The morning of Soma Locke's Awakening began with an unfamiliar silence.
No trumpet blared outside his bedroom. No wooden sword struck him across the backside, and no foul-mouthed veteran threatened to make him run until his legs fell off.
For once, the entire manor seemed content to let him sleep.
Naturally, Soma was wide awake before three.
He lay beneath the blankets, staring at the shadows drifting across his ceiling. Beyond the tall windows, Highmere remained dark, its streets illuminated by scattered lanterns and the distant glow of magical streetlights.
Tomorrow had finally become today.
Fifteen years of waiting. Eleven years of physical training. Five years of expeditions, fieldwork, and lessons that had carried him far beyond the sheltered life he'd once known.
And in a few hours, someone would remove the magical limiter that had governed his body since infancy.
Soma turned onto his side.
Well, at least nobody can accuse me of rushing into this unprepared.
He closed his eyes.
A moment later, he opened them again.
Unless my class turns out to be Professional Goat Rescuer.
He sighed.
Jaspar would never let me live that down.
A quiet knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Samantha entered carrying a tray of tea and a small breakfast. She wore her usual immaculate uniform, though her expression softened when she saw him sitting upright.
"You're awake."
"An astute observation."
"I thought you might be."
She placed the tray on his desk.
"Your mother asked me to make sure you eat."
Soma glanced at the food.
"She's worried I'll forget?"
"She's worried you'll be too nervous."
"Ah."
He considered the matter.
"Both are possible."
Samantha smiled.
Then her gaze drifted toward the armor displayed beside his wardrobe.
The black-and-silver equipment they'd arranged the previous evening caught the lamplight, its silver plates gleaming against the midnight robes beneath.
"Ready?" she asked.
Soma followed her gaze.
"Not even remotely."
She laughed softly.
"That's the first sensible thing you've said in days."
Soma reached for his tea.
"That's unfair. I said at least three sensible things yesterday."
"Would you care to remind me what they were?"
He opened his mouth.
Then paused.
Samantha's smile widened.
"Exactly."
"You're becoming increasingly disrespectful."
"I learned from the best."
Soma shook his head.
He was going to miss mornings like this.
Not that he expected Samantha to disappear after his Awakening. She'd made it abundantly clear that she intended to remain at his side for as long as he would have her.
But things would change.
At fifteen, he was legally an adult.
He would have a class, access to his full mana reserves, and the freedom to pursue adventures that had previously been beyond his reach.
He'd spent years dreaming of this day.
Now that it had arrived, he found himself wishing the morning would slow down.
Samantha seemed to notice.
She pulled a chair beside his bed.
"Something on your mind?"
Soma stared into his tea.
"Just wondering what happens next."
"After your Awakening?"
"After everything."
He looked toward the armor.
"I've spent years preparing for a future I couldn't actually see. Now I'm about to find out what kind of path I can take."
Samantha studied him.
"Your class won't decide everything."
"I know."
"Good."
She stood and straightened her uniform.
"Because whether you're a Fighter, Caster, Support, Recon, or Tamer, you'll still be the same troublesome young man who refuses to take proper care of himself."
Soma grinned.
"You forgot legendary goat rescuer."
"How could I?"
An hour later, Soma stood before the mirror while Samantha adjusted the final fastening on his tunic.
He had chosen something simpler than his new armor: a well-tailored black ceremonial coat with silver embroidery, dark trousers, and polished boots. The Locke crest rested over his heart.
His combat equipment would accompany the household party for inspection and issue before the trial.
Soma studied his reflection.
He'd grown into a remarkably tall young man, broad-shouldered and muscular from years of conditioning. Shaggy black hair fell across his forehead, streaked with distinctive white highlights. His hazel eyes carried flecks of gold that became more apparent whenever light struck them.
The subtle points of his ears revealed the elven blood inherited through his mother's lineage.
Yet beneath the polished clothing and composed appearance, he felt remarkably like the nervous child who had once stood before Igor on his first morning of training.
Samantha stepped back.
"There."
Soma turned.
"How do I look?"
"Like someone who's going to make his family proud."
He smiled.
"Not like an overdressed idiot?"
"Both can be true."
"Wonderful."
She laughed and reached up to straighten his collar one final time.
For several moments, her hands remained there.
"Soma?"
"Yes?"
"Whatever happens today, remember that you don't have to prove anything to me."
His smile softened.
"I know."
"You've already spent fifteen years becoming someone I admire."
He looked away.
"You're getting sentimental."
"Terribly."
"Must be contagious."
She chuckled.
Then lowered her hands.
"Come on. Everyone's waiting."
The main courtyard of Locke Manor was crowded with carriages.
Preston stood beside the largest, speaking with several Vanguard officers. His magnificent blond mustache had reached a level of grooming sophistication that Soma suspected required dedicated government funding.
