《Lionborn Ascendancy》 Chapter 1 – Awakening in a New Body Pain. It was the first thing he felt¡ªdeep, aching, and unrelenting, like his entire body had been torn apart and reassembled incorrectly. Revan groaned, his throat dry and rough, his chest heaving with each breath. His limbs felt heavy, sluggish, as if weighed down by unseen chains. What the hell had happened? He forced his eyes open, blinking against the harsh glare of the midday sun. The sky above was a deep blue, unmarred by smog or pollution. The air smelled different¡ªcrisp, earthy, almost too fresh. Where was he? He tried to push himself up, only for his muscles to protest violently. His arms buckled under his own weight, and he collapsed onto his back with a heavy thud. Something was wrong. His body felt¡­ off. Bigger, heavier, stronger. His breathing came faster now, not from pain, but from a growing sense of unease. He lifted a hand in front of his face, his fingers flexing sluggishly. His nails had been replaced by sharp, curved claws. Thick, golden fur covered the back of his massive hand, trailing up his arm, shifting slightly as he moved. His heart pounded. His arms were too large. His shoulders were broader than they should have been. His torso, wrapped in rippled muscle, felt alien yet powerful. Revan clenched his fists, feeling the strength beneath his skin¡ªunnatural, overwhelming, and intoxicating. Then he reached up and brushed his face. A muzzle. His breath hitched. What the hell had happened to him? His hands roamed over his new face¡ªbroad, feline, powerful. He traced the contours of his sharp jaw, his cheekbones, the fangs that jutted slightly from his lips. His ears flicked at the sound of rustling leaves, his mind instantly recognizing the motion before he even consciously processed it. Everything felt too real, too sharp. The wind brushed through the thick mane draping over his shoulders. He could feel the individual strands shifting, the weight of it hanging down his back like a royal cloak. He wasn¡¯t human anymore. Revan forced himself to sit up, his breathing shallow. Memories¡ª**fragmented, disjointed¡ª**drifted through his mind. He remembered¡­ pain, fire, an explosion of light. And then nothing. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned his surroundings. He was in a dense forest, the towering trees unlike anything he had seen before. The trunks were massive, their bark a deep gray, their canopies so thick that they almost blotted out the sun. Strange, bioluminescent vines coiled around them, pulsing with faint blue light. The air was¡­ charged, filled with something he couldn¡¯t describe¡ªsomething that made his fur stand on end. Magic? No. Power. Something in this world hummed with energy, something beyond the laws of nature he once knew.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. His ears flicked, catching the faintest rustle of movement far beyond what a normal human should have been able to hear. His tail¡ªa **tail, for gods¡¯ sake¡ª**twitched in irritation, his muscles instinctively coiling at the awareness of something nearby. Everything about this body was different. Stronger. Faster. More aware. But it wasn¡¯t just his body. Something else had changed. Something fundamental. A sudden, cold presence flooded his mind, and words appeared in his vision. [System Alert: Awakening Complete] Would you like to access your status? [Yes] / [No] Revan blinked. What? His mind reeled, questions piling on top of one another, his instincts screaming that this wasn¡¯t normal¡ªthat this wasn¡¯t possible. A system? Like a game? Was he dreaming? He exhaled through his nose, his breath coming out in a low growl. No, this was too real for that. His claws dug into the earth as he forced himself upright, pushing through the lingering stiffness in his limbs. His body felt raw, as if he had been reforged in a forge he had no memory of. But right now, he needed answers. Gritting his teeth, he focused on the floating prompt. ¡°Yes.¡± [Status Window Opened]

Name: Revan Blackthorn

Race: Celestial Beastkin (Lionborne) Class: Unassigned Essence Affinity: Primal / Celestial Level: 1

Attributes:

Skills:

Equipment:

Revan¡¯s breath came slow, steady, controlled¡ªbut his mind was a storm of realization. He wasn¡¯t just in a different body. He was in a completely different world. And it wasn¡¯t a normal world, either. This was structured. Designed. A system-bound reality. He had stats. He had skills. And he had no damn weapon. His jaw tightened. A warrior without a weapon was just a walking corpse waiting for a blade. His instincts screamed at him that this world was dangerous¡ªthat he wouldn¡¯t last long without something to defend himself. As if responding to his thoughts, another prompt appeared. [System Alert: Essence Weapon Detected] [Yes] / [No] Revan didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Yes.