"Jasper Whitlock," the assistant called out.
A pale youth entered the stage nervously. Following instructions, he placed his hand on the manifestation stone. After a few seconds, the stone began to glow, bathing him in a bright light that seemed to penetrate his body. Asher noticed the relief in Jasper's eyes as the light faded. "Trait: Stone Skin," the assistant announced, though Jasper's expression hinted at slight disappointment as he stepped down from the stage.
"Lila gray, Trait: Minor Healing."
"Orion Graves, Trait: Undead Summoning."
"Aric Stone, Trait: Elemental Manipulation (Earth)."
...
As the ceremony continued, many students awakened low, mid, and high-level traits. Then, a brilliant light flashed across the stage, and Asher heard the assistant exclaim with excitement, "Rowan Drake, Trait: Spatial Distortion." Asher recognized it as a rare trait associated with space manipulation. He also knew Rowan Drake, the prodigy of First Highschool, was the son of the Drake family head in Everglade City.
After nearly an hour of waiting, it was finally their school's turn.
"Nolan Crest, Trait: Invisibility."
"Tara Hawthorne, Trait: Telepathy."
...
"Aurora Frost, Trait: Cryostasis."
The assistant gasped audibly; the Frost family was renowned for their mastery over ice, and Cryostasis was among the highest levels of ice abilities known to humans. Asher could hear his classmates murmuring with envy and a hint of pride in their eyes. After Aurora left the stage, Asher noticed a faint, pale bluish hue in her hazel green eyes.
"Asher Ember," the assistant called out. As Asher stepped onto the stage, he took a deep breath and approached the manifestation stone. When his hand made contact with the stone's surface, a comforting warmth spread through his body, enveloping him in a cocoon of Aetheric energy.
Closing his eyes, Asher delved deep within himself. Amidst the flow of Aether, he sensed the emergence of a symbol in his mind's eye. It appeared as two distinct halves: one side shimmered with a vibrant, deep red hue, swirling with fiery intensity, while the other gleamed with a serene, pure white glow, radiating tranquillity and clarity.
The halves seemed to oppose each other yet were intricately intertwined, forming a perfect circle where the colours seamlessly blended at their borders. Within this circle, Asher felt a profound sense of harmony—a delicate balance between conflicting forces.
After some contemplation, Asher extended his hand towards the symbol. As his fingers brushed against the ethereal form, a sudden rush enveloped him, drawing his consciousness back to the stage. The assistant's puzzled expression gave way to realization.
"Asher Ember, Trait: Pride."
Confusion flickered across Asher's face, yet he accepted the pronouncement, knowing he could delve deeper into this newfound trait later. As he prepared to withdraw his hand from the stone, it unexpectedly glowed brightly once more, bathing him in another surge of luminous energy. The entire hall fell into a hushed silence, even the elderly man watching Asher with keen interest.
Although such occurrences were exceedingly rare, every person present in the Manifestation Hall recognized the significance of what unfolded before them—a Dual Trait Manifestation, a phenomenon witnessed only once in a million manifestations. As the brilliance of the light finally dimmed, leaving a palpable sense of awe in its wake, the assistant's voice cut through the silence once more, tinged with bewilderment.
"Asher Ember, Dual Trait: Pride & Prudence."
The revelation echoed through the hall, prompting murmurs of astonishment and admiration among the audience. Students and parents exchanged whispers, eyes wide with wonder at this exceptional display of Aetheric mastery.
Ms. Clarissa Gale, Asher's homeroom teacher, watched from the side with a mixture of pride and curiosity etched upon her face. Her usually composed demeanour betrayed a hint of awe, her gaze fixed intently on Asher as if seeing him in a new light, recognizing the weight of his dual traits and their potential implications for his future.
As Asher withdrew his hands from the manifestation stone and stepped down from the stage, he felt the weight of many eyes upon him. The hall was abuzz with murmurs and whispers, yet no one approached him; their distant relationships as classmates held them back.
Returning to his seat, Asher sensed the gaze of his peers lingering upon him, filled with curiosity and perhaps a hint of envy. Amidst the ongoing manifestations, Ms. Clarissa, his homeroom teacher, cast him a reassuring look from the side of the room. Her expression conveyed understanding and encouragement, silently acknowledging the significance of his rare dual traits.
After what felt like an hours, the manifestation ceremony drew to a close. The elderly man returned to the stage, his voice carrying wisdom and reassurance.
"Although not everyone has manifested the traits they envisioned, remember that it's not the trait itself that defines you, but how you understand and utilize it. Many have manifested seemingly high-level traits, only to struggle due to a lack of comprehension," he explained with a sigh. "Now that you've awakened, it's time to explore your potential. Concentrate deeply, focus on your trait and strengths. Within your mind, you'll begin to see lines of information—you're Data Panel. Allow it to reveal itself to you."
He paused, observing as each student closed their eyes, attempting to connect with their newfound abilities and understand their unique attributes.