It didn't take long for Leon and his mother to arrive at the Magic Tower. If it wasn't spoken of before, the Magic Tower was not only the key location for awakenings but also the pillar and foundation of any country, kingdom etc. Reasons being that it increased the quality of mana and also its quantity by larger amounts. It was a key asset when it came to protecting a city and empowering its citizens.
Though the more Magic Towers constructed the better, specialized blueprints were needed for these creations. Therefore, you either encounter a special blueprint through fortune or pray your family's lineage had one.
So not most countries had one and only a handful had more than one so countries without them weren't even worthy of being acknowledged.
And no, a blueprint could not be reused more than once. Why? I don't know.
(Author: Heh playing hard to get eh)
…
Right, they were also ranked in Tiers but that's a talk for another time. Right now, Leon and his mother stood a few meters away from the Magic Tower. Staring at its tall and imposing structure, Leon's eyes sparkled. The Magic Tower looked similar to a skyscraper but more bonelike with a large red orb stationed atop its peak. The Magic Tower also consisted of several floors, an exact amount of fifty in fact. Holding his mother's hand they walked towards the entrance of the Magic Tower as they were greeted by a guard.
The guard seemed to have recognized Cecilia and hurriedly opened the door for her as his body bent forward in a perfect ninety degrees. "Your Highness, Young Prince." Cecilia smiled at the guard before thanking him whereas Leon patted the guy's head. He trembled in excitement as he was recognized by one of two rulers and also their inheritor on the same day!
Walking inside Leon's eyes couldn't help but widen once more. The inside was beautifully organized with many powerful people gathered with either their children or disciples. To the very front Leon saw a large Crystal Ball floating within the air and a magnificent being sitting within the air above it. Her legs were crossed over one another in a lotus position as her witch's hat covered her amethyst colored hair.
She was one of the legendary Seers, capable of reading the stars to depict someone's fate and their impact on the world whether it be negative or positive, none could be hidden from her gaze. She was known as Theressa Emberve, a Seer under the Heartfelt Country's Rule.
Many of the gathered people would take their glances at her but wouldn't dare to disturb her in fear of provoking such an influential figure. Currently her eyes were closed as though she was resting. The fact was it still had five minutes before the official commencement of the awakening so she just took the time to casually ease her mind.
However everyone's gaze at this moment was now focused on the two newcomers that would officially commence the awakening. Seeing the Queen and the Prince arrive everyone suddenly dropped what they were doing and bowed in a respectful manner towards them. Leon, seeing so many people treating him like this felt a bit awkward but soon enough a satisfied feeling rose within him.
A seed of superiority was finally planted in his chest as he groveled in the status of high royalty, enjoying every second of it. Cecilia clapped her hands and smiled charmingly, stunning many onlookers as her beauty was truly one worth toppling kingdoms for. She signaled for everyone to carry on as though she wasn't here earning her smiles and gazes of respect. Everyone nodded and complied with their Ruler's order.
And finally, it was time. One by one people lined with the children at their sides as Seer Theressa opened her eyes and worked the Magic Ball. Her gaze landed on everyone gathered today especially the children as she would fix her gaze longer in between one or two, Leon included.
She sensed the nervousness of the children and smiled before lifting her hand and releasing a warm and bright white light. Energy covered the children as their tenseness eased and their hearts calmed. Leon was no different. Experiencing the calming effects of her energy which he assumed to be Astral Energy, the energy of the stars, he was fascinated.
Her gentle smile stood immovable as she spoke, "Children, today would mark the start of your respective journeys onto the paths fate preordained for each and every one of you. You each will step up one by one and place both your palms onto the Magic Ball for a total of five seconds. Don't worry about reading the results or anything other than what you are instructed to do. I'll handle everything after that. Am I understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" The children answered respectfully, nodding their heads with eyes determined to do their best.
"Okay, when I call your name please come up alone and place your hands on the ball."
"Alana Fernes."
The first name called was that of a little red haired girl. She walked up with furrowed brows and a firm gaze. She looked quite confident and adorable as she stomped towards the Magic Ball. Arriving before it, she didn't hesitate to place her hands on it for five whole seconds.
1
2
3
4
5..!
Whoosh!
It was then that the Magic Ball shone with a bright fiery orange light as Seer Theressa's eyes lit up right after. "Oh? Fire affinity, Epic Class: Sorcerer of Ifrit, Category of Mana!" Theressa said aloud as the information within her head still gathered.
She left out stuff like Karma and Fate Lines as the children did not need to know of such things. Hearing her evaluation, Alana's eyes widened as she jumped in celebration! The surrounding Class Wielders gave her a round of applause whereas Alana's parents ran to hug her in excitement!
