In an extensive, beautiful garden blessed by the early morning sunlight, the trees and the pavilion at the center were illuminated.
The scent of herbs permeated every direction, bringing a sense of tranquility to anyone who stepped into this place.
But not everyone could enter this garden.
Right now, there are only two people inside the pavilion.
At the center, a middle-aged man floated in meditation, surrounded by a sacred white aura that defied mortal understanding.
A young man, about eighteen years old, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing calmly at the old man's back.
The young man patiently waited for the old man to open his eyes and speak.
He didn't intend to disturb him, for he knew the old man was already aware of his presence and was waiting for the right moment to address him.
"Have you rested well?" the old man finally spoke.
"I did," the young man replied in a low voice.
"Take this," the old man said as a light flew from his hand and landed in the young man's palm.
It was a white envelope sealed with a red insignia on the front.
"Show this to the deans of the universities. Any one of them will be more than happy to enroll you, regardless of the Profession you awaken."
"However, within the university, the height you reach will depend solely on your own ability," the old man continued, pausing for a few moments as if to gather his thoughts.
"This is the last thing I will do for you. From now on, you are on your own. Whatever path you choose, I will not interfere with your life."
"I understand, and I'm grateful for everything you've done for me until now," the young man replied, bowing slightly and placing a hand over his chest.
"Hmm…" The old man went silent for a few seconds, deep in thought.
"You may go now," he finally said. "And take care, boy."
"Thank you for everything," Ethan gave a small nod before walking away, never once looking back. There was no anger or sorrow in him—only the quiet acceptance of something he had seen coming all his life.
After strolling for several minutes, he exited the garden, crossed the expanse of interconnected buildings, and finally reached the main entrance.
He carried only a small backpack containing a few materials, a couple of sets of clothes, and the letter he had received from the old man.
An adult man was already waiting for him there. "Heading to Reemus branch's Awakening Hall, right? I'll drop you there."
"Thank you," Ethan said, nodding before getting into the front seat beside the driver.
Ethan glanced at the man driving with a calm gaze.
He felt small in his presence, though it wasn't the first time he'd felt this way.
Compared to the aura of the old man, however, this man's presence felt far weaker.
Still, there was no doubt he was a high-ranking Awakener.
"Is something on my face?" the man asked, noticing Ethan's scrutinizing look.
"No, it's nothing… sorry," Ethan replied, turning his gaze away to watch the trees passing by as they descended the forest-covered mountain range.
It would take a couple of hours to reach the nearest Awakening Hall.
"You're curious, aren't you?" the driver, whose name was Vikor, said with a small smile.
"Well… curiosity and concern go hand in hand right now. I can't help thinking—what if my profession turns out useless?" he confessed.
Vikor thought for a few seconds before responding. "Well, there's no such thing as a useless profession. Even if you don't awaken a combat profession, there's still a lot you can achieve with whatever profession you get."
"I guess… though it would be great if I awakened a powerful one, like a Holy Knight or a War Mage," Ethan sighed.
"One can wish,"
Vikor replied, glancing at him, "But it's beyond our control. One cannot simply wish for a powerful profession."
"Even families with bloodlines don't have a hundred percent chance of awakening their bloodline profession. And even if they do, it's not certain that the awakened profession will be the same or possess the inherited power of that bloodline."
"The Master has let you learn many things since you were young, things that can't be found anywhere else."
He paused before adding, "You already understand what determines a person's profession, don't you?"
"Yes," Ethan said. "It's the soul. Our soul determines what profession we awaken, while our physical body, experience, and knowledge play only minor roles. There are also things like bloodlines and inheritances, but I don't think I have any of those…"
From a young age, Ethan had intensely and devotedly studied many things—professions, dungeons, monsters, skills, traits, and more.
There weren't many subjects he wasn't familiar with when it came to Awakeners.
That was precisely why he was so concerned about whether he would awaken a combat profession, let alone a powerful one, because he knew it was more unlikely than likely for him to do so.
On average, there was less than a 40% chance for an ordinary person to awaken a combat-class profession.
After the Combat-Class professions come the Magic-Class professions, then the Controller-Class professions, and finally the Support-Class professions.
For each subsequent class type after the Combat-Class professions, the chances of awakening the corresponding class profession increase significantly.
Ethan hoped to awaken a profession from the Combat Class, the one with the lowest chance of awakening.
Even if he didn't awaken a combat-class profession, he would still be satisfied with a Magic-Class profession, and he wouldn't be too disappointed if he ended up with a Controller-Class profession either.
Even a decent Support-class profession should be fine.
"Heh. The Lord doesn't just hand out mercy for nothing. Guess He figured you were worth the effort." Vikor said.
"I don't know about that... but I'm grateful for everything he has done for me. I'll be sure to return the favor one day when I become capable," Ethan smiled.
At that moment, Ethan couldn't help but recall everything the old man had done for him.
Ethan was an orphan, and the old man had adopted and raised him, teaching him a great deal of valuable knowledge.
Now, he had finally sent Ethan off to carve his own path.
Ethan regarded the old man very highly.
Someone so powerful, standing at the peak of the world, didn't need to adopt a baby left at his doorstep, yet he did.
Vikor didn't comment on that.
He simply turned his gaze back to the road, seeming lost in thought.
"Anyway, if you awaken a powerful profession, you'll be eligible to join any of the universities. Do you have a specific one in mind that you wish to enroll in?" Vikor asked.
The world Of Lemuria had eight great universities, each renowned for its own specialties and teachings.
Any one of them would be an excellent start.
Despite the rankings, their assets and facilities didn't differ much, but the rankings existed for a reason.
Naturally, Ethan wanted to aim for the top.
"Obviously, my wish is to join the top-ranked Monarch University," Ethan answered, nodding.
"Hmm... I want to tell you that you'll get in, but it's really hard to enter Monarch University. They value hard work and performance more than just the profession you pursue," Vikor continued.
"Most people who get into that university are descendants or members of top-ranking awakener families. They've undergone intense training from a young age, grown up consuming valuable resources, and most of them are guaranteed to awaken powerful professions through their bloodlines."
Ethan sighed. "I know... compared to them, I'm just an ordinary person."
The old man had treated Ethan very well and taught him a lot, but that was about it.
He hadn't given Ethan any resources or personal training.
Still, Ethan was already thankful just to have been adopted and educated; he couldn't ask for more.
"It's not too bad, though. I've done regular physical training and exercise; I won't fall too far behind," Ethan said with a small, positive smile as he watched the scenery pass, modern building complexes and towering skyscrapers.
Eventually, they reached a dome-like stadium.
At the entrance, the guards only glanced at the car's number plate before hurriedly letting them through without even a check.
Ethan noticed the haste and uneasiness in their eyes, but it was to be expected considering the old man's status.
Vikor parked the car in a private parking area reserved for VIPs.
"I'll deliver the master's letter to the university recruiters while you join the other candidates. Wait until you're called. You already know the procedures, right?" Vikor asked.
"Yes... Thank you," Ethan nodded.
"Good luck. We have great expectations of you," Vikor said seriously.
"I'll do my best," Ethan replied, not thinking too deeply about his words.
He assumed the "we" referred to Vikor and the old man, then walked toward the other side of the stadium.
Vikor simply watched him go.
Only after Ethan disappeared from view did he turn and walk away.