"ALY, HURRY UP OR YOU WILL MISS THE CEREMONY", Grace yelled
"Alright, alright, calm down, I'm heading there now, Aunt Grace," I replied, a smile appearing on my face as I saw her.
"Will you be coming as well?" I said while tying my laces.
"Oh hell no, brat, I don't like being around that many people. What do you want for dinner? I can't decide between steak or stew…" she said, her face looking like she was in deep contemplation.
I also didn't know which one I would rather have for dinner, and I was too nervous to think about dinner.
"Lamb chops," I said, "lamb chops sound really good."
She looked at me with a hint of confusion in her eyes, "R-right, so steak, gotcha"
I glanced at the clock and realized I would be late if I didn't leave now.
"Shit, I'm gonna be late! I will see you later, Aunt Grace!"
Disregarding what she might say, I quickly ran out of the house and hurriedly made my way to the cathedral of Lumus. The streets were lively and filled with festive decorations, and everyone was in a somewhat joyful mood.
'I wish I could feel like that'
I would be lying if I didn't say I was not nervous. My stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies.
" Ah, I did it again, I compared myself to a damned butterfly again. I should really stop"
Soon, I arrived at a beautiful cathedral made of pure white stone. The cathedral gate stood before, already open. Inside, I could clearly see the crowds seated in chairs.
"Here goes nothing…"
I steeled myself and entered the great white halls, and I was immediately lost in the number of people gathered here.
'Fuck, where do I sit?'
My eyes scanned the hall, searching for an empty chair.
'Great. Just my luck. I guess am standing…'
Who in their right mind planned this event? They certainly could have done a better job.
All of a sudden, the hall turned quiet, and everyone turned their gazes to the individuals that appeared right in front of the Altar. A beautiful lady wearing a bright silver dress was now standing before it. Everyone knew who it was.
"Welcome, everyone," Her quiet, aloof voice echoed clearly in the hallway.
"Today is a miraculous day for us all. Our children, after all, will now be able to awaken their innate talents. Some of them may even be favored by the Gods…"
She continued with her speech, and I could only stare at her in disbelief.
Her speech… it was too dull. I suddenly felt a pounding sensation in my head. One that made me shake my head in disbelief. Her voice droned on and on throughout the cathedral, and at one point, I could feel myself dozing off. The nights when I didn't sleep were finally catching up to me.
Almost as if she sensed the current dull atmosphere, she hurriedly clapped her hands and a pale white light soon rolled out, covering everyone in its way.
Damn, what a handy skill. I can feel my fatigue going away. This would undoubtedly be useful since I always end up pulling all-nighters due to my nightmares.
"Well, that's enough talking! Let's get to the Main event, after all, that's why everyone is gathered here today."
"Aspirants, please form a line."
All of a sudden, the quiet halls returned to their previous energetic atmosphere as the kids started gathering in a neatly organized line. I followed them and soon found myself standing in the middle of it all.
A familiar figure was standing in front of the line. Why did it seem so familiar? I could have sworn I had seen him before
Oh, that's right. Isn't that Torren?
How was he first?
Damn. Lucky fella.
The Saintess made her way towards the altar and gestured to Torrento to come forth.
He walked his way up the stairs and stopped before the altar. A look of unease was clear on his face. Sensing his nervousness, the saint looked at him.
"Don't worry, child. Just draw some blood from your thumb using this knife. It will only sting."
Torren took the knife from the Saintess's hand and eventually slit his thumb, a stream of blood oozing out of the wound. Quickly, he placed his hand wounded thumb over the altar, the blood dripping onto it.
At first, nothing occurred, but all of a sudden, the Altar shook and a brilliant orange light soon came out of it. Eventually, the light disappeared and was replaced by flames. The flames moved and eventually formed a status screen
[Torren Ecker
Age: 12
Rank: Mundane
Blessings: Favored child of Viridis, God of Flames
Talents: Swordsmanship, Pyrokinesis
Attribute: Divine Flames
Skills: Must awaken to unlock
]
The hall soon turned silent, and everyone was now gazing intently at Torren, traces of disbelief visible on their faces. Even the usual aloof saint seemed to have been taken aback. After all, she only expected one person to receive a blessing.
It was for a good reason after all, not only did he receive a blessing from the God of Flames, Viridis, himself, but he also had two talents. And one of them was the evolved version of Fire Magic.
I kept staring at him, my thoughts in disarray. Who knew the orphanage would have birthed a monster? Will I also awaken similar traits like he did?
Not good. My heart was slowly being poisoned by optimism.
"Wow! Speak about… uh, impressive. What is your name, child of flames?" The saintess managed to stammer.
"Torren"
"I see, I hope to see what heights you reach, Torren. You certainly are a monster in the making," she calmly said. If only the same calmness was present in her mind. To her this result was abnormal already. Sure, the blessing was impressive, but the fact that he awakened an evolved version of fire magic was simply a feat in itself.
While keeping her gaze on Torren, she calmed and gestured the next person to come forth.
The person, who was a girl with jet-black hair, nervously moved forward and proceeded to do the same thing. Except there were no flames appearing out of nowhere. She had received no blessings and only had the talent of water magic.
Compared to Torren, she was 'ordinary'. And thus she promptly left, her face slightly flushed from embarrassment.
'Ah, how unlucky,' I thought to myself