Time crawled, each second stretching like a taut wire, until a single minute felt like an eternity. The crowd's anticipation grew, the weight of silence pressing down like a heavy shroud.
Then—
Bang!
Another deafening explosion rang out from the gymnasium, shattering the stillness like a crack of thunder. The unmistakable sound signaled yet another successful awakening, its power reverberating through the air.
But this time, what followed was beyond anything they had previously witnessed.
A surge of pink erupted from the gymnasium's windows, glittering and alive, its brilliance consuming the structure in a radiant cascade. The glow swelled outward, transforming the entire field into a dreamlike tableau. The soft, rosy hue painted the landscape in pastel strokes, as if the sky itself seemed to blush under the surreal display.
Onlookers froze, every pair of eyes fixed on the spectacle, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and disbelief. Gasps caught in their throats, mouths agape, as the phenomenon unfolded.
Maximus was no exception, his sharp violet eyes widening as the impossible played out before him. The chaotic swirl of thoughts in his head managed to form a single, jagged thread: 'What the hell is this?!'
Even the stoic man on the podium faltered. The same figure who had maintained a stern composure throughout the ceremony—unmoved by the earlier awakenings—now betrayed a flicker of emotion. His previously impassive mask cracked as his gaze locked on the awe-inspiring scene, his eyes widening ever so slightly.
Behind him, the dignitaries stirred, their calm demeanor giving way to astonishment. And not just them, even the two rankers standing by the gymnasium's entrance, usually the epitome of discipline, exchanged glances that betrayed their disbelief. It was a rare moment, a fracture in the practiced aloofness of authority, as the breathtaking spectacle refused to be ignored.
The spectacle didn't last long. The blinding brilliance began to wane, the vibrant pink glow fading like embers in the final breaths of a fire. Bit by bit, the shimmering light unraveled, retreating into the gymnasium's windows until it disappeared entirely, leaving no trace of its otherworldly presence.
The field, bathed moments ago in surreal beauty, returned to its ordinary state. Yet the crowd remained transfixed, their collective breath seemingly caught in their chests. The world might have looked unchanged, but the charged air and wide-eyed astonishment told a story of something extraordinary that couldn't be undone.
"C-Carla Agorra, fifteen years old, auxiliary-type innate gift!"
The announcement rang out, though the speaker's voice betrayed her lingering shock. Whoever she was, the earlier display had clearly shaken her as well, leaving her unsteady. Her words slightly wavered, each syllable tinged with hesitation as if forcing themselves past the weight of awe that still clung to her being.
She couldn't be blamed, of course. Carla's awakening had been nothing short of extraordinary—shocking and utterly unforgettable. Whatever innate gift she had unlocked, its nature was likely exceptional.
It was widely understood that the intensity of an awakening was a direct reflection of the gift's strength. In this context, "strength" referred not to raw power but to the quality and uniqueness of the gift itself. Some innate gifts were rare and remarkable, while others were common and less impactful.
This distinction mattered. The quality of an innate gift was intrinsically tied to the holder's talent in cultivation. A stronger, more unique gift didn't just set someone apart—it elevated their potential.
So, while the quality of an innate gift couldn't be measured in a direct and accurate way, the sheer intensity and brilliance of Carla's awakening spoke volumes. Such a spectacular display strongly suggested that her innate gift was exceptional—something rare and special. And with a remarkable gift came remarkable talent, a natural promise of greatness.
That girl had a promising future ahead—of that, there was no doubt.
Moments later, Carla stepped out of the gymnasium, her features alight with excitement. But what truly caught everyone's attention was the discernible change in her presence. Her aura now radiated a commanding intensity, a force so vivid it seemed to ripple through the air, unmistakable even from a distance.
Like the participants before her, Carla was promptly escorted to the academy's main building. The eyes of everyone in the field followed her as she moved across the grounds, her steps steady and unbroken. She didn't pause or glance back, simply continued on until she disappeared from sight.
Maximus's gaze stayed on Carla even after she went through the building's doors, his eyes staying on the spot where she'd vanished.
