The Elemental Relics

Ali was back to searching for herbs in the foliage on a cliffside when his hand touched something odd. The teenager had done enough herb collecting and had enough cuts to know what rocks were native to the formation. The item he touched felt like clay so he pulled it out.

Did someone break their pot around here?

Yet, there was a strange marking on it. Given how everyone on the formation was illiterate, symbols and writings were nonexistent. The few pots within the village had been passed down for many generations so any markings on them would have long faded away. With curiosity getting the better of him, Ali returned to his cave to study the clay piece more closely. The marking was engraved into the clay piece and, at first glance, there was nothing out of the ordinary about it. When he traced his finger over the marking, the entire clay piece lit up.

<

Hello!

Would you like a tutorial on your new powers?

( Yes / No )

>

Ali leaped back when the prompt appeared. He waited a full minute for the screen to change but nothing happened. Growing more bold, he then moved a hand through the screen but he touched nothing but air. He checked his hands but there was nothing there.

How can I read this?

<

Hello!

All contents in the prompt can be read and understood by the user regardless of their education level and experiences in real life.

Would you like a tutorial on your new powers?

( Yes / No )

>

Countless questions went through Ali’s mind but the mention of new powers grabbed his attention. The teenager tried pressing the “Yes” option but his hand went through the screen. After a few tries, he cried out in frustration.

How do I select yes?

The “Yes” option was highlighted and the prompt contents were updated.

<

The item you picked up is an elemental relic. Elemental relics are scattered across the world and they provide users access to magic. Relics can only be used by those who cannot use magic naturally. The type of abilities depend on the element the relic is associated with. Your elemental relic has the air element. Air element excels in attacking and support roles.

Waiting indefinitely. Pick up the relic you dropped on the ground to continue…

>

Ali knelt down to pick up the relic which had ceased to light up.

<

You may only access your powers when you are in possession of your elemental relic. Loss of the relic will render you powerless. If you value your life, you will ensure the elemental relic never leaves your side.

Now, we will look at your stats:

[

Name: Ali Cissoko

Level: 1 ( 0 / 26 XP to Level Up)

HP: 11/11

MP: 2/2

Strength: 1

Constitution: 2

Intelligence: 1

Survival: 3

Wisdom: 1

]

Note: Only you can see and access the information shown on the prompt. Do not disclose the information to anyone else unless you trust that person with your life.

>

“Ali, please come up! We have something urgent happening in the village.”

Why now? I wanted to learn about my new powers.

<

Do you wish to make a save so you can continue where you left off next time?

( Yes / No )

>

Yes.

The teenager reluctantly left his cave. Given how precious the relic was, he kept the item in his pocket. If his return to the cave were to be delayed, he could always resume reading about his powers elsewhere in privacy. Ali chose the quickest climbing route to the top and stopped abruptly when he reached the plateau. The person calling him earlier was Paul and the young man was in a pool of blood. He didn’t need to approach the man to know Paul was dead. Standing next to Paul was a complete stranger armed with a knife. Fresh blood still dripped from the knife.

“This fool thought his family would be spared.” The man swung his knife to rid the blood. “Still, he saved me the trouble of finding a rat in the caves.”

Shit! I’m gonna die.

<

If you wish to live, please follow my instructions. All instructions are now passed through vocally to ensure quicker response time. Here comes the enemy.

>

As if on cue, the stranger began dashing towards the teenager.

<

Do you wish to learn the Air Slash (Lvl 1) ability?

( Yes / No )

>

Yes.

<

You have acquired Air Slash (Lvl 1) ability.

( 2 / 26 XP to Level Up)

Please visualize a blade in one of your hands and aim that hand at the attacker. Recommended targets are his neck, arms and legs.

>

Ali raised his right arm and aimed it at the attacker’s left leg. He followed the instructions and felt a surge of power through him. Then, the power was released from his palm straight at the stranger. A second later, the man screamed in pain as he stumbled onto the ground. Ali first noticed the pool of blood before he noticed the limb that was severed at the man’s knee. He then raised his hand and aimed his second attack at the man’s head for the killing blow.

<

You have killed a foe.

( 5 / 26 XP to Level Up)

Warning:

You have no MP and cannot use any more abilities. Please find a place to hide until your mana recovers. Estimated time for full mana recovery is 2 minutes.

>

Not willing to stick around to see if the stranger came with any friends, Ali climbed down the cliffside and hid inside the cave. As he replayed the battle, he felt exhilaration.

I am no longer useless. I can kill those who are my enemies.

A big smile formed on his face. As the excitement and adrenaline ran their course, Ali’s eyelids grew heavy. Unable to fight off sleep, the teenager made himself comfortable before he embraced the darkness. He would worry about the stranger the following day when he would visit the village. He was certain the villagers would shed more light on what happened to Paul. For now, his body told him he needed to rest.