The group was ushered out of the guests' hall and into a nearby building, their footsteps echoing in the narrow stone corridors. The air was cooler here, the walls lined with torches that cast flickering shadows.
Harry glanced around, taking in the medieval architecture—arched doorways, intricate carvings, and a faint scent of incense lingering in the air.
The building they entered was unlike anything he'd seen before. It resembled a theater hall, but with a distinctly medieval twist. Rows of wooden benches curved around a half-round stage at the center, and the ceiling soared high above, supported by thick wooden beams.
The atmosphere was solemn, almost reverent, and Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement. He was already imagining the next course of events.
'Haha, I will witness an awakening of OP or hidden protagonists!'
The council members followed closely, their own expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Harry turned to the student council president, guessing she might be one of the candidates of his recent imagination.
The rest of the room was filled with locals—men and women dressed in simple yet elegant attire, their eyes fixed on the newcomers.
At the front of the room stood the director, her presence commanding as always. Beside her was the nobleman from earlier, Lord Vaelthorn, and a few of their teachers.
One of the teachers stepped up.
"Welcome students," he began, addressing the group. "I know this is all overwhelming, but we don't have much time. In a moment, we'll begin the process of awakening your full status. This is something every individual in this world undergoes, and it will give you a clearer understanding of your strengths and abilities."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "After that, you'll undergo an Essence Awakening—a traditional ritual of our friends that will help you unlock your personal fragments. Think of it as… discovering the core of who you are and what you're capable of."
Harry raised an eyebrow, leaning toward Tim. "Sounds like a tutorial to me."
Tim chuckled. "Yeah, but I doubt there's a skip button."
The teacher continued, ignoring the murmurs. "To demonstrate, we'll start with our student council president. Please, step forward."
"We shall begin with the help of an Elder from the locals."
The president nodded, her expression calm as she descended the steps to the stage. The elder woman—a regal figure with silver hair and piercing blue eyes—stepped forward as well, her hands clasped in front of her. She gave the president a gentle nod, her voice soft but carrying through the room.
"Close your eyes," the elder instructed. "Clear your mind and let go of any fear or doubt. Just empty your mind."
The president obeyed, her posture straight and her breathing steady. The elder raised her hands, her fingers glowing with a faint white light. She began to chant, her voice low and melodic, and the light spread, enveloping the president in a soft, radiant glow.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, the light intensified, and the president's body seemed to shimmer, her form outlined in brilliance. The room held its breath as the light faded, leaving behind a large, translucent screen that hovered above the stage.
_______
[ Personal Fragment ]
Name: Ashley
Health: 100%
Stamina: 95%
Core Attributes:
• Strength: 10
• Agility: 11
• Vitality: 10
• Intelligence: 15 (Max)
• Wisdom: 14
Skills:
• Leadership Aura
End Points: 10
______
"Woah, look at her stats."
"They are all over 10."
"But is that good or average?"
"Must be good. Don't you see her intelligence at Max?"
"Yeah, amazing."
"She even has a skill already and those 'endpoints'."
A murmur of awe rippled through the room. Even the elder woman looked impressed, her eyes widening slightly as she studied the screen. The locals whispered among themselves, their admiration evident, while the students exchanged glances, a mix of envy and excitement on their faces.
Harry whistled low under his breath. "Not bad! Ax expected of a heroine character!"
Tim elbowed him. "Dude, she's right there."
"...Is she strong?" Max asked, confused why everyone was reacting so strongly.
"Well, I can't say anything for now, but I bet she is strong." Harry replied with a chuckle, proud his imaginations didn't fail him.
"Ahem." Meanwhile, the elder woman cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back to her. "Now, we will proceed with the Essence Awakening. This ritual will allow you to connect with your inner self and awaken your essence. However, be warned—this process is not without its challenges."
She gestured to a small, ornate crown resting on a pedestal nearby. The crown was simple yet elegant, its surface etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly. The elder picked it up carefully and placed it on the president's head.
"This is the Awakening Crown," the elder explained. "It will guide you through a mental trial, a test of your will and self. The trial is unique to each individual, and it will determine the strength and nature of your personal fragment."
The president's body tensed as the crown began to glow, her face contorting slightly as if in pain. She bit her lip, her hands clenching into fists, but she didn't cry out. The elder watched her closely, her expression calm but focused.
"The essence awakening has begun," the elder said, her voice steady. "She may be facing her deepest fears or difficult challenges. Since it is unique for each individual, we don't know what she is currently experiencing."
"Meanwhile, let me briefly explain the situation."
The elder woman's voice carried through the hall, calm and measured, as the president's body trembled under the weight of the Awakening Crown. The room was silent, every eye fixed on the stage, waiting for what would come next.
"Although it is called an Essence Awakening," the elder began, her tone steady, "not many are able to awaken their full essence. It is considered a rare occurrence, one that hasn't been seen in recent decades even in our world. However, this does not mean failure. Most individuals awaken personal fragments—manifestations of their essence, pieces of their true potential. These fragments are still powerful, still a reflection of who you are, just not the entirety of your essence."
"I understand most of you are confused." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room. "But don't worry, you will learn more about this in detail later, but for now, understand that this process is deeply personal. It reveals a part of you that has always been there, waiting to be unlocked."
The elder's eyes flicked back to the president, who was still standing rigidly, her face tense but determined. The crown on her head glowed brighter, the runes etched into its surface pulsing with a faint purple light.
"It seems this young girl is about to finish her awakening," the elder said, her voice softening slightly. "Watch closely. This is the moment her essence—or fragment—will manifest."
The room held its breath.
"We have reached the peak moment." Harry leaned forward, his earlier amusement replaced by genuine curiosity.
Even Tim, who had been nervously fidgeting, was now staring intently at the stage. Max's expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on the president as if searching for something he couldn't quite grasp.
Then, it happened.
"W-Whoa!"
"President is..."
"Prez is a!"