A faint envy stirred in his chest, though he tried to brush it aside. The former veteran was highly confident in his own awakening—he knew it would come. But still, a nagging doubt crept in. Would his moment shine as brightly as Carla's? Would his innate gift command the same awe? The questions gnawed at the edges of his confidence, refusing to be silenced.
After all, he longed for greatness too—a gift that would set him apart, something incredible enough to propel him far along the mystical path of ranker cultivation. A talent like that wouldn't just open doors; it would carve out a future he had always dreamed of—one where he stood strong, proud, and unwavering on the highest stage.
Becoming just another mediocre ranker was never his goal; he desired something more—something far beyond the ordinary. And so, Maximus couldn't help but feel a flicker of envy toward Carla. Her extraordinary awakening only deepened his desire to stand above the rest, to claim a future worthy of his ambition.
"Hahaha! It seems the Ascension Tower has truly favored today's awakening ceremony! A remarkable talent has emerged—an honor, without a doubt!" The serious man on the podium boomed, his voice brimming with elation, a sharp contrast to the impassive mask he had worn before.
The crowd's attention snapped back to him, but the aftershock of Carla's awakening still largely permeated the air, the awe had yet to subside.
The man's expression gradually returned to its usual neutrality as he continued. "However, the procession must go on. Many students are still waiting for their turn. Thus, let us resume."
At his command, the attendees returned to their seats, and a sense of calm gradually settled over the field once more.
Afterward, several more participants were called up, each stepping toward the gymnasium without incident. However, only one emerged with a successful awakening, and even then, the spectacle paled in comparison to Carla's. The intensity and brilliance that had marked her moment were nowhere to be found, leaving a far more subdued impression in its wake.
At last, it was time for Maximus to have his turn. The summon called for him, "Number 91!"
The former veteran rose from his seat with casual ease, walking toward the gymnasium with quiet confidence.
As a well-known loner at State High Academy No. 14, many of the participants recognized him. Though they didn't know him personally, his name and face were familiar. Perhaps it was the school's atmosphere, or maybe the relatively well-mannered nature of the students, but Maximus had never been troubled or bullied for his solitary ways.
An unspoken understanding seemed to exist among them: if you kept to yourself, they would do the same. Maximus didn't engage with his classmates, and in turn, they respected his need for solitude. It was as simple as that.
Still, his former self's habit of keeping his distance had earned him a notable reputation. Add to that Maximus's striking good looks, which hadn't gone unnoticed—especially by the girls—and it was clear he was a figure many recognized. Now, their curiosity was piqued, all wondering if this handsome loner could awaken his gift.
It didn't take long for Maximus to reach the gymnasium and slip through the entrance. The two rankers standing by the door gave him a silent nod as he passed, their eyes briefly meeting his without a word.
Inside, he was greeted by the sight of several staff members positioned behind a long metallic table set in the center of the court. They wore identical uniforms to the two rankers outside, indicating their identity as respected rankers. A faint, unmistakable pressure radiated from each of their figures, filling the air with a quiet tension that set his senses slightly on edge.
Maximus's gaze then fell upon the table, where several laptop-like devices were neatly arranged across its surface. A few meters in front of the long desk stood a pedestal, its height reaching the waistline of an adult. Resting atop it was a large crystal—about the size of a soccer ball. Its surface shimmered with swirling milky hues, casting a soft glow that seemed to dance in the light, its otherworldly radiance drawing the eye.
In addition, many long cables were scattered across the ground, connecting the crystal to the laptop-like devices on the desk, their presence adding to the technical nature of the setup.
'Ascension Stone...' Maximus murmured inwardly, instantly recognizing the crystal. The name echoed in his mind, carrying with it a sense of significance and mystery.
He had heard of this object before. While he had never seen it in person, he had learned enough knowledge about it. This artifact was one of the few things in existence capable of triggering the awakening of an innate gift.
