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Chapter 1: The Awakening Ceremony
The city of Lunaris was alive with anticipation. Perched on the edge of the Auranth Province, Lunaris was known as the City of Scholars—home to the greatest academies and magical institutions in the kingdom of Vyrenthal. Its cobblestone streets wound through towering spires, bustling markets, and gleaming mana-lamps that cast a soft blue glow. Today, the air buzzed with a singular purpose: the Awakening Ceremony.
Kael Ardyn strode toward the grand hall of Eryndor Academy, his steps steady, his expression cold and unreadable. Though his black uniform was simple, his presence drew whispers from the gathering crowd of students.
"That's Kael Ardyn. He topped every theoretical exam last semester."
"I heard he scored perfectly in combat class too."
"But he never talks to anyone. He's so... strange."
Kael ignored them, his pale gray eyes fixed ahead. He had no interest in their chatter.
Inside the hall, students from across the city filled rows of ornate chairs. Some came from renowned Awakened families, their confidence evident in the way they held themselves. Others, like Kael, were from common households, their nerves barely hidden beneath forced calm.
The hall's centerpiece was the Soul Crystal, a massive, pulsating orb that glowed with an inner light. Around it stood instructors, administrators, and a few members of the Awakened Guild, a powerful organization that monitored and managed all Awakened individuals in Vyrenthal.
Kael scanned the crowd, his gaze briefly settling on a familiar face.
"Kael! Over here!"
A boy with messy brown hair and an easy grin waved enthusiastically. It was Eryn Valis, Kael's only friend and one of the few people who could pull a faint reaction from him. Kael gave a slight nod and moved to sit beside him.
"You ready for this?" Eryn asked, his voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"It's just another step," Kael replied, his tone even.
Eryn chuckled. "Of course, you'd say that. You never get worked up about anything."
Before Kael could respond, the headmaster of Eryndor Academy stepped onto the dais, his presence commanding instant silence.
"Today," Headmaster Lorik began, his voice resonating through the hall, "you stand on the precipice of greatness. The Soul Crystal will reveal your class and rank—your potential, your destiny. But remember, your journey does not end here. Strength alone does not make a hero. Resolve, courage, and wisdom will shape your legacy."
The ceremony began. One by one, students were called forward to place their hands on the Soul Crystal. The orb would glow, projecting a status window into the air for all to see.
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The first to step forward was Calder Feyn, heir to the prominent Feyn family. His every movement exuded arrogance, and his smirk deepened as the crystal flared brightly.
Name: Calder Feyn
Class: Swordsman
Rank: S
Gasps and murmurs filled the hall. Calder turned to the crowd, basking in their admiration. His sharp green eyes swept over the gathered students, lingering briefly on Kael.
"An S-Rank right from the start," Calder said, loud enough for all to hear. "I suppose greatness is in my blood."
Kael remained expressionless, but Eryn muttered under his breath, "What a show-off."
Next was Sylvia Crestmoor, daughter of the Crestmoor Trading Consortium. She stepped forward with a grace that matched her elegant features. The crystal glowed a shimmering gold.
Name: Sylvia Crestmoor
Class: Enchanter
Rank: A
Applause followed, though not as loud as for Calder. Sylvia curtsied slightly, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Calder's arrogance.
As the ceremony continued, the ranks and classes revealed varied wildly. Some students, like Milo Hart, a stocky boy from a merchant family, awakened F-Rank classes, their status windows greeted with awkward silence or sympathetic glances. Others, like Amara Vexis, awakened B-Rank or higher, their newfound prestige celebrated with cheers.
Finally, Eryn Valis was called. He shot Kael a nervous grin before stepping forward.
The crystal glowed faintly, its light flickering for a moment before stabilizing.
Name: Eryn Valis
Class: Archer
Rank: D
Eryn's shoulders slumped slightly as murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"A D-Rank? What a shame."
"He was so hopeful too."
"Well, not everyone can be special."
Kael's gaze didn't waver as Eryn returned, his expression forcing a smile. "Well... at least I'm not an F-Rank, right?"
"You'll make it work," Kael said simply.
Eryn blinked, surprised by the reassurance. "Thanks, Kael."
---
The final student called was Kael Ardyn. As he walked to the Soul Crystal, the room fell silent. His reputation as a genius had set expectations high, though his reserved nature left many curious.
Kael placed his hand on the crystal. It pulsed brightly, brighter than it had for anyone else. The glow filled the hall, the runes on the dome flickering as if responding to the crystal's energy.
The status window appeared, but instead of revealing his class and rank, it displayed:
Name: Kael Ardyn
Class: [Undisclosed]
Rank: [Undisclosed]
A wave of confusion swept through the hall.
"Undisclosed? Is that even possible?"
"Why wouldn't he reveal it? Is he hiding something?"
"Maybe he's just weak."
Kael ignored the growing whispers and walked back to his seat, his expression unchanging.
Calder Feyn smirked. "Hiding his class and rank? Typical of someone with nothing worth showing."
Sylvia Crestmoor raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Or perhaps there's more to him than we realize."
Eryn leaned closer to Kael, his voice low. "What was that about? Did you really choose not to reveal it?"
Kael's gaze remained forward. "It's better this way."
---
As the ceremony concluded, the students left the hall, their futures shaped by the crystal's judgment. Kael lingered at the back of the crowd, his thoughts distant.
From the shadows of the hall, a figure watched him intently. Caius Thorn, a student with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, leaned against a pillar. His class and rank had been announced earlier—Warlock, Rank: A—but his attention was fixed solely on Kael.
"Undisclosed, huh?" Caius muttered, a sly grin forming on his lips. "You'll be interesting to watch."
In the city of Lunaris, the Awakening Ceremony had ended, but for Kael Ardyn, it was only the beginning.