For a moment, silence reigned. The weight of destiny itself seemed to settle over the youths gathered, as if the stone were a divine judge waiting to pass its verdict.
The ethereal white stone gleamed under the sunlight, its surface smooth and flawless, as though carved by the heavens themselves. Veins of silver light pulsed faintly within, lending it a mystical aura that seemed to breathe with life. Just gazing upon it made the heart stir with reverence.
This was no ordinary treasure. The Awakening Stone was one of the rarest artifacts in existence — not only within the Tranqueassia Empire, but across the entire Vaeloria Continent. To see one was a fortune most would never experience in their lifetime.
The announcer's amplified voice resounded again, brimming with solemnity.
"This sacred stone will guide our young participants! If they possess elemental affinity, the stone shall awaken it within them. For those who fail… there is no need for despair. They may return, cultivate harder, and try again next year."
The crowd listened in rapt silence, the anticipation building like a swelling tide.
The announcer raised his hand, his voice rising with energy that rippled through the stands.
"So without further delay—let the Element Awakening Ceremony of Stoneford begin!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the audience, excitement igniting like wildfire.
"Our first participant for this year," the announcer declared, his voice carrying across the arena, "is Charlie Redmond! Charlie, please step onto the stage and place your hand upon the Awakening Stone. Focus your mind, and let the stone reveal your destiny!"
A ripple of anticipation spread through the crowd as a tall youth of about eighteen strode confidently onto the stage. His features were sharp and handsome, his black hair neatly tied back, and his blue robe shimmered faintly in the light. A smug smile curled across his lips as he walked, his steps unhurried, as though this ceremony was already beneath him.
Charlie raised his hand with practiced calm, pressing his palm against the smooth surface of the Awakening Stone. Closing his eyes, he drew in a deep breath, channeling his consciousness into the orb.
The coliseum fell into silence.
For several tense seconds, nothing happened. The air seemed to hold its breath, every gaze fixed upon the unmoving orb.
Then—
Woooosh!
The Awakening Stone flared with dazzling light, its pure white glow deepening into a brilliant shade of yellow. Energy rippled outward like a wave, stirring the air around it.
The announcer's voice thundered, heavy with excitement. "Congratulations to Charlie Redmond! He has awakened the Fire Element Affinity!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Fire element!"
"He's already set for greatness!"
"With his looks and talent, he'll definitely be recruited by a sect!"
Charlie opened his eyes, his smug expression deepening into a victorious smirk. He raised his chin slightly, basking in the admiration of the crowd as though it were his birthright.
Meanwhile, among the participants waiting below, nervous whispers spread. Fire element was one of the most common, but also one of the most destructive when cultivated properly. For many here, Charlie's result was both inspiring… and intimidating.
From the high balcony, the neighboring chiefs leaned toward Robert, their voices carrying faintly over the roar of the crowd.
Chief Harren of Greenhollow gave a low chuckle. "Robert, it seems Stoneford has birthed fine seedlings this year. Two awakeners in a row — and not just any, but fire and ice. Truly enviable."
Chief Varkas of Ironhill stroked his beard, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmph. Indeed, Robert, fortune smiles upon you. Such elements will strengthen Stoneford's name. Soon, perhaps even your own son's awakening will shake us all."
Chief Malric of Windvale grunted, his lips curving faintly into a smirk. "Heh, looks like Stoneford's luck is finally catching up to ours. Don't squander it, Robert."
Robert inclined his head slightly, his expression calm, though a glint of pride flickered in his eyes. "Gentlemen, we can only thank the heavens. Stoneford may be small, but its roots are deep."
On the other side, the village elders sat straighter, pride etched across their faces. For them, such results were rare treasures. In some years, not a single youth awakened an element. At best, one or two among hundreds might succeed. To witness two consecutive awakenings — and of fire and ice, no less — was enough to send the coliseum into thunderous cheers.
The air reverberated with excitement, chants of joy echoing from every corner.
Amelia, seated in her elegant robes, allowed herself a soft smile. She understood better than most what this moment meant for the village. Her own affinity was fire, and though it was common, she had honed it into brilliance. Watching Liya's ice bloom beside Charlie's fire stirred something gentle within her heart.
Beside her, however, Elder Eleice of Astralis Academy remained still. Her face was serene, beautiful as carved jade, but utterly devoid of expression. Not even the rare ice affinity seemed to warrant her acknowledgment.
To her, these small village awakenings were nothing more than sparks — fleeting, unworthy of true attention.
The flow of the ceremony continued, one youth after another stepping forward with nervous faces, palms pressed against the luminous orb.
One after another… silence.
The Awakening Stone remained unmoved for most, its flawless white glow unchanged. Murmurs of disappointment spread through the crowd as dozens, then hundreds of youths failed to stir even the faintest flicker of light.
Out of them all, only a single success shone through.
"Congratulations, William Harthorne!" the announcer's voice rang out. "He has awakened the Wind Element Affinity!"
The crowd erupted in cheers once more, this success carrying even greater weight for the village.