"Well done Alana, strive hard to become a powerful Class Wielder for the Heartfelt Country." Seer Theressa smiled warmly as she read her Fate Lines, knowing that she would play a major role in the coming future.
Soon after, it continued with Leon becoming incessantly impatient with every second that flew by. The order of names were adjusted within an alphabetical order and soon an hour had passed.
A…
B…
C…
D…
…
J…
K…
L…
"Leon Heartfelt!" Seer Theressa called out abruptly. Everyone turned and made way for their Young Prince staring at him with a burning gaze, anticipating just what his evaluation would be. Cecilia patted Leon's back gently which struck him to move forward and walk towards the Magic Ball.
As he appeared right before it, Leon could have sworn he felt something in his mind ring. Something like a bell? Ignoring it however, he placed his hands atop the Magic Ball just like everyone else. He then began counting to five when suddenly.
'Ding! Large amounts of mana found. Sufficient enough for the system to awaken. Beginning the awakening of the system immediately!"
Crack!
"What the-"
Seer Theressa mumbled to herself as she saw the Magic Crystal before her visibly crack disturbing her greatly. Though it went unnoticed by the other onlookers, it couldn't pass her eyes. She scrutinized her gaze even further, looking for any other changes to the Magic Ball. Seeing that there was nothing, Seer Theressa sighed before she was about to reassure herself.
Then it happened. A large influx of information pertaining to Leon rushed into her head causing her brain to ache intensely. She clutched her head in pain, startled at what was happening.
Finally, did everyone notice something amiss. However it was far too late for a sudden realization as what happened next, horrified them beyond common measures. Theressa took in the information about Leon carefully, her eyes widening as she couldn't believe his rank of class.
'H-High Myt-?!'
"Argh!!!" The intense pain suddenly tripled as she could no longer suppress it. It was then that Leon's Karma and Fate Lines popped into her head.
Her eyes widened in madness, her face twisting into an extremely ugly expression.
"Impossible! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!!! HOW CAN SUCH A CHILD EXIST!!!"
Seer Theressa yelled as she started clawing into her cheeks, digging underneath her skin and tearing it apart!
"Kyaaaa!"
"W-What's going on?!"
"Seer Theressa, please calm down!"
"Guards! Someone please summon the guards!"
The onlookers panicked as they couldn't fathom what was causing the almighty Seer, Theressa to behave in such a maddened manner.
Leon didn't know what was going on in the outside world currently as his hands were glued to the Magic Ball. Within his head, both him and the system were doing away with introductions. Though they conversed, the system was still absorbing the immense mana of the Magic Ball to awaken and was currently 70 percent completed.
Leon's breathing was hastened as he couldn't believe he also had a golden finger within this world! He felt as though humanity wasn't as cruel as he had figured in his past life.
Outside of Leon's mind bubble, Cecilia looked at everything that took place with a horrified expression. She didn't want to imagine it but what if her son was too much of a monster?
Was this reaction truly something a human could trigger? Thinking like this caused her to gaze at Leon's back with disgust, fear and pity. As though she was gazing at a cockroach. Such a turn around of personality, how would poor Leon feel?
But she didn't care at all as all she could think of at this moment was whether Leon was truly her son or perhaps he was the seed of a devil in which she had birthed.
At this point Seer Theressa couldn't handle it anymore! She stuck her fingers into her eyes and gauged them out, shocking everyone gathered whilst traumatizing the children.
Almost immediately after she did that the Magic Crystal started to shake as the cracks began spreading, as though it was on the verge of collapse. Seeing this, the hearts of those gathered tightened as they grabbed their kids and rushed towards the exit.
However it was far too late.
Ka-boom!!!
Screams of agony resounded in chaos as everyone was sent hurtling back! If not for the protective barrier outside the Magic Tower it would have collapsed! Though that didnt mean it would go unscathed.
The inside of the first floor was absolutely wrecked, a fire being broken out instantaneously. The powerful Class Wielders now reduced to a pitiful state, even Leon's mother was left to crawl weakly on the floor.
Many of the children were left gravely injured with the majority even losing their lives. Endless grief suddenly drowned out the chaos as everyone stared resentful towards the source. Their hearts bled as they stared at the mutilated bodies of multiple eight year olds. Staring at the unresponsive expression of Leon they misunderstood his state of 'enlightenment' as him turning a blind eye to what he had caused.
It enraged them. NO! It fucking horrified them so much that it planted a seed of hatred in their feeble hearts.
"LEON HEARTFELT!!!"
