Early that morning, Asher awoke with an inexplicable sense of optimism. After freshening up, he decided to treat himself to a special breakfast. He prayed silently for his parents and made his way to a small, familiar restaurant near his home. Although it wasn't busy, a few regulars were enjoying the famous Spicy Featherflame Fowl fries.
"Hey Asher, finally the big day, huh?" Uncle Milo, the restaurant owner, greeted him warmly. Having known Asher since birth, Uncle Milo often shared leftover fries with him after his parents' passing.
"Yeah, Uncle Milo. Please give me the specials today," Asher replied with a smile.
"Gotcha, boy," Uncle Milo nodded, fetching the fries for Asher. After finishing his breakfast, Asher bid Uncle Milo goodbye and jogged toward school.
As he approached the school, Asher noticed the excitement among students and parents. Despite rarely showing it, he deeply missed his parents. Gathering his courage, he entered the classroom where a mix of anxiety and anticipation filled the air. Being a reserved student, Asher quietly found his seat in the back right corner as the bell rang, signaling the start of the day.
Shortly after, Ms. Clarissa Gale entered the room, exuding authority with her tall, slender figure and flowing dress that accentuated her graceful movements. Her sharp, intelligent green eyes and wavy auburn hair framed a kind yet discerning expression on her angular face. After greeting the class, Ms. Gale's demeanor turned stern as she addressed the significance of awakening traits in their perilous world.
"I know many of you are excited and nervous today," Ms. Gale began firmly, "but awakening a trait, no matter how powerful, means little without the wisdom to navigate the dangers ahead. Power does not guarantee invincibility; it demands responsibility. Consider carefully what you will do once your traits awaken."
After ensuring everyone understood, Ms. Gale informed the class, "In a while, the bus will depart for the Manifestation Hall. Those aged 15 and above, please line up and proceed to the bus." With her instructions given, she left the room, leaving behind some students who looked glum for not yet reaching 15. Asher found himself seated beside Ms. Gale on the bus, a coincidence that caught his attention.
"Good morning, Ms. Gale," Asher greeted politely, stealing a glance at the sky through the window. Within minutes, they arrived at their destination, ready for the events that would unfold.
When Asher stepped off the bus, he noticed it was the last to arrive, with students already streaming into the hall. While his school wasn't top-ranked in the city, it gained recognition thanks to Aurora Frost, a breathtaking beauty with hazel green eyes that hinted at a hint of coldness, complemented by her dark black hair. Known for her intellect and combat skills, she carried the legacy of her father, an Ascendant Level glacial mage, as the youngest child of the esteemed Frost family in Everglade City, commanding deep respect.
As Aurora disembarked, heads turned admirably in her direction, drawn by her magnetic presence. Meanwhile, Asher quietly followed Ms. Clarissa towards the hall, where the day's events awaited.
The Manifestation Hall, as its name suggests, was a vast stadium capable of hosting thousands of people at once, dedicated to the manifestation of traits among the younger generation. While some wealthy families facilitated trait manifestations at home, for most ordinary families, this was not feasible due to the exorbitant cost of Manifestation Stones. To ensure equal opportunity, the government established Manifestation Halls in every city, where every six months, those turning 15 could awaken their traits. This initiative led to a significant rise in awakeners, prompting a steadfast governmental response to the growing threat of monsters.
After everyone settled in the hall, an elderly man stepped onto the stage. "Greetings, young ones. I know many of you are excited, but let me explain the process of manifestation," he began, his voice carrying across the hall. "When your turn arrives, come forward and place your hands on the manifestation stone. Relax and clear your mind; you may feel a cold sensation spreading through your body, indicating successful manifestation of your traits. However, not everyone may manifest today. Those who don't can try again until they turn 18."
He paused, taking a deep breath before concluding, "Without further ado, please come forward when your name is called." With a gesture, his assistants placed the manifestation stone at the centre of the stage, marking the beginning of the ceremony.