It is the Day of Awakening again, the most celebrated day of the year, when every human who turns 16 gathers to awaken their abilities and give life to their Mana Core. Of course, many teenagers were eager to finally receive the opportunity to awaken remarkable powers. However, it was a well-established fact that not everyone would be fortunate enough to possess one, and even those who did might emerge with exceedingly useless abilities.
Numerous teenagers had assembled at the World Awakening Stadium. Some groups arrived from their schools together on a bus, while others came individually with their parents, guardians, or bodyguards. Regardless of their public status, everyone was regarded equally in this stadium.
Over ten thousand individuals were present, each assigned a number and a designated seat among the numerous benches that surrounded the expansive field, with a massive dome overhead shielding them from the snowy weather. It was winter.
From time to time, a group of ten individuals was respectfully called by their assigned numbers to come forward and undertake the test, placing their hands on a floating sphere that enabled them to awaken their Mana Core and determine the ability they had awakened.
Cloud was seated in the front row, holding a number card bearing the digit 120. He was scheduled to follow the next group after three additional sets had completed their turns; thus, he was beginning to feel anxious about the type of ability he would awaken. He had dyed jet-white hair, deep ocean-blue eyes, and stood approximately 1.80 meters tall, with a pale yet above-average facial appearance that unmistakably carried the expression of a suffering human.
'Oh gods, please do not let it be some ass-cleaning ability.'
Being an orphan, this was his final opportunity to succeed. If he managed to awaken a favorable ability, even if not particularly powerful, as long as it was a combat-focused or support type, he would have a clearer future in this damned world. He came here alone, without his school.
…Well, technically because he was not attending one. There was no money for him to attend, and the only income he earned was enough to eat at least once a day and avoid remaining on the streets for too long. However, his only chance at success lay here.
Centuries ago, dimensional portals appeared across the world, bringing an influx of strange monsters that nearly brought the world to an end. However, humanity's final defenders emerged — individuals who had suddenly awakened formidable abilities. They managed to restore the world from ruin, bringing peace back to the land. Since then, others began to awaken different types of abilities, albeit strictly at the age of 16. Beyond that, there was no possibility of ever awakening one.
Humans continued their research and discovered that they could venture into these portals and defeat monsters, growing stronger and acquiring various powerful artifacts and extraordinary superhuman abilities.
Fast forward to the present era, everyone now depended on this system. Hunters became celebrities, increasing both their wealth and popularity throughout the world while growing stronger after venturing into Portals. They joined powerful Guilds, formed parties, and ventured together.
Did many arrogant buffoons die along the way? Yes.
Still, that deterred no one. Everyone sought strength, fame, and riches regardless of the danger. Many powerful families trained their children in combat and knowledge of the new world, granting them a greater advantage than peasants like Cloud ahead of the Day of Awakening and the day they would venture into the Portals.
Cloud facepalmed upon seeing a young man displayed on the large screen, weeping after awakening a Chef ability.
He could not help but burst into laughter, causing those seated beside him to shift slightly, assuming he had lost his sanity.
'Ha. The man would at least be useful in the kitchen! There is no way he is getting into an Awakened Academy.' Cloud thought, chuckling at another's misfortune.
This was merely his coping mechanism. In case he awakened an ability even more useless than that, he would rely on this to prevent himself from losing his sanity, as his life at that point would be utterly ruined.
Awakened Academies were institutions that trained every Awakened to utilize their powers and prepare them for their future potential, and they were the first step toward a secure future. If one was not accepted into an Academy, their chances of entering a Guild were extremely low. Cloud's goal was to gain admission into one.
Another girl in the same group as the culinary boy touched the floating sphere and stared at it, anticipating a better outcome. Cloud folded his arms and leaned forward, wearing the same expression of anticipation as though he were the one about to receive whatever ability she obtained.
The ball hummed, and the announcer smiled, then declared in a resonant voice:
"Summoner! Rose Hampton has awakened a Summoner Ability! Congratulations!"
The girl beamed instantly, jumping as she waved at her friends, who were also jubilant for her. Simply by awakening such an ability, one sought after by many Guilds, it was certain that she would be admitted into an Awakened Academy. As though he knew her, Cloud cheered for the stranger, pleased for himself that he might finally have a strong hope for something favorable.
From her group, she was among the only three who had awakened useful and sought-after abilities. Among the other two, one awakened a Flame ability, and the other was a Healer. Two additional groups followed them, and only a few individuals awakened commendable abilities.
Now it was finally Cloud's turn. He rose from his seat, already walking down before the group was called forward.
"Number 110 to 120, please step forward," the announcer stated casually.
With that, he hurried further ahead. Nine others joined him, approximately six girls and three other boys. Only three of them wore confident expressions, including Cloud, who was clearly feigning his composure to appear impressive. Regardless of the type of ability he awakened, he promised himself to walk out like an absolute chad, his head held high.
Cloud grinned and delivered himself an internal speech as he walked to the center of the Stadium with the other nine teenagers:
'Come on, Cloud. You are exceptionally special. Your parents abandoned you on the street at the age of ten because of that, and you were constantly pursued by boys intent on killing you. In fact, you never attended school and are now illiterate. Truly, no one is that special.'
Leading at the front, the young man was the first to be granted permission to gently place his hands on the sphere and wait. Cloud inhaled, crossing his fingers, then lightly placed his hands on the floating sphere, staring at it as he awaited a response from the announcer… or anyone at all.
A few minutes later, there was still no response. The announcer began to appear slightly concerned, turning to summon a colleague to inspect the sphere for any malfunction. Naturally, its lack of response suggested that he had no Mana Core to awaken. However, he retained a flicker of hope for the young man, observing him with a… perplexed expression.
Cloud blinked twice.
"…Umm… is it malfunctioning? Because I believe it is malfunctioning."
Everyone in the crowd wore different expressions, some conveying concern and others disappointment. As the announcer's colleague approached the sphere, it suddenly hummed several times, vibrating intensely as though about to erupt.
He withdrew his hands from the sphere, causing it to cease immediately. Then he looked at the announcer and frowned.
On the other hand, the man wore a bewildered expression. He glanced at the tablet in his hands to confirm the young man's name.
After a brief pause of silence, he spoke, attempting to steady his shock and confusion:
"Cloud Cloudy… uh?…"
He looked back at Cloud with even greater confusion, to which Cloud merely shrugged in response.
"I do not have a first name, so I repeated my last name twice and added a 'y' to it. Am… am I disqualified?"
Cloud was slightly tense due to the announcer's demeanor.
Soon, the man nodded and straightened, then, with newfound confidence and a wide smile, he announced:
"Cloud Cloudy has awakened a Beast Tamer Ability. A rare ability, unseen for years, with this being the first instance in the history of Awakeneds. Congratulations!"
The young man's mouth fell open, and the crowd mirrored his reaction. No one could summon the energy to cheer; they were all dumbstruck, unable to believe their ears.
'Beast Tamer…'
This was Cloud's first time hearing of such an ability. He did not know how to contain himself. Moreover, the announcer had explicitly stated that this was the first time in history for someone to awaken such an ability, and it was classified as Rare. His shocked expression gradually twisted into a maniacal smile, fueled by instant arrogance and overwhelming joy.
He truly was special and unique!
Suddenly, four floating translucent screens materialized before him.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have awakened the Beast Tamer System!]
[Ding!]
[You have received three SSS Rank Dragons in your Box!]
[Ding!]
[You have been…!]
[Ding!]
[You can now view your Status!]
Cloud blinked several times, petrified.
'…What's this?'