"Alright, we can leave now," Nicotine said, exasperated by the impatient girl pacing back and forth in their small courtyard.
"If you wasted any more time, I swear I would've dragged you out myself!" Mary shot back, her hands firmly planted on her hips and her foot tapping with poorly veiled irritation.
Nicotine chuckled. "You're more fired up than I am."
"Of course I am! It's Awakening Day. Our lives could change today, forever."
He nodded. She wasn't wrong.
Blue Plum High was more than just a school. It was the pride of Blue Plum City, known across the region as the top institution for AshNovices. It was a place where talent met opportunity but only if you had the power to back it up. Without the scholarship offered by the United States Convention to exceptional orphans and struggling students, neither of them would've stepped foot near the entrance.
As they walked down the dusty path from their run-down district, the distant tower of Blue Plum High shimmered under the morning sun like a fortress of dreams. Nicotine glanced at Mary, who looked up at it with sparkling eyes. Even though their tattered uniforms made them stand out like bruises among silk, they walked with heads held high.
"Good morning, Nicotine! Mary!"
They both turned at the sound of the warm voice.
"Aunt Weya!" Nicotine called back, smiling.
Aunt Weya was the owner of the small department store beside their tiny shack. She had raised them like her own, often slipping them food and necessities when times got hard.
Mary darted toward her with a grin. "Morning, Auntie!" she chirped, already stuffing a fresh bun into her mouth before another word escaped.
"You kids are going to awaken today, right?" Aunt Weya said, pulling out another bun from a paper bag. "You can't go through a big day like this on an empty stomach."
Nicotine hesitated. "Aunt Weya, you didn't need to...."
"Shush," she interrupted. "Just take it."
He smiled gratefully, taking the warm bun. "Then… I'll pay you back when I can, alright?"
"You always say that" she chuckled, brushing off his concern. "I've watched you two grow up. Let me spoil you a little."
Then, with a casual movement, she slipped something cold into his palm.
He opened it.
His eyes widened.
"A silver Convention coin…?"
"Use it to hire a cab," she said, smiling gently. "Can't let you be late to the Awakening Ceremony, now can I?"
"Aunt Weya, this is too much! Cab fare only costs five bronze coins," he protested.
"I made good sales this week. This is nothing," she said with a wink. "Besides, you're family."
Nicotine looked at her, his chest tightening. He knew how hard she worked. This coin wasn't just money it was belief, love, and hope wrapped in silver.
"I'll remember this favor, Aunt Weya," he said, bowing his head respectfully.
"You'd better," she smirked. "Now go! You're already late!"
As they turned the corner, Mary's earlier excitement gave way to a rare silence.
"Brother… what if I don't awaken?" she asked softly, eyes staring ahead, unfocused.
Nicotine glanced at her. Fear of failure that was the one thing everyone carried today.
"Don't think like that," he said gently. "You've trained hard. You're at Peak AshNovice stage, Mary. There's no way the heavens would be so unfair."
"But what if I end up like Aunt Weya…? She also reached Peak AshNovice, yet she never awakened a Martial Soul…"
He didn't respond for a moment. It was true without a Martial Soul, one could never cross into the Ash Initiate Stage. They'd remain in mediocrity forever, no matter how much effort they poured in.
Still, he reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You'll awaken. I believe in you."
Mary looked up, her eyes trembling, then nodded with determination. "Then I'll believe in myself too."
They flagged down a cab. An old man behind the wheel gave them a wide smile.
"Blue Plum High?" he asked.
"Yes, Uncle," Mary replied, voice regaining its energy.
"Awakening Day, huh? That's a big deal!" he said, pulling away from the curb. "Then your fare is free. My gift to you."
"Oh no, Uncle, we couldn't possibly...." Nicotine began.
The driver waved him off. "Bah! You youngins are the future of humanity. If I can help even a little, I will."
"Thank you, Uncle," Nicotine said, genuinely moved.
When they arrived at the massive gates of Blue Plum High, the driver waved them off. "I expect to hear about the strongest Martial Souls awakened today!"
"You will!" Mary shouted, waving enthusiastically.
They hadn't taken two steps before someone called out.
"You guys sure are relaxed."
Nicotine turned. "Jin Fuhua, you're here early. You must be nervous."
Jin Fuhua leaned against a marble pillar with the lazy confidence of someone who had nothing to fear. His name meant "riches and prosperity," and it fit him well. His robes were fine silk, tailored perfectly. Though he never spoke of his background, Nicotine knew it had to be something powerful.
"Nervous? Me?" Jin Fuhua laughed. "I'm calm as a still lake."
Nicotine raised an eyebrow. "Your hands are shaking."
Jin quickly shoved them into his pockets, coughing. "It's cold."
Mary giggled.
Even among the elite, awakening wasn't guaranteed. Power and wealth couldn't buy fate.
Then, a voice like sandpaper grated against their ears.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
Nicotine's face hardened.
"Lance."
Lance was the mayor's son, a spoiled brat who abused his father's power to torment those he considered beneath him. His gaze landed on Mary, then sneered at Nicotine.
"You think you'll awaken? Trash like you should just stay home."
"Want another beating?" Mary snapped, fists clenched.
Lance flinched, remembering the last time he crossed her.
"Hmph. Laugh while you can. After today, I'll show you who truly deserves respect."
"We'll see," Nicotine muttered, brushing past him.
"You can't just ignore me!"
But they did.
"Just wait!" Lance shouted behind them. "You'll regret this!"
The gates of Blue Plum High loomed tall, golden characters carved above the arch: "Where Destiny Awakens."
Nicotine took a deep breath.
Today, everything would change.
Not just for him.
But for his sister too.