*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

"..."

Deus was woken up suddenly by his alarm. he had set it much earlier than usual. On any normal day, he would've slept much longer, but today was the famed day of the awakening that could make or break someone's life, through the academy.

Every year this day, every person the age of 18 in the empire would be gathered in the center of the biggest magic academy to be awakened and documented.

***

During the day, the "general rank" of the subjects would be appraised one by one by an academy professor. If by any chance, if you passed the professors exams, you would get accepted into the academy and financialy set up for life.

Your rank isn't the only thing that decides if you get into the academy. The professors create different standards that the academy takes into consideration when taking in students. They are usually unique to each year, so that the incoming students won't be able to prepare for them.

There is a system everyone gets when they awaken. In the form of a watch. It was made by the engineer prodigy who graduated from the academy and immediately disappeared from the face of the earth. This system quantifies someone's abilities into simple ranks (see chapter 0)

The majority of the population of earth have a {Normal} Numen, but most of your power doesn't come from that, it comes from your {Order} rank.

The academy is a very competitive place, but with the benefits from being at the top of your class, you could do practically anything in life. The only problem with the academy is the people. The academy is full of stuck up "Noble", "Ducal" or "Royal" families. They usually have heirs with massive potential, raised with a silver spoon.

Ranks are usually carried over someone's bloodlines, so powerful families and arranged marriages are all common in the Empire. Having huge power isn't all good for you. Families would be after your potential, breaking the law if they need to. Murder, trafficking, and torture were common in these scenarios.

***

"I don't want to deal with those rich brats born with a damn silver spoon."

The peculiar young man had to get moving if he wanted to be on time. Deus headed out of his small apartment building onto the streets of the capitol city. The entire city was preparing for the awakening ceremony. It was a huge event for people, since it would decide the future of the greater empire.

When children below 18 are left without family, the government provides them with all the necessities until they get awakened. Exactly what happened to Deus. That awakening is today, so he was a little worried about if he was going to get into the academy or not. He wasn't the most confident in his potential. Deus has no idea how strong - or weak - his deceased family was. The only reason he cared was that rank is usually based of genetics.

Anyway, he had to run fast if he wanted to be at the academy in time. It was in the center of the biggest city in the Kingdom of Light - Luxdia.

The streets were bustling with people. Vendors had special deals aimed at students. Some of them were celebrating with free food given out. And since vehicles are prohibited inside cities, Deus had to go on foot for the entire journey to the academy.

While Deus was walking fast, trying not to be late, a boy the same age as him walked up to him. He seemed to be going to the academy as well, not that it needed any practical thinking skills, the boy was practically sprinting in the direction of the academy.

He ran up to Deus and said with a smile.

"Hey, my name is Max."

"You going to the academy as well? I was looking to find some friends to talk to, but I woke up late and couldn't find anyone before." He continued.

"I am. You want to come with? We have got to hurry though."

Max's hair was a deep crimson, along with his eyes. Unique hair and eye colors are more common in powerful families, so Deus started to wonder about that while running there.

He looks very dignified... Almost royal

Reaching the entrance of the huge academy, Deus was getting annoyed at the stares he was getting. His pure white hair and snow white eyes looked almost fake in the sunlight. He wasn't the most attractive (Deus' delusions), but his unique disposition usually makes people stare anyway.

All through his life, Deus has tried to be as normal as possible because of that, but the academy wouldn't except that, they only wanted the people with the most unique personalities. They say that they are the most likely to become stronger.

"What tests do you think the professors will give us this year?" Max was fearful about the unannounced tests coming later.

Deus said "I heard on the street that there is going to be a general intelligence test this year. I don't know how reliable the information is though."

The two of them walked into the academy gates. A crowd was gathering in the amphitheatre on the east side of the academy campus. The two of them started walking over there.

As they were walking, an older looking man entered the stage and cleared his throat.

The awakening has begun.

{Greetings future generation of awakened}

He seemed to be using some item to amplify his voice over the whole amphitheater.

{We are going to make this fast, so I will call people in alphabetical order based on last name.}

Deus' last name was Volente, so he was quite a bit back in the queue. He was getting bored staying in line, so he and Max started to make friends with people. The academy is known to have many unique personalities coming out of it, but the people in the courtyard were relatively normal. There was always the person with the huge ego promising that they will get a high rank.

Those people will not...

***

Once the order got to the letter O, Deus finally got to asking Max what his surname was.

"So what is it?"

"It's Vermillion"

"THE ROYAL FAMILY?"

Deus was referring to the family given control of the Ignis Kingdom. Throughout history, 5 different families were given ownership of separate kingdoms with an all powerful Emperor and Empress governing all of them.

"I'm the youngest son, but yeah."

Often, prestigious families have large inheritance battles, and the youngest sibling is usually neglected. It was possible Max had a massive hatred for his family because of that, but he didn't talk with any animosity at the moment.

"We still have to run back, we are both in the V section, so we will be awakened near the same time." Max was adamant that they had to run fast. "I'm excited to see our ranks."

Deus got annoyed at that and said. "Why are you excited to see your own rank. You know ranks are genetic, your parents are at least {Royal} rank."

"I'm excited to see the crowds reaction, it has been a while since a {Royal} rank as awakened." He couldn't even hide the smirk he had when he said that.

The two kept arguing as they rushed back to the academy courtyard. Once they reached the academy, many people were staring at the weird pair. A tall boy with scarlet eyes and hair, with a pale white haired kid with a stoic face. One person wearing all red, and the other wearing all white, almost looking like an empty canvas.

{Everyone with a surname starting with a T, please line up in alphabetical order

[Author note: I don't know how long I should make chapters. I'm kinda lazy ngl, so chapters might be inconsistent.]