The Awakening Hall
The Celestial Awakening Hall was packed with young men and women, all waiting for their turn. The hall was massive, with tall stone pillars and glowing runes carved into the walls. In the center stood the Orb of Ascension, a floating crystal ball that decided a person's future.
Leon stood near the back, his hands clenched into fists. He could hear the cheers as one student after another awakened powerful classes.
A boy near the front touched the orb. A burst of red flames erupted around him.
[B-Rank Pyromancer]
A recruiter from Blazing Fang Guild stepped forward at once. The boy was handed a contract before he could even step off the stage.
Another student went up—a girl in flowing white robes. The moment she placed her hand on the orb, golden light exploded around her.
[S-Rank Holy Paladin – Chosen by the Divine]
The crowd gasped. Even Sanctuary Guild, the most powerful holy guild in the kingdom, stood up in interest.
Leon swallowed hard. This was it. This was where futures were decided.
And his turn was coming soon.
His Best Friend Awakens First
Damian Falken strode up the marble steps, his broad shoulders squared, his every movement filled with confidence. Even without his awakening, he already looked the part of a warrior—his sharp features, toned build, and steady posture made it seem like his fate was already decided.
Leon watched as his best friend stopped in front of the Orb of Ascension, standing tall beneath the crystal's glow. The entire hall seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what would come next.
Damian lifted his hand and pressed his palm against the smooth surface.
For a brief moment, there was nothing. The orb remained still.
Then—
BOOM!
A golden shockwave exploded outward, sending dust swirling across the stage. A few students standing too close stumbled back, shielding their eyes from the sudden brightness. The entire hall was bathed in a warm, golden light, and then—runes appeared.
They carved themselves into Damian's arms, glowing like molten fire, etching deep into his very being. Unlike the slow awakenings before him, this one felt alive, as if the very power of war had chosen him.
[A-Rank Warblade – Chosen by the Spirit of War]
The moment the announcement rang out, the crowd erupted.
"A natural warrior!" someone shouted.
"An A-Rank! That's incredible!"
"Look at those runes—he's a born fighter!"
Damian pulled his hand back, flexing his fingers as golden light flickered across his skin. He turned his arm slightly, watching as the runes pulsed before fading into his flesh. Power hummed beneath his fingertips, an untapped strength waiting to be used.
Before he could even process it, the guild recruiters moved in.
Three men in fine robes stepped forward, competing to get his attention.
"The Ironfang Guild will take you in immediately," one said, holding out a silver contract.
"No, no," another recruiter from Stormbringer Corps interrupted. "A talent like yours belongs with us—we offer direct A-Rank training!"
Even a representative from the King's Vanguard, one of the most elite warrior guilds in the kingdom, had risen from his seat.
Damian barely had time to take a step back before he was surrounded, his future already secured.
Through the chaos, his gaze searched the crowd—and landed on Leon.
His usual cocky grin spread across his face, eyes full of excitement.
"Did you see that?" his expression seemed to say. "I told you I'd get something amazing."
Leon forced a smile, nodding.
But as he watched his best friend bask in the glory, a tight, uneasy feeling twisted in his stomach.
His turn was next.
And for the first time, a terrible thought crept into his mind.
What if I don't awaken something strong?
What if… he was forgotten?
Leon's Turn: The Moment of Truth
The echoes of cheering still lingered in the air as the examiner's voice rang out once more.
"Leon Drayven. Step forward."
The excitement that had filled the hall moments ago seemed to dim as Leon walked toward the stage. His legs felt heavy, but he forced himself forward, step by step, up the same stairs Damian had just climbed.
His hands were ice-cold. His heartbeat slammed against his ribs.
This was it.
This was the moment that would decide his future.
Taking a deep breath, Leon clenched his fists to stop them from shaking. He had spent years imagining this day, picturing himself standing under the bright lights of the Awakening Hall, his name being called alongside the strongest warriors and mages of his generation.
Maybe I'll awaken as a Gunslinger, he thought, gripping onto hope. A fighter who wielded mana-powered bullets, dealing precise, deadly shots from a distance.
Or maybe… a Shadow Assassin, swift and untouchable, disappearing into the darkness before striking down his enemies.
Better yet—an Elementalist, a master of fire and lightning, wielding raw destruction in his hands.
His heart pounded as he approached the Orb of Ascension. It hovered before him, glowing like a star, its surface shifting like liquid silver.
Leon slowly raised his hand.
The moment his palm touched the orb, a sharp, unnatural chill raced up his arm.
It was different from the others. There was no golden explosion, no flashes of fire or thunder, no surge of raw energy.
The orb pulsed once. Then twice.
A quiet hum vibrated through his bones.
Then—
[Class Awakening Complete… Processing Result…]
A low, creeping fog spilled from the crystal, twisting and curling around his fingers like smoke.
It wasn't golden, or red, or blue like the others.
It was gray.
The temperature in the hall dropped. A faint, eerie chill spread across the room.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"What's… happening?"
"That's not normal…"
Leon's breath hitched. Something was wrong.
The mist continued to swirl, thick and unnatural. Unlike the previous awakenings, which had been bright and powerful, his was slow, heavy, suffocating. It felt as though the air itself had turned to stone.
His fingertips tingled. His pulse hammered against his skin.
For the first time that day, the guild recruiters weren't rushing forward.
They were watching. Waiting.
Then, a voice echoed through the hall. Cold. Mechanical. Final.
[F-Rank Class: Necromancer (Zombie Lord)]
Silence.
Leon felt his chest tighten.
And then—
Laughter.
A wave of mockery spread through the crowd.
"A Zombie Lord? Is that even real?"
"Even E-Rankers get something decent like Fireball! But this?"
Leon's stomach dropped. He could feel the guild recruiters looking away, uninterested.
Even the examiner sighed. "Unfortunate."
Damian hesitated, his earlier excitement fading into pity. "I'm sure you'll… make it work."
Leon barely heard him.
A B-Rank warrior in the crowd scoffed.
"Might as well quit now. Who would ever party with a necromancer like that?"
The laughter grew louder.
Leon stood frozen, his future crumbling before his eyes.
(TO BE CONTINUED…)