The injured masses roared in fury as their eyes laced with madness and hatred glared murderously at Leon. Though Leon didn't glance at them as he was still in his trance-like state, his arms still extended outwards. Seconds passed and finally, he regained his state of being.
Blinking dramatically he turned and stared at everything around him. His mind blanked to the point where he ignored the system prompts and stared at everything in disbelief.
Though when he met the gazes of everyone, he faltered. Those eyes of hatred, rage and scorn. They were no different than those of the people of his past life.
What happened? Why was everyone looking at him with such hatred..? Wasn't he being revered and treated like some treasure earlier? What was going on? Was he the reason why everyone was injured? What happened to the Seer? What exactly happened when he zoned out?!
He didn't know but right now he needed his mother. That's right his mother, surely she would be different. His eyes glanced around before landing atop his mother's pitiful body.
"Mo-"
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!"
Leon jolted. His face freezing in terror. Were those words coming from his mother? His head dropped, gazing now at his own two hands.
"Was it back then?" His weak voice mumbled out. His body was on the verge of collapse due to shock. He had unknowingly become a murderer. His hands were now stained in blood! Blood of innocent children! His stomach churned as he vomited everything he ate on the way here.
'Why must I suffer like this? Even in this life I can't fucking escape the reality of being a fucked up monster! What did I ever do to deserve this kind of inescapable reality!?'
Leon's mind swirled with these thoughts as he blamed himself for these happenings. Just as he was about to apologize, his mother forced herself up before shouting in a chilling tone.
"Guards, vanquish this demon child! He is no son of mine!"
Her words cut like a knife. However she did not care. When it came to her dignity, authority and pride as a Ruler would she really give that up for an unfilial child that took innocent lives?
Even if he didn't do it on purpose, defending him would only cause a riot! It would not only shake their foundation as Rulers but also affect the loyalty of Heartfelt Country's people!
Even worse yet, once news gets out that the awakening of a lone child caused Seer Theressa to gauge her eyes out and enter into a state of madness, the other Seers along with powerful Class Wielders would come looking for Leon, inadvertently bringing danger to her country.
She couldn't risk defending him!
Leon's eyes widened as he heard his beloved mother's words. Was this really the same mother that always told him how much she loved him? He couldn't believe it. He blamed himself, no! He blamed that stupid system! All of this was because of the system right?
"That's right! This system was the cause of it all! I just need to expose the truth of the system and I'll be freed of this nightmare."
'Is that what you think, Master?' The system prompted a screen filled with this text box in front of him. He paused, "What do you mean?"
'What I mean is, do you really think they'll believe you? Firstly, instead of blaming your golden spoon, why don't you blame yourself?'
Hearing the cold words of the system, Leon trembled as he questioned, "W-What do you mean?"
'Again with the dumb question, huh? How are you even my host? Gosh, you aren't from this Universe! She's a Seer that could read the Fate and Karma Lines of anyone lower leveled than herself. You, being someone that's not of this Universe, exist outside the River of Time, Fate and Karma meaning no one can predict your past, present or future. That was the reason for her descent into madness.'
Leon couldn't even process the shocking information entirely as a large sword suddenly cleaved through his arm. His body recoiled back from the after shock as his right arm was left to roll around on the ground!
"Circle him and attack! Do not allow him to sneak past you!" The guard who severed his arm ordered. Leon immediately found himself encircled by the guards as he clutched the area where his arm used to be, unable to feel anything as adrenaline kicked in!
"N-no…! Please! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
"SILENCE VILE MONSTER!" A guard approached from the back and swung his blade down, nearing Leon's exposed neck ! Just as he was about to kill him, Leon vanished.
'Initiating Annihilator Mode!'
The system suddenly uttered. It was then that Leon's whimpering ceased and his body vanished.
Swish!
BOOM!
Leon appeared above the guard with glowing red eyes and a lifeless face as his feet whipped out and tore out the head of the guard with a simple kick.
The other guards' expression soon shifted to one of horror as they realized how their comrade in arms passed. However, Leon or in other words the system wouldn't give them a chance to reform.
His class was awakened but not yet used, with it being a High Mythical and the system being in control, it was far easier for him to gain the three beginner skills of his class.
[Archaic Touch]
Swoosh!
Immediately, a large baleful form of mana extended out from his palms. The energy felt so primitive and primordial, as though it belonged to a being of archaic times!
The moment it came into contact with the guards, they disintegrated into mere dust particles whereas those who were unlucky enough to be caught in it met the same fate.
In mere seconds, the winner was already declared. Retracting the mass of energy back into his body under the horrified gazes of those that actually survived, his body shot out of the Magic Tower and sped out of the Country's gates.
TO BE CONTINUED!