On Highdawn 16, 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair woke up so early that the system rewarded him with three random gift boxes, all marked with a question mark. Excited to see what he would receive on his third day of gifts, he tapped all three boxes.
"Good morning, Alistair!" the system greeted him. "Your first gift is a new passive ability connected to Basic Aura Fortification called Basic Deflection. This ability allows you to deflect a small portion of hostile projectiles that could cause harm. However, it only works when you are equipped with ordinary or imbued weapons; using your hands or legs will not suffice. Additionally, if you deflect physical attacks, you have a high chance of automatically parrying them with your fist, leg, or a blunt weapon."
"Does the Basic Reflection have a duration when it automatically activates?" Alistair asked the system. The system replied, "No, it doesn't have a duration. This means that no matter how many times enemies use physical or projectile attacks, you will keep deflecting them. However, even though there is no duration, you still need to increase your aura capacity to maintain your Basic Aura Fortification. Without sufficient capacity, the Basic Deflection won't work." Alistair understood both the advantages and disadvantages of the ability.
"The second gift is an optional reward." Alistair was a bit confused. "What do you mean the reward is optional? Do I get to choose the reward?" The System gave a thumbs up. "Yes, this reward is something special that you can choose to keep for yourself or give to your family." Alistair was shocked. "What? I can give this to my family? Please tell me what the second gift is." The System then displayed two options: "The first option is a 3-Star Alchemy Breakthrough Aura Pill. This pill allows a person with Aura Materialization at Aura Color Level 10 to break through to the Aura Transformation Realm without any consequences or trials. The second option grants Intermediate Aura Abilities, which will be randomly assigned for either a single target enemy or multiple targets. Choose wisely!"
Alistair's mind was racing, and he asked the System, "What is Alchemy?" The System displayed a sudden exclamation mark. "You've never heard of Alchemy before, Alistair?" Alistair shook his head. "Okay, I can't explain Alchemy because it doesn't exist in the place you live, including the entire two continents. Let's just say that the first optional gift offers a permanent enhancement to the next level. It's highly recommended for your mother since I can tell she hasn't improved her Aura Materialization at Aura Color Level 10, while both your sisters are already above her."
Alistair's wish has always been to help his family, and this gift is the best thing he could choose. "I decide to take the 3-Star Alchemy Breakthrough Aura Pill. Family is more important than being more powerful by yourself." The System gave a huge thumbs up.
"Lastly, the third gift is an upgradable structure. The first structure is a tent that provides a floor bed along with basic necessities such as food, clothing, and water. This is recommended if you decide to venture outside your village. Additionally, as a gesture of generosity, the upgradable structure will grant one perk with each upgrade. Currently, the perk prevents low-level monsters and small bugs from entering your tent within a radius of 2.5 meters."
Alistair was surprised and didn't understand some parts, but he nodded with a smile. Then he asked, "Umm... System, how should I give my mother the 3-Star Alchemy Breakthrough Aura Pill? She will find it suspicious that I have it." The system gave a thumbs-up and replied, "I have an idea; you might find it surprising later." It advised him to wait until noon, as something was about to happen.
At the training center, it was Alistair's second day of training his physical capabilities. As the sun was just about to rise to its peak, the Village Chieftess sensed a massive surge of Aura Energy approaching the Leaf Village. She announced that the training would be halted due to this emergency. All the villagers gathered in the village square, and Alistair spotted his mother, Astrid, along with his two older sisters in the crowd. "What's happening, Mother?" he asked.
Astrid shook her head, unable to explain. However, all the Aura Users in the village could feel the power, including Alistair. The Village Chieftess instructed everyone to kneel in respect for one of the Twelve Sovereign Aura Avatars of the Freedom Continent, Lady Celestra Altair Sunstrike, the first and oldest Sovereign Aura Avatar to ever exist.
Lady Celestra spoke, "Village Chieftess Selene Brightlance, please give this to Lady Astrid. This is a 3-Star Breakthrough Aura Pill." She handed a small box to Selene, leaving everyone astounded that one of the strongest Sovereign Aura Avatars would personally give a breakthrough pill to Alistair's mother, Astrid.
As the villagers were filled with shock and awe at Lady Celestra's appearance and personal gift, she locked eyes with Alistair and smiled before disappearing into the sky, breaking through space as she left. Suddenly, the system notified Alistair, "What do you think?"
Alistair looked at the system and whispered, "Who the hell are you???" The system replied with a smile, "That is a secret."
Somewhere above the troposphere, a mysterious figure mused, "My, my, it's not yet time—or perhaps it's too early to tell him. Once he grows stronger, the gifts I bestow upon him will become more abundant and powerful. It seems I've chosen the best candidate to receive the gift system, don't you think, dear sister?" An unknown figure appeared beside her and replied, "Yes, big sis. We shall watch him as he becomes something extraordinary."
After Lady Celestra departed, the Village Chieftess, Selene, had a private conversation with Alitair's mother, Astrid. "Astrid, who are you? We've been friends for 20 years, but I don't remember you having any connections with the Sunstrike Family," Selene questioned. Astrid, equally baffled, responded, "I'm confused as well, Selene. I also have no connection to them. So, what should I do with this pill?"
Selene then patted Astrid's shoulder and said, "You should take it. This is a precious gift from Lady Celestra. With it, you could break through to the Aura Transformation Realm. The Leaf Village now has one Mid-Aura Transformation Realm member and four Early-Aura Transformation Realm members, including yourself."
Although Astrid hesitated for a moment, she ultimately took the pill. Her body glowed as she ascended into the sky, successfully reaching the next stage. Meanwhile, Alistair, Ismeria, and Lyra entered the Village Chieftess's house after seeing the light above. They congratulated their mother on her ascension to the next stage.