The morning sun poured through the tall glass windows of Grayhaven Academy's grand gymnasium, setting the banners of the great guilds and noble houses aglow.
Hundreds of students filled the polished floor, lined in neat rows, their uniforms freshly pressed, their nervous whispers echoing against the high ceiling.
The Awakening Ceremony.
It was the day that would define the rest of their lives.
Everyone here was seventeen — old enough to awaken their Class Pathway by touching the crystalline pillar at the center of the room, an artifact said to have been blessed by heaven itself.
Some would awaken Warrior, others Mage, Hunter, or even Support. Rare talents — those destined for greatness — might awaken higher-tier paths like Elementalist, Rune Knight, or Blood Seer.
For most, this was the beginning of their future. For others… it was the end.
Because those who awakened nothing were forever branded Ordinary.
The worthless. The useless.
At the very back of the room, Noah West leaned lazily against the wall, hood drawn up despite the warm light. His gray hoodie and worn sneakers stood out among a sea of polished boots, silken ties, and noble crests stitched into uniforms.
He chewed on a piece of gum, expression unreadable.
Around him, students trembled with anticipation, some praying under their breath, others boasting loudly about the guilds that would soon be begging for their contracts.
"Watch this," a boy with spiked hair bragged to his friends. "I'll awaken a Tier-3 class, minimum. My family's already lined up a spot in the Silver Fang Guild."
"Ha, please," his friend scoffed. "I'm going for Elementalist. Do you know how rare that is? Whole families will line up for me."
Noah rolled his eyes. Same old song.
He pulled out his phone and scrolled idly through memes.
A sharp voice cut through his thoughts.
"You don't look nervous."
Noah glanced sideways.
Standing beside him was a girl who seemed to glow even without trying. Long auburn hair tied into a neat ponytail, sharp golden eyes that sparkled like fire, and the unmistakable aura of someone born into power.
Her uniform fit perfectly, and at her waist was a ceremonial dagger — a symbol of her family's prestige.
Noah vaguely recognized her. She was from one of the mid-tier noble houses. The Arkwrights, maybe? Hunters for generations.
She tilted her head, studying him. "Everyone else is fidgeting like their lives are on the line. But you…" her eyes narrowed. "You look like you couldn't care less."
Noah smirked. "Well, I couldn't."
Her lips twitched. "Cocky."
"No," he said, leaning his head back against the wall. "Just realistic."
For a moment, her golden eyes lingered on him, as if trying to peel away his mask. Then she smiled faintly. "What's your name?"
"Noah West."
She repeated it slowly, like she was committing it to memory. "I'll remember it. You don't seem ordinary."
If only you knew, Noah thought, amused.
The ceremony began.
The Head Examiner, a tall man in a crimson cloak, raised his hand for silence. "Step forward when your name is called. Place your palm on the Awakening Pillar, and fate will do the rest."
Students lined up, one by one.
The crystal glowed brilliantly each time a student awakened a path.
"Tier-2 Warrior!"
"Tier-3 Flame Mage!"
"Tier-2 Rune Archer!"
Each success was met with applause, cheers from families, recruiters scribbling notes in the stands.
A boy's entire future could change in seconds.
Noah yawned.
When the auburn-haired girl stepped forward, the crystal flared gold.
Gasps filled the hall.
"Tier-3 Radiant Knight!"
The crowd erupted. Recruiters immediately began whispering, scribbling down her name. She stood tall, her golden eyes burning with pride.
Noah clapped once, lazily, and she glanced back at him — for a split second, smiling.
Then it was Noah's turn.
The room seemed to fall silent, as if even the crystal knew something strange was about to happen.
He walked up, slouched posture, hands shoved in his pockets until the last second.
The examiner frowned. "Hand. On the pillar."
Noah sighed, pressing his palm lazily against the crystal.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Inside, Noah's body surged with unimaginable power. His soul screamed with shadow, light, chaos, and death — a thousand powers intertwining like the heart of an apocalypse.
The crystal trembled violently. For a heartbeat, it looked like it might shatter.
Noah smirked. Whoops. Too much.
And then, in an instant, he smothered it.
The light vanished. The crystal dulled.
Silence.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"…Nothing?"
"…No reaction?"
"…He's a dud?"
Laughter followed, harsh and cutting.
"Hah! Knew it. Look at him — wearing rags to the ceremony. Ordinary trash."
"What a joke. He didn't even make the crystal flicker."
Even the examiner shook his head, his disappointment obvious. "Next."
Noah pulled his hand back calmly, his face blank. Inside, shadows coiled at his fingertips, laughing with him.
If I hadn't suppressed it, you'd all be bowing right now.
He shoved his hands back into his hoodie pocket and walked off the stage, ignoring the whispers and snickers.
But not everyone was laughing.
In the stands, golden eyes followed him, sharp and calculating.
The auburn-haired girl tapped her chin thoughtfully. "…No reaction at all, huh? That's impossible. Everyone has something."
She bit her lip, her heartbeat quickening. "You… you're hiding something."
For reasons she couldn't explain, her chest tightened at the sight of him.
By the end of the ceremony, guild recruiters swarmed the talented students, contracts and offers already flying.
Noah wasn't approached once. Nobody even looked at him twice.
And that was exactly how he liked it.
He slipped out of the gymnasium, tugging his hood low, the sun spilling across the academy grounds.
Behind him, cheers filled the air. Ahead, shadows stirred, waiting for his command.
Noah West was Ordinary.
But the Eclipse… was only just beginning.