The sky had already turned dark. The last rays of the sun had long disappeared behind the western mountains, leaving behind long shadows and a deepening blue sky.
The moon now hung high above, lighting up a city slowly dimming into night. Lights from windows began to flicker on one by one, as if refusing to be swallowed completely by the darkness.
A cool night breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of earth and wood from the east. The stone path beneath my feet felt cold, but my steps stayed steady.
Silent.
Only the sound of wind brushing past and tree shadows dancing across the walls of nearby homes.
I looked up. The moon tonight… looked closer than usual.
"What element will appear later…" I muttered without realizing it.
My voice faded into the whispering wind.
I'd tried not to think about it too much. But the closer the day came, the louder the curiosity screamed in my head.
Fire? Lightning? Or something… else?
I took a slow breath, letting the night air fill my lungs. It felt cold. But calming.
Everyone says Awakening is the beginning of everything. The point where your destiny starts to show itself.
But to be honest…
I'm scared.
Scared that what I get… won't be what I hoped for.
Or worse — that I won't get anything at all.
After a tiring day, my steps finally stopped in front of our home. The soft glow of a lantern on the porch lit up our small yard, casting gentle shadows on the stone walls.
I sighed and gently pushed the wooden door open. The hinges creaked softly, met by the warm, familiar scent of home-cooked food.
"Welcome home, dear," my mother's gentle voice greeted me from the dining table. She was busy setting out the plates, her warm smile welcoming me back.
On the table, roasted meat with spiced sauce was already served alongside a bowl of soup and a piece of warm bread. The rich aroma tugged at my empty stomach.
"I'll shower first, Mom," I said as I walked toward the bathroom, my body still sticky after a whole day helping Dad clean out the workshop.
Warm water washed over my skin, scrubbing away the exhaustion and dust of the day. After changing clothes, I sat down at the table and began eating the meal she made. It tasted just like always—warm, comforting, and full of love.
There wasn't much conversation tonight. Just the clink of spoons on plates and the soft ticking of the wall clock. But this kind of quiet… it was enough.
After dinner, I headed upstairs to my room. The wooden stairs creaked beneath my feet, and the cool night air was starting to seep in through the stone cracks of our old house.
"Today was tiring…" I sighed, stretching my arms as I reached my bedroom door.
Once inside, I opened the window wide. Night air instantly rushed in, brushing against my face. The cool breeze and the scent of grass helped me relax a bit. The sky tonight was clear, and the moon hung up there—pale and still.
I leaned against the window frame, eyes fixed on the stars scattered like shards of crystal.
Then… a soft knock on the door.
Knock… Knock…
"Come in," I said without turning around.
The door creaked open slowly. Mom walked in, carrying a thick, dark-colored blanket.
"You're probably cold tonight," she said with a small smile. She placed the blanket at the edge of my bed, then stood for a moment, watching me quietly.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind," she said.
I nodded lightly.
She took a breath, then stepped closer, standing next to me.
"Awakening, huh?"
This time I turned slightly and nodded more firmly.
She looked out the window with me. "I know how it feels—waiting for something uncertain. Wondering… what you'll become, whether you're good enough, if you'll disappoint people's expectations."
I looked down a bit. "I just… don't know, Mom. Everyone else seems to have their path figured out. They've got goals, powers, talents… But me?"
She gave me a soft smile. "You don't have to know everything right now. Even your father didn't know his path—until he held that hammer for the first time and struck his first piece of metal."
She raised her hand and gently brushed my hair.
"Whatever element you receive… fire, lightning, water, or even something no one's ever heard of—none of that will change who you are. You're our child. And we believe in you, Aren."
I held my breath. Those words… felt warmer than any blanket could.
"You'll become someone great, not because of your element… but because of the choices you make."
A few quiet moments passed, filled only with the sounds of the night and the gentle breeze.
She kissed my forehead softly, then walked toward the door.
"Good night, sweetheart. Don't stay up too late."
"Thanks, Mom…" I whispered.
Once the door closed, I returned to sit by the window.
'Whatever the element…'
I slowly clenched my fist.
'I'll face it in my own way.'
THE NEXT MORNING
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, dancing softly on the warm stone walls. A cool breeze still slipped in through the window I forgot to close last night. The chirping of small birds in the trees outside worked like a natural alarm, waking me gently from a peaceful sleep.
I opened my eyes slowly. It felt like I'd only just shut them.
Today…
The last day before everything changes.
I sat at the edge of my bed, rubbing my face and steadying my breath. There was nervousness… but also an excitement that was hard to put into words.
Mom's voice drifted up faintly from downstairs, probably busy making breakfast like usual. The smell of warm bread and smoked meat crept upstairs, making my empty stomach grumble.
After changing and washing up, I went downstairs.
"Aren, eat something before you head to training," Mom said without turning around, her hands skillfully flipping meat on the pan.
"Morning, Mom," I said, sitting down and grabbing a piece of bread from the basket on the table.
Before long, a warm plate of breakfast was in front of me.
"You training this morning?" she asked, looking at me.
I nodded while chewing. "Last time before Awakening tonight. Feels… weird."
She smiled. "At least your body will remember who you are before everything changes."
After breakfast, I grabbed a small bag with my hand guards and training staff, then said goodbye.
The morning sky was clear, thin clouds hanging peacefully above the city. The streets were already busy—vendors opening stalls, kids running around, and guards patrolling.