William stood tall, his brown hair swept neatly back, his youthful face glowing with pride. Though only sixteen, his bearing was steady, and the faint ripples of wind qi stirred gently around him like invisible threads. He was not just anyone—he was the son of Alfred, one of Stoneford's elite guards and Village Chief Robert's most trusted friend.
As William stepped down from the stage, the announcer's voice rose again, the excitement in the coliseum reaching its peak.
"And now… only two participants remain!"
Every eye turned as the weight of those words sank in.
Jacob, the son of Village Chief Robert.
And Leon.
The air seemed to still. Anticipation crackled like lightning across the coliseum, the crowd whispering in hushed tones.
The chief's son — and the boy many had forgotten.
Two names. Two fates. Both about to be revealed.
"Our next participant," the announcer declared, his tone taking on a note of respect, "is Jacob Deylin, son of our honored Village Chief Robert Deylin! Jacob, please step forward and place your hand upon the Awakening Stone!"
A wave of cheers swept through the coliseum as a tall youth strode toward the stage. Jacob was eighteen years old, with a handsome face and sharp brown eyes that glimmered with quiet confidence. His short brown hair framed his features neatly, and the white robe draped over his frame lent him an air of elegance.
The village girls erupted into cheers, their voices carrying across the arena.
"Jacob! You can do it!"
"He's so handsome!"
"The chief's son will definitely awaken something rare!"
Jacob smiled faintly, his steps unhurried, basking in the admiration as though it was his birthright. Reaching the Awakening Stone, he placed his hand upon its flawless surface and closed his eyes in focus.
The coliseum grew silent.
Hummm…
Moments later, the orb flared to life. Its white glow deepened, shifting slowly into a steady, earthen brown. A heavy aura spread outward, solid and unshakable, like the weight of the ground itself.
The announcer's voice rang with excitement. "Congratulations, Jacob Deylin! You have awakened the Earth Element Affinity!"
Thunderous applause shook the coliseum.
"Earth element!"
"As expected of the chief's son!"
"Stoneford truly has its pride this year!"
Up on the balcony, Robert's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. His son had not disappointed him.
Jacob withdrew his hand, raising his chin slightly as he turned toward the audience. Pride radiated from his every step as he descended from the stage, his aura steady and grounded like the very element he had awakened.
As the cheers thundered through the coliseum, Jacob lifted his chin proudly and allowed his gaze to wander across the stands.
And then his eyes found Amelia.
His lips curled faintly, confidence laced with something darker. A glint of possessiveness flickered in his gaze as he stared at her.
Amelia's expression hardened instantly. Her brows furrowed, and her beautiful obsidian eyes swept over him with open disgust. She knew better than anyone the true face of Jacob Deylin.
Arrogant. Cruel. And worse.
Behind the façade of the chief's son, Jacob had committed countless vile acts in the shadows — things the village whispered about but dared never voice aloud. Girls had vanished, their families silenced. Some who returned carried broken eyes and shattered hearts. Amelia knew the truth, though most pretended blindness before the chief's power.
And now, seeing the hunger in his gaze, bile rose in her throat.
Among the rows of participants, Leon's obsidian eyes caught the exchange.
His breath froze, his chest tightening with a sudden, suffocating fury.
This bastard…
A crimson haze flashed across his vision as memories stirred — memories of pain, of suffering, of the torment his family had endured in silence. All of it, because of him.
Leon's hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The stone stair beneath his palm cracked with a sharp snap, fragments splintering under his grip.
His obsidian eyes darkened, faint veins of red streaking across them, rage burning like a wildfire barely restrained.
And now… this fuck dares to set his eyes on Amelia.
A sharp, familiar voice rang inside Leon's mind, cutting through the haze of his anger. "Calm down, stupid master. Now is not the time. You want to tear him to pieces? Fine — there will be a time for that. Not here."
Veile's tone had its usual bite, but beneath the scold was a hard, urgent logic Leon could not ignore. She was right. The coliseum brimmed with powerful eyes — more than just petty rivals. Elder Eleice of Astralis Academy sat nearby, unreadable and cold; one reckless move could draw her gaze and change everything.
His parents were in the crowd as well, scattered among the villagers. If he lost control now, their safety would be at risk. The thought of Emma and Alfred being dragged into the fallout tightened something in his chest far worse than rage.
So he forced himself to breathe. He let the crimson heat in his vision ebb, let his fingers unclench until the splintered stone under his palm stopped grinding. The thunder of his heartbeat slowed. Outwardly he remained a picture of composure — calm, almost bored — but beneath that calm, resolve hardened like tempered steel.
There will be a time, he reminded himself. When the stage is right, when I can strike without endangering them — then I will not hold back.
For now, he folded his fury away and sat quietly, eyes cool and steady, waiting for his moment.
A/N:
["Sorry for the late update, I was busy yesterday. New chapter is up! Add the novel to your libraries to stay tuned—and don't forget to support me with your power stones! And golden tickets! ]