Long before the first kingdom was built, the world of Eryndor burned.
The old tales call it The Apocalypse of Mana—a time when the planet's core ruptured and raw mana poured from the earth like blood.
Mountains split, oceans boiled, and from the storms of pure magic were born the Beasts of the Abyss—creatures formed from hatred, hunger, and elemental power.
Humanity was nearly erased.
Out of the chaos, five surviving nations forged an uneasy peace and built walls against the darkness.
Together they became known as The Five Kingdoms of Eryndor:
1. Valenhardt Kingdom – Land of Knights and Academies, proud and disciplined.
2. Aerthia Dominion – Ruled by scholars and mages, a kingdom of floating towers.
3. Draegar Empire – A warrior empire that thrives on battle and honor.
4. Lyren Sanctum – Home of priests and healers, keeper of the Sacred Crystal.
5. Norsvale Republic – Merchants and inventors who blend magic with machines.
Even united, the kingdoms could not end the threat.
So a single order was created to fight everywhere the light reached:
The Adventurers' Guild
Founded four centuries ago by the hero Ardan Vayne, the Guild is the one institution recognized across all kingdoms.
It trains Awakeners, tracks monster incursions, and organizes expeditions into the Abyssal Rifts.
Every city bears its crest — a silver gauntlet grasping a burning sword — and every adventurer carries its card, their rank etched into crystal.
Without the Guild, civilization would have collapsed long ago.
---
The Age of Awakeners
When the mana storms finally settled, a miracle occurred.
Children born after the Apocalypse possessed fragments of the world's mana inside their souls.
At sixteen, that dormant power could be drawn out through contact with the Soul Crystal, revealing their destiny:
a Profession, a Rank, and access to the mysterious Status System.
And so began the Age of Awakeners — an age where strength defines everything.
---
Silvercross Academy
Within the Valenhardt Kingdom, Silvercross Academy of Valor stands as one of the most prestigious Awakener schools on the continent.
Here, nobles and commoners alike train to prepare for their ceremony before joining the Adventurers' Guild.
Every student dreams of awakening a powerful combat profession — Warrior, Mage, Assassin, or even Paladin.
But not everyone receives glory.
Some awaken Lifestyle professions — Blacksmiths, Cooks, Alchemists — useful but powerless in battle.
And once a Profession is revealed, its Rank is fixed forever: from the humble F Rank to the mythical SSS Rank, spoken of only in legend.
No one alive has ever reached that final tier.
---
A Quiet Student
Among the hundreds of anxious students gathered beneath the crystal-lit ceiling, one boy looked entirely unconcerned.
Kael Draven, sixteen, dark-haired, tie loose, posture relaxed.
He sat in the back row, arms crossed, half-asleep.
> "Try not to snore through your destiny," whispered his friend, Ryn Halden, a freckled boy clutching his mana stone like a lifeline.
> "If my destiny involves napping, I'll pass with honors," Kael murmured without opening his eyes.
Ryn sighed. "You're impossible. Everyone else is praying for an S-Rank, and you—"
> "—am praying the cafeteria serves steak after this," Kael interrupted.
A few nearby students snickered.
At the front, Headmaster Eldrin, robed in gold and blue, lifted his staff.
> "By the blessing of the Crystal, may the youth of Valenhardt find the paths chosen by their souls. Step forward when called."
The crowd hushed.
---
The Ceremony
One by one, names echoed through the hall.
Each student pressed a trembling hand to the Soul Crystal, and the gem flared — red for Warriors, blue for Mages, silver for Archers, green for Healers.
Every flash drew gasps, cheers, or sighs.
When Elara Veyn awakened as an A-Rank Mage, brilliant runes spun around her like comets. The audience roared.
Kael clapped lazily.
> "Nice light show."
> "You're next," Ryn whispered. "Try to look alive."
The hall quieted as the Headmaster's voice rang out:
> "Kael Draven."
Whispers followed instantly.
> "That's the guy who failed mana control twice."
"He fell asleep during combat drills."
"Probably awaken as a farmer."
Kael stretched, sauntered toward the stage, and placed his hand on the crystal.
At first, it was cool. Then warm. Then burning.
---
The Awakening
A deep hum filled the air.
The crystal's light grew brighter, swirling violently.
Teachers stepped back, casting barriers.
> "Mana surge! Step away!"
Cracks webbed across the crystal's flawless surface.
The light turned gold, then white. The floor trembled.
> "Impossible! His mana output is exceeding the limit!"
A wave of radiance exploded outward, blinding everyone.
When the glare faded, Kael stood unharmed amid drifting sparks. The massive crystal hovered in the air, fractured but unbroken.
Glowing words shimmered above his head:
[Profession: Summoner]
A beat of silence — then laughter spread through the crowd.
> "A Summoner? That's barely combat!"
"Good luck finding beasts to protect him."
Kael scratched his neck.
> "Summoner, huh? Sounds quiet. I can live with that."
Then, unseen by any other eyes, a soft chime echoed inside his mind.
Lines of light unfolded before him, clear as thought itself.
---
[Name]: Kael Draven
[Age]: 16
[Profession]: Summoner (SSS Rank)
[Level]: 1
[HP]: 200 / 200
[MP]: 520 / 520
[Strength]: 15
[Agility]: 16
[Intelligence]: 27
[Endurance]: 14
[Mana Control]: 34
[Skills]
• Beast Summoning – Summon and command contracted beasts using mana.
• Spirit Command – Issue synchronized orders to multiple summons.
• Mana Conduit – Restore mana when summons deal or receive damage.
• Summoner's Insight – Reveal beast potential and evolution paths.
[Unique Trait] (Hidden)
• Ancestral Covenant – Grants summoning rights over Legendary Beasts. Hidden from all detection.
[Beast Slots]: 1 / 1 (Next unlock: Level 10)
---
Kael's heart skipped a beat.
> "SSS Rank…? That's supposed to be impossible."
He dismissed the panel before anyone could glimpse it.
The Headmaster forced a smile.
> "Congratulations, Mr. Draven. A Summoner's bond with beasts is a noble path."
> "Right," Kael said softly, "noble."
---
Aftermath
As he stepped down from the platform, murmurs followed him like shadows.
He ignored them, his thoughts racing.
If anyone discovered his rank or the words Ancestral Covenant, the Guild and every kingdom's court magi would fight to dissect his very soul.
He tugged his collar, muttering under his breath,
> "Let's keep that between us, yeah?"
The fractured Soul Crystal shimmered faintly, as though it agreed.
Kael exhaled, glancing once more at the glowing monument.
Somewhere deep inside it, something ancient stirred — and for the first time since the Apocalypse, the world itself seemed to take notice.
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