"wake up, Xavier " called the sharp yet familiar voice of the sister Mary. 'don't tell me you've forgotten what your own graduation ceremony', the old lady shouted.
Xavier groaned, rolling over his thin mattress. The spring creaked beneath him as he opened his tired eyes. "how could I forget", he muttered, rubbing sleep away from his tired face. "It's all everyone has been talking about lately" The old nun's stern expression softened. Her hair, now completely white, was tied neatly behind her back. Seeing that he was wide awake, she left grumbling.
Xavier dragged himself out of bed and shifted towards the washroom. The mirror on the wall reflected a boy of fifteen with messy black hair, pale skin and eyes the colour of dull bronze. Nothing about him screamed special-no hint of talent or power. Just another orphan in a city that had long, stopped caring about people like him.
Within minutes, he was dressed in his plain uniform, the same one he'd won for years now. He hurried downstairs where the other kids like him were already seated around a long wooden table.
Breakfast awaited them – if you could call it that.
A thin bowl of porridge.
No fruits. No meat. Just..... plain old porridge.
Xavier sighed, "you would think they'd make something decent today", he whispered under his breath. The old fogey shot him a knowing look, that's the best we can afford, Xavier, be grateful.
"I know", he mumbled, forcing a spoonful down his throat. The taste hadn't changed in years, watery, bland, forgettable.
As soon as he finished, he stood up slinging his worn satchel over his shoulders. "I'll be late", he said, more to himself than to anyone else. The old fogey nodded, watching him leave with quiet worry.
As soon as Xavier stepped outside, the air felt different. The city of Manchester, one of the five cities in the human continent, was buzzing with excitement. After all, tomorrow was a day of great importance – the day every fifteen years old will undergo their first AWAKENING.
For most people, this was the start of their second life. For him, it was everything.
He walked through the cobbled streets, dodging carriages and hovering boards that zipped overhead. Students from wealthier families soared towards the school on sleek, rune-engraved hover boards. Courtesy of the joint collaborations between the human race and the dwarven empire. Their laughter echoed through the morning air, full of arrogance and pride.
He clenched his fists in anger, " lucky bastards", he muttered. Not that he hated them or anything, he just hated how easy life was for them.
His shoes were old, the soles worn thin from walking the same route for six year's . But that didn't matter. Today was going to be the last day.
Tomorrow, if fate was a little kind, he'd awaken and everything will change, or so he thought.
The towering spines of Sky High slowly came into view, it's crystalline dome gleaming in the sunlight. The gates were crowded with students, boys and girls dressed in immaculate robes.
He slipped quietly through the gates, finding a seat in one corner of the great auditorium. Here, his classmates were laughing and chatting about their dreams and aspirations. You could see the smug look on their faces.
" I bet I'll awaken the wind element", one boy bragged. "Pftt", pathetic, wind is for losers, another replied. "Fire is the path of king's ", I will be a fire mage, you'll see. Their voices full of confidence, telling nature their demands. As if they had any say in the matter, Xavier almost wanted to laugh. It took a lot for him to restrain himself. Afterwards, he sat silently, staring at everything and nothing.
Moments later, the heavy oak doors creaked open. A wave of silence spread as Principal Hobbs took the stage-a man well past his fifties, yet the air around him pulsed with restrained power. His eyes, sharp as blades, swept across the hall.
Even without saying anything, his presence alone commanded great respect. The fantasy shimmer of mana around him told everyone what they already knew. He was an earth mage. As for what his rank was, none of the students knew.
"Students", he began, his deep voice echoing deep within those halls.
As you all know, you will be undertaking your awakening ceremony tomorrow, this test will determine your future.
He paused, " letting his words sink in". As expected, excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Xavier just looked on quietly, listening.
"Tomorrow*, the principal continued, a mage from the association will be sent here to conduct this test. "Remember this", some of you will awaken strong elements, some may even awaken rare hybrid elements. But....,"his gaze suddenly gardened, some of you will fail to awaken.
A tense silence followed. "for those of you unfortunate enough to fail", he almost wanted to laugh, you can always try a second time. Though your chances of success is slim. I advise you to accept your fate with dignity. A life without magic is still a life. Though...far less meaningful.
I could feel the disdain in his voice as he spoke. I looked away, jaw tight and fist clenched. Easy for you to say, you already have magic. This thought went through my head.
The speech ended as abruptly as it began . The principal turned and walked off the stage, he was never a man of many words. Without another word, he left the hall.
I sighed, standing up. No one stopped me as i slipped out of the hall. No one called my name or came forward to exchange pleasantries with me.
I preferred it that way. The world was noisy enough.
Tomorrow.....I whispered to myself. "Tomorrow, everything changes".