(Kael's POV) :
The garden of the Aurelius Estate were a sea of blooming flowers, but even they seemed dull compared to the girl walking ahead of me.
Sylvie Aurelius walked ahead of me. She was twelve, with silky blonde hair and emerald eyes that seemed to glow in the sunlight. She moved with the kind of elegance you only see in high-ranking nobles. I followed a step behind, my dark hair messy and my mind miles away.
"Kael, why are you being so quiet?"
Sylvie stopped and turned around, a small pout on her face.
I stopped too. "I was just thinking about the Awakening Ceremony, Lady Sylvie. It's only three days away."
A flash of worry crossed her face. She knew as well as I did that in the Kingdom of Celestoria, your rank decide your life. For an orphan like me, the stakes were even higher. But she quickly shook it off and smiled.
"Don't worry, Kael," she said. "Even if you awaken as a lower rank, I don't care. I will always protect you."
I didn't smile back. I looked her straight in the eyes, my face dead serious. "No, Lady Sylvie. I am the one who is going to protect you."
Sylvie froze. A deep blush crawled up her cheeks. She looked away, flustered, and tried to change the subject.
"B-by the way, Kael! I told you, when we are alone, you don't have to call me 'Lady'."
I started to shake my head to refuse—considering our status—but I saw her expression and knew I couldn't win this one. I let out a sigh.
"Okay... Sylvie."
A massive smile bloomed on her face.
"Good!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the gazebo. "Now come on. I want to rest before the others get there."
I let her lead me, but the worry in my chest didn't go away. In three days, it would be decide if I was even allowed to stand by her side.
Three days later :
I sat in the main church of the Aurelius domain.
The hall was filled with twelve-year-olds. Everyone was nervous. In this kingdom, today was the day that decided your entire future.
I looked toward the front. Four people sat in the highest seats. There was Duke Aurelius, Sylvie, and Archbishop Randell, the head of the church.
The fourth person sat right next to Sylvie. It was Cyrus von Russell, the second prince of Celestoria. He was thirteen, with red hair and red eyes. He was handsome, but I didn't like him. He had awakened as an S-rank last year and visited Sylvie often. Every time he saw me near her, he glared at me. I didn't know why a prince was even here today.
As I was thinking, the Archbishop stood up. His voice echoed through the hall.
"Children of Celestoria," he began, looking over the crowd. "Mana is a gift from the Gods. The more mana you have, the more the Gods love you. Today, we see who has been chosen."
The Archbishop turned to a deacon standing nearby. "Bring the crystal ball," he commanded.
The deacon hurried away and returned with a large, clear sphere, placing it on a heavy stone stand. The Archbishop looked at the 2nd Prince with a thin smile. "Your Highness, would you give these children a demonstration?"
"Of course," Cyrus said. He stood up and walked toward the stand. He placed his hands on the glass, his smile full of confidence.
The next second, the hall exploded with light. I had to shut my eyes to keep from being blinded. When the light faded, a massive commotion broke out. The letter [S] was etched into the center of the crystal, and a bright fire burned inside the sphere.
"Truly chosen by the Gods!" the Archbishop shouted, his face red with happiness. "The God of Fire has blessed you!"
Cyrus laughed arrogantly. "It is only natural. I am of royal blood."
"The King must be proud to have such a son," the Archbishop added.
Cyrus turned to look at Sylvie, expecting her to be impressed. But she wasn't looking at him. She was looking at me. Cyrus's face twisted in anger, but he stayed silent.
"Next is Sylvie Aurelius," the Archbishop called out.
Sylvie stood up. Every eye in the church followed her as she walked gracefully to the stand. She placed her hand on the crystal.
The light that followed made the Prince's demonstration look like a candle. It was so intense that people jumped to their feet. Then, a sharp crack echoed through the hall. The crystal ball shattered into pieces.
The Archbishop trembled and fell to his knees. "She is loved by the Gods... her mana is higher than S-Rank. She is a Legend Rank!" He shook his head in disbelief. "I never thought I would see a Legend in my lifetime."
Sylvie looked stunned, but she forced herself to calm down. Duke Aurelius had a proud look on his face, but he also looked troubled. A Legend Rank changed everything in the kingdom's politics.
"I will personally request the Pope to declare her a Saint!" the Archbishop cried out.
The hall erupted again. People were screaming and cheering. Sylvie glanced at me, her eyes full of worry, before she walked back to her seat.
Cyrus sat back down, but he didn't look happy anymore. He had a crazed expression on his face, his eyes darting between Sylvie and me.
The Archbishop signaled the deacon to replace the broken pieces. A new crystal ball was brought out and set firmly on the stone stand.
"Next, Lyra," the Archbishop called out.
A young girl walked forward, her hands shaking. When she touched the glass, it gave off a faint glow. The letter [E] appeared, and a small swirl of wind kicked up inside the sphere.
"Van," the Archbishop continued.
A boy stood up and approached the altar. He placed his hand on the crystal, and it glowed slightly brighter. A [D] flickered into view, with a few drops of water splashing against the inner glass.
The ceremony went on like that for an hour. Names were called, ranks were assigned, and the air grew heavy with anxiety . Most were F or E ranks. A few lucky ones hit D or C.
Finally, the Archbishop looked at the bottom of his scroll.
"Kael," he said shortly.
I stood up. The wooden pew creaked as I moved. Every eye in the church turned toward me—the orphan from the back of the room. I could feel Duke Aurelius's stare and the heat of Cyrus's glare from the high seats.