Asher City was one of the many mid-sized cities in Dravonne, home to roughly ten million residents. Most were ordinary mortals, but a significant number were cultivators.
Across the Eldoria Continent, nearly all high-ranking government officials were powerful cultivators. Asher City was no exception — its Governor, the Head of the Enforcer Department, and the leaders of other major divisions were all high-level cultivators. After all, in a world where numerous organizations wielded dangerous strength, maintaining order required an equally formidable force stationed in every city.
Cultivation in Eldoria followed two main paths: The Path of Strength and The Path of Energy. Both were divided into nine ranks below the Saint level.
Path of Strength(Focus: raw might, durability, and combat prowess)
Rank 1 – Novice: An untrained, ordinary body.
Rank 2 – Adept: Muscles hardened, basic endurance developed.
Rank 3 – Warrior: Strikes strong enough to break stone.
Rank 4 – Champion: Stamina and strength far beyond mortals.
Rank 5 – Warlord: Body like iron, steps that shake the ground.
Rank 6 – Juggernaut: Can withstand siege-weapon strikes and keep moving.
Rank 7 – Colossus: Physical might capable of overwhelming armies.
Rank 8 – Titan: A body that defies nature; mountains tremble at its power.
Rank 9 – Immortal Body: Flesh and bone become indestructible.
Path of Energy(Focus: internal essence and mystical control)
Rank 1 – Initiate: Awakens a spark of energy.
Rank 2 – Channeler: Can guide energy through the body.
Rank 3 – Adept: Energy enhances strength and speed.
Rank 4 – Seeker: Projects energy outward for attacks.
Rank 5 – Master: Energy control sharp and refined.
Rank 6 – Grandmaster: Power flows endlessly and efficiently.
Rank 7 – Archon: Energy reshapes the battlefield itself.
Rank 8 – Ascendant: Power rivals natural disasters.
Rank 9 – Immortal Core: Energy harmonizes with the world itself.
Neither path was superior. Yet, the Path of Strength had declined over the years — few could endure the grueling toll it took on their bodies. Still, many persisted, knowing their chosen path was determined at the Awakening Ceremony and could never be changed.
Most high-ranking officials were between Rank 7 and 9, but their exact levels were state secrets. If such information leaked, it could invite dangerous power shifts — higher-ranked cultivators might relocate to take advantage of weaker cities. Thus, rank information was guarded fiercely across all nations.
***
Miss Beckar led the orphans to the central plaza, where they were stopped by stationed Junior Enforcers.
"Ma'am, only students about to undergo the Awakening Ceremony may proceed," one of them said politely.
"Yes, I understand." Miss Beckar turned to the children, her voice trembling slightly. "Go on, kids. Work hard, whether or not you're chosen by a Path Academy. Keep an eye on your belongings, and… I wish you the very best in life."
Her eyes lingered on Damien for a moment before she turned away, walking back toward the orphanage. The younger children watched her go with teary eyes — she had been their guardian for as long as they could remember.
Damien stood silently for a while, then shifted his gaze toward the bustling plaza. It was filled with youths his age, their faces glowing with nervous excitement — a stark contrast to his calm demeanor.
It wasn't that he lacked anticipation. But after years of hearing Miss Beckar insist he would definitely be chosen by a Will, the idea had settled in his mind as inevitable.
What truly intrigued him was which path would open before him, and whether he would be chosen by the Great Academy of Dravonne.
As Damien and the other orphans approached the podium, they overheard conversations around them:
"Do you think it'll hurt?"
"Seriously? We've been over this in school a hundred times!"
"Yeah, it's painless — just a warm, comfortable feeling."
".....I know! I'm just nervous, alright?"
Another group was speaking in hushed excitement:
"How many students do you think will be selected by the wills this time?"
"Don't know man...it is not like they announce it to everyone. We only know that there is approximately 1 in a 1000 chance of being selected from the data that has been made public."
"Just relax buddy, not like we can't live a comfortable life even if we are not selected."
"Yeah...not to mention, it is hard to say if being selected is better or not. Atleast we can live peacefully without having to risk our lives."
"You guys are just exaggerating, even if there is some risk in cultivation, that comes after you complete the 4 years mandatory training at those academies."
"He is right you know...i would want to spend 4 years cultivating and developing powers instead of living a boring life. And even after that it is not like Cultivators are just going to die for sure. They just need to be powerful enough to be recruited by Noble Houses or other organizations, maybe the government as well"
Listening to the conversations of those around him, Damien couldn't help but agree. Being selected by the wills and improving yourself in path to become powerful is far better than just living a boring mortal life. It is not that he wants to risk his life and die for just some form of excitement, he will take every step possible to avoid risking his life.
Although he doesn't have a goal yet, he didn't want be looked down upon by anyone...or be bullied. He was not delusional, thinking he will certainly become a Saint of Path. Having enough strength, money and status to live a better life and maybe start a family was his life goal.
When Damien and others reached below the podium, they saw the Goblet of Path placed at its center. Goblet of Path is a vessel containing fragments of the Wills from all major academies. The whole Awakening Ceremony involves students standing one by one in front of the Goblet and wait till it scans them.
Scanning process continues till the student starts emitting a glow based on how talented they are. The brighter the glow, the more talented they are, sometimes glow can be less bright, but it might also mean being talented in only few aspects. Many aspects include the teachings that are made available to students in the academy with talent towards Path being one of them. If the glow is blue, then it means they have the talent for Path of Energy and if the glow is red, they belong to Path of Strength.
All Students waited till an old man with neatly combed white hair, dressed in black high-official's suit came walking from behind the podium and stood behind the Goblet. The crowd fell silent.
"Welcome to the Awakening Ceremony. As you all know I am the Governor of Asher city, Charles Asher, belonging to the Noble House of Asher. Every year around this time, young souls like you embark on your own paths filled with boundless future. It fills my Heart with great joy every time and looking at you brings back nostalgic memories of my own Awakening Ceremony. I was terrified just like you all at the time and was nervous about what my path would entail in the future." Governor Charles paused for a moment, moving his eyes across the whole plaza filled with thousands of students as if looking past through each one of their fears.
His eyes softened before he continued "I want to tell you all to not be dejected even if you don't get selected by the wills. Many of my friends who were not selected during my time are one of the greatest contributors towards our technological advancement and magic craftsmanship. In our continent, mortals and cultivators are two sides of a single coin, one cannot exist without another. So embrace whatever lies in front of you with passion and earnestness, as every path, whether it be for mortals or cultivators, holds importance and value."
"Now when i call your name, please come up the podium and stand in front of the Goblet for 30 seconds each. If there is no glow on you after 30 seconds are over, Please move towards the back of the podium where you will meet the respective agents of Mortal Colleges to choose your specializations."