Chapter 3: Awakening
The auditorium buzzed with anticipation. Hundreds of students lined up, filling the vast hall. A nervous energy crackled in the air—a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Mike, standing beside Jek, felt a familiar calm settle over him, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy surrounding him. He focused on his breathing, trying to ignore the whispers and excited chatter.
"Are you nervous?" Jek quietly joked.
"Not a little bit," Mike whispered. "Maybe you're the nervous one!"
"I can't even joke with you," Jek said deliberately. The surrounding students continued chattering.
The air shimmered as Teacher V and the other teachers arrived on stage. Their commanding presence deeply affected the students. A hush fell over the crowd. A voice, amplified by magic, resonated throughout the auditorium, silencing even the most boisterous students.
A Grand Mage appeared at the front, exuding the astonishing aura of a Tier 3 mage. The school principal, Victor, a Celestial Formation Master and a hidden branch of a light mana heart mage was responsible for the awakening ceremony. He would assist the mana orb in awakening each student.
"Welcome, students," he announced, his tone serious but kind. "Today marks a significant turning point in your lives. Today, you will awaken your magical abilities, embarking on a journey that will shape your destinies."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience. Mike felt a slight tingling sensation in his fingertips, a subtle sign that the magic was beginning to stir within him.
Teacher V raised her hands. "Everyone quiet! We are going to start our Awakening Ceremony this afternoon. All of you, listen carefully. If your name is called, please come to the stage. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" everyone shouted proudly.
"Kiven? Fei?" The teacher began calling students. Kiven, the first student, nervously approached the stage. Victor reassured him, "Don't be nervous; you'll be fine."
Kiven gulped. "Okay!"
"Please put your hand in the orb and absorb all the energy you feel inside."
A soft, ethereal light enveloped the auditorium. The air grew warm, charged with magical energy. Everyone watched closely, eager to witness the first student awaken their abilities.
Kiven closed his eyes and felt the energy enveloping him. He opened his eyes and turned to the principal, staring eagerly. "What's the result?" he asked Victor.
"Congratulations," Victor said happily. "You awakened a light mana heart. It's rare; you must cherish this. Maybe someday you will become like me."
"Woahhh!!!" The audience erupted, witnessing someone awaken a rare ability on their first try. "This is amazing! I wish I could awaken a light mana heart like him," a student prayed, waiting for their turn.
One by one, students began to awaken. Mike watched as his classmates underwent their transformations. Some manifested fiery auras, others icy blue glows, and still others shimmering golden light.
When Jek's turn came, he erupted in a vibrant greenish-brown light, his body surrounded by swirling leaves and vines. He whooped with delight, his transformation complete. He had awakened an earth mana heart. This relieved him; although not as rare as a light mana heart, it was practical. He only needed to research and discover skills that would grant him a hidden branch, if possible.
While walking back from the stage, Jek bumped into Shan. "What the—oh, you actually awakened. Not really excellent," Shan said dismissively.
"Watch carefully how an excellent mage like me will awaken and surpass that friend of yours," Shan proudly exclaimed.
"YOU!! , Jek snorted.
Mike grabbed Jek's hand. "Stop, don't make a scene," he said with concern.
"Loser," Shan continued. He stood before the mana orb. "Now is my time." A burst of light shone as he placed his hand in the orb. A blue fiery light surrounded him. "Yes! Hahaha, I'm above you now," he declared, staring at Mike.
"You actually awakened a rare fire mana heart, a blue one at that. This will provide you with a chance to achieve a hidden branch of fire mana heart, The Dark Fire master in the future," Victor exclaimed.
"You hear that?" Shan said proudly.
Mike remained calm. "Okay, I already said earlier, I don't care! If you want to win, then you win. I don't even accept your challenge."
"You're just afraid. It's your turn now. This time, I'll make sure I'm better than you," Shan affirmed.
"Whatever! So troublesome!" Mike walked onto the stage and placed his hand on the orb. He noticed the strange energy inside, and the energy surrounding him. "This is weird. Is that mana? There are different sizes of energy. Does this correspond to the rarity of the elements? The bigger and brighter ones are the more powerful elements, then…"
He began gathering the bright blue light, drawn to it. He slowly gathered the energy and continued absorbing the mana lights.
Victor smiled brightly. "This child is talented; he actually knows how to gather energy. He has a promising future," he said.
Mike felt the energy building within him, a slow, steady crescendo of power. He focused on his inner self, drawing on the strength and peace he had cultivated. He wasn't concerned about the intensity of his awakening; he trusted his own path. The light intensified, and a deep, resonant hum filled the auditorium. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy coursing through his veins. He felt a connection to something ancient, something powerful, something… him. He felt a sense of understanding, knowing that transcended words.
When he opened his eyes, the light had subsided. He looked at everyone's shocked faces. "What's so shocking? I only awakened. What's the big deal?" he asked himself.
Victor announced, "Congratulations! You have awakened a very rare mana heart. This branch has only appeared once before: the Crystalline Mana Heart."
The auditorium was once again filled with excited chatter. "Oh my God, you hear that? There's actually one of us in our batch who awakened something that only appeared once in history!" a student boasted.
"Hahahaha, that's my best friend," Jek mocked Shan. "Now, Shan, what's that? Is it excellent?"
"Just you wait. I may lose today, but with all my resources before the month of the exam…" Shan said angrily, leaving the stage.
"Quiet!!!" Everyone settled down and looked at the stage.
Victor's voice cut through the noise. "Congratulations, students! You have all taken the first step on a long and exciting journey. Remember, your power is not defined by its intensity, but by your control and your wisdom. Use your abilities wisely, and always strive to improve."
As the ceremony concluded, Mike felt a sense of accomplishment and quiet confidence. "Yes, quiet, but what is this? I only wanted to awaken a normal water mana heart. Why this attraction?" he murmured.
"Ahhhh!" he shouted inwardly.
Mike sighed. "Never mind, this might attract trouble, but it might benefit me in the future." He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, ready to embrace his destiny, ready to walk his own path. He knew, with a certainty that resonated deep within his soul, that his journey had only just begun. And he was ready.