It was the day - the day of Awakening. The day when the curse that befell the Valkorin clan would finally be lifted and the blessed would gain powers again.

"Finally," Kael mumbled as he stared at the magnificent building before him. The manorial castle had an intense beguiling mystery to it, luring him to go inside.

Even though a thousand years had passed, the castle remained intact and high, looking down on everyone proudly.

It was a dream come true for Kael and his family, especially when in a few hours he'd be awakening his powers. 

'Please let it be something useful. Please,' Kael prayed as he looked around him, observing the other people who would be entering the castle like him when it was time.

"Kael, are you ready, son?" Kael's father, Richard asked delightedly. Albeit nervous, he hid his anxiousness well as he waited for his son to reply.

"Yes, Dad. I'm prepared."

"Good, good. There is no need to fret over it. If you're worthy, you'll get what you deserve. Otherwise, it isn't a bad experience to have come all the way here. At least, we got to know our ancestors."

Richard wasn't a greedy man. It didn't matter to him if his son didn't awaken any powers after entering the castle. He was already pleased that they were related to the great Valkorin clan which was once prosperous and prodigious.

"I understand, Dad," Kael replied absent-mindedly. Even though he knew his father didn't mind it, he did. He wanted to awaken his powers. He wanted to become powerful. After all, it was once in a lifetime opportunity. If not now, then never. His family, his life, and even his future depended on it.

All of a sudden, a laughter filled with contempt fell on their ears and Kael and Richard turned to face the family who had overheard their conversation.

"Don't be like him, Justin," the older man, who had laughed at them, sneered as he looked at his son. "He is unworthy of even being here. I don't think he'll awaken any powers. You're made for the greater good. Don't involve yourself with such losers."

"Yes, Dad." Justin nodded and looked at them in disgust before walking away with his family.

Kael and Richard were speechless and didn't react for quite some time. 

"Dad, let's go to the front. It must be time," Kael suggested, disregarding the insults. Their opinions didn't matter to him. They weren't his family.

"Yes, yes, Let's go." Richard snapped out of his thoughts and accompanied Kael to the front, forgetting the contemptuous look they had just received. 

Approaching the front wasn't easy. Amongst the push and pull, Kael and Richard almost got separated. 

The number of people stunned him. Kael was certain that everyone was somehow related to the Valkorin clan. They were all descendants, either directly or indirectly. Even though he had prepared himself for the crowd, he was still bereft of speech when he saw the people who'd be joining him soon to enter the castle.

The guards were on high alert. Considering the large crowd that had gathered, it wouldn't be a surprise if the situation turned chaotic in an instant.

"Dad, isn't that Governor Stephen?" Kael was surprised to see the revered man on the stage-like platform beside the castle. 

"Yes." Richard's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the Governor speaking to the man beside him. "I didn't know he was related to the Valkorin clan as well."

"Me neither." Kael was stunned and his excitement only increased when he noticed a few dignitaries as well as celebrities he had only seen on television join the crowd in their full glory.

Kael and Richard continued to marvel at their surroundings, still astonished at their luck. It wasn't until the crowd went silent when the man who had been speaking to Governor Stephan approached the mike that they snapped out of their stupor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Percival Vernon. We all know why we have gathered here," the man started, gaining everyone's attention. "I won't take much of your time by speaking nonsense. Instead, I'd like to reveal what happened in the past that led us to this day."

Kael's interest was piqued and he listened intently to the man's speech. Even though he knew the story, it didn't stop him from focusing.

"A thousand years ago, our clan was cursed and stripped of all the powers, reducing our ancestors to powerless humans. Here we stand, a thousand years later, the very day when the curse will be lifted."

Cheers erupted from the crowd and Kael too couldn't help but shout in joy. The man raised his hand and the shouts died instantly.

"The blessed among us will be able to awaken their powers today. I hope we are fortunate enough to have our children continue the legacy the Valkorin clan once had."