Aria waited nearby in a beautiful pale-blue gown, accompanied by Sara and Serena.
Stephan and Simon stood discussing something over a parchment, while Scott checked the straps on a ceremonial sword.
Sean, unsurprisingly, was doing absolutely nothing useful.
"THERE HE IS!" he shouted.
Soma stopped.
"Please don't."
"The future legend of House Locke!"
"Sean."
"The greatest hero our family has ever produced!"
"Sean."
"The boy who once fell face-first into his own breakfast!"
Soma closed his eyes.
"One more word and I'm setting your hair on fire."
Sean grinned.
"Awakening hasn't happened yet, little brother."
"Then I suppose I'll have to do it manually."
Sara laughed.
Preston approached and placed a hand against Soma's shoulder.
"Morning, son."
"Good morning, Father."
"Feeling prepared?"
Soma considered the question.
"I've prepared for practically everything I can think of."
"Good."
"Which means something entirely unexpected will probably happen."
Preston chuckled.
"Also good."
Soma frowned.
"Why is that good?"
"Because you're learning to expect uncertainty."
From behind them, Jaspar grunted.
"About bloody time."
Soma turned toward the captain.
"Good morning to you, too."
"Morning, brat."
Igor snorted from beside one of the carriages.
"If he's nervous now, wait until someone tells him he has to take the trial without hiding behind that fancy coat."
"I'm standing right here," Soma reminded him.
"Then quit whining and get in the carriage."
Soma sighed.
Some things never change.
And, for once, he was grateful for that.
The journey through Highmere was unlike any Soma had experienced.
Even on festival days, the streets rarely felt so crowded.
Families from across Arcaelis had traveled to the capital, filling the roads with colorful carriages, wagons, and travelers on foot. Some wore the fine clothing of nobles and prosperous merchants. Others carried modest bundles and wore garments patched by years of use.
They had come from the forests of Elderwood, the industrial cities of Ironvale, the northern reaches of Frosthold, the ports of Breakwater, and countries Soma had studied extensively but never visited.
All for the same purpose.
To witness the Awakening of their children.
Royal banners stretched between buildings, their white-and-gold fabric rippling above the streets. Vendors sold food, ribbons, ceremonial charms, and small crystal replicas of the temple's famous Awakening stone.
Huge public projection screens had been erected in several squares, already displaying images of the temple's central arena.
Soma watched from the carriage window.
"It's incredible."
Samantha nodded.
"It always is."
A group of children spotted the Locke crest.
One pointed toward the carriage.
"THE CROWNLESS DAWN!"
Soma immediately leaned back.
"Oh, for the love of—"
Jaspar laughed from the opposite seat.
"Too late, boy."
The cheering spread.
People waved as the carriage passed.
Soma eventually surrendered and raised a hand in greeting.
"You're enjoying this," he muttered.
Jaspar grinned.
"Immensely."
A young boy running alongside the carriage shouted something about hoping Soma would awaken as a legendary warrior.
Another announced that he'd definitely become a powerful mage.
Soma smiled.
"Everyone seems to have their own prediction."
"That's the fun of Awakening," Samantha said.
"Everyone thinks they know what they'll get."
Jaspar folded his arms.
"And half of them will be disappointed when the crystal gives them a starting class instead of the legendary title they've been bragging about."
Soma chuckled.
"I remember Sean expecting something extraordinary."
"Your brother expects something extraordinary every time he looks in a mirror."
"Fair."
Jaspar leaned forward.
"Remember this, Soma. The five starting classes are foundations. What matters is what you do with them."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"Fighter, Caster, Support, Recon, and Tamer. Five starting paths. Everything else comes later through advancement."
Jaspar nodded.
"Good."
"Advanced classes don't simply fall out of the sky. You meet their requirements, complete the challenges, and earn the right to progress."
"Exactly."
Soma looked out the window again.
He'd studied Class Trees extensively, though he'd never been permitted to access his own.
The possibilities fascinated him.
A Fighter could pursue paths emphasizing weapons, physical strength, or defense. A Caster could specialize in various magical disciplines. Support classes could develop toward healing, enhancement, crafting, or other forms of assistance.
Recon focused on observation, movement, stealth, and precision.
Tamer centered on creatures, contracts, and companion development.
But those were only the beginnings.
Later advancements could lead to entirely different specializations.
And some paths required more than experience or skill.
They required Class Advancement Challenges.
Trials designed to test whether someone truly possessed the qualifications for a higher class.
Soma had always liked that idea.
A class wasn't simply a gift.
It was something a person could continue earning.
He wondered which path would open for him.
The Grand Awakening Temple stood in one of Highmere's most magnificent ceremonial precincts.
Its vast white walls curved outward around an enormous central amphitheater. Towering columns supported terraces adorned with statues of ancient heroes, divine servants, and the sacred symbols of the ten Pantheons.