I walked quickly toward the training grounds at the edge of the eastern district—a place that's been part of my life for years.
Today might be the last time I arrive as "Aren who hasn't Awakened."
And tonight…
Everything will change.
EDWARD SMITH
The sky was turning red in the west as I closed the forge.
Today was more exhausting than usual. Two swords, one set of shoulder guards, and a pile of old metal that needed cleaning. But strangely, the fatigue didn't stick too long—not today.
I hung my leather apron on the iron hook and slowly shut down the furnace, letting the last embers fade with the final light of day.
"Aren's going through Awakening tonight..." I muttered softly.
My steps echoed along the stone streets, filled with the smells of bread and spices from shops preparing to close. Our home sat among the merchant district's mid-tier blocks—not too far from the city center, but far enough from the noise of the market. A peaceful place… full of memories.
As the door opened, the scent of warm soup greeted me. The light from the hanging lantern lit up the tidy dining room, and a familiar voice welcomed me instantly.
"Welcome home." Eliza stood near the kitchen, still holding a dish towel.
I gave her a tired smile, closing the door gently. "Your cooking is always the best thing after a long day."
She chuckled and walked over. "Go wash up. I already prepared warm water."
"You went that far, huh?" "You think I don't know tonight's important?" she replied, lightly patting my chest. "Aren's Awakening. And we'll be there with him."
I paused for a second.
"He grew up too fast," I murmured, eyes drifting to the empty chair at the table—where Aren usually sat with bread in hand and a tired face after training.
"It's time, Ed," Eliza said more softly. "Our boy's stepping into a new chapter. Tonight, we need to stand with him… not as blacksmiths or tavern owners—but as his parents."
I nodded slowly.
"He's going to become someone, Liz," I said. "And all I can hope is that no matter what he faces… he stays the Aren we know."
She smiled and held my hand.
"You'll see… he'll be more than we ever imagined."
I took a deep breath. The exhaustion from earlier… seemed to fade away.
"Let's get ready. We'll be there for him."
AREN SMITH
The training yard was still empty when I arrived. Even the sound of leaves could be heard clearly in the silence.
Yeah… as usual. I came too early.
I had just set down my bag when—
"WHACK!"
A heavy slap landed on my back.
"Ugh—"
"I love that shocked expression you always fail to hide." That voice—no mistaking who it belonged to.
I glanced behind me, already feeling annoyed.
"Dean."
Dean Wystern stood there, grinning wide like always. His hair was a mess, and he acted like he owned the world.
"Dude, seriously, your face... so blank. Still look half-asleep at this hour?"
"I did just wake up."
"I know. And I'm also pretty sure you've never learned how to smile since the day we met."
I sighed and went back to doing some light stretches.
Dean flopped onto a nearby bench, propping his feet up and using his hands as a headrest.
"Think about it," he continued. "One day, if you become some great hero after Awakening… are they really gonna carve a statue of you with that face? Stone-cold. Boring."
"Still better than a statue with a smug pose and crooked grin like yours."
Dean laughed, loud and carefree, totally unbothered by anything.
"Touché! But if I do get a statue, I want them to add a cloak and lightning effects behind me. Super dramatic."
I just shook my head.
"Anyway," he said, his tone a little calmer now, "nervous? Awakening's only a few hours away."
I stayed quiet for a second. Then shrugged.
"A little."
Dean looked at me for a moment, then smirked again. But not as annoyingly as usual.
"Doesn't matter what element comes out—I know one thing for sure…"
I turned to him. "What?"
"You'll still look annoying with that stone face of yours."
I threw my water bottle at him. He dodged, laughing his head off.
A while passed, filled with Dean's usual nonsense—loud, annoying, and for some reason… never funny to me. Until finally, other trainees began to arrive one by one, filling up the training ground that morning.
Then—
Heavy footsteps echoed into the room.
Not rushed. But each step seemed to shake the ground slightly.
A familiar powerful aura swept through the air, and the room went quiet like a fog had descended. Every eye turned to the figure entering—carrying something none of us had seen before.
A sword.
Sheathed in dark leather, glowing faintly, and radiating a strange pressure.
It belonged to Master Bernd.
Full name: Bernd Arvayne, a legendary former swordmaster whose reputation still echoed among royal veterans.
Though retired now and mostly teaching new generations like us, his presence and gaze… still sharp as a blade.
Said to be a swordsman with both fire and wind affinities—a rare combination that earned him the title:
"Blades of the Scorching Wind."
A name still whispered on training grounds and battlefields with deep respect.
Without a word, he stood in the center, eyes scanning each of us with that sharp stare.
Then he spoke, voice deep and steady.
"You all know this is your final day in my training."
"And yes—you might be a little surprised by how I look… and this sword."
He lifted the sheath slightly, revealing golden-red metal glowing faintly under the morning light.
"For the last time, I will test you. Not with words… but with a direct duel."
The room instantly buzzed with nervous whispers. Some looked panicked. Dean? Even he was quiet—for the first time.
Master Bernd raised one hand, telling us to settle down.
"Relax. I won't fight seriously. I'll hold back."
"But you must give it your all. Because today—I want to see… who deserves to call themselves my students."
He stepped back, then pointed at the weapon rack at the side of the room.
"Pick your weapons. Meet me in the arena."
"And prove… that your training hasn't been in vain."