The grand hall gleamed with it's usual clean shine. Even though it is used multiple times a year for the Awakening Ceremony there is never a spec of dust to be found. Of course, for the teenagers and young adults the cleanliness is the least of their concern.
Even though it is called and Awakening Ceremony, it is really just a glorified doctor check up, but instead of being checked for a disease or ailment the 'patients' are being scanned for their affinity.
In the Western Continent it is royally mandated that all people between the ages of 15-18 must be checked for their affinity yearly. Nobody dared to break this law as without being checked it was rare for someone to manifest any hint of their affinity.
A elderly man with a long and thin white beard, slowly stepped out of the door way on to the stage.
Jack watched as the 15 year old's gasped in awe at the figure that could easily ruin their life with just a simple word, 'Null'. It wasn't uncommon for children to not awaken until their 2nd or 3rd ceremony, but every time you heard those words while on stage it meant your chances had just decreased.
Jack had already experienced this himself three times, leaving him with just this last attempt. He kept his self pity concealed and put up an hopeful façade to his family, but even they knew it was practically hopeless.
The ceremony would always start by calling up the first timers one by one and then continuing that trend to the second, third, then fourth. Jack knew just how long these ceremonies lasted so his mind started to drift off as he stared at the 'Awakener'.
'Awakener's' were nothing more than people who had special affinities for seeing others affinities. Of course the empire wouldn't blatantly reveal that because of their desire for control. Their lie was nothing short of sacrilege as apparently the 'Awakeners' were people gifted by the gods themselves.
This might work to control the religious population, but in recent times no more than a few noble families still believed in the old gods and the ones who did weren't worshipping the pure ones.
"Hera Gardner."
The scribe next to the 'Awakener' called out the first name. There was a conspiracy that those called first would always awaken within their lifetime and Jack really had no other reason to believe this tale.
Everyone he had watched get called first had their affinity called out.
"Affinity: Cooking, F Rank"
'Poor girl. At least she had an affinity though.'
Even though there were probably millions of affinities there were simply only a hundred or two that were worth awakening and almost all of those were magic related.
Another name was called and Jack waited for the 'Awakener' to speak.
"Null."
The boy who had been called up slowly descended the steps, faint tears sliding down his pudgy face.
This is the sight most regularly seen in the 'Awakening Ceremony', pain and sadness. Jack had been in the shoes of the kid many times, but never unable to control and hide his emotions.
After listening to a few more verdicts he decided to zone out of the ceremony. Watching kids cry wasn't really his cup of tea.
Hours past as Jack thought about all the chores he would have to do when he returned home. So deep in thought he missed his name.
"Jack Rennard."
The scribe looked around again.
"Jack Rennard!"
This time his voice carried magnitude and woke Jack from his thoughts. He jogged up the aisle, making up the time he spent thinking aimlessly, and jumped up the small set of stairs before standing in front of the 'Awakener'.
Jack realized that his nerves that he had in his previous three ceremonies had vanished. Hopefully that just meant the word 'Null' would just be a word to him.
The 'Awakener' stared at Jack using whatever spell allowed him to see affinities. Time moved but the old man didn't.
'This is taking longer than expected.'
Jack pretty much hoped he would just be out of the hall as soon as possible.
"Affinity: Water, F Rank"
Jack tried to speak, but couldn't. He had a magic affinity, maybe not a strong one, but a magic one nonetheless. For the first time the 'Awakener' spoke more than the same few words.
"Congratulations young one, due to the start time of the Celestial Magic Academy you will be required to return with me. Your guardians will be notified and all of your requirements will be met before your first day."
"I can't even say goodbye to my parents?"
The 'Awakener' had already turned around to exit as Jack had been his last patient.
"Yes boy, it is either that or you face 20 years in prison for dodging mandatory academy enrollment. Follow me."
"When does the academy start." Jack asked knowing he could not refuse to comply.
"Tomorrow. Well, orientation starts tomorrow but missing that would be like missing your first day at your regular school."
Jack could only mentally shake his head as he exited the building and stood in the grass behind the temple. A singular person stood still with their hood completely covering their face.
"Put a hand on their shoulder, we will be teleporting to the capital."
Jack complied and softly laid his hand on the persons shoulder and then he vanished.
***
Jack was in a white room. There were no doors, windows, and not even a single piece of decoration. All that existed was the chair he was sitting in, the desk in front of him, and his thoughts.
"Is this a Academy Test?"
He didn't expect a response but got one anyways.
"Do you wish to become powerful?"
A voice rang in his head, its age was evident by its slowly spoken words.
Acting under the basis of this scenario being an academy test, Jack answered honestly.
"Yes."
"Very Well. I will entrust you to be my champion. Do not the Dark Gods summon what should not exist."
Then his vision went dark.