The air was thick with astonishment as the murmurs of the crowd swirled around Rylan, who stood momentarily dazed at the center of attention. Whispers rippled through the gathered applicants and spectators alike, punctuated by exclamations of disbelief and awe.
"Is it true?" someone asked, their voice trembling with excitement. "Did he really awaken the Void Code? That's an incredibly rare Nexus Core!"
"Yes," another voice replied, filled with reverence. "In all the history of the Academy, there have been only a handful of instances where someone has unlocked such a core. We may have a true genius among us!"
Rylan felt a mix of pride and discomfort at the attention. While he had accomplished something extraordinary, he was still the same boy from Veldrin, unsure of what this newfound power truly meant. He stepped back from the podium, the weight of the crowd's expectations heavy on his shoulders.
As the awakening process continued, the atmosphere shifted. The next group of candidates stepped forward, eyes wide with a blend of hope and envy. Rylan could hear snippets of conversation about the notable families that had come to witness the examination.
"Look! There's the Emberfell family!" a voice exclaimed, drawing Rylan's attention. He turned to see a group of well-dressed candidates, all adorned in the distinctive colors of their family—a deep crimson that symbolized their fiery heritage. The Emberfell family, renowned for their lineage of mech pilots, had a reputation that preceded them.
"Ryker Emberfell is in that group," someone whispered, a note of admiration in their tone. "I heard he unlocked a rare Nexus Core, too—a Lightning Code, no less! He's always been a prodigy, much like Lirien Silvermist."
"Yeah, but it's a shame," another voice lamented. "It would have been the talk of the town if that commoner hadn't stolen the spotlight with his Void Code."
Rylan felt a pang of embarrassment at the mention of his status as a commoner. He had never cared much for titles or lineage, but the comparison to families like the Emberfells and Silvermists only intensified his insecurities. Still, he couldn't ignore the thrill of excitement that coursed through him—his heart raced at the thought that he was standing among legends in the making.
As Ryker stepped up to the podium, Rylan watched with bated breath. The Emberfell heir reached out to the Nexus Crystal, and as he did, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the stone. The crowd gasped in unison as a bolt of electricity danced around Ryker, illuminating him in a dazzling display of power. The Lightning Code crackled with energy, and Rylan felt a spark of admiration for the boy who had just claimed his rightful place among the elite.
"Impressive," Rylan muttered under his breath, the awe in his voice unmistakable. "He's going to be a formidable pilot."
Yet, as the awakening continued, Rylan couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. The murmurs of the crowd shifted from admiration of Ryker to comments about the unprecedented nature of the Void Code he had awakened. He could hear snippets of conversation as candidates discussed the implications of his power.
"Do you think he can control it?" one candidate wondered aloud. "The Void Code is said to be chaotic and unpredictable. What if he can't handle it?"
"Or what if he becomes the most powerful pilot in history?" another scoffed, disbelief evident in their tone. "How can a commoner be that strong?"
As the awakening progressed, the buzz of excitement continued to fill the air, mixed with a tinge of rivalry. The Emberfell candidates took their turns, each one showcasing their power, but Rylan's mind drifted back to the darker aspects of his awakening.
With each successful awakening, the crowd cheered, the tension in the air shifting from anxiety to excitement. As the Emberfell family finished their awakening, the applause echoed through the Academy grounds, but there were also murmurs of dissatisfaction.
"*Sigh* I thought we were going to see the Silvermist family, especially Lady Lirien," one applicant complained.
"Even though the Emberfell family is also a noble family, they are already in decline. But with Ryker having a rare Nexus Core, they'll surely see a rise in status," another replied, their voice tinged with envy.
As the awakening exam drew to an end, the total number of awakened candidates was around one hundred, meaning that a total of nine thousand nine hundred candidates had been eliminated.
As the crowd began to disperse, Rylan spotted a familiar face among the throng—Finn.
"Rylan! You are so lucky! You awakened a rare Nexus Code! I'm so jealous!" Finn exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "I just awakened a Water Code. *Ah, it sucks!* I was already feeling good about my code until I saw yours! Besides, I wonder what class I will be placed in. I'm sure you will be placed in the elite class! I heard it consists of only people with rare or nature-based codes."
Rylan smiled, trying to hide the mix of feelings swirling within him. "Well, there's nothing that can be done." He clenched his fist, determination shining in his eyes. "I'm definitely going to become the strongest pilot!"
"I know you can do it!" Finn replied, his voice filled with encouragement.
As the crowd began to thin, Rylan felt a surge of resolve within him. , he was ready to face whatever trials awaited him.