¡± For a moment, nothing happened. Then, heat surged through his chest, spiraling outward, threading through his veins, filling him with a sensation that was both foreign and familiar. And then¡ª A massive greatsword materialized before him, embedded in the dirt. The blade was monstrous, easily six feet long, its edge gleaming with faint golden runes. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, the crossguard shaped like curving fangs. The moment he wrapped his clawed fingers around the grip, something clicked. It fit perfectly. As if it had always been his. A slow grin stretched across his face, his tail flicking behind him. Good. Now he was ready. And whatever this world was, whatever had brought him here¡ªhe was going to carve his way through it. One swing at a time. Chapter 2 – Strength Without Control Revan took a slow breath, steadying himself as he moved through the dense forest, his senses still struggling to adjust to the sheer depth of his awareness. Every scent, every sound, every shift in the wind felt magnified, like the world had been peeled back and exposed in a way he had never experienced before. His ears flicked involuntarily at the distant rustle of leaves, and his tail swayed behind him with a mind of its own. Every motion felt foreign, yet instinctive at the same time, a paradox he couldn¡¯t fully comprehend. The greatsword on his back weighed heavily against his shoulders, but not in the way he had expected. It wasn¡¯t a burden. If anything, it felt like an extension of himself, a weapon that belonged to him as naturally as his own claws. Yet despite the comfort of the weapon¡¯s presence, his body betrayed him at every turn. His steps were too forceful, his balance slightly off. When he stepped over a fallen log, his foot landed harder than intended, sending a small shockwave through his legs. His muscles responded with more force than necessary, nearly overcompensating when he caught himself. He growled in frustration, his sharp fangs bared instinctively. Simple movements felt like he was fighting against his own strength, as if his body had evolved beyond what his mind was ready to handle. He had always been strong before, but this was different. This wasn¡¯t just enhanced strength¡ªit was an entirely new level of power that he had yet to master. His mind still functioned on human limits, but his body had no such restrictions. Every movement required adjustment, every step had to be measured. If he didn¡¯t learn to control himself soon, he would end up destroying more than just fallen logs. Magic was an entirely different beast. The moment he had accessed his status screen, he had felt the energy simmering beneath his skin¡ªraw, untamed, waiting to be wielded. Celestial magic. It wasn¡¯t like the crude arcane force he had imagined magic to be; it was something alive, something woven into his very being. It pulsed beneath his skin like an unseen heartbeat, demanding to be acknowledged. Revan stopped in a clearing and inhaled slowly, focusing inward. He had felt a small flicker of magic earlier when he had first tested it, but the power had been volatile, uncontrollable. This time, he would take it slow. He extended a clawed hand, reaching for the warmth within himself, trying to summon the energy deliberately instead of forcing it out. A golden flicker appeared, hovering just above his palm. The moment he acknowledged it, the energy flared, burning brighter, searing against his skin. He clenched his teeth and tried to mold it into something usable, but the more he tried to shape it, the more unstable it became. The glow twisted unnaturally, flickering wildly, before bursting apart in a crackling explosion of light. The blast sent him tumbling backward, the force knocking the breath from his lungs as he hit the ground. His mane was slightly singed, the scent of burned fur lingering in the air. He groaned, pushing himself up onto his elbows, shaking off the shock. That had gone worse than the first time. His tail lashed behind him in irritation as he sat up fully, rubbing a hand over his face. If this was what using magic felt like, then he was in for a long and painful learning curve. But he wouldn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t afford to.