It was the very artifact used in mass awakening events across Atlas. The Ascension Stone's capabilities went beyond simply triggering an awakening; it could also provide a rough identification of the type of innate gift. Despite its remarkable abilities, however, the Ascension Stone was one of the rarest treasures in the world—a natural wonder that couldn't be replicated and was exceedingly difficult to find.
In fact, the Ascension Stone couldn't be found anywhere in Atlas. It hailed from a certain unique location. Yet, even within that place, the stone was far from easily discovered, its rarity adding to its mystique and value.
Maximus didn't know much about other countries, but in the Etrussia Republic, the possession of Ascension Stones was tightly monopolized by the most prominent forces, with the government holding the largest collection.
There was a government department known as the Extraordinary Power Bureau, tasked with all matters concerning rankers within the country. One of their key responsibilities was organizing every domestic mass awakening, just as they were doing today at this very academy.
The staff members Maximus saw now were precisely operatives sent by the EPB. The gray cloaks they wore were a well-known trademark of the organization, signifying their affiliation and authority. They were the team specially trained in utilizing the Ascension Stone, overseeing the awakenings with practiced precision.
"What are you doing just standing there? Come forward," urged the female staff member sitting at the center of the long desk, her voice firm and direct. She seemed to be the one in charge here, her presence felt different from the rest of the team, both dominant and superior.
Maximus shook off his momentary stupor and quickly responded, "Yes, ma'am. Sorry." He steadied himself and stepped forward with purpose.
"Just stand behind that pedestal," the leading staff member instructed, her gaze fixed on a document in front of her. "There's something to be cleared first before we can begin your awakening." She didn't even look up from the papers as she spoke.
Maximus complied without a word, coming to a stop directly before the shimmering crystal, its glow softly reflecting off his features as he waited for further instructions.
"Maximus Sideris, fifteen years old, orphan, no living relatives. Current residence: Cornelius Welfare Apartment in the Helios District of Nova Regium. Previous residence: Bonita Orphanage in Nova Regium. Alma maters include Stardust Public Junior School and State High Academy No. 14. Are these details correct?" the leading staff member said, her gaze lifting from the document to lock onto Maximus. Her words sounded more like a demand for confirmation than a genuine question.
"Correct, ma'am," Maximus replied with a nod, confirming the mentioned details.
It wasn't surprising that these rankers from the EPB had access to all his personal information. And yes, every bit of it was accurate—including his surname, Sideris. It felt strange sometimes, acknowledging a name so different from the one he had carried in his previous life. Yet, it was his now.
The leading staff member gave a curt nod, her pen swiftly scratching some notes onto the document before she closed the file and set it aside. Rising from her seat, she addressed him again, her tone brisk yet professional.
"Very well. We can proceed to the awakening." She gestured toward the glowing crystal. "Place your palm on top of the stone. Take a deep breath, then close your eyes."
Again, without a word, Maximus followed her instructions. His right palm pressed against the cool, smooth surface of the crystal, its peculiar texture sending a faint tingling sensation up his arm. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, feeling the weight of the moment settle in his chest. This was it—the moment he had waited for, imagined countless times.
Closing his eyes, he cast aside any lingering doubts. There was no room for hesitation now. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.
"Once you're ready, we'll begin the process immediately. If you don't feel anything, and the stone shows no reaction after three minutes, I'm afraid that means you've failed. Do you understand?" The female staff's voice rang out again, cutting through the silence like a blade, firm yet devoid of malice.
"Perfectly, ma'am. I'm ready," Maximus replied, his tone steady and resolute, betraying none of the anticipation coursing through him.
"Good," she said, her voice softer now but still authoritative. "Let's get started."
In the next second, the world around Maximus rapidly dissolved into an unnerving void of silence. It wasn't just quiet—it was an oppressive, unnatural stillness that pressed in on him from every side. Not a whisper of air, not the faintest shuffle of movement, not even the sound of his own breath. The silence was so absolute it seemed to devour everything.
Total darkness... No shapes, no textures, no flicker of light to pierce the black. It was an abyss, smothering and infinite, a place where reality itself felt suspended.