A thunderous applause filled the place and Kael couldn't help but marvel at the man whose words had shaken his heart.

"Now, I request all the eligible people to queue up on my left." Percival pointed to his left and smiled faintly. "We'll divide you into batches and send you inside. Once inside, you may explore the place as you wish while you wait to awaken your powers."

"How will we find out if we have awakened our powers or not?" Someone from the audience shouted and Percival's smile widened until crow's feet showed on his face.

"The moment you step inside the manorial castle, you'll feel a surge of warmth inside you," the man explained. "Once you feel it, understand you're a blessed one."

"What if we don't feel anything?"

"Take it as if you aren't fortunate enough," the man replied in sympathy. "If you happen to feel the warmth, please don't leave the manor until you find out what your power is. Now, if everyone is ready, please line up. We will send our first batch soon."

The crowd went haywire at his words and many people scurried to get into the line.

"Kael, I'll wait for you outside." Richard looked at his son, his calm facade cracking for a moment. He was nervous, excited, and worried, all at the same time.

"Dad," Kael sighed and hugged his father. He didn't know why only teenagers were allowed inside the castle. What about the others? What if they were blessed too?

Alas, he couldn't ask anyone about it for no one knew.

"I'll call you once I come out." 

"Take care, Kael. Call me once you're done."

Kael nodded and the duo separated. He waved at his father and joined the line and soon, he was added to the second batch.

Just when Kael was about to greet his batch members, he heard a snicker and looked straight at Justin. He too was in the second batch.

'What luck!' Kael thought and rolled his eyes discreetly.

"Well, we at least know one person who will be coming out of the castle without any powers," Justin sneered and the others looked at him questioningly.

"Him." Justin pointed at Kael. "He is just a loser. He won't awaken any powers."

While a few people around him laughed gloatingly, many ignored his brazen words and continued to wait for their batch to be allowed inside.

Kael too ignored him and stood away from the crowd as he waited silently.

Once all the teenagers were allocated to their batches, the castle doors were opened, and the first batch was allowed inside.

Barely had the group entered the castle when screams and shouts filled the place, startling everyone. 

Kael looked at the castle doors curiously. But he couldn't see anything inside from where he was. A minute later, however, a young man who seemed to be in his late teens came running out. There was no obvious physical difference in him. But the aura around him had changed. He was one of the blessed ones for sure.

Percival welcomed him to the stage wholeheartedly. "May I know what power you awakened?"

The young man grinned and looked around before focusing on a group of people speaking among themselves. 

"I hope my daughter is one of the blessed ones," the young man started speaking, confusing everyone listening to him. 

"Don't worry, Andy. Lira is a good child. The heavens will bless her for sure."

Kael turned in the direction the young man was looking at and his eyes flashed when realization hit.

While many were yet to decipher what was happening, Percival already understood what power the young man beside him had awakened.

"Is it just heightened hearing or have all your senses been enhanced too?" he asked, his tone filled with admiration.

"It's just hearing, Sir," the young man stated with pride and murmurs erupted in the crowd. While some were jealous of his ability, others looked at him in awe.

"Good, good. Good child. Go to your family. They must be jubilant. We shall speak again once the awakening ends."

"Yes, Sir."

Percival invited everyone who had come out of the castle to the stage. While some were ecstatic at being able to gain powers, many weren't that lucky. Percival could only comfort them with words of appreciation.

Soon, it was time for the second batch to enter and Kael prepared himself for his moment. To avoid any confrontation with his batch members, he distanced himself from Justin's group and remained isolated until he entered the castle.

The moment he entered the manorial castle, a chill ran down his spine and his hair stood on end. Goosebumps erupted on his skin. It wasn't the warmth he was expecting. Instead, it was bone-chillingly cold and he felt his lungs constrict.

Kael felt a pair of eyes watching him and once he turned around, his eyes rounded in shock.

A man dressed in white robes was dangling by the castle doors and he grinned widely when he met Kael's eyes. "Hello, there."