So far, Cloud had been passive. He caused no ruckus when he came to the capital, obediently sitting amongst the candidates despite how embarrassing it looked.
When they called him to the stage, he appeared with humility. But now, when he turned to the teacher, the man, despite his years of training, despite having long awakened a class, took a step back in vigilance.
Everyone paying attention in the hall saw it, and the silence that had been before returned once more.
All around, eyes narrowed, especially those of the king. Cloud's presence here, after all, had been expected to be an embarrassment to the village. They could have agreed to do the awakening for him in private, but had insisted on holding it during the royal ceremony, where the entire event would be broadcast beyond the boundaries of the kingdom.
Irregularities were a rarity, not an impossibility, and everyone waited to see if the Lion had given birth to its own kind.
The orb remained translucent, giving off no glow, but within Cloud, he felt an energy that had been accumulating since he placed his hands on the orb swell, then burst.
Cloud was done, yet he remained stuck to the orb, counting the seconds passing in his head until the king intervened.
"That's enough. You've failed to awaken a class. Return to your seat."
Cloud's body trembled, and with his shoulders failing him, he took his hands off the orb. Turning around with his head down, he silently returned to his seat. While the chubby man regained the attention of the hall, Cloud checked if what he suspected had truly happened.
"Class!" he called in his head, heart pounding, barely containing the anticipation on his face.
[Name: Cloud Outsborne
Class: Traveler
Level: Level 1
Order: First
Mana Grade: Green
Talent: Universal Comprehension (+5%)
Stats: Constitution: 32 | Speed: 28 | Strength: 23
Skills: {Primordial: Realm Walker, Kill Points}
Servant (1/1)]
He had prepared himself for the possibility, but when the blue screen, visible only to him, popped up in front of his eyes, Cloud froze, emotions he could not place surging through him.
There were curiosities he should have been satisfying, questions he should have been asking, but his brain refused to function.
"No need to cry. Failing to awaken a class isn't the end of the world."
The words came from the boy seated beside Cloud, snapping him out of his trance. His eyes blinked rapidly as he flicked away liquid he hadn't realized was there.
"I see you're one of the innocent ones," Cloud said, discreetly looking around, relieved no one was watching him.
"The world isn't fair," the boy shrugged, behaving like he truly understood life.
Cloud didn't blame him. He was still young, and with time, he would learn.
"What's your name?"
"Gon Heathrow."
The pride with which the boy said his name made it clear he wasn't from an ordinary family, and it explained his slight maturity.
"If ever you're in danger, try to reach me. I promise to help if I can."
The words might have sounded weird, but Cloud didn't care. He was doing his best to contain the happiness bubbling within him, and it couldn't help but leak out.
Gon looked at him with narrowed eyes, shook his head, then turned forward. Cloud laughed silently at his cluelessness.
Cloud still had questions, especially concerning what the screen had displayed, but for now, while tempering his happiness, he allowed himself a short moment of respite.
For the first time in seven years, a burden that had been growing heavier on his shoulders was lifted.
The ceremony continued and soon concluded without further incident. Cloud's brief spectacle was quickly forgotten, his name forever associated with the term useless.
He received a few looks from the younger ones, but no one with status paid him any attention as he exited the venue. Stepping outside, he soon met his entourage but was surprised not to find Dina present.
"She isn't here."
"Yes. After you left, the West Side Duke's son invited her to watch the ceremony with him…"
"And she agreed?" Cloud asked, needing the rest of the information.
"Yes."
"Okay then. We'll wait for her."
Gillian nodded, but as Cloud moved to step into the carriage, he noticed the man hesitating.
"Anything else?"
"No, my prince."
The royal awakening had been a VIP-only event. Dina had received a pass, but the rest of the entourage had been forced to remain outside. While they hadn't been able to witness the events within, it was obvious that news had already reached them.
Fear. Anticipation.
Cloud caught these emotions not only in Gillian's gaze, but also in that of the other soldiers.
Nodding to the captain, he stepped into the carriage and silently waited.