It wasn't just children who were called to awaken that day. Anyone could awaken at any time using the city's altar, free of charge. However, it was only during the decade-long festival that the system granted gifts to the newly awakened. Thus, people from all walks of life came to test their fate.
A long list of names was called again and nothing out of the ordinary occured ,it was a long and a boring one .
But finally the silence was once again broke by a name.
"Alira Mor, please step up." The old voice echoed again.
"Mor? Wait, don't tell me—" Derek blinked, clearly surprised.
"Yes, that's my cutie pie. Ain't she adorable?" Holse replied warmly, eyes sparkling with pride. Then he cupped his hands and shouted, "You can do it, sweetie!"
A sudden wave of murderous intent washed over the tower. Derek and Holse turned their heads slowly ,and immediately froze. A stunning woman with a sharp gaze stood not far away, her presence enough to make lesser men faint. She exuded danger like a coiled blade. She was Alira's mother.
"You're on your own, dude," Derek muttered, breaking into a cold sweat. He refused to even look her way.
"Don't leave me here!" Holse whispered hoarsely. But it was too late. The wrath had already been invoked.
"Alira Mor, please step forward," the Duke repeated, this time more sternly, mildly annoyed.
A small figure slowly emerged ,a girl barely three years old, stepping cautiously onto the stage. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at the towering platform, clearly overwhelmed.
But as she stood there trembling, even the Duke's face softened. The crowd, nobles and commoners alike, could not bring themselves to feel irritated. She was simply too small, too fragile, too pure.
The Duke cleared his throat and said gently, "Little girl, please stand in the center and say 'System.'"
"Way to go, that's my girl! Woohoo!" Holse cheered at the top of his lungs. Heads turned toward him again, and the earlier chilling pressure intensified.
"Stop it, dude, or we're gonna die," Derek hissed, his heart pounding. That woman was no ordinary noble wife, she was a world-renowned assassin. Known only among the highest circles, she was death incarnate. To cross her was to invite a swift end.
Both men instantly clammed up.
"System," Alira whispered.
A soft glow emerged around her. The blue light came first, followed by green. Then yellow. The crowd leaned forward.
Suddenly, a deep purple light erupted from the altar, causing gasps to ring across the square.
"A purple system!?"
"Damn it, that Holse is one lucky bastard."
The crowd stirred. Murmurs of envy and disbelief passed between the nobles. Derek and Holse, feeling the murderous pressure lift from their backs, finally dared to breathe.
The little girl looked at the Duke, still uncertain. "Did I fail, mister?"
"No, no, little one," the Duke replied, smiling warmly. "You did an excellent job."
"Then give me sweets," Alira said with teary eyes.
The Duke blinked. Then, laughter burst from him and soon from the entire crowd.
"Here, here, I don't have sweets," he chuckled, "but I'll give you a special gift , a comb for your pretty hair."
Alira beamed and kissed the Duke on the cheek before skipping off the stage.
The Duke, regaining composure, raised his hand. "From this moment on, anyone who awakens with a purple system or higher shall receive a personal gift from me."
The crowd roared in approval, admiring the Duke's generosity.
As more names were called, two more purple systems emerged ,one from a noble child and one, shockingly, from a commoner. The square shook with cheer, though tension simmered beneath the surface.
"What is going on this year?"
"Too many high ranks… is it a blessing?"
Perhaps. But not everyone saw it that way. The commoner's family, in particular, felt the weight of many hostile stares. In a world where power equaled danger, standing out could mean painting a target on your back.
The commoner was a young man of seventeen already considered an adult. Ten years ago, he had been injured and missed his chance to awaken. Today, he had returned, determined.
The altar flared. A radiant purple system surrounded him. The crowd was stunned.
Then the boy knelt towards Holse.
"My lord, please accept this humble peasant into your service," he said, head bowed.
Holse search around for the lucky guy but did not find any nobles nearby then realised that the man was staring at him.
Holse blinked. "What? Who? Me!?"
"I would not dare offend you. It was you who fed and saved my family. Let me repay that kindness by serving you." The boy's voice was firm, laced with reverence.
Holse was caught off guard, he didn't even remember the man kneeling before him, but he chuckled. "Woohoohoho! How can I reject such a talented young man? Welcome to House Mor!"
He wouldn't be Holse if he let this opportunity slip by.
The square echoed with cheers again. "Long live House Mor!"
But not everyone was pleased. Cold glares came from rival houses. Holse, though, couldn't care less. He grinned wide, basking in his unexpected luck.
Then finally, the old voice called out again:
"Kaelen… please step forward."