As she finished speaking, a magical door opened behind her. Two equally beautiful maids came out, rolling a bright crystal ball on a pedestal.
The maids placed it in the center of the goddess. The glass ball sparkled brightly, as if it were polished with light.
"Alright," the goddess announced. "It's time for the Awakening ceremony. As heroes, you can awaken different humans from this world. You will please step forward and place your hand on the crystal ball. The ball will glow a bright colour ranging from Frank to the highest, which is S rank."
Xavier noticed as his classmates whispered among themselves, clearly excited but not wanting to be the first one to go up.
"Now, will any brave soul step and be the first to awaken?" The goddess asked.
The class was silent. Suddenly, a boy stepped up. Tall, brown haired, wearing round glasses. It was a boy named Bernad. He took a deep breath and walked up to the altar, while his friends cheered him on.
Bernad placed his right hand on the crystal ball and waited. At first, nothing happened, then the crystal ball suddenly began to glow bright red, eliciting gasps from the students.
A holographic image popped up in front of the students.
[A-rank Flame Mage!]
The students whooped and cheered for Bernad, clapping while the girls were screaming in excitement.
"Congratulations!" The goddess smiled. "You have awakened as an A-rank user."
Bernad swelled with delight before stepping down to meet his friends who thumped and ruffled his hair in encouragement and delight. His Awakening had fuelled the desire of other students. Each of them stepped to awaken their rank and ability.
Some got D-rank while others got C-rank and B-rank. Students were screaming in delight at the abilities and ranks they were getting.
Then Derek went up. Small, annoying Derek placed his hand on the crystal ball, and people waited with bated breath to see what his ability was.
The crystal ball suddenly glowed an ominous black colour that made people shiver in fear. Derek gasped at the colour not expecting it.
People were whispering.
"Whoa, what is that?"
"So mysterious!"
"Did little Derek get a good rank?"
The holographic image popped up again, and the rank was displayed.
[S- rank Dark Warlock !]
The class erupted in cheers.
"I can't believe it! Derek got a good rank."
"Unbelievable!"
"The first S rank and it's little Derek. "
Derek whooped in delight. "Finally!" He screamed. "I knew I was special. In your face, you guys!"
Derek swelled with smugness, but it was short-lived as Dennis got up and sent him sprawling.
"Now my turn." He spoke, placing his hand on the ball. The ball glowed a sandy colour.
[A rank Sand Warlord!]
Dennis stepped down with a delighted smile on his face, grinning from ear to ear.
"That's what you call real talent!" He spoke to his friend who had gotten a C rank and was boasting.
Brian took a deep breath as it was his turn, then stepped up as it was his turn. He stepped up to the altar and placed his hand on the ball. It began to glow a bright white colour.
[S-rank Bone Knight]
"Unbelievable," the goddess gasped. "Three S Ranks. This is unprecedented. It's been years since three S ranks had been seen."
Brian, visibly relieved, tepped down with a smile.
Xavier tapped his back with a smile. "Nice job, man."
Brian nodded back. "Thanks."
Then it was Bella's turn. As she stepped up, the girls began to cheer for her while the boys gave wolf whistles. She placed a hand on the ball and the crystal ball began to glow a piercing yellow.
[A-rank Light Saintess!]
The girls cheered in delight, while the boys only stared in silence, gazing at the image in shock. Suddenly, the boys broke into laughter excluding Xavier. The laughter was so loud that it was echoing and reverberating.
"What?!" Bella screamed. She knew they were laughing at her.
"Yo goddess," Brian called out, cleaning tears from his eyes. "Is the ball broken, or did it make a mistake?"
"Certainly not." The goddess confirmed, confused. "Why do you ask?"
"Because it said Saintess?" Dennis wheezed, clutching his stomach. "That can't be right."
"What do you mean?" Bella snapped.
"Isn't it obvious, Bella ain't a Saintess at all!" Brian spoke, still laughing. "Those twerking TikTok videos she's posted. How many guys have jerked over them, lost sleep over them, stalked her over them! She ain't holy at all!"
"Dammit, Brian!" Bella spat, blushing in rage. "Shut up!"
The goddess chuckled in amusement, before turning to Xavier with her piercing eyes.
"You," She said. "It's your turn."