The Awakening Hall was a city of light and crystal, a cathedral to destiny itself. Its vaulted ceilings disappeared into shadows where ancient runes pulsed faintly, like the heartbeat of some slumbering giant. Hundreds of lanterns floated in the air, drifting lazily above the marble floor and casting reflections that danced like liquid gold across the banners of every noble house. The air carried the mingled scent of incense, polished stone, and a subtle metallic tang from the Fate Pillar at the center—a crystal tower twenty feet tall, veins of molten light running through its body, humming with centuries of unbroken magic.
Every sixteen-year-old in the city awaited this day with bated breath. The Ceremony of Fate determined the path of a life: the System would reveal their class, stats, and sometimes even fragments of their future. Some would leave as heroes, others as failures. Few escaped the judgment of the Pillar unscathed.
From the upper balconies, murmurs fluttered like restless birds.
"Who will shine this year?"
"Will the Dharva prodigy continue their streak?"
"And the Veyra heir… can he even awaken?"
Samir Veyra's stomach tightened. He stood in the back, hands clenched, heart hammering in his chest. His black tunic was plain, his boots scuffed, hair slightly untidy—a stark contrast to the silks, embroidery, and jewels of his classmates. His pulse throbbed as he imagined the expectations pressing down on him, the whispers like knives slicing through his resolve.
"Arjun Malvek," Guru Devran's voice rang out, carrying authority that silenced the hall.
Arjun, tall and broad-shouldered, strode forward. He placed his palm on the Pillar, and light surged like rivers of molten gold. A screen appeared in the air above him:
[Name: Arjun Malvek]
[Class: Warrior]
[Strength: 12 | Agility: 9 | Intelligence: 8 | Vitality: 11]
Polite applause spread through the audience. "A solid Warrior," whispered one noble. "Not extraordinary, but dependable."
Arjun's chest swelled with pride as he bowed and returned to his seat.
Next came Priya Tanreth. Slender, graceful, with eyes that shimmered like dawn, she approached hesitantly. Her palm met the crystal, and a soft green light enveloped her hand. Her screen appeared:
[Name: Priya Tanreth]
[Class: Healer]
[Strength: 5 | Agility: 6 | Intelligence: 13 | Vitality: 9]
Gasps spread through the crowd. "A Healer… rare and valuable," whispered a noblewoman. Priya's lips trembled, tears brimming, as she bowed and returned to her seat.
Then Ravi Senra, flamboyant and boastful, swaggered forward. "Watch and learn, everyone," he said, tossing his hair back. Sparks flew from the Pillar as he touched it.
[Name: Ravi Senra]
[Class: Archer]
[Strength: 9 | Agility: 14 | Intelligence: 7 | Vitality: 8]
Cheers erupted. "Agility 14! Blessed by the wind itself!" Ravi lifted his arms dramatically, basking in the applause.
Finally, Ishara Vedren approached, quiet and hesitant. Her steps were slow, measured, almost as if expecting rejection. She pressed her palm to the Pillar. Nothing… then a flickering screen appeared.
[Name: Ishara Vedren]
[Class: —]
[Strength: 3 | Agility: 4 | Intelligence: 5 | Vitality: 4]
Whispers turned cruel. "A waste of a noble spot." "She should hide." Ishara forced a bow and returned to her seat, head down, eyes glistening.
Samir's chest tightened. One by one, his classmates had been measured, praised, and celebrated. Soon, it would be his turn.
"Rajin Dharva," Guru Devran called.
The hall tensed. Rajin moved forward like a predator, black-and-gold robes flowing, every step radiating arrogance. His smirk landed on Samir, sharp and mocking.
"This will be fun," he muttered loud enough for everyone near him to hear.
The Pillar flared as Rajin's palm touched it. Sparks erupted, light blinding for a heartbeat. The [System] screen appeared:
[Name: Rajin Dharva]
[Class: Scion of Flames]
[Strength: 14 | Agility: 12 | Intelligence: 11 | Vitality: 13]
[Unique Skill: Flame Sovereign's Descent]
The crowd went wild. "A Unique Class!"
"The Dharva bloodline never fails," someone shouted.
Rajin raised his arms dramatically, basking in the adulation. He glanced at Samir again, eyes narrowing in mockery.
"Samir Veyra," Guru Devran intoned.
Every gaze in the hall shifted to him. Lord Varun Veyra's expression was cold, unyielding. Lady Meera Veyra's hand trembled as she clutched her veil, unable to meet her son's eyes.
Samir's legs felt heavy, almost as if the floor had turned to stone. His heart thundered in his chest, threatening to burst through his ribs. He walked toward the Pillar, each step amplified by silence. Every whisper, every snicker, every glance of doubt felt like a weight crushing him.
He reached the crystal, hand trembling. The energy thrummed under his touch, alive, almost sentient.
For a long moment… nothing happened.
Then sparks flickered violently. The Pillar's veins pulsed chaotically. The [System] screen appeared—broken, fractured, glitching:
[Name: Samir Veyra]
[Class: —ERROR—]
[Strength: ?? | Agility: ?? | Intelligence: ?? | Vitality: ??]
[System Stability: Critical Failure]
A shocked gasp echoed through the hall. Rajin laughed, loud, cruel, filling the space. "Even the System rejects him! Pathetic!"
The laughter surged. Fingers pointed, murmurs swelled, noble eyes narrowed in judgment. Samir's chest heaved, panic clawing at him—but beneath it, something else stirred.
Through the broken lines of code, a vision flashed:
[Future Event Detected: Rajin Dharva betrays the Dharva Clan.]
The image was terrifyingly clear—Rajin, dagger in hand, flames consuming his own kin, rage twisting his features. Then it shattered, replaced by glitches.
No one else had seen it. Only Samir.
His body shook with adrenaline, chest pounding. Lord Varun's jaw tightened; Lady Meera's veil hid her trembling face. The crowd's laughter blurred, distant, meaningless.
Samir's gaze hardened, mind racing. Each whisper, each sneer, each mocking glance became a thread in a web he was already starting to see. He didn't just witness the future… he had the tools to shape it.
A faint, deliberate smile curved his lips. Not one of defeat. Not of weakness. But of knowledge and quiet determination.
Let them laugh. They had no idea what he had just seen.
Samir's hand lingered on the crystal for a heartbeat longer, feeling the raw, chaotic energy hum beneath his palm. He could feel possibilities stretching before him—paths no one else could perceive. The Pillar's glow dimmed slightly, but in its fading light, he saw only opportunity.
And in the back of his mind, he whispered to himself: They'll regret underestimating me.