The Awakening Ceromony wasn't meant for people like him.
Licht Rosewood stood at the edge of the hall, half-hidden in the shadows of the marble pillars. The crystal sphere at the center pulsed with mana, one by one lighting up with each student's affinity: fire, water, earth, wind. Cheers erupted with every spark.
However no cheered for Licht.
Is that the Rosewood kid?" someone whispered.
"I heard that recently his family lost their lands."
"At the rate their going they'll probably be exiled soon. He'll probably get a trash affinity at most."
Licht's lips pressed thin. He was used to being overlooked. In the kingdom's grand story, his family was little more than a footnote traitors stripped of their titles, forgotten by history. And he? He was nothing more than an insignificant bug.
When his name was finally called, the laughter was louder than the applause.
He place his hand one the Awakening crystal. Cold light flooded his palm. For a heartbeat, nothing happened silence flooded the room.
Then it broke.
Blinding radiance burst from burst from the stone, not the gentle glow of healing but a violent blaze that cracked the the marble under his feet. Students cried out, shield their eyes as the hall was filled with scorching light.
Eventually it dimmed everyone thinking it was almost over.
But then came the thunder.
Purple lighting erupted across the chamber, jagged arcs clawing at the ceiling, slowly cracks were destroying the marbles floor, suddenly even the Awakening crystal begun to break apart, with lightning arcs clawing at it.
The instructor stumbled back a little. "Impossible..."
"Dual affinity?"
"Wait that's... purple lightning?"
Light and lightning. But not the kind from stories not holy, not noble. This was destructive, unstable, terrifying anywhere they went ruin was left in their wake.
The students yelled in horror as they stared. "What kind of monster...?"
"The nature of his affinity seems unstable"
Licht withdrew his hand, chest heaving. His arm still clawing with toilet arcs, his eyes reflecting the wild glow of his own mana.
Then the room fell silent.
The head examiners voice went cold, almost acussing.
"Licht Rosewood... you have exceeded our expecting. But remember this you will never and I say never truly be apart of this Academy you and your family filled of traitorous bastards are a disgrace to this kingdom."
Licht met the examiners gaze. His eyes went cold.
"Good," he said quietly, lighting clawed around him as if sensing his anger. "I never wanted to be."
With that, he turned and walked away, the fading thunder echoing through the hall like a promise of distant storm to come. The room trembled in his wake, the silence that followed oppressive and heavy with unspoken meaning.