Eldoria Continent, Dravonne Country
In a small room of Heavenstead Orphanage, a sixteen-year-old boy lay trembling beneath his blanket. In the dim moonlight filtering through the window, the modest furnishings could be made out—a small bed, a study table and chair, a lamp, and a tiny cabinet for clothes.
The boy seemed to be having a nightmare, yet his expression told a different story. Sweat dripped down his face, dark bangs clung to his forehead, and an eerie smile played on his lips as his jaw chattered. One might wonder—was he truly trapped in a nightmare, or was some sadistic desire being fulfilled in the dreamscape? Faint whispers escaped his mouth, almost unintelligible.
"…ill… kill… kill… Kill… KILL… AHHHHHH!"
The boy awoke with a shout, startled and pale. The deep, dark bags under his eyes made it clear—this was not the first time.
Panting, he wiped at his sweat and tears. "Shhh… calm down, Damien… no one's here… it's just a dream, like always… nothing new… just another dream… it's not real… they're not real… hehe… heh…"
Damien chuckled at the end, though it was unclear whether it was to mask his fear or from relief at finding himself back in reality. Now looking at the boy, he can be described to have a well toned body with an average looking face with obsidian black hair and equally black eyes.
In Eldoria, hair and eye colors varied widely, though blonde hair and blue eyes were most common. While black hair and eyes were not unheard of, they were rare—especially in Dravonne, where the vast majority of nobles and commoners alike were blonde haired and blue-eyed.
"...I should try getting some rest, need to be at my best for the ceremony tomorrow." Damien took the blanket and pillow and went to sleep on the ground. Whenever he wakes up from the nightmares, he finds it hard to sleep again on the bed and as time went on, he developed a habit of sleeping on the ground. Hard and rough ground being the only source of comfortable sleep.
The Awakening Ceremony was a rite of passage for all youth of the continent, held when they neared sixteen years of age or completed their mandatory schooling. The ceremony determined the most suitable Path of Power for each individual, as well as their level of talent in it.
Talent is not the most important thing while being on path but it is necessary to determine what academy is the most suitable for them based on their teachings. People having more talent can learn more things alongside comprehending the mysteries of their own path while for people with less talent, its better to focus on less complex teachings.
Hence the ceremony is held to determine if the young ones should go to their regional academies or go to the Great academies of their country. It helps them to avoid making a mistake in eating more than they can digest. As it was mentioned earlier, talent is not the most important thing as it has only this much affect in one's path. All academies are great in teaching and having more talent and going to the Great Academy of a country does not mean they will hold the greatest power in the future.
Having low talent in the ceremony can also mean that a person is talented but not in many professions or they are just better suited for that particular academy. All of this is determined in the ceremony using the soul ritual, where not any individual but the academies' wills themeselves will determine the students eligible to join them.
***
Waking up early the next day and freshening up, Damien got dressed up in his worn out suit with a tie and packed his things in the small suitcase since after leaving this room today, he will not be returning here ever again.
Walking outside of his room without glancing back at it, he went along with the crowd to move towards the gate of orphanage. The caretaker lady was the one who will lead them to the plaza where the ceremony will be held. The lady took her job very seriously by raising them in strict manner in the off chance of someone being selected by the Path Academies.
While talent was not everything, failing to receive the acknowledgment of any academy's will meant living as a mortal. Such individuals attended ordinary colleges to study sciences or magical craftsmanship. To some, this was a disappointment; to others, it was a relief, for it meant a long, peaceful life, safe from the dangers faced by cultivators.
Saints of path have made sure that no harm is to befall the mortal citizens as they are the backbone of a country and their contributions to the development of economy and technology are no less than the Cultivators themselves. Governments of the respective countries have enables a perfect sense of law and order whether it be mortals or Cultivators. While certain Noble Houses looked down on mortals, the rise of many cultivators from mortal families, coupled with the authority of the Great Councils, kept such arrogance in check.
Miss Beckar herself was a mortal, educated in the disciplines of etiquette and conduct. She worked tirelessly to instill these values in the children from a young age. Though kind, the sheer number of orphans under her care meant her affection had to be shared equally, leaving no one child the focus of her maternal warmth.
"Since Damien is here we should get moving, All of you should remember everything i taught you in the orphanage and in case you get selected for Path Academies, remember to mind your manners while being around the children from Noble Houses and i don't want them to look down on any of my kids. Is that clear?"
"Yes Ma'am!" shouted all the excited 20 young adults about to have their awakening ceremony soon.
Turning to Damien, Miss Beckar's voice softened. "Damien, you should try to make friends out there and not be by yourself all the time. I'm worried what will happen to you if you are selected by any of the will of an academy."
While Damien was standing by the wall beside the gate, Miss Beckar spoke to him, worry visible in the depths of her blue eyes. Looking around, it was clear that he was isolated from every other youth. Its not that he pushes people away deliberately, Its just that from the childhood everyone who tried to sleep in the same room as him, got scared off and never returned.
Hence the reason he got a room for himself alone in the orphanage. The children were after all children, despite being well mannered and educated, they will always isolate someone they find different in their eyes, not to mention him being the only one with dark hair and eyes made him stand out from the rest of them.
"I'll try my best, Miss. Please take care of yourself too," he replied.
Though she had never shown overt affection, Miss Beckar was the only one who genuinely cared for him. Childhood isolation was a heavy burden—being met with fearful stares, as if he were some kind of monster, was a wound that never fully healed.
She stepped closer and whispered, "Remember my private lessons. Keep a polite smile, and never show your true emotions. I know you'll be chosen by an academy's will. Once there, tread carefully—don't antagonize any noble heirs. Make connections, but stand on your own. If you can, join a faction or gain the patronage of a noble house. Being approachable will make your path smoother."
"Yes, i remember everything." Damien replied with his practiced smile.
"Alright, young adults—let's move toward the plaza. We mustn't be late."
With that, Miss Beckar led the group, Damien trailing quietly behind, toward the plaza of Asher City, where the Awakening Ceremony awaited.