The system's voice rang out in Julian's mind which carried a tone of triumph, "Congratulations to host for cultivating the Authority of Lightning."
Julian still feeling the electric energy coursing through his veins, asked with curiosity, "What is the Authority of Lightning?" As he posed the question, the system promptly brought up a glowing window in front of him.
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Authority of Lightning:
Description: The Authority of Lightning grants the host supreme command over the lightning element. Unlike normal elemental control, authority transcends mere manipulation which allows the user to become a true embodiment of lightning itself. Those who wield this authority can command storms, summon lightning strikes at will and infuse their very being with its raw, untamed power.
Abilities:
Absolute Lightning Control: Unrivaled mastery over the lightning element. The host can manipulate lightning in any form, from the gentlest spark to the most devastating thunderstorm.
Storm's Wrath: Summon a cataclysmic storm that can lay waste to vast areas, raining down destruction with the force of a natural disaster.
Lightning Embodiment: Temporarily transform into a being of pure lightning which grants the user unparalleled speed, strength, and invulnerability.
Cosmic Lightning Fusion: Merge cosmic energy with lightning to amplify attacks creating devastating effects that surpass normal elemental power.
Lightning Resurrection: In the event of near-death, the host can absorb lightning to rapidly heal and restore vitality.
Current Mastery Level: Initial
Next Stage: True Lightning Monarch: Requires further cultivation and comprehension of cosmic and natural lightning laws.
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Julian's eyes widened as he read through the description of the "Authority of Lightning."
The sheer magnitude of power it promised was beyond anything he had imagined. Commanding storms, transforming into lightning itself and even being able to recover from near-death with lightning energy was all overwhelming.
His heart raced as the reality of what he had just achieved set in. The power he now held could reshape the world around him and the thought of wielding such authority filled him with both excitement and a sense of immense responsibility.
Julian intrigued asked, "So, how is authority different from mastery? Do all mages who reach the supreme realm gain authority?"
The system responded, "Mastery refers to an acknowledgment from the element which allows the user to manipulate and understand it deeply. However authority goes beyond that, it signifies control over the element itself. Only one being can hold authority over any given element at a time which means that you are now the sole wielder of the Authority of Lightning. This power allows you not just to use lightning but to command and shape it as you see fit."
The system continued, "As you ascend to higher realms your command over the Authority of Lightning will deepen allowing you to access more of its power. Right now you're only using 20% of its full potential. As you grow stronger, you'll unlock the remaining 80%, giving you even greater control over the lightning element and its forces."
Julian was stunned as the realization hit him. The sheer strength he wielded during his breakthrough, the lightning strikes, the immense energy, and the transformation of his body, was only a fraction of the Authority's full potential.
"If this is just 20%" he thought, "what kind of power will I hold when I reach 100%?" The possibilities excited and overwhelmed him as the idea of mastering such overwhelming strength made him eager to explore the boundaries of his new abilities.
Confusion clouded Julian's mind once again as he pondered how he had gained such a rare power. "How did I even get this authority? Why did no one else receive it before me?" he asked hoping the system would have answers to his burning questions.
The system's voice echoed in his mind which provided clarity. It explained that the previous wielder of the Authority of Lightning was the God of Thunder and Lightning himself. This god who was once feared and revered for his unrivaled power met a tragic end. He was mercilessly killed by his enemies in a brutal battle but before his demise, he left his will inside the very element he once commanded.
Julian listened intently as the system continued. During the week long ordeal when lightning continuously struck him tearing his body apart and healing it repeatedly, the will of the God of Thunder had begun to nurture his sea of consciousness.
The constant tempering, the unrelenting trial and Julian's refusal to give up had caught the attention of the element itself. The lightning had acknowledged his resilience, strength and determination. It was through this grueling process that the will of the god bestowed upon Julian the Authority of Lightning.
This explained why no one else had attained the authority cause none had undergone such a trial or been recognized by the element as worthy of wielding the god's power.
The system's voice continued revealing another astonishing truth, "The form you are currently in is known as the Authority Form. The armor you're wearing isn't just any ordinary armor, it was crafted by the God of Thunder himself using the pure essence of lightning. This armor represents the very foundation of the lightning element that was forged with its primal energy and imbued with the god's unmatched craftsmanship."
Julian looked down at himself as he took in the radiant armor crackling with energy, its intricate design pulsing with the raw power of lightning. The realization that he now wore the armor of a god, a relic infused with elemental authority left him speechless. It wasn't just a symbol of his newfound power, it was a vessel through which the very element of lightning flowed and it had now chosen him as its bearer.
Julian as he still tried to grasp the full extent of his new power asked, "Shouldn't there be other mages with authority over the other elements?"
The system responded, "The wielders of authority over the other elements are none other than the gods themselves. Unlike the God of Thunder, they are still very much alive holding dominion over their respective elements. Their authority is absolute and no mortal has been able to inherit it until now."