The wide, genuine smile on his grandfather's face was the most comforting thing Kael had seen in his entire life. The promise of training wasn't a threat; it was an anchor. It was a path forward, a way to understand the terrifying, wonderful thing he had become.
"Come," Valerius said, his voice warm. The heavy hand on Kael's shoulder gently guided him away from the Awakening Platform. "Your new life starts with a meal. And a lesson."
Thorne, who was still staring at the spot where Kael had stood, finally shook his head as if waking from a dream. He quickly composed himself, but Kael could still see the look of pure shock in his eyes. He followed them out of the chamber, the great silver doors closing with a soft hiss behind them.
They walked through a long hallway made of the same white stone, but this one was decorated with beautiful paintings of landscapes Kael had only seen in his books. There were forests with impossibly tall trees, oceans that stretched to the horizon, and mountains so high they touched the clouds. It was a world away from the rust and grime of the Sump.
They entered a large, circular room with a high, domed ceiling. In the center was a polished wooden table with three chairs. A simple meal was already laid out: warm bread, a bowl of rich stew, and a pitcher of what looked like clean, clear water. To Kael, whose diet had consisted of fungus broth and scavenged scraps, it looked like a feast for a king.
"Sit, Kael. Eat," Valerius said, taking a seat. "Your body has been through a great deal. It needs fuel."
Kael sat down, his movements still a little stiff. He was trying to be careful, hyper-aware of the strength humming inside him. He picked up a piece of bread, and it felt as light as a feather. He took a bite, and the simple taste of baked grain was so good it almost made him cry. He ate slowly at first, then with the deep hunger of someone who had never known when his next meal would be.
Valerius watched him, a gentle, sad look in his eyes. He didn't say anything until Kael had finished two bowls of stew and half the loaf of bread.
"Better?" the old man asked.
Kael nodded, feeling a warmth in his stomach that had nothing to do with magic. "Yes. Thank you, grandfather."
"Good," Valerius said, his expression turning more serious. "Now, for the lesson. Open your System. Look at your Rank."
Kael closed his eyes and focused inward. The clear, detailed status screen appeared in his mind instantly. He looked at the line that had been confusing him.
[Rank: F]
"It says I'm F-Rank," Kael said, opening his eyes. "Is that… bad?"
Valerius chuckled softly. "It is neither good nor bad. It is simply the beginning. Every single Awakened person in the world starts at F-Rank. It is the first step on a very long ladder."
He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table. "The ranks are a measure of an Awakened's overall power and control. They go from F, the lowest, up to E, D, C, B, A, and finally, S-Rank, the highest."
"How do you rank up?" Kael asked, fascinated.
"To advance, you must meet two conditions," Valerius explained. "First, your core stats and mana must reach a certain level. Second, your System will then give you a special test, a 'Rank-Up Quest.' It could be a difficult fight, a complex puzzle, or a dangerous mission. Only by completing this quest can you break through to the next rank."
He held up a finger. "Moving from F-Rank to D-Rank is a matter of hard work. Anyone with a decent talent who trains every day can usually reach D-Rank within a few years. It is the mark of a standard, qualified Awakened."
He then held up a second finger.
"But the jump from D-Rank to C-Rank is the first great wall. It stops most people. It requires more than just training. It requires a deep understanding of your own powers. Many Awakened live their entire lives and never get past D-Rank."
Thorne, who had been standing silently by the wall, spoke for the first time. "My apologies for interrupting, my Lord, but it is true. I have been a D-Rank for twenty years. Reaching C-Rank is a dream for most of us."
Valerius nodded at Thorne, then looked back at Kael.
"From C to B is another massive jump. Most of the Union's top agents, the captains of their guard, are B-Rank. They are powerful people, respected everywhere."
"And A-Rank?" Kael asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"A-Rankers are the true elite of our world," Valerius said, his voice low and serious. "The leaders of the great families, the generals of armies, the grandmasters of magic. To reach A-Rank means you are one of the most powerful people alive. It requires incredible talent, immense resources, and a good amount of luck."
"And S-Rank?"
Valerius leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "S-Rank is… different. It is a level of power that most believe is a myth. It's not just about getting stronger. It is about becoming something more. It is a breakthrough that cannot be taught or bought. It is a moment when an Awakened changes their very relationship with the world. It is a peak so high that almost no one can reach it."
He looked Kael directly in the eye. "In the entire world, Kael, among the billions of people and the millions of Awakened, there are currently only twelve S-Ranks."
Kael felt his breath catch in his throat. Twelve. In the whole world. They must be like gods.
The knowledge settled over Kael with immense weight. His grandfather, this kind old man who had saved him, was one of the most powerful beings in existence.
"But that is not what is important right now," Valerius said, bringing him back to the present. "What is important is you. For a normal person, the journey to even C-Rank is the work of a lifetime. But you are not normal."
He pointed a finger at Kael. "The nature of your System is unique. From what I observed of your pre-Awakening state, your power grows at a rate I have never seen or heard of before. Do you understand what this means? The growth that takes others years, you will achieve in a matter of days. The walls that stop others for decades, you will shatter in a week."
Kael's heart began to pound. He was starting to understand the true scale of his ability. Valerius didn't know the details, but he had seen enough to understand the terrifying truth.
"This power is your greatest gift, and your most dangerous secret," Valerius continued, his voice firm. "You must not speak of the true nature of your growth to anyone. Not even to the other members of this family. If the world knew of your ability, it would cause chaos. People would try to use you, control you, or destroy you out of fear. Is that clear?"
"Yes, grandfather," Kael said immediately.
"Good. Your challenge will be learning to control the strength you already have. That sudden, rapid growth you experienced before now was likely caused by your late Awakening. Mana was building up inside you with no release, causing your body to change. Now that you have properly Awakened and your System has stabilized, that chaotic growth should end. Your power will settle, and from now on, it will only increase through dedicated training, just like everyone else."
The idea was terrifying. He was a danger to everyone and everything around him."
So, your first lesson will not be about fighting, or magic, or your new affinities," Valerius said, standing up. "Your first lesson is much simpler. It is about control."
He walked to the center of the room and picked up a single, delicate teacup from a side table. It was made of thin, white porcelain.
"I want you to come here,"
Valerius said. "I want you to take this teacup from my hand. And I want you to do it without breaking it."
It sounded so simple. But as Kael stood up and walked toward his grandfather, he knew it was the hardest test he had ever faced. Every muscle in his body was coiled with immense power. He had to be gentle. He had to be careful. He had to learn how to be human again, in a body that was rapidly becoming something more.