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. He grabbed hilt of his greatsword as he pushed himself upright. The weapon was still embedded in the dirt, exactly where he had planted it before attempting his magic. It was a massive blade, far larger than what any ordinary human could wield, yet in his hands, it felt right. He drew it from the earth with a slow, deliberate motion, the weight settling into his grip like a reassuring promise. This, at least, was something he understood. Swinging the weapon was a different issue entirely. He had tested a few strikes earlier, trying to measure his strength. The first attempt had cleaved straight through a fallen tree, splitting it cleanly in half. The second had carved deep into the ground, throwing dirt and debris several feet into the air. Every time he swung, it felt as though he was fighting against his own power, constantly overcompensating, constantly adjusting. He needed to learn precision, not just brute force. The wind shifted. His instincts screamed at him. Revan turned his head sharply, golden eyes scanning the thick brush at the edge of the clearing. His ears flicked, honing in on the faintest movement, a rustle too controlled to be the wind. His breath slowed, muscles coiling in anticipation. Something was there. Then he heard the growl. Low, guttural, predatory. He readied his greatsword immediately, gripping it with both hands, his stance lowering instinctively. The weight of the blade was reassuring, grounding him in the face of the unknown. A shape emerged from the underbrush, its form moving with the silent confidence of a hunter. It was large, nearly as tall as Revan himself, covered in sleek black fur, its glowing red eyes locked onto him with unwavering focus. Its limbs were thick with muscle, its claws sharp, its tail swaying in slow, controlled motions. A predator, through and through. Revan had no idea what this creature was, but it didn¡¯t matter. It wasn¡¯t backing down. Neither was he. The beast lunged, closing the distance between them in an instant. Revan moved on instinct, stepping sideways just as the claws slashed through the air where his throat had been moments before. The rush of wind against his fur sent a sharp reminder that if he had reacted even a fraction slower, his life in this new world would have been over before it truly even began. The creature landed on all fours, circling him, testing him. It wasn¡¯t attacking wildly¡ªit was intelligent, assessing its prey. Revan adjusted his grip on his sword, feeling the warmth of Celestial magic stirring again. He exhaled, trying to call upon it once more, but not by force. Instead, he let it flow naturally, allowed it to merge with his actions rather than overpower them. The beast lunged again. This time, Revan didn¡¯t just dodge. He countered. He pivoted, bringing the greatsword around in a smooth arc, the golden energy lacing its edge with burning light. The blade met flesh, carving through muscle and bone with a crackling burst of Celestial force. The impact sent the creature skidding across the dirt, its body convulsing before going still. Revan stood there, gripping the sword tightly, his chest rising and falling in steady breaths. The golden glow around the blade slowly faded, but he had felt it¡ªthe connection between his strength and his magic. He wasn¡¯t fighting against his power anymore. He was learning to use it. His grip on the hilt relaxed slightly, his tail swaying behind him as a slow grin spread across his face. He was getting the hang of this. Chapter 3 – The Path of Strength A familiar presence pulsed in Revan¡¯s mind, cold and distant, as if something far greater than himself had taken notice of his actions. His body, still humming with the remnants of Celestial magic, stiffened at the sudden intrusion. Then, without warning, a bright light filled his vision, and words scrawled across his sight in glowing golden text.
[System Alert: Level Up!]
Revan blinked as the sensation faded, leaving behind a lingering warmth in his chest, a subtle but undeniable increase in his power. His muscles felt just a bit more fluid, his balance slightly sharper, and the energy coursing through him was more responsive. It wasn¡¯t a massive transformation, but it was noticeable¡ªlike an engine that had just been tuned to run smoother. So the system rewarded him for combat. That was good to know. He exhaled slowly, shaking the tension from his limbs as he surveyed the remains of his opponent. The Shadowbeast lay still, its massive form partially illuminated by the dim moonlight filtering through the thick canopy. Its fur had darkened, the Celestial energy from his strike still lingering in the wound, burning faintly along the edges. His golden eyes studied the corpse carefully. The way the magic had interacted with the flesh was interesting¡ªit didn¡¯t just cut; it purified. That could be useful, depending on what kind of creatures existed in this world. More importantly, though, the thing was dead, and now he needed to figure out what came next. He crouched down, his claws running along the tough hide. If his sword hadn¡¯t been laced with Celestial energy, he wasn¡¯t sure if it would have cut through as easily. The creature had been fast, strong, and not something an ordinary person could handle alone. If beasts like this roamed the wilds, then the people who lived here either had ways to avoid them, or they were stronger than the average human. His ears flicked at a distant snap¡ªthe sound of a branch breaking somewhere beyond the trees. His body tensed. Not an animal. Footsteps. Someone was nearby. Revan remained crouched for a moment, his tail flicking