Chapter 3: Awakening
Aiden, catching the shift in atmosphere, raised an eyebrow and addressed the girls directly.
"Magnus has more important things to do than mess around with children," he replied, his tone firm and unkind.
"You're first years. You do as you have been told, that's something that better get through your head quickly."
"What did you say?" The girl seemed to not be able to believe that someone was speaking to her in this tone.
A lot of the people around this girl couldn't help but distance themselves from here.
Was she an idiot? The Vice-Headmistress had literally just warned them about behaviors like this.
Aiden seemed like he didn't want to waste his breath on her and just turned to the entire year.
He paused for a moment before adding, "And while we're at it, I suggest you keep your tone in check while you're inside the Academy. Offend the wrong person and you might really regret it."
The girl seemed to want to continue but none of the students paid any attention to her.
As Aiden organized the students into groups, the atmosphere in the Grand Hall shifted once again, excitement and anxiety mingling among the first years.
The fifth-year students began calling out names, their voices echoing through the cavernous space, creating a rhythm of anticipation.
"Group One, to the left!" Aiden announced, directing the first group toward the designated chamber.
The students shuffled forward, a mix of nervous energy and eagerness in their steps.
Slowly, names were being called out as everyone was taking their turns to walk into the Awakening Chambers.
"Ren Kriesten." Aiden called Ren's name out, and a hush quickly fell over the auditorium.
Ren paused, allowing a faint smile to tug at the corners of his mouth as he leisurely began to descend the stairs.
He took his time, unhurried, letting the moment linger as he strolled through the rows of seated first years.
As he walked, whispers began to ripple through the crowd like a gentle breeze.
"Isn't that… the Fallen Princess's son?"
"Do not use that title in public! Do you wish for the entire Kriesten Empire to kill you?! Even if she has fallen we have to address her by her official title."
As Ren heard the First Years talking, he began to sigh inwardly. People his age really should start writing fiction classes.
There was no way even his family would execute some nobles for saying some names about people. Why would they even bother with strangers?
"Don't go near him, I heard he attacks anyone near him." Someone continued.
Hey…that was one time!
Ever since the last Ball he had attended before entering the Academy…his social reputation was bad to say the least.
"He's the brother of last year's top graduate!"
"Every time one of their mainline families comes through, they take the first spot in the rankings."
Well that was indeed true…basically every single person inside of his family main line is a force to be reckoned with.
Even his Eldest Brother, the First Prince of the Kriesten Empire.
Ren merely shrugged off their attention, his expression calm and composed.
He focused instead on the polished stone beneath his feet and the intricate carvings lining the walls, taking in the beauty of the Academy.
As he reached the front of the hall, he caught sight of Aiden, who met his gaze with a nod of acknowledgment.
Ren returned the gesture, unfazed by the scrutiny of his peers.
There was an undeniable confidence in his stride, as if he were moving to his own rhythm, indifferent to the murmurs surrounding him.
"Ren Kriesten," Aiden called, a hint of formality in his tone. "You will be in Group One. Please proceed to the Awakening Chamber."
Without glancing back towards the students, Ren just walked into the Awakening room.
The moment Ren stepped into the Awakening Chamber, he found himself engulfed in an endless white expanse.
There were no walls, no ceiling, and no discernible floor—just an unbroken, blinding white that seemed to stretch into infinity.
As he took a few steps forward, he realized something strange: no matter how far he moved, he remained at the exact same spot, his position never shifting in relation to the glowing orb hovering in the center of the room.
Curiosity piqued, Ren tried moving to his left, then his right, but the distance between him and the orb remained eerily constant.
It was as if space itself had been suspended, leaving him caught in a dimension where movement and distance held no meaning.
He paused, the concept of non-existence settling heavily on him.
"So, this is the famed Awakening Chamber," he murmured to himself, eyes narrowing as he observed the orb.
He could feel its pull, an invisible force subtly drawing him closer, though nothing in the room actually shifted.
