After arriving in the capital city, the bustling streets of Cypote came into full view. On both sides of the roads, various shops and establishments lined the way—battle equipment stores, potion shops, traders selling rare goods, and inns and hotels catering to visitors from across the realm. The streets were teeming with life, filled with individuals from countless races: humans, elves, dwarves, demi-humans, and even a few dragons. At the end of the wide, lively street stood the magnificent castle, an imposing structure that served as the residence of the ruler of Vrendo Country. Its towering spires reached for the heavens, a symbol of the nation's strength and authority.
Inside the carriage, Von's golden eyes sparkled with excitement, though a hint of nervousness lingered in his expression. It was his first time visiting the capital, and the sheer scale of it left him in awe. Unlike Sapire City, where the streets were relatively quiet and less crowded, Cypote was a thriving metropolis, its energy almost overwhelming. The capital spanned a massive thirty kilometers, a testament to its grandeur and significance.
After ten minutes of travel from the city gates, a colossal coliseum came into view. The structure dominated the horizon, its walls stretching high and wide. Two massive doors stood at the front: one entrance was for spectators and audiences eager to watch the Awakening Ceremony, while the other was designated for the young participants who would undergo their Mana Core awakening. This coliseum was where children of various races and backgrounds would gather to take the first step toward their destinies.
As the carriage came to a stop, Michael dismounted from his horse and moved swiftly to open the carriage door. He stood to the side with his usual respectful demeanor and said, "Young Master Von, you may step out now and proceed to the registration line for the Awakening Ceremony."
"Yes, Uncle Michael," Von replied, his voice steady yet tinged with excitement. As he stepped out of the carriage, he turned back for one last look at his mother. Through the open door, he saw Celestine's warm smile and loving eyes watching him intently.
"I'll see you later, Mom," Von said, his tone soft but resolute.
"See you later, my love. And good luck," Celestine responded gently, her voice filled with reassurance. "Remember, no matter what the result, Mama will always be proud of you and love you unconditionally."
Von smiled, his nervousness melting away just a little. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, my little star," Celestine replied. She then shifted her gaze to Alice, who stood beside Michael.
"Alice," Celestine said, her tone calm but firm, "accompany Von to the registration stall. Once you've ensured he's settled, join Michael, Roan, and me in the viewing room."
"Understood, Madam," Alice replied, bowing slightly. She then turned to Von with a warm smile. "Let's go, Young Master Von."
Von nodded, his excitement returning as he walked beside Alice toward the registration area.
The coliseum grounds were bustling with activity, with children from various races lining up to register for the ceremony. The air buzzed with anticipation and nervous energy. Von glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds, knowing this moment would shape his future.
As they approached the registration stall, Alice spoke softly to him. "This is your moment, Young Master Von. Trust in yourself and all you've learned. You'll do wonderfully."
Von nodded, her words giving him a boost of confidence. As he stepped into the line, his heart beat faster, knowing that in just a few hours, the Awakening Ceremony would begin.
As Von approached the registration counter, his eyes fell on a beautiful receptionist who looked to be in her early 30s. She greeted him with a warm smile, her expression both kind and professional.
"Hello, young sir," the receptionist said in a gentle voice. "To join the Awakening Ceremony in the coliseum, you'll need to fill out this form." She handed him a crisp paper form along with a pen.
Von looked up at the receptionist, nodded politely, and took the form from her hands. As he began to read through it, Alice, who stood close beside him, leaned down and whispered softly into his ear, her voice barely audible.
"Young Lord Von," Alice murmured, her tone serious yet calm, "Madam has instructed that you use a false name for this form. This is to ensure we avoid drawing unnecessary attention, especially if something unexpected happens."
Von's eyes widened slightly at the instruction, but he quickly nodded. "Understood, Aunt Alice," he replied in a low voice, determination flickering in his golden eyes.
He filled out the form with steady hands, careful to use a name that would not raise suspicion. Once finished, he handed it back to the receptionist, who took it with a smile. She scanned the details on the form before looking back at him and speaking.
"Here is your participant number, child," she said, handing Von a badge with the number **903** engraved on it. "Proceed to the door on the left. Inside, you'll find a large hall with rows of seats. Your number corresponds to your assigned seat in the waiting area. Please take your seat and wait for further instructions."
