"...6 Star - Transcendent Star."
These words resounded in Axel's heart over and over again as he gazed at the distant beauty descending the podium.
Her Vital Instrument hadn't materialized, but no one doubted the Principal's result.
If anything, Axel doubted it was too low for the bright light just now.
100 years ago, corruption had risen as a great tide of darkness and wiped out 90% of the world's population.
Plants, Animals, Humans.
Nothing could escape its grasp. Dying and withering. Until the rise of Awakeners came.
A group of humans who stumbled into a Corruption Dungeon and managed to survive by chance.
With their return, the term Vital Instrument reached every existing corner of the Globe.
Within the years, humanity rose and managed to build new cities for itself against the great tide of corruption that still filled the planet.
And as of the current Era, there were 6 known ranks used to classify Awakeners and Vital Instrument Potential.
1 Star Awakener - Ember Star
2 Star Awakener - Rising Star
3 Star Awakener - Brilliant Star
4 Star Awakener - Sovereign Star
5 Star Awakener - Celestial Star
6 Star Awakener - Transcendent Star.
—
After realizing there was someone with the potential to reach the peak of humanity's elite among them, many started to chant Emma's name, feeling both jealous and encouragingly proud.
Some boys even walked forward to approach her, hoping they could try their luck but were met with her cold eyes.
Scared instantly, they retreated with their tails tucked between their legs.
In a group within the crowd of buzzing students, Nathan, Axel's right-hand man, revealed a crooked smile as his eyes lingered on Emma.
"Tch… cold, huh?" he scoffed arrogantly. "If that's all it takes to scare them off, then they aren't worthy to awaken."
Regarding himself to be equal in handsomeness when compared to Axel, who was considered the most handsome and coolest in Silverstone High, Nathan oozed with pride and arrogance. Simply because no girl had ever rejected him.
Seeing the crowd pathways as Nathan approached Emma, Axel silently shook his head. It seemed this friend of his was going to have his record broken for the first time.
"Hmmm– that bitch. She thinks she owns the world all because she now has a Transcendent Star potential." Anna's voice dripped with jealousy, her face scrunched into a bitter frown.
Her clique of girls standing behind also quickly agreed with her.
Suddenly tilting her head to see Axel's eyes gazing at the distant Emma, Anna's heart shook with anxiety, causing her to nudge his arm.
"You don't think she's prettier than me, do you?" She pouted, leaving Axel no choice but to agree.
Despite being ranked the second most beautiful girl in Silverstone High, Anna refused to acknowledge the reality.
She even went ahead to propose they date by offering him her body just to prove she was the Queen of Silverstone High.
Naturally, Axel was no saint, which is why he allowed her to be clingy around him.
The court watched with interest, even the Principal, as Nathan stopped before Emma, meeting her cold gaze.
"You must have heard a lot about me just like I have about you. There's no need for introduction. Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Shit!" Someone within the crowd cursed out, none expecting Nathan to be so arrogant and confident.
"Dream big, bastard!"
"He has audacity." The students all roared with laughter at this scene, but Nathan paid them no heed, expecting his trick to work.
Seconds passed, yet Emma's cold, unrelenting eyes pierced into Nathan, shaking his will and forcing him to grit his teeth in embarrassment before walking away.
"Serves him right. He stole my girlfriend from me."
"Me too."
"Me too."
Just as everyone cheered at Nathan retreating back towards Axel's direction, the homeroom teacher raised his hand to silence everyone.
"Lily Grant." He called out another female student who briskly walked towards the podium, filled with hope and reassurance that she would awaken a pretty good Vital Instrument after the first two results.
However, when she touched the orb, it lit slightly and dulled in an instant.
The court was eerily silent as everyone knew what this meant.
To reaffirm their conclusion, the Principal announced the result.
"Failed to awaken."
Lily's world came crashing down the instant she heard these words.
Her legs weakened, and she collapsed.
"Quick, get her to the infirmary." Mr. Daniel called out to the teachers on standby just for this.
It didn't take long before Lily was swooped up and rushed out of the court, leaving the rest of the students in a gloomy atmosphere.
The air was heavy. No one said a word as their hearts raced.
Who would be called next?
"Clara Bennett"
"Failed to awaken."
"Rachel Moore."
"Failed to awaken."
"Sophie Turner."
"Failed to awaken."
Mr. Daniel and the Principal's announcements were like an evil declaration that shattered the dreams of many.
Cries and sobs of the girls now filled the court, leaving the boys in anxiety.
Even those who strongly believed they were no side characters found their mental defenses crumbling bit by bit.
10 streaks of people who failed to awaken was no joke. The one after that just managed to awaken 1 Star - Ember Star potential.
–
Beside Axel, Anna was almost on the verge of crying despite not being called yet.
Frowning, Axel held her palm to offer his comfort.
"Anna Hayes."
Mr. Daniel called on the last female student, leading the court to focus on the clingy girl next to Axel, the second beauty of Silverstone High.
When everyone saw her pale face, they felt the ember of hope in their hearts extinguish.
"Go, you can do it."
She might have offered her body to be with him, but Axel wasn't a jerk. His grip around her palm tightened as he encouraged her to step forward.
Anna nodded at him and let go, climbing up the podium.
The crowd held their breath when she touched the Awakening Orb.
Suddenly the Orb glowed, becoming bright and brighter till it surpassed Lucy, who awakened first, before receding.
Before the Principal could announce the result, everyone saw a beautifully crafted folding fan with sharp metallic edges hover in the air before Anna.
"Vital Instrument, Gilded Frost Fan."
"Type: Offensive/Defense."
"Potential: 3 Star - Brilliant Star."
Anna was dazed. Whilst, the boys erupted into clapping, feeling their hope reignite.
Announcing the boys, the first to be called was Nathan.
As he walked to the stage with uncertainty, his pride and arrogance nowhere to be seen. Everyone locked their eyes on him.