For the second morning in a row, Soma Locke was awakened by an unwanted disturbance.
Fortunately, this one did not involve Sean and a trumpet.
Unfortunately, it involved Samantha.
"Good morning, Soma."
He opened one eye.
She stood beside his bed wearing an expression of such cheerful innocence that he immediately became suspicious.
"What?"
"Your father has requested your presence in his study."
Soma closed his eye.
"No."
"Soma."
"I officially turned fifteen yesterday. Surely that entitles me to at least one morning of irresponsible sleeping."
"It's nearly eight."
"Exactly. I've only just begun enjoying my retirement."
Samantha laughed and pulled back the curtains.
Golden sunlight flooded the bedroom, illuminating the small collection of birthday presents arranged across his desk. Serena's embroidered bookmark rested beside the older one she'd made five years earlier. The wooden sunrise from the market occupied a place of honor next to several treasured keepsakes.
Soma looked at them and smiled despite himself.
Yesterday had been wonderful.
Suspiciously wonderful.
Which, considering his family's history, meant someone was almost certainly preparing to ruin his peace.
"What's the occasion?" he asked.
Samantha retrieved a neatly pressed dark tunic from his wardrobe.
"His Majesty arrived earlier this morning."
Soma sat upright.
"The king?"
"Yes."
"At this hour?"
"He's been here for nearly an hour."
Soma stared at her.
"Wonderful. Nothing says a relaxing morning quite like an unscheduled visit from the ruler of fifteen countries."
"Your father also asked that you bring your sword."
Soma paused.
Then slowly looked toward her.
"Sam."
"Yes?"
"Why would a family meeting require a sword?"
She smiled.
"I couldn't possibly say."
And there it is.
The study was already crowded when Soma arrived.
Preston stood beside his desk, his enormous mustache groomed to an almost offensive degree of perfection. Aria sat near the fireplace with Uncle Zane, while the king and queen occupied comfortable chairs beside the windows.
Jaspar stood against the far wall.
Kara was examining a small metal object.
Igor sat with his boots propped on a footstool, looking as though he'd been personally inconvenienced by the existence of morning.
All six of Soma's older siblings were present.
Even Serena, who usually preferred spending her mornings in the library.
Soma stopped in the doorway.
"Well."
Every head turned.
He surveyed the room.
"Either this is an intervention, or somebody finally discovered Father's mustache is plotting a coup."
Sean immediately burst out laughing.
Preston sighed.
"Good morning, son."
"Morning, Father."
The king gestured toward an empty chair.
"Come in, Soma. We have something important to discuss."
Soma approached cautiously.
"Am I in trouble?"
"Not yet," Jaspar replied.
Kara grinned.
"Give him five minutes."
Soma sat.
"I feel wonderfully supported."
Preston retrieved a sealed document from his desk.
The parchment bore the royal crest alongside the elaborate golden insignia of the Holy Cathedral.
Soma recognized its significance immediately.
His stomach tightened.
"The Awakening."
His father nodded.
"The official summons arrived this morning. Tomorrow, the Grand Awakening Temple will conduct its monthly ceremony."
For several seconds, Soma simply stared.
He had known this day was approaching.
Had prepared for it nearly his entire life.
Yet hearing the formal announcement felt different.
Tomorrow.
The word carried fifteen years of anticipation.
The mana limiter implanted during his infancy would finally be removed under the Cathedral's supervision. For the first time, he would discover the class and affinities awaiting him.
And afterward came the ten-floor trial.
Preston placed the document before him.
"Because you reached fifteen yesterday, you're eligible to participate."
The king leaned forward.
"However, tradition allows newly eligible candidates to wait until a later ceremony if they require additional preparation."
Soma glanced up.
"You're offering me the opportunity to wait?"
"Yes."
"After five years of training?"
"Yes."
"After spending practically my entire childhood preparing?"
The king smiled.
"Yes, Soma."
He considered the offer.
Then shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
Igor laughed.
"There's my stubborn little bastard."
Aria closed her eyes.
"Of course."
Soma looked toward her.
"Mother?"
She sighed.
"I knew you'd say that."
"Then why do you sound disappointed?"
"Because a mother is entitled to hope her son will occasionally surprise her by choosing the cautious option."
Soma smiled.
"I'll try that someday."
"Please do."
