New Threshold World · Exorcism High School · Awakening Plaza
The Awakening Plaza sat at the very heart of the campus, surrounded by towering academic buildings that formed a naturally enclosed space.
At each of the plaza's four corners stood a massive signal tower. Their silver-gray frames were etched with runes and circuitry—remnants of the defensive barrier system constructed during the founding of the New Threshold World to prevent demon air raids. Even now, the system still operated at a low frequency.
The plaza was packed.
Some students wore looks of anticipation, fingers trembling slightly.
Others were so tense they dug their nails into their palms.
And a few stood calmly, as if everything were already under control.
But they all shared one thought—
It's finally happening.
"What element are you hoping for, big guy?"
A student whispered, poking the chubby boy ahead of him.
"Earth, of course."
The boy scratched his head, grinning honestly.
"I heard the Earth Throne once lifted an entire mountain to block the demon army's frontal assault."
"What about you, skinny?" he asked, turning back.
"Fire!"
The skinny student blurted out immediately, eyes shining.
"The Fire Throne once split a sea demon on the battlefield—one strike nearly evaporated the ocean!"
He spoke as if he had swung the blade himself.
Similar conversations echoed throughout the line.
In those fragmented words were expectations of awakening—and dreams of the future.
"What about you, Jiang Wushuang?"
Lin Yuan asked casually.
He stood lazily with his hands in his pockets, black hair slightly messy, completely out of sync with the tense atmosphere around him. If not for his unnervingly calm eyes, he would've looked like someone there just to make up the numbers.
"If I could choose…"
Jiang Wushuang lowered her head, her voice softer than usual.
"I want fire."
Her white hair reflected a cold silver sheen under the sunlight. Her crimson eyes—usually sharp and aggressive—now hid a trace of fatigue and unwillingness.
Lin Yuan paused.
He thought she'd dropped something and instinctively glanced down.
Just then, movement stirred on the stage.
The host and the chief overseer of the Awakening Ceremony—Zhu Sha—stepped onto the platform together.
"Attention, everyone—quiet down a bit!"
The host, her hair tied in a high ponytail, raised the microphone. Her voice carried clearly across the plaza through the amplification system.
"Those in the back, stop squeezing forward. I know you're eager to awaken and ascend in one step, but the Awakening Device doesn't support queue-jumping. Thank you for your cooperation."
Soft laughter rippled through the crowd.
She cleared her throat, smiling brightly.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm today's host—Zero Seat Registry ID D-47, Jiao Li. Yes, the one listed in your files as 'responsible for hyping the atmosphere.'"
"I know what most of you are thinking right now—
Will I awaken an S-tier ability?
Will one of the Seven Divine Thrones notice me?
Will I start flying on the spot?"
She blinked.
"As for that last question—if anyone actually flies, please give us advance notice. We'll arrange someone to pull you back down."
Laughter spread again.
"Of course, some of you are more realistic, thinking—
What if I awaken nothing?
What if this was a waste of time?"
Jiao Li shrugged.
"Relax. Awakening isn't an exam. No failing grades. No immediate expulsions. Worst case, you go back, study harder, and try not to be late next time."
Several students instinctively glanced toward a certain direction in the line.
"In short—"
Her tone grew more serious.
"No matter what you awaken today, if you're standing here, you are part of the New Threshold World. You are part of humanity's future."
She lifted the microphone again, smiling.
"Less talk. Bigger moves."
"The Awakening Ceremony—officially begins."
The first student was called and stepped onto the stage.
At the center of the platform lay a circular disk embedded in the ground, its surface covered in complex patterns.
Overly nervous, the student nearly tripped as he stepped on. The disk emitted a deep hum as a gentle yet obscure energy seeped into his body.
The next moment, blue light flared along the rim.
"Water element. A-grade Resonance Power."
Zhu Sha glanced at the record.
"After the ceremony, report to Venus, the Water City, for further study."
The student froze for half a second—then raised both arms and sprinted off the stage.
"I did it! Mom! I made it!"
Naturally, not everyone was that fortunate.
"Lightning element. C-grade Resonance Power."
Zhu Sha observed the faint purple glow calmly.
"Remain at Exorcism High School. No qualification for the Demon-Slaying Front."
The words struck like a silent hammer, shattering the student's dream of the Seven Divine Thrones.
"Let me remind you of something."
Zhu Sha lifted his head, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
"Entering a city academy governed by the Seven Divine Thrones means facing humanity's greatest enemy—demons. This is not a game. It is a long-term conflict where death is routine."
"Sending underqualified students to the front lines isn't training."
"It's execution."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it pressed down on the air itself.
Awakening was a gift to humanity.
But what followed that gift often took far more—
Homes.
Comrades.
Even emotions.
In this era, such things were slowly worn away.
"You think…"
Jiang Wushuang suddenly whispered,
"if I awaken water, could I run a marathon on the surface?"
"If you can run on water,"
Lin Yuan rolled his eyes,
"then I can fly."
"You underestimate me!"
She pointed at him.
"If you're so capable, try flying!"
Lin Yuan was about to fire back—
When an unwelcome voice cut in.
"Running on water? Flying?"
A short, chubby blond sneered at them.
"One show-off idiot and one bottom-ranker—writing a novel here or what?"
"Didn't you hear Young Master Dai talking?"
His weasel-faced companion chimed in.
"The Dai family is way beyond your reach!"
Lin Yuan glanced down at the boy's build, expression flat.
"Keep your Young Master on a leash."
"With that physique, even Dai Mouse would be generous."
"You—!"
Dai Yi's face flushed as he raised a finger, about to explode.
"Class Seven. Dai Yi."
The host's voice rang out.
"Step onto the stage for awakening."
Dai Yi took a deep breath, lowered his hand, and sneered.
"Watch closely."
"This is a height you'll never touch."
He turned and strode toward the Awakening Platform.
"Who's that?"
Jiang Wushuang whispered.
"Short guy. Big mouth."
"The Dai family. A local clan from Wind City."
Lin Yuan replied casually.
"Ten years ago, they assisted the Wind Throne in defending a battle line. Earned a family crest."
"Bloodline heir. Guaranteed wind awakening."
"The grade won't be low."
He paused, then added lightly,
"Though the Wind Throne's known for liking chaos and spectacle. Hard to say how much of that honor was clean."
Jiang Wushuang fell silent.
"Then why provoke him?" she asked softly.
"Aren't you worried about retaliation?"
"Why would I be?"
Lin Yuan smiled faintly.
"He wants to show off."
"I'll make sure he flies."