once as he considered his options. He had no idea who was out there, and he wasn¡¯t about to walk blindly into something that could be worse than the beast he had just fought. But then, the scent hit him. Smoke. Faint, but unmistakable. A campfire. His jaw tightened. People. He didn¡¯t know if they were friendly, but standing in the middle of the forest with no knowledge of where he was, no supplies, and no clear goal wasn¡¯t exactly a winning strategy. Like it or not, he needed information, and this was his first real lead. Still, that didn¡¯t mean he was about to walk in like an idiot. Moving with careful, measured steps, he left the beast behind and pressed forward through the trees. His newfound strength and dexterity helped him adjust, allowing him to move quieter than before. His footfalls were more controlled, and his tail helped balance his movement, letting him shift his weight mid-step without making a sound.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The forest thinned slightly, and through the gaps in the branches, he caught flickering light. The campfire. He slowed, positioning himself behind the trunk of a massive tree, and observed. The camp was small¡ªa fire at the center, surrounded by four figures. Two were hunters, lightly armored, their bows resting against a log. One was older, heavily built, wearing worn leather armor and carrying a longsword across his lap. The last man was different. His cloak was trimmed with faded gold, his boots polished, his belt lined with silver buckles. His posture was too refined, his tone too entitled when he spoke. A noble. Or at least someone used to ordering people around. Revan¡¯s ears twitched as he listened. ¡°¡­can¡¯t stay here forever,¡± one of the hunters muttered. ¡°That thing¡¯s still out there.¡± The older man grunted. ¡°If it hasn¡¯t come for us yet, it¡¯s either dead or hunting something else. Either way, we don¡¯t move until dawn.¡± The noble scoffed. ¡°This is ridiculous. We¡¯ve been out here for days, and for what? Some half-baked rumor?¡± ¡°We got paid, didn¡¯t we?¡± the second hunter shot back. The noble crossed his arms. ¡°A pathetic sum. If the beast¡¯s already dead, we¡¯re wasting our time.¡± Revan frowned. So they were tracking the beast. Maybe they had been hired to kill it, or maybe they had another reason for being here. Either way, if they were out hunting something that could rip through an ordinary man in seconds, that meant they had to be at least somewhat capable. He could use that. The noble stood, stretching. ¡°If nothing happens by morning, we¡¯re heading back. I¡¯ve had enough of these cursed woods.¡± Revan had heard enough. If they left before dawn, he might lose his only chance to get answers. Time to make a move. He stepped out from behind the tree, pushing through the undergrowth with deliberate intent. Leaves rustled beneath his feet as he stepped into the firelight, and the reaction was instant. The older warrior was the first to react, his hand snapping to his sword. The hunters scrambled, one reaching for a bow, the other grabbing a dagger. The noble took a staggered step back, his eyes widening as he stared at Revan¡¯s towering form. No one spoke. Revan didn¡¯t reach for his weapon. Yet. ¡°Relax,¡± he said, his voice low and calm, but carrying an undeniable weight. ¡°I¡¯m not here to kill you.¡± The hunters did not relax. The older warrior narrowed his single eye at him. ¡°Then what are you here for?¡± Revan let the silence stretch for a moment. ¡°Answers.¡± He saw the way they looked at him. The way their hands hovered over their weapons, the flicker of uncertainty in their expressions. They had no idea what he was, and that was a problem. If they thought he was a beast, they might attack. If they thought he was a threat, they¡¯d definitely attack. He wasn¡¯t here to fight, but he would if he had to. The noble was the first to regain his composure. He stepped forward cautiously, his eyes flicking from Revan¡¯s mane to his golden eyes, to the massive greatsword resting across his back. ¡°¡­What are you?¡± he asked, suspicion laced in his voice. Revan held his gaze, his expression unreadable. ¡°That,¡± he said, a slow grin forming, ¡°is exactly what I¡¯m trying to figure out.¡± The older warrior exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He didn¡¯t take his hand off his sword, but he also didn¡¯t draw it. ¡°You came from the forest?¡± Revan nodded once. ¡°Just woke up there. No idea where I am, no idea how I got here.¡± The hunters exchanged nervous glances. The noble frowned, studying him more closely. ¡°And you just¡­ wandered into our camp?¡± Revan smirked. ¡°I figured you¡¯d rather talk than find out how sharp my sword is.¡± The noble didn¡¯t look amused, but the older warrior chuckled. ¡°He¡¯s got a point.¡± The tension didn¡¯t vanish, but it lessened. Revan had their attention. Now he just had to make sure they didn¡¯t decide he was better off dead.