Modret felt each day pass slowly, the routine becoming monotonous. However, in the blink of an eye, more than a week had gone by. It was finally time for the awakening ceremony.
Modret had never attended the awakening ceremony before, as it was something held in secret within the sacred chambers. The results were never revealed to the public.
Because of this, he couldn't suppress the excitement bubbling within him. As he walked toward the awakening hall with Axel by his side, he summoned the fairy. Surrounding him were nearly thirty other youths.
They wore varying expressions. Some were visibly nervous, others radiated confidence. A few stared at Modret hesitantly, but under the chilling pressure of Axel's gaze, they quickly averted their eyes.
With Modret being the only noble among them, many couldn't help but feel the urge to curry favor with him. Axel was aware of this, and at the thought, he frowned slightly.
Meanwhile, Modret remained entirely detached from the group. Though his eyes stared ahead, his attention was fixed inward—on the fairy.
'Is my body still unable to awaken an ability?' The question lingered in his thoughts.
The fairy had grown again. At this point, she was nearly the size of Modret's head. He had asked her once before about the reason behind her growth, but she had merely shrugged and claimed it had something to do with her birth.
Modret didn't buy the explanation. However, he had chosen not to press the issue further. Since the fairy could read his thoughts, she was naturally aware of his doubts. The fact that she remained silent on the matter only confirmed her unwillingness to speak about it.
'I've never attended an awakening ceremony before, so I don't know what might happen.'
For once, the fairy admitted her ignorance. Modret even thought he sensed a note of sarcasm in her voice.
He ruffled his hair back and shrugged. 'Whatever happens, let it.'
Their conversation continued as they approached a massive steel door.
By the time they arrived, they had already walked for several hours through the inner regions of the manor.
Modret narrowed his eyes at the steel door. For years, this section of the manor had been strictly forbidden.
'So this is the reason,' Modret thought, his gaze fixed on the strange structure. A flicker of astonishment flashed through his eyes.
The steel door wasn't connected to any building or wall. It stood alone, upright and firm, exuding a strange and oppressive aura. Modret felt a tingling sensation dance across his skin, crawling up from his fingertips to his spine.
He furrowed his brows. 'It isn't a sense of danger. None of my abilities are reacting. It just feels like an instinctive reaction…'
He watched his uncle approach the door and retrieve a peculiar-looking crystal. It was a pale green gem that radiated a gentle warmth, bathing the surrounding area in soft light.
Modret examined the crystal, noting its resemblance to a high-grade jewel. His uncle—his father's second brother—placed the crystal against the steel door.
Instantly, the crystal sank into the surface of the door as though it were water. The door let out a deep rumble, the sound vibrating through the ground beneath their feet.
Then it slowly began to open. Everything beyond it was obscured by a hazy veil, like mist that refused to clear.
'How peculiar,' Modret thought, a quiet tension blooming in his chest.
His uncle, Ronald, turned to face the group.
'Everyone, let's head in. The awakening crystal is just behind this door.'
Sensing that some of the youths were visibly tense, Ronald softened his tone to ease their nerves. Encouraged, the group steadied their expressions and followed him inside.
Modret stepped through the threshold, and a ripple passed through his body.
'This…'
It felt like he had passed through water, though there was no moisture.
He quickly glanced at his clothes. His robes were completely dry.
'So it's just the sensation from the gateway…' he concluded.
Inside, Ronald led them toward a large orb suspended on a floating pedestal.
'This is the awakening orb. By placing your hand on it, it will detect whether or not you possess the potential to awaken. If you do, it will reveal the corresponding ability to everyone present.'
'No secrecy?' Modret frowned slightly at the thought but shrugged inwardly.
Ronald's eyes swept over the group and settled on a servant beside him.
'Step forward and place your hand on the orb.'
The servant's breath hitched in his throat. After a brief pause, he moved forward and hesitantly placed his hand on the glowing orb.
A soft warmth spread from the orb into his body, as if it were searching for something buried deep within.
The orb pulsed with a vibrant blue light, but after a moment, it dimmed. Floating letters shimmered in the air.
[Ability: None]
The servant's face turned ashen. His knees gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling. Tears streamed from his eyes.
Modret sighed quietly. 'This would have been my fate too, if not for the treasures I possess…'
Ronald made a small gesture with his hand. A few guards stepped forward without hesitation, seized the man, and carried him out of the chamber.
He turned back to the group, eyes sweeping across them. Most of them looked away.
Then he pointed to a female servant.
Her face paled as she stepped forward and reached out toward the orb.
[Ability: None]
The atmosphere turned heavy. Everyone felt the weight of that declaration pressing down on their hearts.
Even Ronald frowned slightly. 'In this batch… could it be that no one will awaken? The young master is an exception, of course, but still… I was hoping for at least a few suitable bodyguards from this group.'
Without comment, he pointed at another girl.
[Ability: None]
It was as though the group was cursed. Every person who touched the orb met the same fate. By the fifteenth turn, not a single one had awakened.
'This isn't going well. I should call Axel up. He's the young master's personal guard. Let him break the deadlock. Maybe his success will shift the momentum.'
With that thought, Ronald offered Modret a faint smile.
'Is it my turn already?' Modret rubbed his nose awkwardly, but to his surprise, Ronald's hand passed him and pointed at Axel instead.
Axel stepped forward confidently. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the tension gripping the others.
He glanced at Modret and gave a reassuring nod.
'Don't worry, young master. This is just a formality. I'm only doing this to increase the strength I use to protect you.'
He placed his palm against the orb. A soft light enveloped his hand.
Then something unexpected happened. Everyone's eyes widened in alarm…