Interested, John quickly increased his circulation of aether to listen closer on the two mid ranked nobles conversation.
"An invasion from the Ignis Kingdom? What! Why would they invade us, especially while His Majesty is still at his peak strength?"
"I don't know the exact details, but I've caught wind of rumors circulating around regarding a new Ley Line being discovered close to the border between us and the Ignis kingdom."
"Well no wonder then, a major Ley Line can be harvested for a fortune of aether stones, and it would even support 3 mass continental spells! Well, I'm assuming that the King will definitely defend the Ley Line right?"
"Of course, His Majesty isn't an idiot, I believe that while the Ignis King and his majesty won't directly intervene the ducal families below them will fight in order to determine the owner of the Ley Line. But there's still a chance that the Ignis King will step in himself."
"Hmm, well I guess that's why the Ducal families have all brought out their successors for the Awakening Ceremony. Normally had they dare bring their successors they'd be dead the next day. "
"Hmmm?" thought John. He already had suspicions regarding the crown's wariness of his talent, and potential talent suppression by the Crown Mage and the information he was about to listen in on may very well confirm them."
"Indeed, His Majesty is quite wary of any potential Ascended Cores, after all last time the Lord of the Stratos House had caused quite a commotion ascending to the Ascended Core, rumors had it that he almost successfully casted Continent Annihilation."
"Goodness, to think that had His Majesty not intervened the entire Kingdom would be destroyed."
"Indeed, anyways I have to go, see you soon." "See you soon."
Processing all the information he had just heard, John suddenly felt a great presence descend upon the stadium, suppressing all aether.
"Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming to the Awakening Ceremony. Today we will witness the awakening of the 10 most promising talents as well as the 3 successors of the Ducal families."
Trying to find the source of the voice, John's eyes quickly found the speaker, an old man floating in the center of the stadium.
"Now, let us welcome the successor of the Stratos Family, Amber Stratos."
A deafening round of applause came from one side of the stadium while the other side remained lukewarm.
Looking carefully, John saw that the side near the Crown was lukewarm, with even a hint of malice. Looks like the Crown and the Stratos family are at odds, thought John observing.
Suddenly a loud screech filled the stadium, before a gigantic eagle descended upon the center of the stadium. On the eagle, a small petite figure descended onto the floor. Undoubtedly, it was Amber Stratos , one of the successors of the Stratos Family.
Paying close attention, John watched on as the old man introduced Amber, before he declared that the Awakening Ceremony was officially started.
"Now, let us begin by activating the ceremony," said the old man before raising his hands up. John suddenly felt streams of aether rush throughout the stadium before all converging at the center of the stadium.
An array had appeared there and it spewed out streams of pure aether enveloping Amber. John's eyes narrowed as he looked at the array. This was something that he had never seen before and he was captivated beyond measure.
To think that even something so unscientific as an array also existed in this world. But then again there was aether so it was all plausible.
Observing even more carefully, John observed as Amber began convulsing while awakening her core, with more and more aether being drawn in every second. Looking at the ether movements John realized that it was surprisingly similar to his surroundings while a baby. Judging by the amount of aether being drawn in she was probably shaping her core right now just like what he had done while he was a baby.
Second by second, minute by minute John continued to watch as amber continuously drew aether into her body. Soon the aether slowed down, and then with a shout reverberating throughout the stadium Amber expelled a large amount of aether.
Suddenly from the array, a red light was expelled. "Amber Stratos, now awakened, with a talent level of Sharp Core, she has a bright future in front of her!" yelled the old man.
With that, the entire stadium erupted into applause, a booming voice could be heard in the distance, "That's my daughter."
Next up we have, the successor of the Caelthorn House, Michael Caelthorn, ladies and gentlemen please welcome him onto the stage. "
A deafening round applause sounded all around, John assumed that the Caelthorn house would probably be neutral in political standing.
Suddenly a great vine appeared from a box and on it a young child descended from it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Michael Caelthorn, another promising young talent."
Now bored, John's eyes glazed over as they went through the same exact process again with the aether array and then the absorption. However this time the young boy seemed to absorb less aether.
"I present Michael Caelthorn, awakened with a Sharp Core!"
"Now finally for our final successor, the Young Lord from the Verrien House, please welcome him ladies and gentlemen."
Upon hearing Young Lord, John quickly became alert. "Alright, don't be scared son, just go out there and get awakened," said his father before raising his hand. Suddenly a storm cloud appeared under him and he was sent flying straight towards the center.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Young Lord." proclaimed the man.
"Hmm, it appears that I still haven't been given a name," thought John, "I guess my father was really impacted by his loss, although it doesn't seem like it."
Tentatively stepping forward John braced himself, before aether started flowing through him. Soon he felt his core solidifying and before he knew it he was on the brink of awakening.