After Jai drank his coffee, he placed the cup on the table and looked out the window at the garden. The tension in his heart eased, if only slightly. Why do I have to worry about this right now? he thought, trying to calm himself. Let fate decide what I am capable of and what I can do.
Even if I don't awaken any power, I still have immense knowledge of magic theory. I could teach children how to use magic, or become a lecturer at an Academy, leveraging my family's influence and my own expertise.
An old saying surfaced in his mind:
"The great gears turn without my hand, But I can clear the path of stone, And though alone, I walk on my own."
As he was contemplating this, Jai's father, Edward Chenwongo, knocked and entered the room. Edward wore a sharp blue suit, the color subtly matching the elegant style favored by Jai's mother, Mable.
Jai immediately sat up straight and stood before his father.
Edward spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "What are you doing? Why is your face covered in sweat?"
Jai quickly wiped the sweat from his brow. "I didn't do anything, Father. I was just drinking my coffee. I'm slightly worried about the ceremony, that's all. What is the reason for your visit?"
"What!" Edward's tone was sharp. "Am I not allowed to come to my son's room?"
"No, nothing like that," Jai said, his voice trembling despite himself. "I was just asking the reason."
"Your mother told me you look nervous," Edward admitted, his expression softening slightly. "I have high hopes for you, too, son. But having a core doesn't guarantee you can activate your powers. You may achieve power, or you may not."
Edward leaned in, his voice dropping to a serious whisper. "But whatever happens, do not embarrass your mother and me. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, Father," Jai replied.
Edward turned and left the room. Jai replayed the thought of not getting power, but quickly pushed it away. What can I do about it? Nothing. I have to go and get ready. Today was his birthday, and he had to be happy around his family. If not, they would all worry.
He emerged from the bathroom and found a magnificent black suit and matching hat laid out by his maid. He dressed quickly and went downstairs toward the dining hall.
The dining hall was set for the entire Chenwongo family. Every seat was occupied except for the massive, ornate chair at the center, reserved solely for the Head of the house. When Beatrice Chenwongo, the Head of the family, finally entered the hall, everyone stood up immediately to show their respect. Only after she sat down did everyone else resume their seats.
However, two people remained standing silently in the corner of the room: Jai's uncle, William Chenwongo, wearing an old white suit, and the Head's daughter, Rena Chenwongo, dressed in plain, worn clothes.
A maid, observing them, approached with open disgust. "Hey, you! I already told you to get out of this room. You always show up while the royal family is eating."
The other family members noticed the confrontation but remained silent. Rena Chenwongo was the daughter of Beatrice, yet she lacked the royal status because she had not awakened any powers.
William Chenwongo, furious at the maid's words, looked toward his parents. "You people! Just because I didn't awaken any powers, you treat me like a beggar! Am I your son, or did you find me in a trash can? You boast about your other son who awakened power, but what about me? Why? In this world, only power matters. It's not my fault you gave me this body!"
After hearing his tirade, Beatrice spoke in a dangerously low voice: "Just shut up."
William instantly stopped, turned, and left the room. No one dared to talk back to the Head of the house.
This world is entirely governed by power, Jai thought. If you are powerless, the world doesn't see you as human. Even the maid who was arguing with them was a Tier 9, a Current Walker, who had awakened her water powers but lacked the will to advance to Tier 8.
The maid intercepted Rena as she moved to follow her father. "What are you doing? Madam told you to leave. Do so immediately before you face any punishments."
As Rena was leaving, Beatrice called her back, telling her to come to her room later. Rena bowed and left.
Beatrice addressed everyone in the hall. "The Awakening Ceremony is tomorrow. Who are the participants this year?"
Jai and his cousin, James Chenwongo, were the only participants.
"All the best," she told them both. She finished her breakfast and left the hall.
Next, Jai's parents led him to the castle's personal worship place, The Synod of the Veil. The room was lined with polished white marble, emanating a fragrance so intense it was nearly hallucinogenic. The place felt less like a room and more like a gate to heaven itself.
In the center of the Synod stood the statue of a beautiful woman in a white dress, her face concealed by a pile of white cloth. Jai and his parents knelt before the statue and began their prayer.
As they finished, a golden light suddenly emanated from Jai's head. His parents' hearts filled with joy, convinced that the Goddess had given him a blessing for the ceremony.
Jai wondered what the light meant. His vision blurred suddenly, and he saw a boy's face: dark hair, red eyes, dressed in a black robe with a red katana and he was covered in blood and standing of so many dead bodies. The face was indistinct, but the image was deeply unsettling.
His father immediately shook him. "What happened?"
Jai blinked, replying in a low voice, "Nothing, Father. I just dozed off. I guess I'm more worried about the ceremony than I thought."
His parents took him out of the Synod and back to his room to rest, leaving him alone.
Who was that black-haired boy? Jai thought, unsettled. Was the statue giving me a warning? I've never seen him before. What is happening to me?
As he pondered the vision, he closed his eyes and drifted into a troubled sleep.