Above the entrance, an intricate golden arch depicted the Citadel reaching toward a circle of ten brilliant stars.
Water cascaded down stepped fountains on either side of the main approach, while enormous banners hung between the columns.
Soma had seen the temple many times from outside.
He had studied its history.
Examined its architectural diagrams.
Even attended ceremonies from the family gallery when his older siblings awakened.
But approaching it as a candidate was something altogether different.
The sound hit him first.
Thousands of voices.
Families calling to one another. Guards issuing directions. Merchants shouting over the crowd. Children laughing nervously as they waited beside their parents.
And above everything, the deep, resonant tolling of the temple bells.
Soma stepped down from the carriage.
For a moment, he simply stared.
The building seemed to swallow the sky.
"Still impressive?" Sara asked beside him.
Soma nodded.
"Even more than I remembered."
She smiled.
"That's because this time you're standing on the other side."
Inside, the Grand Temple was divided into several concentric levels.
The outer terraces accommodated the public, while reserved galleries housed royal officials, noble families, academy representatives, and foreign dignitaries.
Below them stretched the candidate waiting arena, a vast open space lined with registration tables and guarded passages.
At the center stood an elevated platform.
Upon it rested the Awakening Crystal.
Soma stopped walking.
He had expected something impressive.
The crystal exceeded his expectations.
It stood nearly twice his height, a flawless formation of translucent material suspended within an elaborate ring of silver and gold. Intricate runes circled its base, while faint currents of light drifted through its interior like distant stars trapped beneath ice.
A dozen smaller crystals occupied nearby stations, where attendants prepared for the preliminary limiter-removal procedures.
Above the main platform, enormous magical screens floated between the amphitheater's upper arches.
Each displayed a clear view of the central stage.
Soma looked toward Jaspar.
"How much mana does it take to maintain all of this?"
The captain stared at him.
"That's your first question?"
"It's a legitimate question."
Kara, who had joined them near the entrance, grinned.
"About enough to bankrupt a small country if they weren't using dedicated temple infrastructure."
Soma whistled.
"Impressive."
Igor grunted.
"Expensive."
"Also impressive."
The Locke family was escorted toward the noble galleries.
Soma accompanied them until they reached a branching corridor where temple officials directed candidates toward the lower waiting arena.
A demigod attendant stood beside the entrance wearing white ceremonial robes marked with silver thread.
"Candidate Soma Locke?"
"Present."
The attendant bowed.
"Your family may proceed to the gallery. You will enter the candidate assembly area for registration and preparation."
Soma glanced toward his parents.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Aria stepped forward.
She embraced him tightly.
"Be careful."
"I will."
"Listen to the officials."
"Of course."
"Don't take unnecessary risks."
"Mother—"
"And remember to eat."
Soma laughed.
"I'm beginning to suspect the entire family believes I'll starve to death without supervision."
"Because you might," Samantha replied.
Aria smiled through her concern.
Then kissed his forehead.
"My boy."
Soma hugged her once more.
Preston approached next.
He rested both hands on Soma's shoulders.
"Whatever class you receive, remember what we discussed."
Soma nodded.
"Who I am doesn't depend on it."
"Exactly."
The Archduke smiled.
"Make us proud."
Soma grinned.
"Always."
Sean leaned over Preston's shoulder.
"And try not to awaken as a goat."
Soma sighed.
"That's not even one of the five starting classes."
"Then you'll be the first!"
"I hate this family."
Serena hugged him.
"No, you don't."
He smiled down at her.
"No. I really don't."
Jaspar waited until the others had stepped aside.
Then he offered Soma a firm handshake.
"Listen carefully."
Soma raised an eyebrow.
"More wisdom?"
"Don't be an arrogant bastard."
"Straight to the point."
"Some of those kids have never fought anything more dangerous than a kitchen spider. Others have spent years training just like you."
Soma nodded.
"Don't underestimate them."
"Exactly."
Kara stepped forward.
"And remember what I taught you."
"Inspect my equipment."
"And?"
"Never trust something simply because it looks expensive."
She grinned.
"Good lad."
Igor approached last.
He looked Soma up and down.
Then snorted.
"Well."
Soma smiled.
"Well?"
"Don't embarrass me."
"That's the best you've got?"
Igor placed one enormous hand on his shoulder.
For a moment, his expression softened.
"You've done the work, brat. Now go show them."
Soma stared at him.
Then smiled.
"Thank you, Igor."
The veteran grunted.
"Now piss off before I get sentimental."
The candidate waiting arena was already crowded.
Hundreds of fifteen-year-olds stood in organized groups beneath the supervision of temple attendants.
Some wore elaborate noble clothing.
Others had arrived in simple traveling garments.
A few were visibly nervous, clutching small charms or speaking rapidly to the friends beside them.
Others looked extraordinarily confident.