The receptionist then turned her gaze to Alice. "Miss, please note that only participants are allowed beyond the hall's doors. You may accompany him to the door, but from there, he must proceed alone. Do you have any questions?"
Both Von and Alice shook their heads in unison. "No, thank you," Alice replied politely. With that, the two began walking toward the large doors leading to the waiting hall.
As they approached the entrance, two guards clad in gleaming battle armor stood watch, their imposing figures radiating authority. The taller of the two stepped forward and spoke in a firm tone.
"Let me see your number, kid."
Von nodded silently and held up his badge, showing the number 903. The guard examined it carefully before giving a curt nod.
"You may enter now," the guard said, stepping aside to let Von pass.
"Thank you," Von replied courteously. Then, turning to Alice, he added with a small smile, "I'm going now, Aunt Alice."
Alice crouched slightly to meet his eye level, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Yes, Young Lord Von," she said softly. "Good luck. We'll be watching you from the viewing platform. Remember, you're not alone—Madam and all of us are here for you."
Von nodded, taking her words to heart. With one last glance back at her, he squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and stepped through the doors into the waiting hall.
The air inside the hall was heavy with anticipation. Rows upon rows of children from various races sat in their assigned seats, each one waiting for their turn to awaken their Mana Core. The atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy, the room filled with hushed whispers and the occasional sound of shuffling feet.
Von found his seat marked with the number 903 and sat down, gripping his badge tightly. His heart pounded in his chest, but he took another deep breath to steady himself. This was it. The beginning of his journey, the moment he had prepared for, was just ahead.
Von glanced at the other participants around him. Some were fidgeting nervously, others sat with confident postures, while a few chatted quietly among themselves. His gaze eventually fell on the girl seated beside him.
She was strikingly unique. Her fiery red hair framed her face, contrasting sharply with the black dress she wore—simple and slightly worn, paired with matching red shoes. What caught his attention the most was her white mask, which obscured most of her face, leaving only her sharp, piercing blue eyes visible. Peeking out from the sides of her head were ears resembling those of a cat or dog, twitching faintly. Behind her, a fluffy red tail swayed lazily, adding to her mysterious presence.
As Von continued to stare, lost in curiosity, the girl suddenly turned her head to meet his gaze. Her blue eyes locked onto his, sharp and unwavering.
"What are you staring at, human?" she asked coldly, her tone laced with mild annoyance.
Von froze, startled by her directness. His heart skipped a beat as he fumbled for words. "N-nothing," he stammered, his voice betraying his embarrassment. He quickly looked down, avoiding her intense gaze.
The girl gave a slight huff, dismissing him entirely, and turned her attention back to the front of the hall. Von, still flustered, exhaled quietly and glanced in the same direction.
A man entered through the double doors at the front of the waiting hall, catching everyone's attention. He walked briskly toward a raised platform, exuding authority. Once he reached the stage, he addressed the gathered participants in a loud, clear voice.
"The Awakening Ceremony is about to begin," he announced. "You will be called in groups of ten. Wait for your turn and proceed when your group number is announced."
With that, the man stepped down from the platform and left the hall hurriedly through the same doors.
Moments later, a loud, booming voice echoed from the other side of the door, signaling the commencement of the ceremony.
Beyond the waiting hall, inside the grand coliseum, an audience of nearly 100,000 spectators roared with anticipation. The massive arena was a sight to behold, its sheer size and energy overwhelming.
At the center of the coliseum was a vast platform, nearly a kilometer in width. To the left of the platform stood ten glowing white orbs, each radiating a faint, mystical light. On the right side of the platform, ten bowls of crystal-clear water shimmered under the sunlight. At the center of the platform, ten prayer mats were arranged in a neat line, ready for the participants.
A voice boomed across the coliseum, amplified to reach every corner of the massive crowd.
"The Awakening Ceremony is about to begin!" the announcer declared, his excitement palpable. "Today, we will witness a magnificent spectacle as these young participants take their first steps into the world of cultivation. Without further ado, let the ceremony commence!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their energy filling the air as the ceremony began, promising a display of magic, destiny, and the unveiling of potential that could change lives forever.