"Gasp!" Chris gasped as he jumped in his bed, the sound of the system startling him awake. He glanced around anxiously, his body on high alert. Chris found himself back inside his room, he breathed a sigh of relief after calming down.
"They probably brought me back here." Chris muttered under his breath, thinking that his skeletons may have brought him back home.
He opened his Status Window to see any improvements in his abilities, nothing had really changed except for the increase in his Exp and amount of Soul Points. His exp was around 1500 and his Soul Points was standing at 2000.
"There probably weren't alot of Dark Hounds left." Chris thought finally getting out of bed.
He glanced at his body, energy coarsing through his veins. Today was the day of the Awakening Ceremony, where his magical attribute will be revealed among others.
[Task Completed!] The system sounded again.
Chris turned to face the System panel that appeared beside him, a wave of happiness surged through him as he had finished his task. A smile formed on his face.
"Thanks guys." Chris said to his skeletons, though they couldn't hear him. But it didn't matter, he was excited about the rewards and today's Awakening Ceremony.
[Does Host Wish To Receive Task Rewards?]
[Yes] or [No]
"Chris!" Jade's voice called, startling Chris momentarily.
"Coming mom!" Chris called back, rushing out the door with hurried footsteps. The system panel floated beside him as he ran, a constant reminder for him to either accept or deny the task rewards.
"Not now, i'll receive them later." Chris said and the system chimed before dissapearing.
Chris walked into the kitchen, his mother preparing breakfast was the first thing he saw. He smiled as he approached her, with a cheery and excited voice, he greeted:
"Good morning, mom." Chris said with a bright smile.
Jade turned around and returned the smile to Chris "Good morning, Chris. Sleep well?" She asked.
Chris nodded, "Yes mom. Im excited for today, im finally going to Awaken!" Chris said excitedly. Sitting down at the breakfast table.
Jade giggled, Chris's excitement matching her own "Well i'm happy you're excited. I'm sure you'll do just fine." Jade said as she walked over to Chris and handed him his meal.
"Thanks mom." Chris said as he began to eat. As he took the first bite, he noticed something strange. The taste of the food was good, yes, but not as good as the Souls.
'Damn, i hope i don't get atticted to eating Souls. That could get really bad.' Chris noted internally.
Chris soon finished eating his meal and washed his plate. He then headed to the bathroom where he quickly washed himself, the hunt from a few hours earlier had him smelling iffy. And he didn't want that, especially not an important day like today.
Once done cleaning himself he headed back to his room, a towel wrapped around his waist. He quickly changed into new clothes-a simple tunic and pants.
He quickly checked himself out, making sure that everything was in place.
'Okay, i think i'm good. Hehe, here we go.' Chris said internally as he left his room.
He walked back into the kitchen and called for Jade "Mom! It's time, let's go." Chris said impatiently.
Jade stepped out the kitchen and smiled warmly, "Sorry for making you wait, let's get going, shall we?" She said as she grabbed Chris by the hand and left the house.
Outside, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing a nice breeze that made the day feel extra special-because it was. All the people of the village began moving to a large plain, people began discussing to themselves about today's events and what it could entail for their village.
Chris walked with Jade as he was held by the hand, his small size making it a bit difficult to walk, but hey, you can't really blame him, he's just 10 years old. The air was charged with palpable energy, most people were excited, while other's were scared, fearing that their child may not possess a magical attribute.
"Chris!" A cheery voice called from behind. Jade and Chris stopped to look behind them to see Mia running towards them.
Chris smiled upon seeing his childhood friend, Mia rushed up to him and hugged him. Burying her face in his chest, which made Chris chuckle weirdly.
Jade smiled, seeing the bond the two kids shared "My my," She teased "You two are quite close, aren't you?"
Mia looked up at Jade "Good morning, Mrs. Jade!" Mia said with a smile.
"Good morning to you too, Mia." Jade returned the greeting before releasing Chris hand, she continued:
"Why don't you too go along, i'll be watching from the sidelines, okay?"
Chris nodded, "Okay mother." Chris said as he grabbed Mia's hand and began to walk to where all the other kids were.
Mia giggled as she was dragged away by Chris, "Chris, what do you your magical attribute will be?" Mia asks, her eyes filled with wonder and curiosity.
Chris laughed, already knowing how the Ceremony will go "Hmmm, i'm not sure. But if i had to guess, i'd say i'll probably get fire magic. Then i'll burn everything in my path and rise to become a strong adventurer." Chris said, lying.
Soon Chris arrived at the spot where the other children were waiting, all of them were qued up in a long line. There we're about 15 kids-including Chris, that were waiting to Awaken their magical attribute.
Mia let go of Chris' hand and stepped back "Go," She said as she took a step back, "I'll be in the crowd watching you." Mia said as she ran off.
Chris smiled as he watched her dissapear around a corner, vanishing into the vast crowd of villagers. He soon joined the que of Awakeners, all the kids were discussing among themselves, some were excited and others worried.
But Chris didn't care about that, he could only focus on his own Awakening. He clenched his fists as his determination began to build inside him.
After a few minutes of waiting a large man, wearing a leaf crown on his head appeared. He stood behind a pedestal, a large crystal ball mounted on top of it. His expression focused and serious, his strong muscles making his appearance more terrifying.
He cleared his throat, his voice commanding attention as he spoke. "We have all gathered here today to witness a pivotal moment for the next generation of our village. This ceremony will determine not only your future, but also the future of our entire community."
The large man gestured toward the line of children. "Step forward when your name is called."
One by one, the children moved forward. The crystal ball pulsed with a soft glow each time a child placed their hand on it, but for most, the light quickly dimmed to nothing. The atmosphere grew heavier as child after child stepped down, their shoulders slumping in disappointment. No magic, no attributes. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, concern spreading like wildfire.
A young boy with brown hair was the first to awaken. As his hand touched the crystal ball, it glowed a faint green before sputtering out. "Wind magic," the village lord announced, his voice neutral. The boy nodded, relieved, though not particularly excited, and stepped down to the crowd's quiet approval.
Two more children followed, each leaving the pedestal with nothing but empty hands and downcast faces. The weight of failure seemed to hang over the ceremony.
Then, the mood shifted.
A girl with striking crimson red hair stepped forward. Her movements were deliberate, graceful, as if she knew this moment was hers. The villagers whispered excitedly as she approached the pedestal.
"That's Elara," someone murmured from the crowd. "The village lord's niece."
Elara barely acknowledged the whispers, her focus entirely on the crystal ball. She raised her chin, a smug smirk playing on her lips as she placed her hand on the glowing orb.
For a moment, nothing happened. The crowd held its breath.
Then, the crystal ball erupted in flames, swirling in shades of red and orange. Gasps rang out as the fire danced around Elara's hand, not burning her but making the entire village take a step back in awe.
"High-Tier Flame Magic!" the village lord announced, his voice filled with unmistakable pride. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, unable to contain their admiration for the girl's power.
Elara smirked, clearly pleased with the reaction. Her crimson hair seemed to burn with the same intensity as her magic as she descended from the pedestal, head held high. But as she passed Chris, her eyes locked onto him, cold and full of disdain. She gave him a sharp glare, her lip curling ever so slightly in disgust, as if she considered him beneath her.
Chris blinked, confused but determined not to let her affect him. He turned his attention back to the pedestal as Elara walked away, still soaking in the admiration of the villagers.
Finally, it was his turn.
The large man called his name, and the crowd fell silent once more. Chris took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. He stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. The crystal ball seemed to pulse in anticipation, its glow faint but steady.
Chris reached out his hand. His fingers hovered just inches from the orb.