---) Name: Azrael Thorne
---) Status: Unawakened
---) Traits: Infinite Comprehension (Eternal Grade), Cold Blooded (White Grade—Evolvable)
---) Title: ??? [Locked]
---) Cosmic Energy: 120 (+24) → 144
---) Skill: Cosmic Energy Breathing Method (Entry Level)
---) Inventory: [Locked]
---) Current Task: Learn the Cosmic Energy Breathing Method and increase it to mid-level
Azrael looked at his status window and felt that all the hard work he had put in over the past few months was really worth it.
He had read on the Internet that before awakening, most talented individuals typically have around ten points in strength, agility, and stamina. Cosmic energy, on the other hand, varies greatly depending on one’s affinity.
Of course, that information only applies to the most gifted individuals. The average person usually has only around five or six points in their physical stats before awakening.
Azrael knew better than to trust everything he read online, so he had asked Ashara about it to get a clearer understanding of his own powers... And Ashara confirmed that it’s true—most talented people can reach around ten points in their core physical stats before awakening.
However, she also told him that ten points is the natural limit for Unawakened individuals. Very few can go beyond it.
But "very few" doesn’t mean "none." Some rare individuals—monsters, as the world calls them—do break through that boundary.
According to Ashara, those with exceptional talent can exceed that limit and push past ten points. But even for such people, going beyond fifteen points before awakening is extremely difficult.
Azrael completely understood what Ashara meant.
The reason he was able to increase his stats beyond fifteen was largely due to the breathing method.
To search for and refine primary energy veins, he had exhausted his spiritual power every day, to the point where it felt like his head would split open.
This daily routine caused his spiritual power to grow rapidly, which in turn strengthened his soul... And since the body is the vessel that holds the soul, a stronger soul requires a stronger vessel.
As a result, the intense effort he poured into physical training yielded results far beyond normal.
In other words, his 100% effort in physical exercise had produced 200% results.
To support the strength of his evolving soul, his body had no choice but to adapt—and with his relentless dedication, his stats had reached a level that was simply unbelievable for an Unawakened person.
"After I reach the mid-level of the breathing method tomorrow, my stats will increase by a few more points..." Azrael’s eyes flashed as he recalled something Ashara had told him months ago.
"She said she would bring me somewhere... to get something that belongs to me."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Azrael’s face.
’Something that she believes belongs to me... Does that mean it’s something that belonged to the Azrael of this world?’
Lost in thought, Azrael made his way back to the training ground, where he saw Kael sparring with Lia.
Not wanting to disturb them, he quietly left the area and returned to his room to rest until dinner.
Inside the training room, filled with Cosmic Energy, Azrael sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. His training suit emitted a faint glow as it absorbed the surrounding cosmic energy to supply him with a steady flow of power.
Beads of sweat trickled down his face, and his breathing was slightly labored.
The calm atmosphere within the training ground remained undisturbed for nearly two hours—until the cosmic energy inside the room suddenly began to riot.
Underneath his training suit, Azrael’s skin began to glow. Through the translucent light of his skin, one could faintly see the network of energy pathway that had appeared when he reached the entry level of the breathing method.
Now, that energy pathway was becoming denser and more solid.
His body was once again undergoing fundamental transformation, and the amount of cosmic energy within him began to surge.
Azrael didn’t open his status window immediately. Instead, he focused on sensing the changes that had taken place inside him.
His senses had become even sharper than before. Even with his eyes closed, he could now perceive his surroundings to a notable degree.
But the thing that truly made him rejoice—
"I can finally bring cosmic energy outside my body," He muttered, stretching out his palm.
Soon, a thin layer of light blue energy formed over his hand.
Before awakening and forming their source core, people couldn’t manipulate or project cosmic energy externally.
But by advancing the breathing method to the mid level and forming a solid energy pathway throughout his body, Azrael had reached a state where he could do just that—even without a source core.
"Though it’s still difficult to control, this much is enough for now," Azrael murmured, his eyes glinting as the energy around his palm dissipated.
He then opened his status window to examine the updated details of his breathing method, and a smile appeared on his lips.
---) Cosmic Energy Breathing Method (Mid Level):
1. Increases the amount of cosmic energy within the user’s body by 40%
2. Increases the recovery rate of cosmic energy by 60%
3. Increases the power of the user’s cosmic energy by 15%
4. Reduces the consumption of cosmic energy by 10%
The powers of the first and second effects had doubled after reaching the mid level, while the amplification of cosmic energy power had risen from 5% to 15%.
Additionally, a new effect had appeared—the breathing method now reduced energy consumption by 10%.
"I have finally laid a solid foundation for my awakening," Azrael said to himself. "Now there is a considerable gap between me and other Unawakened individuals."
He stood up and stretched his body.
"I just need to keep widening that gap... and I will eventually have the power I desire—power strong enough to ensure I never experience that same despair again."
As he exited the training room, Azrael glanced at his updated stats, and his lips curled upward.
---) Strength: 18 → 20
---) Agility: 17.5 → 19.8
---) Stamina: 19 → 20.4
---) Cosmic Energy: 120 (+48) → 168