Joel, move to the affinity stone. The awakening is about to commence, said the mage who was looking at Joel with disgust. If the awakening was not compulsory, he wouldn't have even bothered with the descendant of a fallen noble.
Joel, looking frail as if the wind could fling him away at any time, moved weakly to the awakening stone and placed his hands on it. He was an orphan. His parents and his elder brother all disappeared over 3 years ago. His family, the `Zephyron clan, was home to the strongest forces of the Twilight Empire, the strongest on the continent.
It all changed when the demon race launched a massive war in the Empire. His parent and brother led the war against the demons, but mysteriously disappeared when the war was over, alongside his other clan members.
Since then, his life as the respected young master of the Zephyron clan has been shaken. The other leading clans took all of the Zephyron clan's wealth and threw him into an orphanage. The Emperor could not do anything as he was also afraid of the Zephyron clan's monstrosity.
No affinity awakened, the mage said while holding his laughter back. The audience was surprised, a Zephyron who did not awaken an affinity, they would rather believe seeing a dragon egg than believe that.
Joel, on the other hand, fell on his knees, his face sober with regret. He already planned to exert revenge on the other clans when he was powerful enough.
He steeled himself and returned to his house under the mockful gazes of the audience.
Joel, what happened with your awakening? Why are you crying? Lily, his guardian asked.
Joel smiled upon seeing her. Lily had always been the one encouraging him since he had lost everything.
Sister Lily, nothing happened. I promised you that I would make you the happiest woman in the world, Joel said, but he couldn't hold back the tears in his eyes.
Seeing this, Lily knelt on one knee and hugged him. She already understood that the only thing that could make him cry would be his failing to awaken an affinity.
You might have failed to awaken an affinity, but that doesn't mean you are weak. You are a perfect child and would survive even without an affinity.
Hearing the comforting words only made him cry more. This continued for over 3 minutes until Joel broke the silence.
Steeeling his resolve, he said to Lily; You should not worry about me, I would still make you happy.
That's the Joel I love to see, Lily said with a smile. I already prepared dinner, just go freshen up so you can eat.
Joel, hearing about food, lightened his mood as he ran into the bathroom to bathe.
On the dining table, Joel was flattering Lily for her cooking skills, which were even better than the head chef of the former Zephyron clan.
Now that you have eaten, I would advise you to go to bed, you would need to do a lot of things if you truly want to make me the happiest woman in the world while being unawakened. Joel nodded happily while clearing the dishes.
After he was done, he greeted Lily goodnight and entered his room, ready to face the next day.
While he was asleep, a warm current spread through his body, bringing unimaginable pain wherever it passed.
Joel jolted awake, as he tried to scream but was unable to; the pain was too much. This continued until he couldn't hold on again and lost consciousness.
Arrgh, Joel groaned as he woke up on the floor, covered in a pool of pungent black liquid.
What the hell is this? that was what he wanted to say until he sensed the swirling circle in his body. Is this Have I reached the awakened realm, he said as he was in disbelief.
I thought I failed to awaken an affinity, and I did not even cultivate. He continued thinking while he checked the attributes of his affinity. Everyone could check the attribute of their affinity if they just looked into the core.
[affinity: chaos]
[attribute: can copy other affinities by touch]
What the hell is the chaos affinity, and why is it this broken? he said to no one in particular. Before he could continue in his thoughts, an odour passed through him. I guess I should take care of this before I think of a way forward.