The strangeness stretched on, a sensation that burrowed into his mind and warped his perception of time. Seconds seemed to unravel, fold back, and stretch endlessly, as if he were caught in a loop that defied all logic—a spiral of nothingness that held him captive.
Then, without warning, a flicker sliced through the darkness—a faint, sluggish flash of lightning, distant and unsure. It was so small at first, just a hesitant spark that seemed barely able to pierce the void. But soon, it was joined by others, multiplying like sparks from a wildfire, growing larger, brighter, until the air itself seemed to tremble with the intensity.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The lightning erupted with brutal force, each bolt crackling with untamed, violent energy. The power was overwhelming—unstoppable, unrelenting—as though the very fabric of the world itself would be torn apart by its sheer force. The sound was deafening, a thunderous roar that filled every corner of the vast void, its intensity shattering the silence in a way that felt almost primal—louder, more savage than the anguished roar of the most fearsome beast.
It wasn't just noise—it was the sound of the heavens themselves waging colossal war, of celestial forces clashing in a brutal, furious storm. Each strike crashed down with the fury of a thousand battles.
Strangely enough, despite the overwhelming power and the sheer intensity of the lightning storm raging around him, Maximus felt no fear. His heart settled over by a deep sense of calm.
There was something oddly familiar about those terrifying bolts of lightning, like an old, forgotten melody suddenly heard again after eons of silence.
No, it was more than that—it felt intimate, as if these flashes of raw energy were woven into the very fabric of his being, not just a part of him, but an inseparable essence. It was as though they and he were bound together by some ancient, unspoken force, and in that moment, Maximus knew that he wasn't merely a witness to this storm—he was one with it. The power, the fury, the unrelenting force—it was all him, and he was it.
Primordial Divine Lightning...
The words echoed in Maximus's mind, not as sounds, but as pure, raw concepts that vibrated through his very core. It was as if the lightning itself had a consciousness, a will of its own, and through an unspoken exchange, it had shared its name with him. There were no voices, no language—just the weight of an ancient truth settling into his consciousness.
And it was true. These bolts were no mere flashes of lightning, no simple displays of nature's wrath. They were something far beyond, timeless, and incredibly special—one of a kind.
They claimed themselves as the first lightning—the very essence that had cracked the sky open when creation itself was born, when the universe first stirred into existence. They were born in that fleeting instant, before the stars even had names, before the cosmos took complete shape.
This wasn't just any force of nature. This was the primordial power, a force that stood at the very top of the hierarchy, untouchable by anything else. No storm, no tempest, no other force in nature could hope to rival its terrifying might. It was beyond compare—supreme, unmatched.
The moment the truth settled deep within him, the lightning ceased its fury, its fierce energy turning inward. It coiled around him, slow and deliberate, like serpents drawn to their master. Maximus felt no fear, no hesitation—only a profound serenity.
The bolts, previously wild and chaotic, now flowed toward him with purpose, as if drawn by an invisible force that only he could command. He understood that these bolts were not enemies or threats, but allies, part of his very essence. They would never harm him, for they were bound to him in a way no other force could be. They were his—he was theirs.
Then, in a flash, the lightning converged upon him, sinking into his being, merging with his flesh, his soul. The power blanketed him like a cocoon, warm and tight, filling every corner of his existence. The sensation was strange yet profoundly familiar, like an old, long-lost companion finally finding its place within him. It felt like home—the most elemental connection he could ever know.
Suddenly, a blinding brightness blared to life, swallowing the entirety of the eerie darkness. It was as if the light had physical weight, pressing against him, pulling him back from the inside of the unknown. Gradually, his senses sharpened—sound, touch, and sight returned with a sudden clarity, each one more vivid than it had ever been. The sensation was like waking from a long, deep slumber, his body grounding itself once more in the present.
A rush of warmth began to flood his chest, the realization hitting him like a wave. His gift had awakened!
The power he had sought, the very essence of his being, was now his. The feeling that followed was unlike anything he had ever experienced—an overwhelming wave of joy, pride, and deep satisfaction. Maximus had done it. He had achieved what many others could only dream of, what he had set his heart on.
