The awakening ceremony did not begin with celebration. Students sat looking at one another nervously.
"The process will be conducted in order," the examiner said, his voice carrying through the hall. "Each candidate will approach the crystal when called. Results will be recorded and classified accordingly."
Beneath the examiner's altar, assistants took their positions. Thin tablets and ledgers were prepared, quills already inked. Each awakening would be recorded the moment the information came out. Faculty members stood along the outside of the hall, their attention focused. Some watched the crystal, others watched the students instead. Expressions were kept neutral yet eyes lingered with interest or concern.
Names began to be called. The first few passed without incident, mostly minor skills, the people in the hall responded with predictable reactions and polite acknowledgement.
The room settled into a formal pattern. Step forward. Touch the crystal. Be announced. And then return to your seat.
Then…
"Regis Valmont."
Regis rose immediately, without hesitation or trying to mask his confidence. He strode toward the crystal unhurried, murmurs spreading through the crowd as he reached the altar. As the third son of Duke Arok Valmont, attention was expected. He didn't acknowledge the audience, not even the examiner or staff. He looked forward and walked toward the altar.
When his hand made contact with the crystal the response was instant. Light surged outward in a burning flare, the crimson glow thickening around his body before settling into a steady calm.
Several students leaned forward, intrigued by what classification he was going to receive. This was the brightest the crystal had flared up all day.
"Skill identified," the examiner announced, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Tyrant's Physique."
A brief pause filled the silent hall as the examiner continued.
"Combat classification. High priority."
Eager murmurs rippled through the hall, followed by applause. Regis smiled arrogantly as he stepped back, satisfaction written plainly across his face. He returned back to his seat, his head held high as students congratulated him upon his return.
The examiner silenced the hall and the ceremony moved on without further comments.
"Faye Laten." The examiner called.
Faye stood slowly, smoothing her sleeves with shaking fingers before walking up toward the altar. Her gaze remained focused on the floor as she approached the crystal, her body twitching as she nervously stepped forward.
She placed her hand on the crystal and the response was… different. No huge flare or surge but instead a soft glow spreading across the surface. Thin lines of green light branching outward before briefly fading into a steady shine. It was subtle enough that several people missed the awakening completely.
"Skill identified," the examiner said coldly, glancing at the tablet in his hand. "Restorative Touch."
He paused only long enough to confirm his notations on the tablet. "Support classification."
That was all.
No applause followed this time, a few whispers stirred but disappointed rather than impressed. Healing skills were useful, that much was certain, but they were never a top priority skill. The attention in the hall drifted away almost immediately, already waiting for something more impressive.
Faye stepped away from the crystal and returned to her seat quickly. She looked around for approval but found none, the room had already forgotten about her completely.
Lucien remained still, his expression unchanged but his awareness sharpened. He had noticed earlier how the students reacted to each awakening, some gathering interest yet most came with dismissiveness. At the front, a faculty member whispered something to another, it was too quiet to hear. The second nodded and looked away, getting ready for the next awakening.
The crystal pulsed again and the examiner called out the next name.
"Adrian Veyne."
Adrian rose with composure, chuckling to himself lightly. He took a breath before stepping forward toward the altar, his hands still tucked in his pockets. He looked at the crowd for a few seconds before placing his hand on the crystal.
The crystal's response was clean. White light spread across the surface, smooth and controlled without instability.
The examiner nodded politely upon receiving information about his skill.
"Skill identified," the examiner said, glancing toward Adrian. "Divine Shield."
He let out a small smile before continuing.
"Defensive classification. Adaptive application, reliable growth potential"
The hall fell into silence for a few seconds… and then students began whispering to each other loudly followed by respectful applause. This was the first time in many years that someone had awoken a divine skill, a useful one too. Adrian removed his hand and stepped away, as he returned to his seat, nodding toward some of his friends on the way back.
The crystal dimmed once more as he sat down. For the first time since the ceremony began, the hall grew noticeably still.
"Lilian Caldris."
The name alone carried weight. Lilian rose gracefully, no adjustment of clothing, no visible breath taken. She moved slowly, as if she had all the time in the world to spare.
"That's the crown princess…" One student whispered to another.
"Yeah— I've never seen her in person before." Another replied.
As she reached the altar, the whispers died down and everyone sat still. Even the faculty straightened in her presence.
As her hand met the crystal there was no delay. It answered her touch immediately, the light flared steadily in an elegant shade of purple.
The examiner hesitated, it was his first true form of hesitation through the whole ceremony.
"Skill identified," he said carefully. "Regal Foresight."
The crowd grew uneasy, there was no classification said afterward. There was always a classification said after a skill had been awoken. Even the staff members looked unsure on what to do.
The examiner sighed, heavily in thought as Lilian withdrew her hand and walked back. There was a ripple of hushed voices that stirred in the hall as she walked away.
"Regal Foresight…" someone murmured, barely audible.
"That's like… seeing the future isn't it?" another whispered.
The whispers ended as she walked past, a few students glanced towards the faculty, wanting to see their expressions. One instructor's jaw tightened, another folded their hands and stood straight as if looking pleased.
Lilian continued on, unhurried. She returned to her seat at the foremost row without acknowledging anyone.
The examiner exhaled softly before lifting his gaze.
"Lucien Nox."