The king unfolded a second parchment.
"Before you decide completely, there's something we want to explain."
Soma straightened.
"The trial?"
"Precisely."
His Majesty tapped the document.
"The ceremony itself is conducted by the Cathedral and its demigod representatives. Your mana limiter will be removed, and the Awakening crystal will reveal your class, its rank, and your elemental or other magical affinities."
Soma nodded.
He knew the fundamentals.
But hearing them now made the approaching reality feel considerably more significant.
"Following that," the king continued, "you may enter the ten-floor trial. Participants begin without experience in their newly awakened classes. The purpose is to introduce them to their abilities under progressively more demanding conditions."
"And to give the academies an excuse to fight over promising students," Simon added.
Stephan nodded.
"The recruitment representatives can be surprisingly aggressive."
Sean grinned.
"Especially when somebody receives an unusual class."
Soma glanced toward him.
"Speaking from experience?"
Sean leaned back in his chair.
"Oh, little brother. Have I never told you about my magnificent Awakening?"
Sara closed her eyes.
"Please don't."
That was all the encouragement Sean needed.
"I was, naturally, the most impressive candidate in my entire group."
"You were the loudest," Sara corrected.
"A subtle but important distinction."
Sean spread his arms dramatically.
"The crystal blazed with light. The examiner gasped. The entire temple trembled beneath the weight of my extraordinary potential."
Scott snorted.
"The temple did not tremble."
"The audience trembled."
"With laughter," Simon replied.
Sean ignored them.
Soma leaned forward.
"All right. Now I need to hear this."
Sean grinned.
"My class was revealed as an Illusionist, C-rank."
Soma raised an eyebrow.
"That actually makes an unfortunate amount of sense."
"I possess a remarkable affinity for deception."
"Your personality finally received official certification."
The room erupted into laughter.
Sean placed a hand against his chest.
"Mock me all you like. My Awakening revealed affinities for light and shadow, both well suited to manipulating what people see."
He lifted one hand.
A tiny image of Preston's mustache appeared above his palm.
It floated through the air, grew enormous, and settled directly over the king's face.
Soma stared.
Then completely lost his composure.
"OH, GODS!"
The king looked cross-eyed toward the illusion.
Preston groaned.
"Sean."
"What? I'm demonstrating educational material!"
"Remove that immediately."
"Father, you're stifling artistic expression."
Sara flicked two fingers.
A small pulse of mana disrupted the illusion, scattering it into sparks.
Sean looked offended.
"Vandalism!"
"Public service," Sara replied.
Soma was still laughing.
"Please tell me you did something equally ridiculous during the trial."
Sean smiled with unmistakable pride.
"Only slightly."
Scott folded his arms.
"He made three copies of himself to confuse a pack of dungeon wolves."
"Effective tactic," Soma said.
"Then he made the copies dance."
Soma stopped.
Sean looked away.
"An experimental distraction."
"The wolves ignored them," Sara continued. "And chased the real Sean straight into a muddy ravine."
The study erupted.
Soma wiped a tear from his eye.
"So your legendary Awakening involved being defeated by your own terrible choreography?"
Sean pointed at him.
"I survived."
"A glowing achievement."
"One of many."
Sara waited until the laughter subsided.
Then she looked toward Soma.
"Don't let him convince you the trial is a performance."
Sean gasped.
"How dare you?"
She ignored him.
"My own Awakening wasn't nearly as dramatic."
Scott chuckled.
"That's one way to describe it."
Soma turned toward his sister.
"What happened?"
Sara folded her hands neatly in her lap.
"The crystal revealed a C-rank Sentinel, with a strong earth affinity."
Soma blinked.
"Sentinel?"
She nodded.
"A defensive class. Reinforcing positions, controlling approaches, and protecting people within a designated area."
That explained several things about Sara.
Her careful observations.
Her insistence on discipline.
The almost frightening certainty with which she could bring an entire family argument to a halt.
Soma smiled.
"So you've been training for your class since childhood."
"Someone had to keep Sean from killing himself."
Sean raised one finger.
"I object."
"Overruled," Simon said.
Sara continued.
"During the trial, my group reached a floor where several monsters attacked from different directions. Two participants panicked and abandoned their positions."
Soma listened carefully.