Soma recognized several young nobles from Highmere's upper districts.
He also spotted candidates from distant regions whose accents and clothing reflected the enormous diversity of Arcaelis.
At one registration table, a boy in expensive crimson robes was loudly explaining why his family's bloodline practically guaranteed an exceptional Awakening.
"My grandfather was an S-rank Sword Sovereign," the boy announced. "My father became an A-rank Warlord. There's simply no possibility I'll receive anything ordinary."
One of the boys listening nodded enthusiastically.
"Then you'll probably awaken as a Fighter!"
The noble looked offended.
"Obviously. But I'll have an exceptional rank."
Soma walked past.
Ah. The dangerous combination of inherited confidence and insufficient self-awareness.
A smaller boy nearby looked miserable.
He clutched a worn leather bag against his chest.
Soma stopped.
"First time?"
The boy stared at him.
Then laughed nervously.
"Isn't it everyone's first time?"
Soma blinked.
"Fair point."
The boy smiled faintly.
"I'm Tomas."
"Soma."
Tomas froze.
"Wait. Soma Locke?"
Soma sighed.
"Unfortunately."
"The Crownless Dawn?"
"That name continues to cause problems."
Tomas looked as though he might faint.
Soma gestured toward the waiting area.
"Are you nervous?"
"A little."
"Me too."
The boy blinked.
"You?"
"Terrified."
Tomas stared.
Then laughed.
Soma smiled.
"Come on. We might as well survive the registration process together."
They joined the line.
Tomas glanced toward the crimson-robed noble, who was still loudly boasting about his family's accomplishments.
"Do you think he's right?"
"About what?"
"That his family guarantees he'll receive a powerful class."
Soma considered the question.
"His family's training and bloodline might give him certain advantages. But they can't decide what the crystal will announce."
Tomas nodded.
"I've always wondered whether someone with a low-rank class could become powerful."
"Of course they can."
"Really?"
"Your starting rank matters, but so does how you develop. A class doesn't swing a sword for you."
Tomas looked thoughtful.
"What class are you hoping for?"
Soma shrugged.
"Honestly? I'd be happy with something I can build on."
"That's not very specific."
"Neither is my luck."
Tomas laughed again.
"Well, I'm hoping for Recon."
"Oh?"
"My family's from a small settlement near the forests. My father works as a guide. I've always loved exploring."
"Then Recon sounds like a good fit."
"I'd like to become a Pathfinder someday."
Soma smiled.
"Then I hope you get the chance."
Tomas glanced down at his bag.
"And you?"
Soma considered the five possible starting paths.
Fighter would complement his years of physical training.
Caster would finally allow him to explore the magical theories he'd studied for so long.
Support offered possibilities he'd barely begun to understand.
Recon appealed to the strategist in him.
And Tamer...
Well, he'd always liked animals.
"I genuinely don't know."
Tomas stared.
"You're not worried?"
"Oh, I'm worried."
Soma grinned.
"I've just decided to be worried about all five possibilities equally."
The registration procedure was surprisingly straightforward.
Each candidate presented their identification through the Nexus Network, which confirmed their age, identity, and eligibility.
Temple attendants verified the records independently.
Soma noted with interest that the process was administered entirely by the Cathedral.
Nexora supplied the identification infrastructure, but the company had no authority over the Awakening itself.
At a nearby table, an attendant confirmed Tomas's information.
"Age fifteen. Eligible for limiter removal."
Tomas swallowed.
"Does it hurt?"
The attendant smiled reassuringly.
"Most candidates report a brief sensation of warmth or pressure. Some experience temporary dizziness as their bodies adjust."
Tomas looked pale.
Soma leaned closer.
"If you collapse, I'll make sure nobody steals your boots."
Tomas stared.
Then laughed despite himself.
"Thank you. I think."
"You're welcome."
When Soma approached the table, the attendant inspected his records.
"Candidate Soma Locke."
"Yes."
A pause.
The attendant looked up.
"Your household has provided all necessary authorizations."
Soma nodded.
"Excellent."
"Your equipment has also been received and secured for the trial."
"Good."
The attendant gestured toward the gathering area.
"Please take your place with the remaining candidates."
Soma bowed politely.
"Thank you."
By midmorning, the amphitheater was full.
The upper terraces stretched upward in enormous curved tiers, packed with spectators. Royal banners fluttered beneath the vaulted ceiling, and the great magical screens began displaying views of the candidate arena.
Soma looked up.
He could barely distinguish individual faces among the crowd.
Somewhere in the royal gallery sat his family.
His mentors.
Samantha.
People who had spent fifteen years helping him reach this moment.
He wondered whether they could see him.
Then he spotted Sean waving both arms like a lunatic.
Soma closed his eyes.
Unfortunately, yes.
A sudden hush spread through the amphitheater.
The enormous temple bells rang twelve times.
