The academy hall buzzed with excitement.
Whispers overlapped, laughter broke out, and nervous glances were thrown toward the platform at the front of the room. Today was the Awakening Ceremony—the day that would decide how far each of them could go in this world.
Talent determined everything.
How fast one could grow.How strong one could become.And how high one's future ceiling truly was.
Lucien sat by the window, watching sunlight spill across the stone floor.
He looked… calm.
"Hey," Julian muttered, leaning closer. "Are you seriously not nervous at all?"
Lucien didn't turn. "What's the point?"
Julian blinked. "What do you mean, what's the point? This decides our future."
Lucien finally smiled faintly. "Thinking about it won't change the result."
Julian stared at him for a second, then laughed. "You've always been like this."
Across the room, Jack stood surrounded by a small crowd, confidence written all over his face. His eyes flicked toward Lucien—just for a moment—before turning away.
Jack had never beaten Lucien.Not in combat drills.Not in written tests.Not once.
And he hated that.
Near the front sat Cecilia.
Straight-backed. Silent. Untouchable.
The Ice Queen of the school.
No one spoke to her unless necessary, yet everyone stole glances in her direction. Even Jack—though he tried to hide it—kept looking her way.
Mary sat two rows behind Lucien, fingers intertwined tightly. Her eyes never left his back.
She noticed everything about him.
The teachers stepped onto the platform.
The hall quieted.
"Awakening will begin," one of them announced. "When your name is called, step forward."
One by one, students placed their hands on the crystal.
"E-rank talent.""D-rank talent.""C-rank talent."
Some sighed in relief. Others looked disappointed.
Then—
"Jack Morven."
Jack stepped forward, chin raised.
The crystal flared brightly.
The teacher's eyes widened.
"B-rank talent."
For a moment, the hall was silent.
Then it exploded.
"B-rank?!""That's insane!""He'll definitely become strong!"
Jack stood frozen—then slowly smiled.
This wasn't just talent.
This was a future secured.
After that, the ceremony continued, but the excitement lingered.
"Mary Elen."
The crystal glowed steadily.
"C-rank talent."
Mary exhaled, relief washing over her face. Her eyes instinctively searched for Lucien.
He gave her a small nod.
"Julian Hale."
"C-rank talent."
Julian grinned. "Not bad, huh?"
Lucien chuckled softly. "You did well."
Then—
"Cecilia Frost."
The room stilled.
Cecilia stepped forward.
The crystal erupted.
Light flooded the hall, sharp and overwhelming. Frost crept along the crystal's surface, the air turning cold.
The teacher swallowed.
"SSS-rank talent."
Silence.
No one breathed.
SSS-rank.
That wasn't just rare—it was mythical.
A talent that meant one thing and one thing only:
She would become a pillar of humanity.
Cecilia withdrew her hand, expression unchanged, and walked out without a word.
Only after she left did the hall erupt into chaos.
From that moment on, no one cared about anyone else.
Until—
"Lucien Vale."
All eyes turned.
He had always surpassed Cecilia.Again and again.
Could he do it here too?
Lucien stepped forward.
The crystal flickered weakly.
Barely glowed.
The teacher frowned.
"…F-rank talent."
The hall froze.
Then laughter erupted.
"F-rank?!""That's trash!""He's finished!"
Jack laughed the loudest.
Julian stepped forward. "Shut up."
No one listened.
Mary's face went pale. She watched Lucien carefully.
He stood there, unmoving. Dazed.
Then he turned and walked out.
No words.
No reaction.
At home, his mother and little sister greeted him.
He smiled briefly.
Then went straight to his room and locked the door.
Silence.
Lucien sat on the bed.
That was when he finally focused on the transparent blue screen in front of him.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZATION COMPLETE]
[DO YOU ACCEPT ETERNAL SYSTEM?][Y / N]
Lucien stared at it.
Then, calmly—
"Yes."