Chapter 4: Awakening
"Just a few minutes more," Stella said softly, her voice warm and steady.
"Don't worry. I'm right here."
She stood close to Jule, her presence like a quiet shield.
"I'm sure your Class Rank will be even better than mine."
Jule gave a faint smile but said nothing.
Around them, the atmosphere was poisonous.
Hatred.
Jealousy.
Anticipation.
Eyes followed Jule like predators tracking prey.
"If he awakens trash," someone whispered viciously, "I'll beat him to death myself."
"You won't," another replied coldly. "Stella's here."
A third voice chuckled darkly.
"Relax. Once she sees his rank… she'll leave him on her own. Commoners don't deserve to stand beside nobles."
---
"Silence!"
The professor's voice thundered across the Awakening Grounds, instantly crushing all whispers.
"This day decides your future."
The field fell into absolute quiet.
"I will call your names one by one. Step forward. Place your hand on the Awakening Pillar. It will determine your Class Rank and Class Type—Life or Combat."
Every student swallowed nervously.
For hunters, this was destiny itself.
---
"SHAN!"
A thin, nervous boy walked forward.
"Focus your mind. Pour your energy into the stone," the professor instructed.
The moment Shan touched the pillar—
A soft blue glow spread across its surface.
Letters formed.
D-RANK — LIFE TYPE
The professor's expression shifted immediately.
"Excellent," he said warmly.
"Life-Type awakeners are rare. One in a hundred."
Shan trembled, then broke into a wide grin.
A D-Rank… but Life-Type!
I made it!
He returned to the crowd, greeted by envious gazes.
---
"NAIJA!"
A confident girl stepped forward.
The stone flared violently—brilliant gold light flooding the field.
B-RANK — COMBAT TYPE
Gasps erupted.
The professor smiled broadly.
"Naija," he said respectfully, "wait after the ceremony. The principal will personally provide you with high-grade resources."
Her lips curved upward in satisfaction.
The moment she stepped back, students swarmed around her like moths to flame.
---
More names followed.
"TAINA!"
E-RANK — COMBAT TYPE
"RILO!"
F-RANK — COMBAT TYPE
Most results were mediocre.
C-Rank or below.
Normal.
Expected.
---
Then—
"TONY!"
The name alone silenced the field.
Tony stepped forward confidently, shoulders broad, chin high.
He placed his hand on the pillar.
The stone erupted.
A violent orange light exploded outward, forcing several students to shield their eyes.
A-RANK — COMBAT TYPE
The field went insane.
Even the professors stiffened.
The head professor's voice trembled with excitement.
"Tony… after the ceremony, come directly to the principal. Any resource you desire—he will personally arrange it."
Tony didn't even respond.
He turned slowly.
His gaze locked onto Jule.
A cruel, victorious smile spread across his face.
---
Then—
"JULE!"
The name echoed like a sentence being passed.
Every head snapped toward him.
Hatred.
Mockery.
Expectation.
Stella leaned closer.
"Don't be nervous," she whispered.
"You'll be fine."
Jule nodded once.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
He stepped forward.
Each footstep echoed clearly in the silent field.
When he reached the Awakening Pillar, he placed his palm against its cold surface.
The moment contact was made—
The air froze.
The pillar didn't glow.
Didn't shine.
Didn't react.
Seconds passed.
Whispers began.
"Did it fail?"
"Is he unawakened?"
Tony's smile widened.
Then—
The ground shuddered.
A low, ancient hum vibrated through the air.
Cracks of black-gold light crawled across the pillar like living veins.
The sky above darkened.
And deep inside Jule's consciousness—
A voice whispered.
> [Unknown Authority Detected]
[Evaluating Host…]
Jule's pupils shrank.
What… is this?
The Awakening Pillar screamed.