Golden light began gathering around the central platform.
From the eastern entrance emerged a procession of priests and priestesses wearing ceremonial white robes.
Behind them walked several figures whose presence was immediately different.
Demigods.
Their divine ancestry was apparent in subtle ways.
One woman possessed hair that shimmered like flowing silver.
Another figure wore dark ceremonial armor marked with faintly glowing runes.
A tall man with amber eyes carried a staff crowned by a floating crystal.
They moved with composed authority, taking their places around the Awakening platform.
Soma watched intently.
He had encountered powerful individuals before.
But these beings carried a presence that made the air itself feel different.
Tomas leaned toward him.
"Can you feel that?"
Soma nodded.
"Yes."
A faint pressure seemed to settle across the arena.
Not threatening.
Not hostile.
Simply immense.
As though the world had become aware of something extraordinary approaching.
A trumpet sounded.
Unlike Sean's appalling performance the previous morning, this one was magnificent.
The entire amphitheater rose.
The king entered the central balcony, accompanied by the queen and several high-ranking officials.
Soma watched as His Majesty stepped forward.
Golden light gathered around the balcony's ceremonial amplifiers, carrying his voice throughout the immense temple.
"People of Arcaelis."
The crowd fell silent.
"Today, we gather beneath the eyes of the Pantheons to witness another generation take its first steps toward the future."
His voice resonated through the amphitheater.
"From every country of our great kingdom, families have traveled to this sacred place. Some have crossed mountains. Others have sailed vast waters or journeyed for weeks along difficult roads."
Soma looked toward the candidates around him.
Tomas stood perfectly still.
The arrogant noble in crimson robes had finally stopped talking.
Even the most restless children seemed captivated.
"Each candidate standing before us represents more than a name or a bloodline," the king continued. "They represent a future we cannot yet see."
He paused.
"Some will become warriors. Others scholars, healers, craftsmen, merchants, explorers, or leaders. Many will discover talents they never imagined possessing."
The king's expression grew solemn.
"But regardless of the class they receive, their worth does not begin today."
Soma felt a faint smile touch his lips.
His family had told him almost exactly the same thing.
"Your class may open a door," His Majesty declared. "But the life you build beyond it will be determined by your choices."
The amphitheater erupted into applause.
Soma joined it.
And for the first time that morning, he felt the anxiety in his chest begin to settle.
The king stepped back.
A senior demigod approached the central crystal.
Her long silver hair drifted gently around her shoulders despite the absence of any breeze.
She raised one hand.
Light spread across the Awakening platform.
"Candidates of Arcaelis," she announced, "the Ceremony of Awakening shall now begin."
The amphitheater fell silent.
"First, you will undergo the removal of your childhood mana limiters. This procedure releases the restrictions placed upon your magical development during infancy."
Soma felt his heartbeat quicken.
"Once the restriction is removed, you will approach the Awakening Crystal. Its response will identify your class, class rank, and magical affinities."
The demigod paused.
"Before we begin, I wish to remind every candidate of something important."
The great screens behind her changed.
Five symbols appeared, arranged in a circle around the Awakening Crystal.
A crossed sword and shield.
A staff surrounded by magical runes.
Two hands holding a radiant light.
An eye framed by a compass.
And a claw resting within a binding circle.
"At Awakening, individuals ordinarily receive one of five foundational classes."
The first symbol illuminated.
"Fighter. Those whose abilities establish a foundation in physical combat, weapon use, strength, and defense."
The second symbol glowed.
"Caster. Those whose talents establish a foundation in spellcasting, mana manipulation, and magical combat."
The third brightened.
"Support. Those whose abilities are suited to healing, enhancement, protection, crafting, and other forms of assistance."
The fourth symbol shone.
"Recon. Those whose talents favor observation, mobility, tracking, stealth, and precision."
Finally, the fifth symbol illuminated.
"Tamer. Those whose abilities establish a foundation for creature handling, bonding, contracts, and the development of companions."
The five symbols rotated slowly above the platform.
"These are your starting points. They do not represent the limits of your potential."
A new image appeared.
A tree of brilliant light.
Five great branches rose from its base, each dividing into smaller pathways.
Some led to familiar class names.
Warrior.
Mage.
Healer.
Scout.
Beast Tamer.
Others continued toward more specialized professions.
Knight.
Spellblade.
Paladin.
Assassin.
Beast Master.
Soma leaned forward.
Now that's beautiful.
"After Awakening," the demigod continued, "your Nexus Profile will grant access to your Class Tree. There, you may examine your starting class, its development paths, available skills, and future advancement opportunities."
The glowing tree expanded.
Several branches remained dark, their pathways marked by small locked symbols.
"Advancement does not occur merely because you desire it. As you grow stronger, meet the necessary requirements, and develop your abilities, Class Advancement Challenges will become available."
The image changed again.