"I could have followed them," she admitted. "But three others were trapped near a narrow passage. So I reinforced the entrance and held it while Scott helped them withdraw."
Scott nodded.
"She kept the monsters contained long enough for us to regroup."
Soma looked at his sister.
"You two entered together?"
"We did," Sara answered.
"How far did you get?"
She smiled faintly.
"Far enough to learn that fighting beside someone you trust matters more than showing everyone how powerful you are."
Scott laughed.
"She also spent half the trial shouting at me."
"You kept charging ahead!"
"Because there were enemies!"
"That's generally why defensive formations exist!"
Sean leaned toward Soma.
"Now imagine listening to that argument for several hours."
Soma grinned.
"Apparently, the trial prepared you all beautifully for family dinners."
When the laughter faded, Sara turned serious.
"There's something else you should understand, Soma."
He looked toward her.
"What's that?"
"The crystal doesn't determine your worth."
The room grew quieter.
She glanced toward Scott.
"I remember candidates who received excellent classes and immediately decided they were destined for greatness. Some were skilled. Others barely understood their abilities."
"And some were idiots," Scott added.
Sara nodded.
"Meanwhile, people with ordinary classes supported entire groups. Healers kept everyone standing. Scouts prevented ambushes. Porters carried the supplies that made deeper exploration possible."
Soma listened.
"You've already spent years learning those lessons," Sara continued. "Don't forget them simply because a crystal gives you a title."
He smiled.
"I won't."
Sean leaned forward.
"However, if you awaken as a professional mustache groomer, I reserve the right to laugh."
Preston threw a cushion at him.
The conversation moved toward practical preparations.
Jaspar spread a diagram of the ten-floor trial across the desk.
"Once your class awakens, your body will need time to adjust to whatever abilities you receive. Don't assume your old training tells you everything."
Soma nodded.
"Understood."
"Your first priority is understanding your capabilities and limitations."
"Survive before showing off."
"Exactly."
Kara joined them.
"And inspect your equipment after every serious engagement. A cracked buckle can kill you just as effectively as a monster."
Igor grunted.
"Keep your feet under you. Doesn't matter how fancy your new class is if you fall on your arse."
Soma looked between the three.
"Remarkable. Five years of training summarized into three insults."
"You're welcome," Jaspar replied.
The king chuckled.
"You may form a party during the trial, Soma. There's no requirement that you attempt it alone."
"I know."
"Have you considered what you'd prefer?"
Soma hesitated.
He had thought about it.
Extensively.
But something about the question made him reluctant to answer immediately.
"I'd like to assess my class first."
Jaspar studied him.
"Fair."
Soma met his gaze.
"I don't want to make a decision before I understand what I'm capable of."
The captain nodded.
"Good answer."
Preston cleared his throat.
"Now, before we finish, your mother and I have something for you."
Soma turned.
Aria smiled.
"Several things, actually."
Two servants entered carrying large wooden cases reinforced with polished silver fittings.
They placed them carefully on the central table.
Soma stared.
"Mother..."
"Open them."
He approached the first case and lifted its lid.
For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
Inside rested a complete set of custom armor.
A sleek silver chest plate had been fitted over midnight-black robes woven with fine runic thread. Articulated shoulder guards lay beside reinforced trousers with carefully placed silver plating.
Heavy gauntlets occupied one compartment.
In another rested a black half-mask, designed to cover the lower portion of his face.
Soma lifted it carefully.
"What's this?"
Preston smiled.
"A filtration mask. It can help protect you from ordinary airborne toxins and conceal your identity when necessary."
Soma turned it over.
"That's... incredibly useful."
"There's also a hood," Aria added. "I thought you'd appreciate something practical rather than a full ceremonial helmet."
Soma examined the armor.
The craftsmanship was exquisite.
More importantly, every piece seemed designed with his preferred fighting style in mind.
Mobility.
Adaptability.
Protection without unnecessary bulk.
He looked toward Kara.
She was grinning.
"You helped make this."
"Obviously."
"How long?"
"Long enough that you'd better appreciate it, lad."
He laughed.
"I do."
The second case contained weapons.
A masterwork black-and-silver short sword.
Twin curved daggers.
A lightweight buckler.
A collapsible runic compound bow with a carefully crafted quiver of broadhead arrows.
Soma examined each piece.
His fingers lingered on the sword.
