Since dungeons appeared on Earth hundreds of years ago, humans have gained access to a special energy known as mana and can awaken different abilities thanks to this special energy.
They were able to protect themselves with these abilities and even began to clear these dungeons. As time went on, humans began to evolve and form a specific pattern of awakening these abilities. Each family became known for awakening only certain abilities.
An example was the Castellan family, a family that seemed to have formed a bond with the elements for hundreds of years.
Be it awakening as a mage who could only use one element, or a Magus who had access to multiple elements, or even a healer who could heal wounds, mentioning the Castellan family would instantly have one thinking about the elements.
Other families were similar; some had formed patterns of awakening as knights, being incredibly skilled in the art of weapons and awakening special techniques deep within their souls, which they would gradually unlock as they grew stronger.
Others become beast men, being able to interact with wild beasts or even summoning them from a different realm.
Of course, there were still the auxiliary awakening paths which although weren't useful in battle, were not viewed any weaker than the rest as they were equally just as important and useful in their own ways.
These paths were the alchemy awakening, enchanters, conjurers, and many more supportive abilities.
As time went on, it almost became a requirement to qualify as a member of one's own family, awakening a different ability than the norm would have one being viewed as a disgrace to their family and could even result in being thrown out or forever oppressed.
Of course, the chances of this happening were very low and rarely happened between top-rated noble families.
'That means I'll have to awaken as an elemental regardless of what I want.' Ivan thought to himself as he sat on the seat prepared for members of his family.
He didn't really like the idea, after all, he was once a general skilled in the arts of weapons in his last life; awakening as a weapon user would be better for the plans that he had in mind.
Ivan sighed and gazed at the centre of the large hall, where a huge crystal ball was floating in place and an old man in a long robe stood beside it. Around the hall were countless other families and their younglings who had also come for their first awakening. These include other top-rated noble families, ordinary noble families, and numerous common families.
The Castellan family was a top-rated noble family, and not just any top-rated noble family; they were a first-rated noble family.
And although they could have held a private awakening for Ivan, it was their responsibility as a first-rated noble family to join in the public awakening, as this would boost the prestige of the academy and also strengthen the status of the Castellan family in this region.
Ivan wasn't really interested in this political display; he had had enough of this in his past life.
Shortly after, the old man began to call names of the children who were of age to awaken.
A long scroll had appeared in his hands at some point, and on it was a list of names.
"Aiden Belmont!" the old man called out.
A young man with a huge build stood up from across the hall and walked toward the center. He had an arrogant expression on his face as he approached the old man.
Just like the Castellan family, the Belmont family was another first-rate noble family from this empire, so it wasn't surprising that their descendants would act arrogantly.
"Place your hands on the crystal," the old man instructed after Aiden Belmont reached him.
Aiden followed instructions and placed both of his palms on the huge crystal ball that was almost as big as a full-grown man. In a scene, the crystal ball seemed like a mirror that was supposed to reflect one's soul.
After placing both palms on the crystal, mana began to swirl around Aiden. Although invisible, everyone in the hall could feel it. The mana caused Aiden's clothes and hair to flutter wildly.
Seconds later, an earth-shattering roar sounded through the hall. After that, a burst of mana rose from the crystal and formed the illusory image of a mighty beast that was four meters high. Its entire body was dark like the night sky, and it had a mane like a lion. Sharp yellow eyes pierced through the hall before settling on Aiden.
It was a soul beast!
Upon seeing the illusory image of the huge beast, people in the hall began to murmur.
"As expected of the third son of the Belmont family, he managed to awaken a soul beast."
"Most people from the Belmont family only manage to awaken soul pets, he's the fifth person to awaken a soul beast in his family within the past hundred years."
"The arrogance of the Belmonts is really going to shoot through the roof after this, best not converse with them for some time."
Ivan listened to the chattering around him but his mind was somewhere else as he had once again recognised that soul beast above the crystal ball.
It was a bit surprising that he was the one who killed that beast and its master in his past life.
'So that young man was Aiden Belmont, what a coincidence.' Ivan gave a helpless smile as he thought to himself.
Ethan saw this and thought Ivan was feeling helpless because of Aiden's achievement.
He shook his head and decided not to say anything else.
Aiden left the centre of the hall after a while, and another kid from another first-rate noble family was called up. This kid was from a family that specialised in alchemy, and without much of a surprise, had awakened as a three-leaf alchemist.
As for what that meant, Ivan didn't know; there weren't any alchemists amongst the skrivaloks and he didn't learn about them during his seventeen years after being reborn.
All the books and most of the knowledge he had seen and had been taught were about elements and spells, his family was preparing him for when he awakened.
Needless to say, that knowledge would certainly come in handy no matter what form of element he awakened.
Shortly after, Ivan's name was finally called out.
"Ivan Castellan!"
Ivan stood up and proceeded to walk over.
"Good luck, remember to stay calm," Ethan whispered after Ivan while Elena gave him an encouraging smile.
Ivan nodded back and walked toward the old man and the crystal ball.
"Place your hands on the crystal,"
It was the same instruction. Ivan placed both palms on the crystal and felt the coolness of the smooth crystal. Mana also began to move around him, and he could feel something rising from deep within him.
Some seconds later, a burst of mana shot out from the crystal and formed an illusory figure about Ivan's head. At the same time, sounds of metals colliding could be heard.
The entire hall suddenly fell quiet, not even a whisper could be heard. Only the sounds of metals colliding softly and continuously rang out.
Ivan was confused, he looked around and saw everyone staring at him with expressions of disbelief and shock.
'What is wrong with them?' Ivan thought and proceeded to see what had formed above him.
Ivan "..."
Only after seeing the illusory image above him did he understand why everyone was staring at him like they had seen a ghost.
Above Ivan was the illusory image of a warrior in armour, wielding a shield in one hand and a short sword in the other.
It was a paladin!