CHAPTER 3
The long-awaited day of the Awakening Assessment Ceremony had finally arrived.
The vast central hall of Shadowfire Academy buzzed with energy. Students from every prestigious academy across the kingdom filled the rows of seats in orderly lines. The air carried the crisp scent of fresh uniforms mixed with the sharp tang of nervous anticipation. A massive glowing crystal orb rested on an ornate golden pedestal at the center of the raised stage.
One student after another stepped forward. A boy had just completed his turn, and the crystal flared with a brilliant golden radiance.
"Class A!" the examiner announced loudly.
The boy leaped down the stairs, pumping his fist in triumph and laughing with his friends.
The examiner glanced at her roster.
"Lucien Blaze!"
Lucien rose from the front row. Tall and striking, with vivid blood-red hair and a flawless smile, he let out a low, self-assured chuckle and strode onto the stage as if it belonged to him. Whispers rippled through the crowd of girls.
"Look at him…"
"He's incredibly handsome…"
Lucien stopped before the Sovereign Queen, who sat upon a lofty white throne flanked by two imposing mage guards.
The Sovereign Queen offered a warm smile.
"I remember you well, Lucien Blaze. Your father brought you to the palace at age twelve for the preliminary awakening rites, correct?"
Lucien scratched the back of his head, a mix of shyness and pride on his face.
"Yes, Your Majesty. You actually remember me?"
"Of course. Now place your hand upon the crystal."
He pressed his palm firmly against the orb.
WHOOSH!
A surge of pure white-gold light burst forth, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as midday sun.
The Sovereign Queen rose to her feet, beaming with approval.
"Class S!"
The audience erupted. Girls shrieked with excitement while the boys clapped enthusiastically. Lucien bowed once more, his grin wide and triumphant.
The next name echoed through the hall.
"Draven Voss!"
A sudden hush fell over the crowd.
"Voss…?"
"Isn't that the same family as Kael Voss?"
"Oh no… we're all in trouble now…"
From the back rows, Lyra Solari suddenly sprang up and wrapped her arms around Kael from behind in a tight hug.
"There you are, handsome!" she whispered playfully into his ear.
Kael's face flushed pink.
"Hey, Lyra…"
She nodded toward the stage.
"Is that your cousin?"
"Yeah… he is."
Draven ascended the steps with measured, deliberate strides. His black uniform was immaculate, and his expression remained icy, devoid of any smile.
He placed his hand on the crystal orb.
CRACK—BOOM!
The orb didn't merely glow — it shattered with explosive force. Blazing golden flames erupted in every direction, sending sparkling fragments flying like fireworks. The intense light was so blinding that many shielded their eyes.
When the brilliance finally dimmed, the Sovereign Queen stood once more, this time wearing a satisfied smirk.
"Now that is true Voss blood."
She raised her voice so it carried clearly across the hall.
"Draven Voss — SS Class!"
The audience exploded even louder. Girls began sighing dreamily again.
"He's so incredibly handsome!"
"SS Class… he's practically a legend!"
"I think I'm in love…"
Draven descended the steps with his usual cold demeanor, though a faint spark of pride gleamed in his eyes.
Kael offered a small smile, his mind drifting back to the conversation he had shared the previous night with Mr. Harlan in the kitchen.
'Flashback – Kitchen – Night'
Mr. Harlan sat across from Kael, his voice gentle and low.
"Draven lost both his parents when he was only four years old. Lord Draven took him in and raised him as his own. Yet Draven always carried the knowledge that he was adopted. He trained relentlessly every single day. He never allowed himself the simple joys of a normal childhood. He rarely smiled or laughed. All he wanted was to prove he was strong enough to truly belong."
Kael listened in silence.
"If his flame proves brighter than yours tomorrow… he will become the next head of the Voss clan. That is the ancient family tradition."
Kael asked quietly.
"Do you really believe that could happen?"
Mr. Harlan smiled faintly.
"I doubt it. Because you are…"
He paused abruptly, his eyes widening slightly.
Kael leaned forward.
"Because I am… what, Mr. Harlan?"
The butler shook his head quickly.
"Because you are the true son of Lord Draven… the Flame Sovereign himself."
'Back to the present'
Kael whispered softly to himself.
"But I still don't think that's what he truly meant to say…"
The examiner's voice rang out once more.
"Next! Kael Voss!"
Lyra gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Babe, it's your turn! Go show them what you're made of!"
Kael's cheeks burned red. He made his way to the stage under the watchful eyes of the entire assembly.
"Here comes the true heir of the Flame Sovereign!"
"After today, he'll definitely become the clan leader."
"Lucky guy… powerful and he has Lyra? I can't stand him."
Draven stood off to the side, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Kael reached the stage and bowed respectfully to the Sovereign Queen.
She leaned forward slightly, her expression kind and expectant.
The examiner smiled encouragingly.
"Place your hand on the crystal, Kael."
Kael drew in a deep, steadying breath.
'Alright… this is it.'
He murmured to himself as he pressed his palm firmly against the orb.
....
Nothing.
No light. No spark. Not even the faintest glimmer.
The crystal remained dark and lifeless.
Kael's hand began to tremble.
His voice emerged small and filled with disbelief.
"What… this can't be… nothing… absolutely nothing is happening…"