"The 6th Awakening Ceremony is about to begin! All childrens under the age of 10–12 is free to partake in this event. I repeat! All childrens under the age of 10–12 is free to partake in this event."
"Those that – successfully awaken their characteristics will be directly enrolled to the Empire's Military Academy. Gaining both power and status!"
"Childrens – the hope of the Empire! May the Gods bless you to awaken, and become the vanguard that vanquish our enemies, and expand our Empire's territory!"
...
A massive gymnasium was filled to the brim by people of all ages that come to watch the event. They occupied the long – bench of the stadium as they watch the activity – below.
Childrens under the age of 10–12 were sitting quietly on their respective–chair's, listening attentively at the speaker – speaking on the podium.
He was a rough – looking man, eyes stern and face serious with an aura of battle hardened professional, that have already experienced countless life and death throughout his military career. He wore military uniform, with a few medals that signifies his large contributions towards their cause.
"Today – the Empire has given you all an opportunity yet again... Opportunity to rise from nothing and become an extraordinary individuals with high status!"
"So – express your gratitude towards our Eternal Nation, for its great generosity! Pledged your loyalty towards the Empire and the Emperor!"
"All hail to the Empire!"
The rough – looking elite soldier announced, evoking strong reactions from the crowds:
"ALL HAIL TO THE EMPIRE!"
The crowds shouted in almost – unison, the noise created – reverberated throughout the gymnasium like a war-cry.
Then the rough – looking elite soldier then added:
"All hail to the Emperor!"
The crowd then – followed.
"ALL HAIL TO THE EMPEROR!"
After a bit more propaganda from some elite individuals, the awakening ceremony – officially started.
Whoosh~
The people watching from above – keep on chattering to each other, as the children's below felt anxious and excited. This mix of emotion – created from the pressure of awakening, that directed their fates – is very understandable. After all, if you're successful – then you'll going to sour through the hierarchy, if not – you'll continue living in the bottom rung of the society.
Your future are already directed and no chance for you to move up – forever! At least in your life-time.
And from this bunch of children – there was someone who is unique – visually! He looks frail and in messy state, wearing a clothes that showed he was a beggar. His eyes staring at the podium with hope – hope for a better future.
He was Orin Everheal, a typical street – dweller, a low-born individual that has no future other than – scavenging for food from garbage and fighting for every bread tossed from a generous person.
Now, the awakening was the only chance he got to escape his fate – one shot to escape extreme-poverty and live a life that has dignity.
Orin, prayed to the Gods he doesn't really believe in. Praying that his awakening would be successful, so he could finally eat the foods he wanted.
While he was praying, he cannot help but overheard some gossip some distance away from him:
"Look at that beggar! Why's is he here and not in the streets? So disgusting!"
"A beggar wants to awaken? The world seems to be so f*ck up now"
"I really hate unhygienic people! It's soo... Eww!"
"..."
Orin heard all their disgust – but payed them no mind, just who are them to him? It's not like his situation would get better if he argue with this kind of people.
Who told him to become a beggar either way?
Well, it's not like he has options.
Orin just took a glance at them before he focused his attention at the situation infront of him.
There, he watched as someone from the front row get injected by some sort of drug. Then saw that nothing seems to happened towards him – he just look fine like he was before, but that kid didn't felt happy for it and in contrast he was very disappointed that nothing happened to him.
It not because this kid is a masochist or anything, it can be explained by the person located couple seats away from his row that shows reaction:
"Argh!"
"Breath kid! Inhale – exhale! Relax your body..."
The boy at that seat was grunting in pain. His blood vessels swelled up and twitching in his skin like a worm – bringing unprecedented pain for him. While the nurse that was responsible for pricking him with the drug, was guiding him on steps to elevate his pain, or at least make him a bit better.
Soon the boy fell into unconscious, and the military officers standing from the side have taken him away – out from people's view. Maybe this is what they say about direct enrollment, no one really expects it to be so literal!
Orin watched all of this and cannot help but comment:
"It this what they called Characteristic Invoking Drug? Why do it looks like sham?"
He cannot help but rise one of his eyebrow. Eyes glancing, from one kid undergoing "awakening" that looks like a vaccination one after another.
"Well, this event was – already ongoing for over 12 years, so it wouldn't be unnecessary to worry"
Orin sigh, as he waits for his turn.
This "awakening" procedure was a bit fast, as was only injection of some sort of a drug – if there's reaction then its good, if not then go home crying. You can now lived the rest of your life as mediocre person, no chance of climbing through ranks and be content in their mediocre lifestyle.
Soon, it was his turn. The nurse – the one that was about to give him a shot doesn't seems to mind his shabby appearance, and in–contrast she treated him like how she has treated others. A calm and respectful professionalism.
"Just relax–little man, this would only felt like an ant bite." The nurse assured Orin. Her words seems to carrying a calming effect, that makes Orin felt dizzy. He stared at the nurse that have cerulean – glowing eyes, its luster with seems to contain mystery and power hidden under her friendly behavior.
The nurse then took – one of the drug injection from the suitcase she was carrying on, flickering it and squeezing some of the golden – liquid out of it. Then she suddenly jabbed it towards Orin's shoulder, delivering the drug directly towards his circulatory system.
For a moment nothing seems to happen and he just felt fine – other than the pain he felt he he got pricked. Now he was preparing himself to go home crying, n continue his lovely–beggary lifestyle. But then something happened.
Pain!
Insaning – unprecedented pain!
"AHHH—!" The pain was so overwhelming that he wants to scream "lalala~ lalala~".
This bone–crunching pain creeping from his every fiber of his being, that he felt like dying every single second he breath in this world. To describe his pain right now – using words is impossible.
Right now he wants to die!
"Relax your body kid! Wait–the f*ck! Needs assistance here in row–9! Now!" The nurse that handled him thought this was just an average awakening, but she was wrong – when she saw Orin started to bleed on his seven orifices she knows something was wrong, at least not the common reaction. That's why she called for back up.
"What's happening here?" A high–ranking military officer with grey–hair, have come over with a military support team.
"I don't know sir, he suddenly just become like this" The nurse saluted the high– ranking officer, as she pointed at Orin that was contorting in pain. Eyes rolled back. Seven orifices bleeding. Blood vessels swelled up and twitching underneath his skin.
Orin was in great misery!
But these guys was in the mood to chit– chat on what was wrong even do he was already infront of them, needing help.
F*ck them!
The high–ranking officer then stared at Orin, who was in pain and announced:
"Don't interfere..."
The high–ranking officer's face was serious as he stops the support team from stopping Orin's awakening by using their characteristics. His arms were behind his back as he stared towards Orin.
"He's undergoing a deep – awakening, a normal process when you have a powerful Characteristic. Interfering in this process would kill him or turn him into a cripple"
"But sir, he looks like he was about to die!"
"It's a normal process, if he survive – he'll gain a powerful characteristic. If not... Then he'll die. As they say – danger often comes with great opportunity"
After speaking, the high–ranking officer turned silent and walked away.
"Call me if he's successful." He reminded the nurse, before he vanish from view.
For a unknown amount of time, Orin felt like he was in heaven – of pain! From head to toe, cells and spirit. Nothing escape from the hand of this "heavenly" pain.
When he finally regained his consciousness, he noticed that he was inside a spacious car that was complete of things that could make someone comfortable, especially the poor him that never experience this before.
Like a comfortable bed, small refrigerator filled with drinks, and some basic amenities. He was both estatic and confused, maybe they were about to send him to an unknown facility and conduct some experiment on him. His heart pound in irregular intervals, eyes shifting from things to things.
"Oh – f*ck it!"