Aren Valen stood at the end of the line inside the Awakening Hall. The stone floor was cold under his boots, and the air smelled faintly of metal and crystal dust. Around him, people talked in low voices, trying to guess what kind of ability they would receive.
This day mattered more than any other.
In this world, everyone awakened an ability at sixteen. The ability decided everything. Your job, your status, your future, and even how people treated you. Strong abilities led to power and respect. Weak ones led to quiet lives. Some led to nothing at all.
Aren had always known that.
He watched as another student stepped forward and placed her hand on the crystal. The crystal glowed bright blue, and words formed clearly.
Water Shaper
The hall filled with applause. Her parents stood up immediately, smiling and clapping harder than anyone else.
Aren looked away.
He did not expect anything special. He never had. His grades were average, his body was average, and his talent was nothing worth mentioning. He only hoped for something usable. Something that would let him survive without begging.
The examiner, a man named Eldric Fenn, called the next name. His voice was flat, bored from repeating the same task every year.
Another student stepped forward.
Then another.
The line slowly grew shorter.
Behind Aren stood his best friend, Kael Riven. Kael looked relaxed, hands behind his head, smiling like he already knew his future would be good. Kael had always been like that. Confident, loud, and naturally talented.
Kael leaned closer. "Nervous?" he asked.
"A little," Aren replied.
Kael laughed. "Do not worry. Even if you get something bad, you can always work under me."
Aren forced a small smile. He did not reply.
Kael had already awakened earlier that morning due to his family status. He was a Beast Tamer, one of the more respected abilities. Everyone knew he would do well.
Aren's name was finally called.
"Aren Valen."
The hall quieted slightly as he stepped forward. He placed his hand on the crystal and waited.
At first, nothing happened.
Then the crystal turned red.
The color was wrong. It was not bright or warm like fire abilities. It was dark and heavy, like dried blood.
People leaned forward.
Words formed slowly on the crystal's surface.
Dragon Tamer
For a moment, there was silence.
Then someone laughed.
Another followed.
Soon, the hall filled with open laughter.
"Dragon?" a man shouted from the seats. "Is this a joke?"
"Dragons are extinct," someone else said loudly. "They have been gone for centuries."
Even some of the students laughed. A few covered their mouths, pretending to be polite, but their eyes were full of amusement.
Examiner Eldric frowned and tapped the crystal. The words did not change.
"Dragon Tamer," he repeated.
The laughter grew louder.
"Is he stupid?" someone said.
"Poor boy," another replied, not sounding kind at all.
Eldric sighed and picked up his stamp. He pressed it hard onto Aren's record.
USELESS
"Dragons no longer exist," Eldric said. "This ability has no practical use. Next."
That was it.
No explanation. No second test.
Aren stepped back slowly and returned to his place. His face was pale, but he did not cry. Crying would only make it worse.
His parents sat in the crowd. His mother stared at her hands. His father looked away, jaw tight. They said nothing.
Kael laughed loudly.
"That is rough," Kael said. "Really rough."
Aren said nothing.
"I mean," Kael continued, still smiling, "of all things, dragons? You could not even get something boring like Earth Control?"
People around them laughed again.
The ceremony ended soon after. Strong ability holders were surrounded by guild recruiters. Promises were made. Futures were planned.
Aren was ignored.
That night, Aren packed his bag. He planned to leave the city by morning. There was no place for him here anymore.
Kael knocked on his door later that evening.
"You really leaving?" Kael asked.
"Yes," Aren replied.
Kael nodded. "Before you go, help me with something."
Aren looked at him. "What?"
"There is a beast near the old ruins," Kael said. "It is weak. Easy practice. Come with me tomorrow."
Aren hesitated. He did not trust the smile on Kael's face.
But he had nothing else.
"Fine," Aren said.
They left before sunrise.
The ruins were quiet. Too quiet. Even Kael's beast, a large wolf named Ashfang, moved carefully.
As they went deeper, Aren felt something strange. His chest felt tight. His heart beat faster.
Then pain hit him.
It was sudden and sharp. Aren fell to one knee, gasping. His arm burned, and a strange mark appeared on his skin.
Kael turned around. "What are you doing?" he asked sharply.
Before Aren could answer, the mark glowed.
Kael screamed.
Ashfang disappeared.
The air twisted.
Aren heard a voice, calm and ancient.
"You have been acknowledged."
A golden screen appeared before Aren's eyes.
[System Initialized][Dragon Tamer detected][First Contract Formed]
Kael slowly stood up.
His eyes were glowing gold.
And behind him, something massive began to awaken.