The tension in the air was suffocating. Ethan stood among the gathered heirs, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The grand ceremonial grounds of House Verdanian stretched before him, an arena of marble and stone where history had been carved by generations of warriors, mages, and rulers.
It was a day that would determine everything.
The Awakening Ceremony—where every heir of noble lineage would manifest their trait, a defining force that would shape their future. The entire estate had been prepared for this moment, with powerful figures from various families present to witness the rise of the next generation. The Verdanian bloodline was renowned for its strength, and expectations were sky-high.
Ethan, however, felt like an outsider in his own family.
His father, Lord Aldric Verdanian, stood upon an elevated platform, his presence commanding as he overlooked the ceremony. At his side stood Cedric, Ethan's younger brother by only a few months, yet the difference between them felt like an unbridgeable chasm.
Cedric had always been the golden child—talented, refined, and the embodiment of the Verdanian name. His Awakening was something many looked forward to, certain that he would inherit an extraordinary trait befitting the family's legacy. Ethan, on the other hand, was tolerated at best. A son whose existence was acknowledged only because it couldn't be ignored.
A grand mage, clad in ceremonial robes embroidered with ancient sigils, stepped forward and struck his staff against the ground. A deep, resonating hum filled the air.
"The time has come," the mage intoned. "Step forward and claim the strength that lies dormant within you. Your trait is the key to your future—it is your power, your legacy."
One by one, the heirs of noble families stepped forward, their names called with reverence.
The first to awaken was Darien of House Vael, known for producing warriors of unmatched speed. He placed his hand on the awakening crystal at the center of the ceremonial ground. A burst of silver light erupted, and a sharp gust of wind swirled around him.
"Windstride," the mage announced. "A trait of agility and movement—a promising future for the Vael heir."
Next was Selene of House Thorne, descendants of master illusionists. The moment her fingers touched the crystal, a ripple of darkness spread around her, and her form flickered like a mirage.
"Phantom Veil—an illusionary trait. As expected of House Thorne."
One after another, heirs stepped forward, each awakening traits suited to their lineage. The heir of the Frostborne family gained Glacial Domain, able to freeze the air around him. A descendant of the Pyrestone clan awakened Explosive Step, enhancing his speed with controlled bursts of fire. Even among those of the same family, variations in traits existed—some powerful, others seemingly insignificant.
Then, Leonard stepped forward.
A hushed silence followed. His Awakening was the most anticipated of the day. He carried the full expectations of House Verdanian on his shoulders.
Placing his hand upon the crystal, golden energy surged through his body. A wave of power radiated outward, forcing some to step back. The crystal burned with a deep crimson glow.
"A trait of pure strength—Titan's Might!" the mage declared, voice filled with admiration. "A warrior's trait, one worthy of a Verdanian heir!"
Applause erupted across the ceremonial grounds. Cedric straightened, his expression calm but triumphant. He turned slightly, his gaze drifting toward Ethan for a fraction of a second before looking away.
Ethan felt the weight of that moment press against him like a crushing force.
He was next.
The Awakening of Ethan Verdanian
Stepping forward, he placed his hand on the crystal, expecting nothing. But the moment his skin made contact, something unexpected happened.
The crystal flickered weakly at first, then pulsed with an eerie, shifting glow. Unlike the others, there was no grand burst of power, no clear manifestation of strength. The energy was strange—unstable, unfathomable.
The crowd murmured.
"What is that?" someone whispered.
"A failed Awakening?" another speculated.
Then, the mage spoke, hesitation in his voice.
"Adaptive Resonance… A trait with unknown properties."
Silence.
There was no admiration, no applause. Only confusion.
Adaptive Resonance—no one had heard of such a trait before. Unlike the others, it had no clear application, no direct combat advantage. In a society that valued strength above all, Ethan's Awakening was an anomaly.
Then came the quiet laughter.
"A useless trait," someone scoffed.
"A trait without a path. What a disappointment for House Verdanian."
Ethan stood frozen, his heart hammering in his chest. This was worse than failure. He hadn't simply been weak—he had become something incomprehensible.
Even his father said nothing.
Lord Aldric's gaze remained impassive, unreadable, but the silence from him spoke louder than any words could.
Ethan's hands clenched at his sides.
And yet… beneath the shame, beneath the growing whispers and ridicule, something within him stirred.
Because in that brief moment—when his trait had been called forth—he had felt something. Something foreign, something vast.
Unknown to anyone else, at the moment of his Awakening, the artifact hidden deep within him pulsed.
And his trait… began to change.