CHAPTER 5 — The Day Fate Awakened
The Awakening Ceremony was held once every year.
On this day, all sixteen-year-olds across the Empire—nobles and commoners alike—would awaken their Talent, Physique, Affinity, and Bloodline.
For most, it would decide their entire life.
For Lucien Vale—
It would decide whether the story truly broke.
IMPERIAL AWAKENING PLAZA
The grand plaza shimmered under countless magic formations carved into the marble floor. Towering crystal obelisks stood in a circle, each glowing faintly with dormant mana.
Thousands of youths gathered.
All of them—
Rank F.
No exceptions.
Lucien walked confidently among them, hands in his pockets, whistling lightly.
"Nervous?" a noble boy asked beside him.
Lucien grinned. "A little. Mostly excited."
The boy blinked.
Who said that at an Awakening Ceremony?
THE AWAKENING RULES
An imperial official stepped forward.
"Step into the formation. Place your hand on the Awakening Crystal. Your fate will be revealed."
Gasps echoed.
Hope. Fear. Ambition.
Lucien cracked his neck.
Alright… this is where it begins.
FIRST AWAKENINGS
Names were called.
One by one.
"Talent: Steel Endurance (C Rank)!"
"Affinity: Fire (D Rank)!"
"Bloodline: None!"
Cheers. Groans. Tears.
Lucien watched calmly.
So many futures ending here, he thought.
And so many beginnings…
IRIS VALEMONT
"Iris Valemont."
She stepped forward, composed.
The crystal flared blue.
"Affinity: Ice (A Rank)!"
"Talent: Frozen Mind (A Rank)!"
"Physique: Mana-Conductive Body (B Rank)!"
"Bloodline: Ancient Frost Lineage (A Rank)!"
The crowd erupted.
Lucien clapped loudly.
"Nice!"
Iris flushed slightly, glancing back.
Their eyes met.
Something resonated.
" Bond Awakening Registered "
Lucien felt it instantly.
Cold mana surged—clean, refined, powerful.
But he kept smiling like nothing happened.
THE TURNING POINT
Finally—
"Lucien Vale."
The plaza quieted.
The Duke's son.
The arrogant one.
The boy many expected to fail.
Lucien walked forward confidently.
"Alright," he said cheerfully. "Let's see what I get."
He placed his hand on the crystal.
THE WORLD SHOOK
The crystal didn't glow.
It exploded with light.
Mana surged violently, forcing officials to retreat.
The obelisks trembled.
Runes burned brighter.
A second, deeper layer of the formation activated—one that had not responded in decades.
Whispers spread.
"What's happening?"
"Did it malfunction?"
"That's impossible!"
Lucien squinted.
"Oh wow. That's dramatic."
AWAKENING RESULT — LUCIEN VALE
Name: Lucien Vale
Race: Human
Rank: D (Initial Awakening)
Talent:
Heir of Converging Fates (S Rank)
A rare talent that amplifies growth through bonds, choices, and conflict.
Affinity:
Ice (B Rank)
(Unstable — Potential Locked)
Physique:
Arcane-Adaptive Body (A Rank)
A physique that evolves rapidly under pressure.
Bloodline:
Vale Bloodline — Dormant Sovereign Strain (B Rank)
(Unknown Evolution Path)
Silence.
Then—
An uproar.
"S-Rank Talent?!"
"That physique—A Rank?!"
"He jumped straight to Rank D?!"
Lucien scratched his cheek.
"Huh. Better than I expected."
HIDDEN TREASURES RESPOND
Suddenly—
From deep beneath the plaza, something answered.
A faint metallic hum echoed.
In Lucien's mind, fragments surfaced.
The Frostbound Vault…
The Silent Emperor's Armory…
The Thirteen Relics of Arcanum…
Hidden treasures.
Legendary weapons.
Artifacts even the Empire couldn't fully access.
So they're reacting already, Lucien realized.
Guess I'm officially on the radar.
Far away, sealed weapons trembled:
Frostmourne Regalia — a blade that rejected all but one
Void-Sunder Frame — a broken sword that could cut space
Crown of the Silent Emperor — buried beneath forgotten ruins
None awakened fully.
But they noticed him.
UNSEEN OBSERVERS
High above, hidden from mortal sight—
Something watched.
"That boy…"
"The flow of fate twisted."
"Interesting."
Lucien felt a chill.
Not cold.
Observation.
He smiled wider.
"Guess I wasn't late after all."
AFTERMATH
As the ceremony ended, people stared at Lucien differently.
Not with disdain.
With curiosity.
Fear.
Interest.
Iris approached hesitantly.
"Congratulations."
Lucien grinned. "You too. Ice affinity suits you."
Their mana resonated faintly.
Neither understood why yet.
But fate had already begun tying threads.