Aether was now following a guard toward the place where the Awakening Ceremony had to be held.
While following the guard, Aether has seen many mysterious things, such as early motor vehicles and tracks. Aether had heard of these things called cars and trucks, but only high-ranking nobles like Dukes, the Royal family, and the military of the Great Star Empire could obtain these vehicles. Because of this, common people like Old Man John had to travel through caravans.
The guard who was leading him toward the Awakening Ceremony looked at him and smiled, then he said, amazed.
Aether took a little bit of time to calm his emotions and nodded toward the guard. Seeing this, the guard chuckled and said to Aether, "Kid, if you awaken at least E-rank talent and E-rank element affinity, you can join the military, and then you have a chance to drive one of these." After hearing this, Aether didn't show much expression, but was a little bit excited and nervous about the future.
As they conversed, the guard guided Aether toward a large open courtyard bustling with activity. The area was bordered by low stone walls, and numerous groups had gathered, including those awaiting their turn to participate in the Awakening Ceremony and others, such as parents and younger siblings, observing from the sidelines. At the centre of this space stood an elevated wooden platform, atop which rested a marble altar. Positioned prominently on the altar was a crystal stone, notable for the vibrant, shifting multicoloured light swirling within it, which cast prismatic reflections across the crowd and established a focal point for the Ceremony.
"Kid, go stand in the line," the guard said. Aether nodded and walked toward the line and stood behind a kid of the same age as him.
Aether observed the kid in front of him. He had a head full of white hair, brown skin, and a normal child's body. He was looking around in nervousness when he felt Aether's gaze turn toward him, and he nervously said, "Hi, I am Oliver. Nice to meet you."
Aether stared at him for a few seconds and then said, "Aether."
After the tragic death of his parents, Aether withdrew from those around him, often turning away from conversation and spending hours practising alone. His singular focus became clear through his actions: he spent less time engaging with others and devoted himself fully to training, determined to become the strongest. Even so, whenever someone around him struggled, he would quietly observe and only offer assistance when he believed he was truly able to help, reflecting the balance between his goals and his underlying sense of responsibility.
When Oliver sees that Aether has no intention to talk, he just turns forward and starts waiting for the Ceremony to start.
A few minutes later, a man came to the ceremony place and climbed the elevated platform that stood near the altar, and then he said, "My name is Rowan Brooks. I am the commander of this base. I am here to instruct on how to go through the Ceremony.
You see here," he indicated toward the crystal ball, "this is what we call the Awakening Stone. It will help you awaken your mana affinity and talent class. You all just have to come here and put your palm on the ball, and a friendly reminder, do not resist the ball when it scans you, or the awakening can fail, and you will then have to wait for another year."
After that, Rowan descended from the elevated platform and moved toward a chair specifically placed there for him, and instead of him, another guard was standing there.
"I will call you here one by one. If you don't come here in 5 minutes, your right to attend the Awakening Ceremony will be revoked." Then he started calling the people's numbers.
"Number 1?"
A 16-year-old girl came to the line after her number was called. She had blue hair, milky-white skin, and a good figure for her age. She came near the stone and put her palm on top of it. A few seconds later, the stone started to emit multicoloured lights that slowly turned to a dark blue colour, and the guard announced with happiness flickering in his eyes, "B-rank water magic affinity, and the control over the element is 65%." The crowd was stunned. A B-rank — this rank is very rare in Eastwood City.
The Element Ranks refer to how much mana one can store, how much purer the element one has, and how much faster one can cultivate. Mana control refers to how much control over the environmental mana you have around you.
And Talent Classes refer to a few skills bestowed by heaven for a new awakener. It can help them in their future path, but it is mostly helpful in the Mortal stages, because after the Mortal stages, one can easily comprehend new talents, but there are a few Unique Talents that cannot be comprehended.
If that was not enough, the Awakening Stone started to emit light again, and then a huge screen appeared. On that screen, there were three options:
(1) Water Mage [C Rank]
(2) Water Knight [C Rank]
(3) Water Magic-Knight [B Rank]
The crowd was stunned again. The guard said, "Choose your talent class."
The girl looked for a while and chose the highest talent available for her, Water Magic-Knight [B Rank].
Just like that, the guard kept calling the numbers.
Number 10, D-rank wind magic.
Number 11 failed the awakening.
Number 30, C-rank earth magic.
Some failed, while some awakened their elements and talents. And Oliver also awakened C-rank fire magic and a Fire Knight class.
Just like that, time passed, and finally, Aether's turn appeared.
"Number 46!"
After hearing his number, Aether started moving toward the elevated platform while thinking, Mother and Father, just wait. I will keep my promise. I will one day become the strongest, and I will protect what I hold dear. With this thought in his heart and mind, he approached the Awakening Stone and put his palm on top of it.