It seemed to be calling him in a way he couldn't fully explain, like a heartbeat echoing through the void, growing louder with each silent second.
Realizing there was little point in moving conventionally, Ren turned his attention entirely to the orb, steadying himself.
As Ren placed his hand on the orb, a soft hum resonated throughout the endless white room, and a gentle, almost melodic voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome, Ren Kriesten," the voice greeted. "I am Gaia, the Awakening Chamber's guide and information system of the Academy."
Ren tilted his head, unsurprised. After all, basically everyone in the world knew of Gaia, the headmaster's greatest creation.
"Gaia, how does the Awakening work?" he asked, his tone level.
Gaia's voice remained calm, precise. "The Awakening is initiated by the infusion of mana directly from the Headmaster. His mana will be injected into you and used to awaken your Life Codex, the unique imprint that determines your abilities and potential."
Ren absorbed this, his gaze lingering on the orb as Gaia continued.
"The Headmaster, as you may know, is the strongest individual among humanity. His power alone keeps all empires, kingdoms, and factions at peace. For centuries, he has acted as a unifying force, preventing the human race from tearing itself apart with wars and rivalries. He founded this academy to teach future generations the value of alliances and to encourage unity rather than internal strife."
Ren nodded slightly, since this was all common knowledge.
He might not agree with every single one of the headmasters' views but he did understand that infighting among humans was not needed.
Especially with the threat of the other races.
Here was a person whose strength was matched only by his purpose: to preserve humanity's existence through mutual understanding, respect, and unity.
Glancing around at the strange, unchanging room, Ren asked, "And what's with this room? I've walked in every direction, yet I stay in the same place."
"An astute observation," Gaia replied. "Time and space do not exist here. This effect is a product of the Headmaster's magic, which warps reality within the Awakening Chamber. You will find that movement is irrelevant, and time flows only when it is needed."
Ren's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. The Headmaster's power to alter the very fabric of time and space was not normal.
Even among all the books he has read inside of the Imperial library, mages who can accomplish this could be counted in only the double digits.
"So," he muttered under his breath, "not just the strongest, but a visionary."
"Yes," Gaia affirmed, "and it is through his mana every Human noble's potential will be realized."
Ren took a steadying breath, pressing his hand firmly against the orb's surface.
The Academy itself was a neutral ground, a sanctuary where all grudges, rivalries, and ambitions were left outside its gates.
Established by the headmaster, this place was meant for learning and growth—a realm sacred and inviolable in its purpose.
Here, neither the Academy's staff nor its students could use power or influence to settle old scores or gain status.
Ren trusted this. Even as he prepared to receive the headmaster's own mana, he felt no fear of harm.
He understood that the Academy's neutrality was absolute, bound by an unbreakable promise from its founder, who regarded the pursuit of knowledge as a pursuit beyond personal vendettas or the politics of the outside world.
With his hand on the orb, Ren felt a soft, warm energy begin to seep into him.
It flowed steadily, like water trickling down a smooth channel, first reaching his fingertips and then spreading slowly up his arm.
This was the headmaster's mana—an energy of incomprehensible strength, yet so gentle in its entry, as if being precisely measured to match his own limits.
It was searching, winding through him like a quiet river, coaxing his potential to the surface layer by layer.
As the mana coursed through his veins, Ren felt a calm he hadn't expected, almost as if he were floating in a tranquil, boundless pool.
Gradually, his vision began to blur, the stark whiteness of the room transforming, bending and morphing into shapes and patterns that danced before him.
Faint symbols and spirals of light shimmered around him, pulsing in sync with his heartbeat, like a language only his soul could understand.
He closed his eyes, letting the headmaster's mana guide him, unraveling something deeply hidden within him.
Each pulse felt like an invitation, as if beckoning him to explore this new layer of awareness.
As Ren's senses steadied, he opened his eyes, and his breath caught.
...
Authors Note:
Hope you guys will enjoy this novel.
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