A Fighter stood before a stone gateway.
Beyond it waited an armored opponent.
"Some challenges will allow you to advance into new classes."
Another image appeared.
A Caster stood within a circle of glowing runes, attempting to complete a difficult spell.
"Others may reward new skills, improved techniques, or specialized abilities."
The demigod lowered her hand.
"Your starting class is not a command. It is an opportunity."
Soma nodded slowly.
He liked that.
"And your class rank is not a measure of your worth. It indicates the potential recognized during your Awakening, but that potential must still be developed."
The great tree dissolved into light.
"Afterward, those who wish to participate will enter the ten-floor Awakening Trial, where they may begin learning to wield their newly awakened abilities."
The great screens shifted.
Numbers appeared above the registration stations.
Temple attendants began calling the first groups forward.
Soma waited as the candidates were directed toward the smaller crystals.
Tomas stood beside him, visibly trembling.
"Are you all right?" Soma asked.
"I think so."
"That's convincing."
Tomas gave a shaky laugh.
A moment later, his number appeared.
He stared.
"That's me."
Soma nodded.
"Then go on."
Tomas hesitated.
"What if I receive something terrible?"
Soma considered the question.
Then remembered the demigod's words.
"Then you learn what it's good at."
Tomas blinked.
"Really?"
"Really."
Soma smiled.
"And if it turns out you're the world's greatest goat rescuer, I know a farmer who'll pay handsomely for your services."
Tomas burst out laughing.
The tension eased from his shoulders.
"Thanks, Soma."
"Anytime."
He watched the boy approach the table.
A priest placed one hand over the small crystal.
Soft blue light gathered around Tomas's wrist.
For several seconds, the boy remained still.
Then the light brightened.
Tomas gasped.
His knees buckled slightly.
The priest steadied him.
"Easy. Breathe."
The glow faded.
And Tomas stood straighter.
He looked down at his hands in astonishment.
"I can feel it."
Soma leaned forward.
Tomas turned toward him.
A huge smile spread across his face.
"I can feel mana!"
Soma smiled back.
"Congratulations."
The removals continued.
Some candidates laughed.
Others cried.
A few stumbled as unfamiliar sensations spread through their bodies.
One girl burst into delighted tears when a faint current of mana began gathering around her fingertips.
Another boy looked thoroughly disappointed when nothing visibly happened, only to be reassured by the priest that the release did not need to produce dramatic effects.
Soma watched carefully.
He noticed differences in the candidates' reactions.
Some appeared to adjust almost immediately.
Others required several minutes.
The attendants recorded everything.
The process was orderly, but the emotional atmosphere was anything but.
For these children, a lifetime of restriction was ending.
Soon, they would discover what waited beyond it.
Soma looked down at his hands.
For fifteen years, he'd trained his body without access to his full magical potential.
He had studied countless techniques he couldn't yet perform.
Read about abilities he could only imagine using.
Now those limitations were about to disappear.
His stomach tightened.
What if something goes wrong?
The thought appeared unexpectedly.
He remembered Cardinal Rodriguez.
The golden blood.
The prophecy.
The possibility that his existence violated rules even the Cathedral didn't fully understand.
Soma slowly exhaled.
One problem at a time.
Jaspar had spent five years beating that lesson into him.
There was no reason to abandon it now.
His registration number appeared.
Soma looked up.
A temple attendant gestured toward the next table.
"Candidate Soma Locke."
He stepped forward.
For the first time that day, the noise of the amphitheater seemed strangely distant.
The priest waiting beside the crystal was an older man with kind eyes and a neatly trimmed beard.
"Welcome, young master."
Soma bowed.
"Thank you."
"Please place your hand upon the crystal."
Soma looked toward the glowing surface.
Then rested his palm against it.
Cool.
Smooth.
Perfectly still.
The priest raised both hands.
"By the authority of the Holy Cathedral, and under the witness of the Pantheons, let the restrictions of childhood be lifted."
Light gathered beneath Soma's palm.
At first, it was faint.
A gentle warmth spread through his fingers.
Then it moved up his arm.
Soma inhaled sharply.
Something shifted deep inside him.
Not a physical movement.
Something more fundamental.
As though a pressure he'd carried his entire life had suddenly begun to loosen.
The warmth spread through his chest.
His shoulders.
His spine.
For a moment, every muscle in his body seemed to tense.
Then—
Release.
Soma staggered.
The priest reached toward him.
"Steady."
Soma gripped the edge of the table.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
The world felt different.
Not brighter.
Not louder.
But fuller.
He could sense something moving beneath his skin.
A warmth without heat.
A current without motion.
Mana.
For fifteen years, he'd read about it.
Studied it.
Imagined it.
Now, for the first time, he could feel it.
Soma looked at his trembling hands.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Well."
The priest watched him.
"Are you all right?"
Soma laughed softly.
"Yes."
