The grand gates of the Academy stood before them, towering high with intricate symbols carved across the metallic surface. The air shimmered faintly with magic, giving the place a sacred presence that demanded respect.
Northern paused, his eyes tracing every detail. "So this is the Academy…" he murmured. "Lucas really had everything, didn't he?"
Beside him, Mia's eyes glistened with awe. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined," she whispered. Students in neatly pressed uniforms streamed through the gates, their voices blending into the morning breeze.
"Let's go," Northern said, stepping forward. The guards at the entrance gave him a slight bow before opening a path. Some students turned to glance in his direction — whispers followed immediately after.
"Isn't that Lucas Hilton?"
"Yeah, the son of Lord Hilton. But… who's that girl beside him?"
"A servant, maybe? I've never seen her before."
Northern ignored them. He could feel Mia stiffen beside him, her head lowering slightly under the weight of their stares.
"Keep your head up," he said quietly. "You have every right to walk here."
Mia glanced at him, surprised by his tone, but nodded silently.
They made their way through the wide marble hallways, the light from the crystal chandeliers spilling warmth over the polished floor. The sound of footsteps echoed softly as they approached the direction of the Awakening Ground.
But before they could reach it, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Lucas?"
Northern turned.
"Aria…" Mia whispered under her breath.
The girl walked closer, a faint smile on her lips. "You decided to come to school today? Hmmm..." Her eyes flickered toward Mia, the faintest trace of disdain flashing through them. "Who is she?"
Northern met her gaze calmly. "She's my friend, of course."
"H-hi," Mia said, stretching out her arm toward Aria.
Aria looked at her hand then scoffed and looked away.
Mia bit her lips and lowered her hand, she could not help but be embarrassed.
"That's alright," Northern whispered to her.
Hearing this, Mia smiled faintly.
Seeing how the two of them was close, Aria frowned. "Lucas, do not forget what we are now!" She said to Northern.
Mia raised her head and glanced at Northern, she didn't understand what Aria was talking about.
Meanwhile, Northern smiled. "I won't." He then closed the distance between the two of them, and brought his face close to hers, and whispered. "... Isn't it too early for you to get jealous? Besides, we aren't planning to take things far, unless..."
Aria's eyes widened slightly at his words. For a moment, the confident composure she always carried wavered. Her lashes fluttered as she stared at him, trying to read the expression behind his faint smirk.
"Unless what?" she asked quietly, her voice lowering so that only he could hear.
Northern tilted his head, his tone light yet deliberate. "Unless you really want me to make it real."
Aria stiffened. Her breath caught for a second before she quickly looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed. "You're insufferable," she muttered, her tone sharp to hide the sudden unease in her chest. "You think I'd fall for your cheap words again?"
Northern's smirk deepened. "Cheap words or not, they seem to bother you."
Aria glared at him, but before she could retort, she noticed the confused look on Mia's face and straightened herself, regaining her composure. "Anyway, today's the Awakening Day," she said coldly. "Try not to embarrass the Hilton name this time, Lucas."
Northern's smile faded just slightly. "Embarrass the Hilton name or perhaps are you trying to say I shouldn't embarrass you?" he asked softly. "Well, I don't plan to do that. I will make you very impressed."
Aria scoffed at his tone. He said he had changed but his stupid arrogance and foolish courage hadn't changed one bit — He was still very much arrogant and overly confidence. "You better not fail, Lucas."
Without another word, she walked past them, her long silver hair swaying gently behind her.
Mia waited until she was gone before whispering, "Young master… was she serious about what she said? You and her—"
"It's nothing worth thinking about," Northern interrupted calmly, though there was an amused glint in his eyes. "Watch and see how I'll shock everyone present here today."
"How?" Mia asked calmly.
"Never mind," Northern said, brushing it off with a faint chuckle. "Let's just get to the awakening ground and you'll see for yourself" Truth is that, Northern didn't know how he was going to do it. He wasn't even sure of awakening his magic yet.
They continued walking until the wide hall opened up into a vast, circular field surrounded by tall pillars. Each pillar hummed faintly with magical energy, and lines of ancient runes flowed across the marble floor like living light. The entire chamber seemed to breathe with power — it was the place where destinies were rewritten.
Hundreds of students were already gathered, standing in orderly lines as instructors in white robes prepared the awakening crystals. At the far end, a massive orb floated in the air, swirling with multiple colors — the Heart of Elements, the source used to awaken the students' dormant magic.
Mia clutched her hands nervously. "It's so… grand."
'Yes. Everything in this world is so grand!' Northern thought to himself as he gazed at the awakening center.
"Wait here for me while I join the line," he said to Mia and headed to the spot where other students stood.
Soon the awakening began. The instructor, a man who seems to be in his mid-forties began by calling names.
"James Frood!"
A tall boy with blue hair walked out of the line and made his way to the front, to the place where the instructor stood with the awakening orb.
"Place your hand on the orb!" The instructor said to him.
The boy nodded and placed his hand on it. Seconds later, traces of ice began to gather around the orb and soon, the color of the orb changed to icy blue.
"He awakened an ice element!"
.
I knew James would make it!"
The crowd cheered for the boy as he walked back to the line.
One after the other, the others went up to the awakening ground, placed their hands on the orb and waited for their miracle happen. Some failed, others passed.
Soon, it got to Northern's turn.
The instructor in charge of the awakening called out, "Next — Lucas Hilton!"
The murmuring crowd went silent. Heads turned toward Northern as he stepped forward. His stride was calm, but every step echoed like a drumbeat against the marble floor.
"Lucas Hilton…" whispered someone in the crowd.
"He failed the last awakening, right?"
"I heard his mana affinity was too weak."
"He's just lucky to be born into the Hilton family."
Northern ignored them. He could feel their words clawing at his back, but he refused to look away from the giant glowing orb — the Heart of Elements. The closer he got, the stronger the energy became, vibrating deep in his chest like a living pulse.
"Place your hand on the orb," the instructor said, his tone firm but bored, as though he'd already expected nothing from him.
Northern inhaled deeply and placed his palm on the orb's surface. The moment his skin touched it, he felt a faint vibration run through him — but then… nothing.
The colors within the orb shimmered faintly, a brief flicker of pale orange light, before fading away.
The instructor frowned. "Hmm. No response."
The crowd began whispering again, louder this time.
"Just as expected."
"Even the orb doesn't acknowledge him."
"He should just give up already."
Northern gritted his teeth, sweat beading at his temple. 'No. Not again. I refuse to be powerless again.'
"Give it a moment," he said sharply, his eyes never leaving the orb. "It'll react."
The instructor sighed. "You've had your chance, Hilton. Please step aside. There are others waiting."
"I said wait," Northern muttered, his tone hardening.
The instructor's expression turned impatient. "Young man, do not waste our time. Remove your—"
But Northern didn't hear the rest. He clenched his jaw and pressed his hand harder against the orb. He could feel his heart pounding like thunder, his blood racing faster.
'I can't fail again. I won't be weak. I won't live in someone else's shadow. I will awaken. I must awaken!'
Seconds stretched into long, suffocating minutes. The crowd had already started laughing softly, shaking their heads in pity and mockery.
Mia stood at the edge, clutching her hands so tightly her knuckles went white. "Please, young master… please awaken…" she whispered under her breath.
Then —