It was beautifully balanced.
The workmanship surpassed anything he'd ever made himself.
Yet he found himself thinking about the first crooked dagger he'd forged under Kara's supervision.
The one she'd called a depressed spoon.
He smiled.
"You've come a long way, haven't you?" Kara asked.
Soma nodded.
"Thanks to you."
The dwarf looked momentarily uncomfortable.
Then folded her arms.
"Don't go getting sentimental, you little bastard."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Preston stepped beside his son.
"These aren't merely gifts. They're tools. And I expect you to treat them responsibly."
Soma looked up.
"I will, Father."
His mother's eyes glistened.
"Just promise you'll come home safely."
Soma gently took her hand.
"I'll do everything I can."
It wasn't the absolute promise she wanted.
But it was the most honest one he could give.
Aria nodded.
The king rose from his chair.
"And now, something from the Crown."
He placed a heavy iron key and a gold medallion on the desk.
Soma stared.
"Your Majesty?"
"The key belongs to a commercial property in Highmere," the king explained. "A substantial one, with space for workshops, training facilities, and residential quarters."
Soma blinked.
"You're giving me a building?"
"A property."
"An entire property?"
The king smiled.
"Yes."
Soma looked toward Preston.
His father seemed entirely too pleased.
"You knew about this."
"Naturally."
"And said nothing."
"It was a surprise."
"I'm beginning to dislike that word."
Sean laughed.
The king lifted the medallion.
"This bears the royal crest. It signifies the King's Blessing, granting you recognized privileges of passage through the official checkpoints and jurisdictions of Arcaelis."
Soma accepted it carefully.
The medallion was heavier than he'd expected.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The king's expression softened.
"You've earned the people's respect through service, Soma. This is our recognition of that service."
For once, Soma couldn't think of a joke.
He simply bowed.
Jaspar and Kara exchanged a glance.
Then, to Soma's astonishment, both stepped forward and lowered themselves onto one knee.
Soma froze.
"Captain?"
Jaspar bowed his head.
"For five years, Kara and I have trained you, tested you, and watched you grow."
Kara smiled.
"And occasionally considered strangling you."
Soma blinked.
"Naturally."
Jaspar continued.
"Now that you've reached fifteen, we wish to offer something beyond instruction."
He placed one fist against his chest.
"I, Jaspar Williams, pledge my sword, my experience, and my loyalty to Soma Locke."
Kara followed.
"And I, Kara Williams, pledge my craft, my strength, and my service."
Soma stared.
He looked toward his father.
Preston nodded.
"They're offering to become your sworn retainers, son."
Soma returned his gaze to the two veterans.
These weren't strangers.
They were the people who had stood beside him during some of the most difficult years of his life.
Jaspar had taught him how to survive.
Kara had taught him how to build.
Both had taught him that strength meant very little without responsibility.
He stepped closer.
"Please stand."
They looked up.
Soma smiled.
"I'd be honored to accept."
Jaspar's expression softened.
"But only under one condition."
Kara raised an eyebrow.
"What's that, lad?"
"You don't stop being my mentors."
A faint smile appeared on Jaspar's scarred face.
"And my friends," Soma added.
Kara laughed.
"Gods help us."
She rose and pulled him into a fierce embrace.
"You're stuck with us now."
Soma smiled.
"Apparently."
Samantha approached next.
She didn't kneel.
Instead, she gently straightened Soma's collar, exactly as she'd done since he was small enough to fit comfortably in her arms.
"I suppose you already know my answer."
Soma looked at her.
"Sam..."
"I've been looking after you for fifteen years. I'm hardly going to stop now."
He smiled.
"Thank you."
Igor snorted from the corner.
"Look at all this sentimental bullshit."
Soma turned.
"And you, old man?"
Igor raised an eyebrow.
"What about me?"
"Going to pledge your undying loyalty?"
"Absolutely fucking not."
The room erupted into laughter.
Soma grinned.
"That's disappointing."
"I've already spent eleven years keeping your stupid arse alive. That's more than enough devotion for one lifetime."
Soma bowed extravagantly.
"A deeply moving declaration."
"Get bent."
Kara nearly fell over laughing.
As the meeting drew to a close, Uncle Zane approached carrying a massive leather-bound volume.
Soma recognized the cover immediately.
"Uncle..."