He flexed his fingers.
"More than all right."
High above the waiting arena, Cardinal Rodriguez stood in a secluded gallery.
He watched the great screen displaying the candidates beneath him.
When Soma stepped away from the limiter-removal station, the Cardinal's expression tightened.
Beside him, an elderly priest studied a set of readings.
"Anything unusual?"
Rodriguez remained silent for several seconds.
Then shook his head.
"Nothing that requires intervention."
The priest nodded and returned to his work.
But Rodriguez continued watching.
His fingers tightened around the silver emblem resting against his chest.
Fifteen years.
A soul from another world.
Golden blood.
And now the boy had finally crossed the threshold into Awakening.
The Cardinal looked toward the enormous crystal at the center of the temple.
For the first time in many years, he found himself uncertain whether he wanted the next revelation to arrive.
Soma rejoined the waiting candidates.
Tomas hurried toward him.
"How was it?"
Soma considered the question.
"Strange."
"Good strange?"
He smiled.
"Very good strange."
Tomas grinned.
They turned toward the central platform as the first group of candidates began assembling before the Awakening Crystal.
The silver-haired demigod raised her staff.
"Candidate number one."
A young girl stepped forward.
She looked terrified.
Her hands trembled as she approached the massive stone.
The entire amphitheater seemed to hold its breath.
"Place your hand upon the crystal."
The girl obeyed.
Light erupted through the enormous stone.
Blue and green currents spiraled upward, gathering into a brilliant column.
The demigod studied the reaction.
Then announced the result.
"Starting Class: Support."
The screens displayed the result.
"Class Rank: F."
A murmur moved through the crowd.
"Affinity: Water — C-rank."
The girl's eyes widened.
Then she began crying.
Not from disappointment.
From relief.
Her family cheered from the upper terraces.
The demigod smiled warmly.
"Congratulations."
Soma joined the applause.
Tomas leaned toward him.
"She looks so happy."
Soma nodded.
"She should be."
"An F-rank Support with C-rank Water. Do you think she'll become a healer?"
"Maybe."
Soma watched the girl leave the platform.
"Or she might discover she's better suited to another Support advancement. That's what the Class Tree is for."
Tomas nodded.
The next candidate approached.
Then another.
The great screens filled with results.
Starting Class: Fighter.
Class Rank: E.
Affinity: Earth — D-rank.
The boy's family applauded.
Another candidate approached.
Starting Class: Caster.
Class Rank: C.
Affinity: Wind — B-rank.
A much louder cheer followed.
Several academy representatives immediately began writing notes.
Another candidate awakened as a Tamer.
Then another as a Support.
A young girl received a Recon starting class with an impressive affinity for wind.
Each announcement revealed a different combination of talents.
Even candidates sharing the same starting class could possess entirely different strengths.
A Fighter with Earth affinity might eventually pursue defensive specialization.
A Fighter with Fire affinity might favor an aggressive combat style.
A Caster with Water affinity could develop differently from one whose strongest affinity was Lightning.
The same foundation could lead to vastly different futures.
Soma watched every result.
Not because he was comparing himself to the others.
Because he found the possibilities extraordinary.
So many lives.
So many different futures.
All beginning here.
Eventually, Tomas's number appeared.
The boy froze.
Soma turned toward him.
"Well, looks like you're up."
Tomas swallowed.
"Right."
"Remember what we talked about."
Tomas nodded.
"Find out what I'm good at."
"Exactly."
Soma grinned.
"And preferably avoid becoming a goat."
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Not a chance."
Tomas laughed nervously and hurried toward the platform.
Soma watched as his new acquaintance placed a trembling hand against the Awakening Crystal.
A soft green light appeared.
Then a pale current of blue swept through it.
The crystal brightened, its glow spreading outward in thin, branching lines.
The demigod examined the result.
"Candidate Tomas."
She raised her staff.
"Starting Class: Recon."
Tomas's head snapped up.
A smile spread across his face.
"Class Rank: E."
The demigod paused.
"Affinity: Wind — C-rank."
For a moment, Tomas simply stared.
Then he broke into the biggest grin Soma had seen from him all morning.
Recon.
The very class he'd hoped for.
Soma applauded enthusiastically.
Well, would you look at that.
Tomas turned toward the candidates and spotted him.
He threw both fists into the air.
Soma laughed and gave him a thumbs-up.
Future Pathfinder, huh?
He hoped the boy would get there.
The ceremony continued.
More candidates approached the crystal.
More starting classes were revealed.
More futures began taking shape.
Then the atmosphere changed.
A boy wearing expensive crimson robes strode toward the crystal.
Soma recognized him immediately.
The arrogant noble from the registration area.
He approached with his chin raised and a confident smile.
"Candidate Adrian Vale," the demigod announced.
Adrian placed his hand upon the crystal.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then brilliant crimson light exploded upward.
