost seemed artificial, as though the world were preparing for something.

Judite, on the other hand, seemed incapable of staying silent. Sitting beside Lukas, she had been talking almost nonstop ever since they had left the Dmond Manor.

Her words tumbled over one another, her questions following one after another in an endless torrent of curiosity.

"Lukas... do you think you’ll awaken a strength ability?" she asked for the third time, her eyes shining with an excitement that never seemed to fade.

Lukas let out a small sigh, a weary smile on his lips.

"I don’t know." His answer was always the same, but Judite seemed incapable of accepting it.

"But you’ve always been so strong!" she replied immediately, as though the evidence were obvious.

"When you were a baby, you were already lifting things no other child could!"

She turned toward Aurora, seeking confirmation.

"Mom, do you think he’ll awaken a strength ability?"

Aurora smiled, her face illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the carriage window.

"It’s possible." Her voice was calm and thoughtful.

"But no one can say that for certain."

She rested one hand on her lap, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns over the fabric of her dress as she watched the road through the window.

"There are children who are incredibly strong yet awaken completely different abilities. And there are seemingly ordinary children who awaken extraordinary physical talents. The Awakening remains a mystery, even to the greatest scholars in the kingdom."

Judite pouted, her disappointment lasting only a brief moment before her excitement returned.

"But it would be really cool." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Just imagine Lukas becoming even stronger."

Clavor, who was riding beside the carriage while protecting the family, overheard the conversation and laughed. His voice came through the open window, clear and amused.

"I think half the kingdom already believes your brother has some hidden ability." He tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips.

"He hasn’t even turned five yet, and he’s already beating grown men in contests of strength. If he awakens a strength ability, we’ll have to start hiding the furniture so he doesn’t break everything."

Lukas simply scratched his head awkwardly, a little embarrassed by all the attention. It was true. As he grew, his strength became increasingly absurd.

Even without cultivating. Even without mana. Even without any special training beyond the natural strengthening of his body. He was stronger than any child his age, stronger even than many adults he knew.

But even he couldn’t explain why. In truth, he knew the reason was Tilbo. He had received the ant’s ability, the immense strength that allowed that creature to carry loads many times heavier than its own body.

But his ability to receive that power from Tilbo... was it truly an ability? Or merely a consequence of being reborn into that world? He wanted to find out as well. The more he thought about it, the more questions arose.

Judite smiled again, her imagination already racing ahead.

"What if you awaken two abilities?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Like in the book I read about the hero who had three different abilities."

Lukas laughed, shaking his head.

"I think you’re imagining too much." His voice was gentle and affectionate.

"I’m not!" She crossed her arms, pretending to be offended.

"You’ve always been different. Ever since you were born. Everyone says so."

Aurora gently ran a hand through her daughter’s hair, a loving gesture that always calmed the girl.

"No matter what happens..." Her voice was soft, filled with love.

"...it will be a great day. The day you begin to discover who you truly are."

Everyone agreed, a silent nod that united the family in that moment.

The conversation continued for hours. At times, they talked about the Awakening, speculating about the possibilities. At others, they spoke about Asmon, worrying about their distant brother. Then they discussed Judite’s studies and the spells she was learning.

Clavor shared small stories from the time when he had also studied near Hark Castle, drawing occasional laughter from the family. Stories of training, competitions, and challenges that had seemed impossible back then.

Meanwhile, Lukas kept gazing out the window. The scenery slowly drifted by, green fields, small farms, villages that appeared and disappeared on the horizon.

His mind, however, was far away.

’It’s getting close...’

Ever since he had been reborn into that world, he had been waiting for that moment. Five years. Five years waiting to finally discover which path he would follow, what abilities he possessed, and what his role would be in that vast and dangerous world.

Learning magic. Traveling the world. Entering the Royal Academy. Discovering new beasts. Exploring dungeons. Building his zoo. Earning money. Visiting every continent. Every goal seemed to begin on that very day, at that very moment.

He took a deep breath, feeling the cool forest air fill his lungs. He only had to wait three more days. Three days until his world opened itself to new possibilities.