Chapter 2: Physical Changes

Chapter 2: Physical Changes

Searing pain shot through Silas's entire body. His bones grew, muscles reshaped. Stabbing agony pierced his eyes and face. He blinked, hoping to alleviate the pain, but it persisted.

The world blurred and distorted. Then, suddenly, the pain vanished. Silas stood up, cautiously optimistic. As his vision cleared, he was stunned by what he saw.

Everything was crystal clear. He could make out details he'd never noticed before - the cracked spines of books on distant shelves, the intricate wood grain of the floorboards beneath his feet.

Silas flexed his hands and forearms, watching in awe as his muscles rippled beneath his skin. He felt reborn, as if he could run a marathon with only mild effort.

A notification flashed: Stats screen updated.

Silas called up the stats screen, eager to see the changes:

Name: Silas Blackwood

Species: Hybrid: Human/Leviathan Larva

Mana core: Leviathan

Magical Affinities: Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy

Magical Deficiencies: None

Magical Voids: None

HP: 10/10

MP: 21/25,000

Level: 1

Exp: 0/10

Strength: 18

Agility: 17

Stamina: 16

Intelligence: 10

Luck: 10

Despite the improvements, he knew the other changes posed a problem. How would he hide this at school? He could wear sunglasses for his eyes, but would that be allowed in class? It would certainly seem suspicious. And the scales - maybe he could remove them?

Silas reached up and grasped one of the scales on his cheek. He pulled at it tentatively, afraid it might hurt, but found that it came away with only mild resistance. Relieved, he began plucking the scales from his face, wincing as each one detached from his skin with a strange, slick sensation. Beneath the scales, his flesh was smooth and slightly slimy to the touch. He quickly washed away the residue, revealing smooth, natural skin underneath.

Having addressed his appearance issues, he felt better, but worried about what the future held. Would later stages in his transformation cause even more noticeable changes? Would the scales eventually become permanent?

He had no way of knowing the answers to these questions. He could only press forward, taking each challenge as it came.

Silas suddenly remembered the acceptance letter in his pocket. Arcanium University, once the most prestigious institution for magical learning in the realm, had accepted his application. As his father's alma mater, it had been Silas's first choice.

But as he reread the letter, his joy turned to frustration and disappointment. The university had changed significantly since his father's time. It had been transformed from a beacon of scholarly pursuits into a combat school designed to produce mage knights for the military.

The letter spoke of rigorous training regimens, courses intended to hone battle magic and tactical thinking. It was vastly different from the stories his father had told, of long hours spent poring over ancient tomes and engaging in lively debates with fellow students.

Silas sighed, placing the letter on his mother's desk. He knew the war with the Fae had taken a toll on the magical world. The government had taken over many similar institutions to bolster their ranks. But knowing and seeing were two entirely different things. His heart ached and his blood boiled at the sight. He felt betrayed. He wanted to uncover the secrets of the universe, not learn how to kill more efficiently.

And yet, Silas knew he had no choice. With an ongoing war against the Fae and a mandatory draft, he needed Arcanium University to learn how to survive on the battlefield. He refused to become cannon fodder.

After all his parents had sacrificed for him, giving up wasn't an option. He'd complete his tour of duty, then settle into a normal job. Maybe he could even become a professor at a regular magical college and finally invest in scholarly pursuits.

Silas reached for the system embedded in his chest, drawing comfort from the hum of his mother's presence.

He grabbed a pair of aviator sunglasses from his mother's desk and put them on. Checking the mirror, he found they were reflective enough to hide his eyes, but he'd need a more permanent solution soon. He couldn't wear the glasses forever, especially not in class.

Silas hurried back upstairs to finish packing. As he passed his father in the hall, he suddenly pulled Aldrich into a long, tight hug. "I love you. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"I love you too, Silas," Aldrich said, returning the hug and patting his son's back. "What brought this on?"

"I was in Mom's study. I just realized how much you and she have done for me."

"You're welcome, son. I know it may not have seemed like it sometimes, but your parents care about you a lot."

Silas ended the hug and walked to his room, leaving his father standing there, stunned. "He's not on drugs, is he?" Aldrich muttered. "No, that can't be it."

In his room, Silas tugged on his luggage harder than necessary, unused to his new strength, and almost toppled over. He made his way downstairs, aviator glasses firmly in place. His father stood waiting by the door.

"You ready?"

"Never been more ready," Silas replied.

Silas stepped out into the sun, its warmth pleasant on his face. As they walked through the streets of their district and hailed a carriage, he couldn't help but notice people looking at him strangely. His journey was just beginning, and already nothing was as he'd expected.