"Claude Clement"
I see a male student whose windswept blonde hair and piercing emerald eyes propel him with confidence toward Professor Sanchez. With practiced nonchalance Claude moves toward the Awakening Stone his hand casually tucked in his pocket with the other hanging loose at his side.
A quietness descends upon the hall when he lays his palm flat against the ancient surface. For a heartbeat, nothing happens.
The stone releases an explosion of emerald light that surrounds Claude with a warm pulsing radiance creating dramatic shadows across his face.
"Violet classification!" Professor Sanchez declares a Wizard as she records the information on her tablet.
Claude looks at the assembled students while wearing a confident smile. The voice in my mind rings out with unmistakable clarity, repeating his words: "Just as expected."
The stone emits a sudden burst of light as he begins to walk away from the platform. The atmosphere becomes dense and electric, causing the hairs on my arms to stand upright.
A fierce burst of red light bursts from the stone suddenly in a wild and primal display. Uncontrolled energy engulfs Claude in furious surges that demand immediate attention.
Collective gasps echo through the hall.
Professor Sanchez's clipboard clatters to the floor. "He's... he's a hybrid!" she exclaims, voice trembling with disbelief.
But the spectacle isn't finished. When the blood-red illumination starts to diminish, Claude becomes encircled by a dazzling emerald aura resembling ethereal fire while arcane whispers dance through the surrounding air.
Understanding ignites throughout the audience as murmurs spread rapidly. The academy has not seen a student like Claude Clement who possesses skills from three different classes—Wizard, Vanguard, and Summoner for almost 10 years.
A thousand hushed whispers fill the hall while Claude descends from the stage as he grabs his Aetherplate, and the lingering impact of his awakening resonates through the electrified atmosphere.
But the ceremony continues.
"William Reeve," Professor Sanchez calls.
The sound of his name makes Will tense up a bit. Will returns a single determined look at Zach and me before proceeding toward the Awakening Stone.
While Claude made a dramatic entrance, Will showed a straightforward and almost stubborn approach.
He presses his hand hard against the stone without any hesitation.
A breath of silence.
Suddenly—sky-blue light explodes outwards and flows down the hall like a waterfall of open sky. The cool, limitless glow cascades over Will's body.
"Blue classification! Channeler!" With a crisp announcement Professor Sanchez begins to write on her clipboard.
Will lets out a breath while his mouth twists into a contented smile.
The stone begins to tremble violently beneath his palm as Will begins to pull away. Then, the blue light fractures.
A fiery red light bursts upward like a raging fire consuming the former illumination. The raw and furious energy pushes outward and sends heated air gusts blowing across the front rows of students.
Gasps scatter through the crowd like sparks.
"Another hybrid!" Professor Sanchez shouts her disbelief while her voice reaches higher pitches.
"First Class: Channeler.
Second Class: Vanguard."
Blinking in shock Will steps away from the stone while a faint crimson aura crackles along his arms. The fire appears to cling to him for a brief moment before it turns into shimmering embers that scatter across the marble floor.
He spins around to face us with a bewildered grin that looks dangerously mischievous on his face.
"Zachery Li," Professor Sanchez calls next.
Zach lifts his chin slightly and walks forward with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets but giving off an air of complete carelessness. He adopted a relaxed stance that suggested either full comfort or an attempt to appear so.
His hand settles lightly against the Awakening Stone, and the reaction is almost immediate.
The emerald green light blossoms as a tidal wave and bathes Zach completely with its radiant warmth. It clings to him—thick, vibrant, alive.
"Bronze classification! Forger!" comes the call.
Zach responds with a confident grin as he takes a step back.
As he holds it his hand makes the stone shake again.
The scene erupts suddenly with another light blast now violet in color followed by wild mesmerizing patterns. The air surrounding Zach warps and wavers as if it were mirage-like heat radiating from the ground. His eyes now shine through a newly refined, sharper gaze.
"Hybrid!" Professor Sanchez struggles to keep her amazement from overwhelming her voice.
"First Class: Forger.
Second Class: Wizard."
Pointed stares and murmurs sweep through the crowd as they react to the situation.
Zach rolls his eyes mockingly at the audience's stunned response before nonchalantly returning to Will's side. Their eyes meet as they share a look that combines pride with challenge and silent competition.
A few other students approach one by one to touch the awakening stone while showing different levels of fear and excitement. Colorful bursts of green, violet, and blue light flash throughout the hall as they indicate the awakenings. While several students remain calm others recoil with surprise or shock. The reactions of cheers and gasps follow each new awakening but none rival the remarkable effects produced by Claude, Will, or Zach.
Gradually all eyes in the audience shift direction.
Because now...
It's my turn.