Zane smiled.
"My personal bestiary."
He placed it carefully in Soma's hands.
"An extensive collection of creature habitats, anatomical observations, behavioral studies, and known weaknesses."
Soma opened it.
Detailed illustrations filled the pages.
Some were accompanied by notes in Zane's familiar handwriting.
Others contained carefully preserved sketches from expeditions conducted decades earlier.
"I've been compiling this for years," Zane explained. "And I thought it was finally time to pass a copy on to you."
Soma looked up.
"This is incredible."
"Then use it wisely."
"I will."
Zane smiled.
"And remember that books can prepare you for a creature, but they can't guarantee the creature has read the same book."
Soma laughed.
"Jaspar's been teaching me that for years."
"Then perhaps the old soldier knows a thing or two."
From across the room, Jaspar grunted.
"Don't sound so surprised."
By late afternoon, Soma finally escaped the study.
He carried the royal medallion in one hand and the key to his new property in the other.
The weight of everything that had happened was beginning to settle over him.
Tomorrow, he'd enter the Grand Awakening Temple.
His mana limiter would be removed.
The crystal would reveal his class.
And the future he'd spent fifteen years preparing for would finally begin.
He paused beside a window overlooking Highmere.
Beyond the magnificent white walls, the city stretched toward the distant mountains and the vast waters of Arcaelis.
Above everything stood the Citadel.
The tower that had watched over his entire life.
Soma looked down at the key.
A building.
Armor.
Weapons.
Mentors who had become sworn retainers.
A family that believed in him.
And a kingdom whose people had given him a name he hadn't expected to earn.
The Crownless Dawn.
He smiled faintly.
Then a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Thinking too hard again?"
Sara stood behind him.
Sean lounged beside her.
Soma turned.
"An unfortunate habit."
Sara smiled.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
Sean gasped theatrically.
"Impossible! The great Crownless Dawn experiencing ordinary human emotions?"
Soma folded his arms.
"Don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my reputation."
Sean laughed.
Sara stepped closer.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, remember something."
Soma looked toward her.
"Your class doesn't change who you are."
He nodded.
"I know."
"And if you receive something unexpected?"
"Then I'll learn to work with it."
Sean grinned.
"And if you awaken as a Porter?"
"Then I'll become the most terrifyingly efficient Porter in the history of Hallowcrown."
Sara laughed.
Sean stared at him.
"You'd actually do it, wouldn't you?"
Soma smiled.
"Absolutely."
For several moments, the three siblings stood together.
Then Sean's expression softened.
"Seriously, little brother. We're proud of you."
Soma blinked.
"Was that sincerity?"
"Don't get used to it."
Sara rolled her eyes.
"He's been practicing that sentence all morning."
"Traitor!"
Soma laughed.
Then hugged them both.
"Thank you."
That evening, Samantha helped Soma arrange his new equipment.
The armor rested on a display stand beside his wardrobe.
The weapons occupied a carefully organized rack.
Zane's bestiary lay open on his desk, already surrounded by several notes Soma had written while examining its contents.
Samantha folded her arms.
"You're not planning to stay awake reading all night, are you?"
Soma looked up.
"Would I do that?"
"Frequently."
"Your lack of faith wounds me."
She smiled.
"Get some sleep, Soma."
He closed the book.
For once, he didn't argue.
Samantha paused beside the door.
"Tomorrow's a big day."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
She studied him.
"Are you frightened?"
Soma considered the question.
Then smiled faintly.
"A little."
"That's all right."
"I know."
She crossed the room and hugged him.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm proud of you."
Soma returned the embrace.
"Thank you, Sam."
When she left, he approached the window.
The Citadel towered above the sleeping capital.
Somewhere beyond its unimaginable heights waited the gods themselves.
For fifteen years, Soma had wondered what kind of place he'd been born into.
Tomorrow, he would begin discovering what kind of person he might become within it.
He rested one hand against the glass.
Then smiled.
"All right, Hallowcrown."
His reflection stared back at him.
Dark hair.
Hazel eyes flecked with gold.
A face that had grown older, sharper, and more familiar with each passing year.
And somewhere beneath his skin, blood unlike anything most mortals had ever seen.
Soma exhaled slowly.
"No more wondering."
He turned away from the window.
"Tomorrow, we find out."