"Welcome to Aetherion Academy, Novuses."
The man's crackly voice echoed throughout the auditorium.
There was no applause nor did he except one, with an expressionless face he continued.
"Nothing..." He paused for dramatic effect, "Absolutely nothing you know in this world matters if you die in a trial...
Your homes, your dreams, even your families can be gone in the blink of an eye if you're not prepared for what's to come."
The tension in the room thickened even Aegon held his breath and listened attentively.
"I'm not here to nag you on how to live your lives nor am I here to force you to focus, I'm here to try my best and direct you the best ways I can.
About fifty percent of all human kids ranging between the ages of 16 to 18 get sent into the awakening trials every year. And in that amount you wanna know how many survive?"
He brought his head down in shame.
"Thirty-five percent survive and although those look like good statistics, I assure you it is not. Those fifteen percent who die either have their bodies transformed into Aether-beasts or wither away before our eyes."
'This is a lot more dangerous than I initially thought.'
Aegon said as he placed his hands onto his knees to balance himself.
The man continued.
"My name is Mirage and I am a Vanguard of the mirage affinity under the soul craft Faculty.
For some of you, I'll be your teacher and mentor but for others I'll be a silent coach in case you ever need help, I would never turn down a student in need...
Your next trial will most likely begin in a few weeks, where you'll be thrust into an entirely different world, as someone who's experienced both I assure you it's not like the first.
Your first awakening trial probably tested your perseverance, strength, resilience and cleverness but it's a whole different ball game when we talk about an Adept trial.
Different realms, different rules of nature, no affinities to help but worst of all... Anomalies."
A ripple of gasps and murmurs rose within the crowds making him swerve his head left then right, completely confused.
'What's an Anomaly?'
And fortunately for him the mumers stopped as Mirage continued.
"For those of you who have either been a rock your entire life or have been so sheltered by your parents you have no clue...
Anomalies are basically corrupted Aether in a somewhat physical form, beings with their own rules and ranks just like we do.
The international classification of anomalies are Sigl, Elcid, Melas, Thrall, and Kermite.
Each more dangerous than the last and with each with a different affinity."
~PA-PA!~
The clap of someone's hands made the light turn back on and them all flinch.
"Enough of the gloomy explanations, Mirage."
Someone walked into the auditorium.
Silent steps but his suit was vibrant enough to make them all turn in his direction.
A skintight spandex costume that was a mix of white, and gold inlays all over it with a perfect golden cape that hung on the wind.
A creamy complexion, cheekbones that could crack walnuts, a jawline that could etch glass and perfectly parted hair that swayed with him.
With every step he didn't ask but commanded all the attention in the room.
~Chk-chk. Chk-chk.~
A symphony of camera flashes and shutters came alive from the students with every step the strange man took.
He finally reached the stage where Mirage was as he tossed his arm over Mirage.
Aegon raised a brow, the mumers and squeals of all the girls around him increasing—
Well, all except one.
The girl who sat beside him.
Peach skinned, auburn coloured hair with green monolid eyes and a look of disgust contorted her face.
Aegon turned to her nonetheless, pointing at the figure who everyone seemed to already know.
"Who's that?"
She swiveled her head to him, hand curled at herself as if confused if it was her he was speaking to.
Following Aegon's nod of affirmation, she turned to the figure he was pointed at and her nostrils flared.
Her voice was silent and frail, barely audible, "you don't know who that is?"
Aegon scratched the back of his head while he shook his head.
She, still very skeptical, said, "That's Nightwalker? The only Paragon of Veltharion? And the person who's auditorium you're in?"
'Oh, God I should've actually read the damn book.'
"Thank you." He said, before extending a hand out, "what's your name?"
She however didn't take it, folding her hands and turning back to the stage but spoke to him.
"How do you not know Nightwalker?"
Aegon's mind raced for an excuse but at the end of the day all he could come up with was, "I haven't been in the nation for a while."
"So what nation have you been in—"
She was interrupted and Aegon was saved from a conversation he hadn't planned for by Nightwalker's words that echoed like thunder through a canyon.
"As you all know I'm Nightwalker, most you might ask yourself why Nightwalker when your affinity is light?..."
He asked and answered the question no one had ever thought nor cared about like a true megalomaniac.
"It's supposed to be ironic. A true feat of my awesomeness, not only am I powerful but I'm also funny and witty."
He winked at the girls.
'Eww.'
"Mirage might make you feel like being among the few chosen to awaken is terrible and unfortunate... But it is not.
Being an awakened means you've been chosen by the gods themselves to have the power that regular humans cannot even begin to comprehend."
Everyone watched him closely as his feet slowly lifted off the stage and into the air.
'ohhs and awws' rippled throughout the auditorium from awestruck students while Mirage folded his arms and shook his head.
Nightwalker twirled mid air for theatrical flair, cape following behind him like a faithful disciple.
Aegon caught a glimpse of his eyes, glowing golden yellow hues that seemed to get brighter the longer he stared, so much so he averted his gaze.
"This is the true power of an awakened, in all our glory and might we have the ability to shape the world to our will and trample anomalies under our feet so be glad you all...
You've been chosen as a demigod."