It was a moment of triumph that resonated deep within him, a victory that felt as if the entire world had paused, holding its breath to acknowledge his achievement. This was his reward—his moment of recognition.
Afterward, Maximus decided to open his eyes. Blinking a few times, his vision gradually cleared as the haze of light and color dissipated. The world around him came back into focus with startling precision.
However, the scene he saw was drastically different from what he remembered before his awakening. Unable to suppress his shock, Maximus exclaimed, "What the hell?!"
His eyes hurriedly darted around.
The gymnasium, once orderly, was now in a state of chaos. It looked as though a hurricane had torn through, leaving destruction in its wake. The floor was strewn with debris, shattered windows lay in pieces near the edges, and broken equipment was scattered haphazardly across the court, including the metallic desk and the pedestal where the Ascension Stone previously perched. Furthermore, scorch marks marred the walls, and cracks ran like veins through the structure, as if the building itself had been shaken to its core.
Everything here had basically been reduced to a total mess, leaving Maximus dumbfounded and shocked.
"Kid, are you alright?"
A male voice, tinged with concern, cut through the confusion. Maximus turned toward the source of the voice.
It was one of the staff members, a man holding a sword in a defensive stance, his eyes sharp with caution. As he approached warily, he called out again, but Maximus, still reeling from the disorienting event, didn't respond.
Instead, his eyes flicked toward the other staff members. They stood at a distance, each one now in a combat-ready stance, their eyes fixed vigilantly on him as if they were facing down a dangerous threat.
The entire situation left Maximus utterly baffled. What was going on? How could everything in this place have changed so drastically?
"Hey, kid! Are you okay?"
The man called out again, his voice louder now, tinged with urgency.
Maximus blinked, still trying to shake off the disorientation. His eyes scanned the wreckage again before finally meeting the man's gaze, his confusion evident.
"What?" was all he could muster, his voice faint, almost distant.
"I said, are you okay?" The man repeated, his tone now edged with impatience, though still layered with concern.
Maximus didn't immediately respond to the man's question.
He was more interested in checking up on his own body, seeing tiny electric currents flickering across his skin, each flash sending a tingling jolt through him. More importantly, he could feel an overwhelming surge of power beneath the surface, a sensation both new and exhilarating. Every muscle, every fiber of his being seemed alive, vibrating with an energy he had never tasted in all of his life before.
It wasn't just his body that had changed. His senses, too, had undergone a profound transformation. His eyesight had sharpened, enabling him to see with startling clarity even at a distance. The air around him carried a myriad of scents, some familiar, others strange, but all heightened—rich, layered, and far more complex. His hearing, too, had become unnaturally acute. He could pick up on the faintest heartbeats of people nearby and even the murmurs of voices outside the building, as if the world had suddenly become far more vivid and detailed than ever before.
Even more astounding was what Maximus sensed next. It wasn't a smell, a sound, or even a breeze—it was something intangible, yet vivid in his senses. It floated around in the air around him, like an abstract, formless color that hung just out of reach, yet undeniably present.
It didn't take long for him to recognize what it was. Energia. The magical energy so crucial to rankers, the very force that powered their abilities and connected them to the world in ways ordinary people couldn't comprehend. He could feel its presence, swirling through the atmosphere, invisible yet palpable, ready to be harnessed.
With all these signs unfolding before him, there was no doubt in Maximus' mind: his awakening had been a success. He was now fully connected to a world of power and possibilities he had only heard so much about. The electric pulses coursing through his veins, the sharpened senses, and the energy that surrounded him—it was all proof that he had truly ascended.
Looking back at the man who had stopped a few meters away, still eyeing him warily, a grin spread across Maximus's lips.
"I'm fine. Never been better, actually." He finally responded.
His voice was cheerful, yet there was a peculiar edge to it—an ultimate confidence, far stronger than he exuded before. As he spoke, the energy within him seemed to hum, as if in agreement with his words.