Asher followed Emily as she led him into a grand hall, known as the Ancestral Path of Awakening. This hall was a sacred place where all members of his Magnus family, a powerful and influential family in the world of Volarisa, would gather for important ceremonies. The Magnus family held the prestigious status of a Supreme-grade family, the highest rank within Volarisa's social and power structures.
In Volarisa, organizations, sects, and clans are divided into different levels of prominence and power: Lower, Greater, Noble, Kings, Apex, and at the very top, Supreme. The Magnus family, as a Supreme-grade family, stood among the most elite, influencing the fate of the entire realm.
The Magnus family was founded by Ross Magnus, one of the first humans to awaken powerful abilities. Gifted with immense strength and unique powers, Ross was able to build a clan that grew rapidly, and he gathered many powerful allies on his journey. Over time, the Magnus family rose to prominence, eventually reaching the absolute peak of power in the world of Volarisa as Ross himself surpassed the known limits of the realm.
Since then, the Magnus family has consistently produced prodigies—each generation giving birth to someone extraordinary. In recent times, Asher's mother, as well as Selene's sister Merlyn, have carried on that legacy. Both women are monstrous in their abilities, capable of easily defeating those many levels above their own realm, further solidifying the family's reputation as one of supreme power.
Today marked another Annual Awakening Ceremony for the Magnus family. All families residing on the majestic Floating Island had gathered. Yes, the main branch of the Magnus family resided on a floating island, a mystical and awe-inspiring creation that hovered high above the ground. The island was protected by a powerful barrier, an ancient formation so strong that even the mightiest of enemies could be obliterated within minutes. This, too, was an artifact left behind by the great founder, Ross Magnus, ensuring the family's safety through the ages.
As Emily entered the grand hall with Asher beside her, every eye in the room turned toward him. Asher glanced around, taking in the sight of many white-haired individuals. The signature trait of the Magnus family was their striking white hair, inherited from the bloodline of their powerful ancestors. However, their eyes varied in color, making each person unique. While some had piercing red eyes, others had emerald green, deep blue, violet, or even obsidian black eyes. There were even a few rare members whose eyes held two distinct colors, adding to their mystique.
mily calmly led Asher to a side, standing with him as the attention in the grand hall gradually shifted away from the newcomers. Despite the fleeting glances, the crowd soon returned to their conversations, leaving Asher to quietly observe. Although his mother, Selene Magnus—the infamous "Crimson Terror"—was a prominent figure in the family, lineage alone meant little in the Magnus family. Personal talent was everything. No matter how prestigious his mother was, if Asher lacked ability, the family would pay him no mind. In this clan, only those with potential and strength were truly acknowledged.
Asher took in the scene, his mind wandering. He observed other children his age, accompanied by their maids, butlers, or family guides. Some of them were deep in conversation, others waiting anxiously for the ceremony to begin. His eyes drifted upwards to the far end of the hall, where a massive curtain hung, obscuring a raised platform. Though the intricate fabric concealed the stage, he could make out faint silhouettes of people moving behind it. His heart raced for a moment—was his mother there? He tried to get a clearer look, but the combination of distance and dim lighting made it difficult to confirm.
Several women in the hall resembled his mother in appearance, but he wasn't sure who was his mother, the curtain made it hard for him to locate.
Emily noticed his turmoil as she said 'Don't worry, she will come' she said telepathically and Asher nodded, relaxing as he calmly waited for First Awakening.
After some time, the hall filled with the presence of every key member of the Magnus family. The atmosphere grew still and expectant. A figure emerged from behind the curtain—a distinguished elder. He floated effortlessly in mid-air, his powerful aura commanding the attention of all present. The old man was dressed in a regal purple robe, adorned with a badge on his chest. This badge bore the symbol of the Magnus family, made up of three interconnected triangles. Each triangle contained a distinct image: the uppermost triangle was white with a drop of blood at its center, the left triangle was black with a lightning symbol, and the right triangle was grey, featuring the image of a skeleton.
This emblem was the sacred symbol of the Magnus family, representing the abilities of its founder, Ross Magnus, and his two legendary wives. Ross Magnus was known for his terrifying ability to control blood. History tells of a time during war when Ross, standing alone on a battlefield, drained the blood of an entire army, wiping out trillions of invaders by himself. The black lightning in the left triangle symbolized the power of his first wife, who possessed the terrifying Black Lightning talent. The grey triangle, marked with the skeleton, represented the necromantic abilities of his second wife, who wielded dominion over life and death itself.
As the elder hovered above, he scanned the crowd with an intense gaze, his presence signaling the beginning of the Annual Awakening Ceremony. The weight of the Magnus legacy hung heavily in the air, as each family member prepared for what was to come.
"Today, once again, we will separate diamonds from trash," the elder said, his voice cold and sharp, cutting through the silence of the grand hall. His eyes, piercing and judgmental, swept over the gathered family members, each one knowing the weight of his words. "As you all know, only the talented may remain on the Sky Fortress," he added, his tone stern and unyielding.