After having one of the longest breakfasts of my life, with my parents and sister staring at me as if I had four heads, I could sense their excitement and nervousness. They had canceled all their plans to accompany me to the city center, where all eighteen-year-olds would get tested for their Soul Beast grade. Today was the day that would determine my future, the day I would find out which grade my Soul Beast belonged to.
Leaving the house, everything blurred as we walked through the bustling streets. The city center was a grand building, buzzing with anticipation and anxiety. Some people came out of the testing room crying, others laughing, and a few looked indifferent, as if they had expected their results all along. The air was thick with the weight of dreams and the dread of shattered hopes.
"Night Draven," I heard my name called, breaking through the cacophony.
My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at my parents. They gave me reassuring nods, their eyes filled with hope and pride. I straightened my back, took a deep breath, and walked toward the room where the testing would take place.
Inside, an elderly man sat behind a desk, exuding an air of authority. His eyes, sharp and assessing, studied me as I entered. He gestured toward a strange device, a hub that pulsed faintly with light.
"Place your hand on the hub," he instructed.
"Okay," I whispered, stepping closer to the device. My palms felt clammy as I reached out and placed my hand on its cool surface.
"Channel everything you've got into the hub," the man said, his voice firm yet gentle.
"Everything I've got?" I thought, panic setting in. What if I had nothing? What if I couldn't channel anything at all? Would I be the first person in history to not awaken any grade?
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up," the man urged, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.
Nervously, I pressed my hands onto the hub once more, closing my eyes to concentrate. But before I could even attempt to channel anything, the hub suddenly glowed with a blinding golden light. The room was bathed in its brilliance, so intense that I had to shield my eyes.
"Oh my god!" someone exclaimed in the background.
The elderly man's eyes widened in astonishment. "A Gold grade," he repeated, his voice rising with excitement. "A Gold grade!" It was more of a question than a statement, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Gold grades were incredibly rare, so rare that even the main protagonist in the story I had read only awakened a Silver grade.
Before I could process what was happening, I was ushered out of the room and into another, much smaller room. It was lavishly furnished, filled with expensive items that spoke of luxury and importance. They treated me as though I were someone special, someone destined for greatness.
My parents followed, their faces a mixture of awe and disbelief. My mother, unable to contain her emotions, began to cry softly, whispering words of thanks to the heavens. My father, usually composed, looked on, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. Even my sister, who rarely showed her softer side, was beaming with pride.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a man in a suit walked in. His presence was commanding, his aura one of authority and power. "I am the governor of the city, Mr. Alaric Montgomery," he introduced himself, his voice steady and filled with curiosity. "I've been informed that a Gold grade has appeared in my city."
"A Gold grade?" my parents echoed, their voices filled with disbelief and wonder.
My sister, her excitement barely contained, looked as if she wanted to run over and hug me but restrained herself, trying to maintain composure.
The governor turned his piercing gaze toward me, studying me carefully. "It's time for us to see your Soul Beast," he said, his tone serious yet encouraging.
Fear clenched at my heart. Stories always made it seem like the grade might be high, but the Soul Beast could turn out to be weak or unimpressive. What if that happened to me? I swallowed hard and nodded, unable to trust my voice.
They led me to another room with a large glass window overlooking the outside. A crowd had gathered, consisting of reporters, city officials, and other important figures. They were all looking at me, their faces filled with expectation and curiosity. I could feel the weight of their gazes pressing down on me, making it harder to breathe.
I closed my eyes for a moment, silently praying to every god I could think of in this world. Please, let my Soul Beast be something extraordinary, something that would not disappoint.
The governor placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "Are you ready?" he asked.
I opened my eyes and nodded again, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. "I'm ready," I said, my voice surprisingly steady.
The room we entered next was vast and empty, except for a single pedestal in the center. The pedestal held a crystal orb, swirling with a misty, silver light.
"Place your hand on the orb," the governor instructed. "The orb will reveal your Soul Beast."
I stepped forward, my heart thudding in my chest. I reached out, my hand trembling, and placed it on the orb. For a moment, nothing happened. The room was silent except for the sound of my own breathing.
Then, the orb began to glow, the mist inside swirling faster and faster. The light grew brighter, enveloping the room in a warm, golden hue. I felt a strange energy coursing through me, filling me with a sense of power and calm.
The mist in the orb cleared, revealing an image within—a majestic dragon, its scales shimmering with a deep, iridescent gold. Its eyes were fierce, filled with intelligence and strength. The dragon's wings spread wide, powerful and commanding. It was a creature of legend, a symbol of immense power and majesty.
Gasps filled the room as the governor and the others stared in awe. "A Dragon," the governor breathed. "A Gold grade Dragon."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the sight of my Soul Beast. It was more than I could have ever hoped for. The room erupted into applause, and I felt my parents' arms around me, their pride and love washing over me like a tidal wave.
"You've made us so proud, Night," my mother whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
My father, usually reserved, clapped me on the back, his eyes shining with pride. "You're destined for great things, son."
Even my sister, who always teased me, looked at me with pure admiration. "You did it, Night. You really did it."
The governor stepped forward, his expression serious but kind. "Night Draven, with a Gold grade Dragon as your Soul Beast, you have a bright future ahead of you. You will be given every opportunity to develop your abilities and contribute to our society. This is only the beginning."
I nodded, still overwhelmed by the magnitude of what had just happened. "Thank you, Governor Montgomery," I said, my voice filled with gratitude.
As the crowd outside continued to cheer, I knew that my life had changed forever. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and responsibilities. But with my family by my side and the power of the Dragon within me, I felt ready to face whatever is to come.