At that moment, the Ceremonial Hall falls silent once the old elder calls Myah's name.
The other Clan elders also stopped their quarreling and looked over to the group of children who had yet to go through the Awakening Ceremony. Shortly, their gazes settled on a particular child with long and neatly braided silver hair.
Then, the sudden change of atmosphere in the hall shook him. Under the gazes of so many people, especially the Clan elders, Myah could feel an invisible pressure on his shoulder.
'I... I'm scared...'
'W-why are they just looking at me?' Sensitive to the change, little Myah clutches his shirt in nervousness, and his eyes moistened. He was afraid and wanted to run back to his mother's side.
However, after faintly remembering how she cried last night, little Myah braces up the bits of courage inside his heart and totters up toward the platform. Although he doesn't know why she cried, he didn't want her to be sad.
"You can do it, Myah! Mama is back here, so don't be afraid!" Hannah shouted across the hall and waved her hand to support little Myah, knowing that her son was always a shy child.
Hearing his mother's encouraging words, Myah felt that the pressure significantly lessened with every step he took.
Standing on the side, the Clan elders resumed their discussion as they watched Myah walking up the ceremonial platform.
"What beautiful silver hair...So that child is the one. The possesser of the Demon Sealing Eyes. He looks exceptional." A Clan elder commented, slowly stroking his prided white bear.
"Yes, he is the one. Don't you see Hannah yelling back there? This kid Myah looks cute, don't you all think so?" An old lady said and nodded her head, giving her approval. After a moment, she continued. "Haiii... Alas, the kid was born mentally challenged since young. I hear that Hannah has looked for many renowned doctors in the Kingdom, but they couldn't figure out the reason why."
"Such a shame."
"It was indeed a misfortune. But, hopefully, unless Myah can awaken at least a B-grade talent today, otherwise his fate is sealed."
"Do you think B-grade and above talents are garbage? Hannah was only C-grade, and so was William. So the hope of him being gifted than his parents is minimal. However, with Theo awakened with the A-grade talent, if we extracted the Demon Sealing Eyes from Myah and gave it to him, the Braveheart Clan's future will be secure for hundred years more!" A crooked-looking elder stated. Coldness filled his voice without much emotion, like a sharp ice blade.
"I agree, but don't forget, Myah's born with a mental defect. So even if he successfully awakened a B-grade or maybe even A-grade talent, it won't change anything."
"Tsk! You and that mouth of yours can't even take pity on the child. Don't say I didn't warn you, old fart, reflect on yourself, or too many bad karmas will bring you retribution one of these days." The old lady sneered, expressing her disapproval.
With their opinions differing, the Clan elders began another round of argument.
While standing in the center of the jade platform, Myah gradually extended his right hand toward the Spirit Stone. The moment his palm touched the stone's glossy surface, a wave of beautiful light sparkles surged once more and shone up dimly.
'So warm.' It was the first thought that came to Myah's mind at this vital moment, and the little guy felt like he was back in the comfortable embrace of his mother.
While the stream of flowing spiritual energy gradually permeated his body, Myah's tumbling emotions slowly relaxed. He saw some foreign but familiar images flashing in his subconscious for a split moment, similar to a veil of mist; they are too vague for him to understand.
The process continued. Everything seems so ordinary to the point that all those present were unknown to the fact that something ancient has awakened inside of Myah.
Then, after a few minutes had passed, little Myah's body fiercely trembled for a second as his mind went blank. Myah was too shocked to understand what was happening as his Soul Origin Crystal flew out suddenly and levitated in front of him. Dazzling green light starts to shine from the crystal as his awakening is over.
"Green colored Soul Origin Crystal, C-grade talent." The old elder announced, recording it down.
The awakening was successful, which means that Myah could begin to meditate and absorb the spiritual energy of the world to cultivate. After becoming a One-star Warrior, he could either tame a Rank 1 spirit beast or hatch one to form a contract and officially become a cultivator.
Many Clan elders from below the platform continue watching Myah. Some sigh while some shake their head, and a few smile indifferently upon seeing the grade of his Soul Origin Crystal. They didn't have much hope initially, and seeing this also didn't mean anything.
Perhaps, for typical children, a C-grade talent is already outstanding, but it was different for Myah. It was just not good enough for him to receive the clan's protection.
"Aiiii, the child's fate is sealed. He will have to give up the Demon Sealing Eyes with a C-grade talent. Maybe it's better that way..."
"Hm? something is not right, the awakening ceremony was successful, and it should have been over by now, but look at him. His hand is still on the Spirit Crystal." The crooked elder frowned and pointed at Myah, attracting the attention of the other beside him.
"!!!"
"You are right... Huh? How can that be? Logically speaking, the boy shouldn't be able to absorb any more spiritual energy, but it looks like he is still fine up there. Maybe it's not finished yet?" Said an elder; his voice was quite doubtful.
Seeing this strange situation play out, the old elder didn't say anything and just let Myah continue to absorb the spiritual energy from the Spirit Stone. The beautiful stream of light sparkles is still dancing in the air, not showing any sign of stopping.
However, after another 30 minutes, he was left disappointed as no change occurred to Myah's Soul Origin Crystal. The rate at which he absorbed the spiritual energy was slow. Although it was way higher than the average pace of one with a C-grade talent, there wasn't anything special going on.
The other Clan elders also thought the same, brushing it off, thinking that it was due to the mysteriousness of the Demon Sealing Eyes. Even though they have the Clan record about the eyes from thousands of years ago, the descriptions are not written in detail; hence they couldn't fully grasp its ability.
'It seems that the kid is just cultivating...' Since many children have yet to go through their awakening, the old elder interrupted Myah as he pats the little guy on the head. "That's enough, child. Your awakening is a success. Now go back to your mother's side; looks, she is worried."
"Ah? I'm sorry, I will go now." Little Myah was startled awake; the vague images in his mind faded away.
The dancing light sparkles in the air dissipated and returned inside the Spirit Stone. After bowing and saying thank you to the old elder, Myah recalled his Soul Origin Crystal back inside his body. Then, he quickly jumped down the stairs and left the platform.
Hannah anxiously picks little Myah into her arm and checks him up carefully as he was dazed on the platform for too long; it worried her. "Myah, are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
"No, I felt great." Feeling the lively energies inside his body, Myah shakes his head in affirmation.
Seemingly noticing the reddened eyes of his mother, Myah asked in confusion. "Mama, are you sad?"
Hannah, shaking her head, hiding the worry inside her heart and replied, "Mama is not sad; you don't have to worry." Smiled lightly, she pinched his baby cheek. "Myah must be hungry. Let's go back home, and mama will cook for you!"
"Un." Myah nodded and immediately agreed as he didn't like this place.
Hannah didn't want to linger around any longer. They leave the Ceremonial Hall through the front door under the envious, loathed gazes and cold smiles from the other clansmen.
As Myah fully occupied her attention, she didn't notice the familiar figure of William leaning against the wall in a secluded corner.
Watching them leave, William also follows behind a while later. The result of Myah's talent seems to have reaffirmed his decision about something as coldness envelope his body.