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The sun had just begun to rise, casting golden light across the buildings. Each structure basked in its glow, warm and glowing. Parents, holding their children's hands, moved steadily with the growing crowd.
A calm yet firm voice echoed through the air.
"Raine, don't get too excited. Life never goes the way you expect."
A man walked with a boy around five years old, his black hair messy from the morning breeze. The child tugged at his father's hand, pulling him toward the growing group of people ahead.
The boy's eyes sparkled. "Dad, what am I going to become? A spiritual cultivator? Maybe a body cultivator? Or even an energy cultivator?"
The father sighed lightly, his steps slow but steady. "They're all just a little different. You'll understand later." He ruffled Raine's hair.
Like them, many families arrived in front of a towering building. Its walls gleamed, luxurious and spotless. Inside, Raine's eyes darted around, wide with curiosity—first at the polished sofas, then to the woman behind the counter. She stood tall, dressed neatly, her aura soft and welcoming.
Everyone here wore coats, clean and proper, while Raine and his father looked simpler, ordinary.
The woman behind the counter greeted them.
"Hello, guests. As you all know, every year we hold a ceremony to test if any child possesses the talent to become a spiritual or body cultivator."
Raine raised his hand quickly, beaming. "Aunty! You forgot energy cultivator!"
The woman paused for a moment, then smiled gently. "Child, you may not know this, but only a special kind of beast can become an energy cultivator. If your core awakens in the forehead, you're a spiritual cultivator. If it awakens at the dantian, then you become a body cultivator."
Raine nodded slowly. "Ohh…"
The room filled with soft chuckles from other parents. Though small, this moment brought a sense of lightness—and even knowledge—for the other children.
The woman raised her voice. "Alright. All children, come to the front. I'll awaken your cores now."
One by one, the children gathered at the center. The woman stepped forward, raising her hand. A soft white energy spiraled around her, spreading toward the children like a glowing mist.
"Stay calm and absorb the energy," she said.
The white light flowed gently into their bodies, seeping through their skin. Raine felt a warm sensation filling him. The energy surrounded several children's dantians—suddenly, they floated into the air with a wave of the woman's hand.
"These children are body cultivators," she announced.
Then the light gathered around the forehead of another child. With another wave, that child returned to his parents.
"This one is a spiritual cultivator."
Child after child returned to their parents. But Raine remained still, eyes closed, body glowing faintly. He continued to absorb the energy.
The woman frowned slightly. Maybe he needs more, she thought.
She lifted her hand again, and a denser stream of white energy flowed toward Raine. His body remained still—absorbing.
Suddenly, the white energy turned black. Deep black.
Gasps echoed through the hall. Some parents stepped back. One voice cried out, "He's a demon!"
Even the woman looked startled. She halted the flow of energy immediately. Raine now floated midair, the black aura curling around him. From his chest, a bright purple light began to shine, clashing with the darkness.
The woman whispered to herself, "He… is an energy cultivator?"
Raine blinked, confused, his gaze searching for his father. The man stood still—face unreadable, not cold, not soft—just… still.
The woman quickly composed herself. "Everyone, please go home. Certificates for your children will be given tomorrow."
She turned to Raine and his father. "I'll request guidance from the higher-ups. We'll inform you tomorrow."
The father only nodded. He picked Raine up in both arms and walked swiftly. Their home wasn't far.
On the way, Raine whispered, "Dad, are you alright?"
His father looked down. His eyes were wet, but he said nothing. His pace quickened. Sensing something heavy, Raine stayed silent and simply watched his father's face.
They reached their building—not overly large, but respectable. The moment they knocked, the door flew open. A woman pulled Raine into a tight hug, lifting him easily. She kissed his cheek.
"My child, are you alright? I've cooked your favorite dish."
Raine smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, Mom. I wanna eat."
"I know my son well." She set him down. "I made plenty. Go and eat till you're full."
Raine ran to the dining table and began eating hungrily.
The woman turned to her husband and froze. His expression said everything.
"What happened?" she asked softly. "Did our child… not become a cultivator?"
He looked at her. "He became an energy cultivator. With a dark essence."
He pulled her into an embrace and held her tightly. She said nothing. Words failed her.
Raine continued to eat, spoon after spoon, but something in his chest felt cold. Uneasy.
Far away, the woman who had conducted the awakening was on a call.
"No human in recorded history has ever become an energy cultivator," a voice said from the other end. "Send me the details. Immediately."
"I will," she replied quietly, "just in a moment."
Night had fallen.
A group of five walked under the moonlight. At the center strode a fat man; the others followed silently behind him.
One of them spoke. "Master Zhao, do we really need to catch that kid?"
Master Zhao slapped him without pause. The man simply kept walking, as if used to it.
"You idiot," Zhao growled. "I'm always right. That child's an energy cultivator, which means he's a beast. Only beasts can wield that power. So his mother must've lain with one! Hah!" He laughed, disgusting and cruel.
The others lowered their heads.
Zhao sneered. "What are you staring at the ground for? We'll kill the traitor mother too. It's our duty. Our luck."
Back at home, Raine's father stood on the balcony, eyes fixed on the moon. His wife wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"You didn't ask me even a single question," she said softly. "Do you think that…"
He placed a hand over her mouth.
"Are you a fool? I trust you. I never doubted you. I know—Raine is our child. That's all that matters."
She trembled and buried her face in his chest, crying quietly as he held her close under the moonlight.