[: Daniel POV :]
I didn't have any illusions about awakening some extraordinary talent that could make me soar through the sky like the legends of old.
I knew the odds—hundreds of children gathered here, each hoping for a spark that could change their fate, each praying to awaken powers worthy of the stories told about the Ten Eternal Sovereigns.
But I wanted something.
Not greatness beyond measure. Not a talent that would shake the heavens.
Just something… more than normal.
Something that could give me the strength to stand, to fight, to not feel powerless when the world demanded it.
After all, even as a kid, I couldn't help but look up to the stories of the Ten Eternal Sovereigns.
Their courage, their might, their ability to face annihilation and carve hope from despair… it had inspired every child of this age.
Every one of us dreamed, even for a moment, that maybe—just maybe—we could follow a fraction of their path.
I clenched my fists, letting the thought settle in my chest. I didn't need to be a legend today. I only needed to take the first step.
And the Awakening Ceremony would decide what that step would be.
The courtyard buzzed with anticipation as the elders took their places, but suddenly, the murmurs shifted.
A group of figures emerged from the steps of the Sanctum of Dawnbreak, their robes shimmering with intricate patterns that glowed faintly like starlight.
The crowd immediately parted, bowing instinctively.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"It's the Celestine Family!"
"They're the descendants of the Sovereign of Eternal Flame!"
"The ceremony… It's being conducted by them this year!"
I froze for a moment.
The Celestine Family—one of the ruling families descended from the Ten Eternal Sovereigns—was renowned throughout the lands.
Their power and reputation were unparalleled, a direct link to the legends of old.
It was said that every member carried traces of the Sovereigns' original cultivation, and to have them oversee the Awakening Ceremony was both an honour… and a warning.
One of the Celestines, a tall man with silver hair and amber eyes, stepped forward.
His voice carried across the courtyard with the weight of authority, yet calm, measured, and piercing:
"Children," he said, "today you will awaken the power that lies dormant within your blood. Your futures, your strength, and the protection of this world depend upon it."
A girl behind him, her hair flowing like liquid gold, added, her tone gentle yet firm.
"Remember, cultivation is not granted equally. Some of you may rise higher than others. Some may falter. But all who awaken today take the first step on a path few can endure."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Noble children straightened their posture, some trying to hide their fear behind pride.
Commoners clutched charms tighter, whispering prayers or murmuring encouragements to themselves.
A boy near me scoffed, his voice loud enough for those nearby to hear.
"Ha! Only weaklings will fail under the Celestines' gaze. The rest of us will shine, just like the legends say."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
His arrogance was almost palpable, but I forced my focus back on the ceremony.
I didn't have time to dwell on rivalries. Not now.
The silver-haired elder raised his hand, and the courtyard fell into an unnatural silence. Even the wind seemed to pause.
"Step forward, one at a time," he commanded.
"Show the world your worth. Feel the flow of your blood, and awaken—or remain ordinary."
The first child, a boy from a noble family, stepped forward.
His chest puffed with pride, as though he already believed in his destiny.
Light began to gather around him, faint at first, then growing into a swirling blade of energy that cut the space before him.
Gasps of awe and whispers of envy spread through the courtyard.
"Not bad," one of the Celestines commented, voice quiet but audible. "Rank B, strong spark, yet raw and unrefined."
Next came a girl, trembling but determined.
Her aura emerged as a soft golden serpent of light, coiling elegantly before solidifying into a spear-like form.
The crowd murmured in admiration.
As the ceremony continued, the ranks varied widely:
E: No noticeable talents, ordinary physical and spiritual abilities.
D: Minor talents, capable of basic cultivation.
C: Slightly above average, may grow steadily with effort.
B: Strong talents, some innate or bloodline advantages.
A: Exceptional talent, noticeable innate affinity, and spiritual root.
S: Outstanding, rare abilities that mark one for greatness.
SS: Legendary, with a hidden feature or extraordinary bloodline.
SSS: A prodigy, powers beyond comprehension for their age.
The courtyard buzzed with whispers as the scrolls floated in the air, revealing each child's awakening results.
"Ha! Only a D-rank?" a tall boy sneered.
"Pathetic. Do your parents even know their son is this weak?"
His face flushed crimson.
"I-I… I'll grow stronger! You'll see!" His voice cracked under the weight of embarrassment.
Nearby, a girl with twin braids leaned close to her friend, whispering with wide eyes.
"Did you see that? She… she got SSS! Dragon Bloodline! Can you imagine?"
Her friend's jaw dropped.
"SSS?! At thirteen?! That's… insane! I'll never reach that level…"
Her voice wavered between awe and despair.
A noble boy crossed his arms and smirked as the scroll of another child revealed Rank C. "Hah! Barely above average''
The child in question, a quiet commoner, clenched her fists, trembling but determined.
"I… I'll train harder. Just wait. You won't always be this superior."
A small group of girls whispered excitedly together as they watched a boy's aura erupt in golden flames.
One of the children, a boy with pale hair, muttered bitterly under his breath. "Why does it always happen to the lucky ones?"
In contrast, another girl stepped forward slowly, her aura forming a faint, swirling mist.
When her scroll revealed Rank B with an innate talent in wind manipulation, she gasped, barely believing her own results.
"I… I actually did it. I'm not ordinary!"
Her best friend clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
"See! I told you! You've got talent! Keep it up, and maybe we'll soar like the Sovereigns themselves someday!"
A boy who had just received Rank E slumped to the ground, burying his face in his hands.
"I… I worked so hard… and this is all I got?" His voice cracked with frustration and shame.
Nearby, a girl nudged him, trying to comfort him.
"Hey… it's not the end. This is just the beginning. You can still improve. Don't give up."
Parents murmured anxiously from the sidelines, whispering encouragements or sighing at disappointing results.
Some children, emboldened by others' success, clenched their fists, glaring with silent determination. O
thers, humbled by the extraordinary awakenings, bowed their heads, swallowed their pride, and silently vowed to work harder.
The air was thick with tension, excitement, and the weight of destiny itself.
Each awakening revealed not only talent but also the stark truth: not all of them would reach greatness, and those who did would have to fight for every step forward.
And in the middle of it all, I watched, my stomach twisting, waiting for my turn.
The whispers, the gasps, the laughter, the cries—all of it faded into the background as the Celestine elder raised his hand once more.
"Next… Daniel, step forward."
The courtyard went silent.
All eyes turned toward me, their curiosity, envy, and anticipation pressing down like a physical weight.