The enormous crystal blazed.
The crowd gasped.
Soma leaned forward.
The demigod's expression shifted.
"Starting Class: Fighter."
The screens flashed.
"Class Rank: D."
A cheer rose from Adrian's family gallery.
Then the crystal's crimson glow intensified.
"Affinity: Fire — B-rank."
The crowd erupted.
An excited murmur swept through the noble galleries.
"A B-rank Fire affinity!"
"That should open several powerful advancement paths!"
"With that combination, he could eventually pursue an exceptional combat class."
Adrian slowly turned toward the spectators, looking extraordinarily pleased with himself.
He raised both arms, soaking in the applause.
Soma watched him.
Then glanced toward Tomas, who had returned to the candidate area.
"Well."
Tomas swallowed.
"That's impressive."
"It is."
"Do you think he'll pursue a magical combat class?"
"Possibly. Fire would certainly complement several Fighter advancements."
Soma glanced back toward Adrian.
"But he'll have to earn them first."
On the platform, Adrian appeared to be enjoying every moment of his triumph.
Soma sighed.
"Unfortunately, I don't think he'll have any trouble believing he deserves them."
Tomas tried to suppress a laugh.
He failed.
The ceremony continued.
Another Fighter awakened.
Then a Support.
A Recon candidate received a surprisingly strong perception-related result.
A Tamer's unusual affinity drew excited speculation from the audience.
The five starting classes appeared again and again, yet no two Awakenings felt quite the same.
As the afternoon progressed, the differences between candidates became increasingly apparent.
Some families celebrated high class ranks.
Others rejoiced over exceptional affinities.
And some were simply grateful that their children had completed the ceremony safely.
Soma found himself thinking about the Class Tree.
A starting class was only the beginning.
What truly mattered was what came afterward.
The challenges.
The skills.
The decisions.
The work.
He liked that.
For all the uncertainty surrounding his own Awakening, there was something reassuring about knowing that his future wouldn't be decided entirely by a single moment.
Then his registration number appeared.
He stopped breathing.
For a moment, the vast amphitheater seemed to disappear.
The cheering crowds.
The floating screens.
The ceremonial banners.
Everything faded beneath the sudden weight of anticipation.
Tomas turned toward him.
"Soma?"
Soma looked up.
The silver-haired demigod stood beside the crystal.
Her eyes searched the candidates below.
"Candidate Soma Locke."
A ripple moved through the audience.
Then another.
Whispers spread across the terraces.
"The Archduke's son?"
"The Crownless Dawn?"
"That's him?"
Somewhere high above, Sean began cheering loudly enough to embarrass an entire bloodline.
Soma closed his eyes.
Of course.
He took a breath.
Then stepped forward.
The path toward the Awakening Crystal seemed longer than it had moments earlier.
He passed the candidates who had already completed their ceremonies.
A newly awakened Fighter offered him an encouraging nod.
The Support girl from the first announcement smiled nervously.
Tomas called after him.
"Good luck, Soma!"
Soma glanced back and raised a hand.
"Thanks!"
Then he continued toward the platform.
As he approached, the demigod studied him with quiet interest.
"Soma Locke."
He bowed.
"Your Grace."
She smiled faintly.
"Are you prepared?"
Soma looked toward the enormous crystal.
Then toward the distant royal gallery.
He couldn't make out every face.
But he knew they were there.
His parents.
His siblings.
Samantha.
Igor.
Jaspar.
Kara.
The people who had helped him become the person standing here today.
He smiled.
"As prepared as I can be."
The demigod nodded.
"Then approach."
Soma stepped onto the raised platform.
The crystal towered before him.
Its translucent surface shimmered with faint currents of light.
He raised his hand.
For fifteen years, he'd wondered what this moment would feel like.
What starting class he would receive.
Whether he'd become a Fighter after all those years training with Igor.
Whether he'd finally become a Caster and explore the magic he'd studied for so long.
Perhaps Support, Recon, or even Tamer would open possibilities he hadn't considered.
He wondered what his affinities would reveal.
What secrets might be waiting beneath the restrictions imposed during childhood.
For a moment, he thought back to the demigod's explanation.
Five starting classes.
Countless possible paths.
A lifetime of challenges and advancement.
He didn't need to know where his path would end.
He only needed to take the first step.
Soma rested his palm against the crystal.
For one heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then—
A single thread of brilliant golden light flickered deep within the stone.
Soma's eyes widened.
Before he could react, the thread expanded.
A blinding flash of gold erupted from the Awakening Crystal, flooding the entire arena.
Thousands of spectators shielded their eyes.
The great magical screens flickered.
The demigod staggered backward.
And for one brief instant, the Grand Awakening Temple vanished beneath a sea of golden light.
To everyone else, it lasted less than a heartbeat.
But for Soma Locke...
It was something entirely different.