"So today is the day, huh."
Lucien whispered those words to himself as he shrugged into his dark jacket.
The fabric was clean, well-maintained but a season out of fashion - like most things House Nox owned these days.
The halls were quiet, not an oppressive silence but the kind that came from a house too large for the number of people living in it. He stretched his body, trying to wake himself up fully as the morning light crept in through tall windows, catching dust on furniture that no one bothered to polish anymore.
He slipped into his boots and left. He didn't look back as he walked. There were no farewells to exchange, no relatives gathering to offer encouragement. Everyone in the estate understood what today meant, so they knew there was nothing to say that would make today feel any lighter.
He stepped into the corridor, his boots echoing softly against the marble stone. Portraits stretched across the walls; ancestors in formal attire, expressions stern and confident. He passed them without even slowing, he just wanted to get today over and done with.
Outside, the gates of the estate stood open. Once there would have been multiple guards standing post saluting as the heir walked out, even the family crest back then would've commanded respect but now, the driveway sat empty.
Lucien walked. He didn't bother calling for a carriage, he didn't even know if his family could spare any money. The streets leading toward Caldris Academy were already busy, carriages bearing sigils rolled by him one by one with their horses groomed to perfection. A few slowed down as he walked by, looking at the silver-plated crest on his jacket before turning away with disgust.
He didn't mind, walking gave him plenty of time to think.
On the sidewalk countless stores and stalls stretched out wide, he was walking by the shopping district where the commoners and merchants interacted. Nobles barely ever came down here, especially on foot.
The scenes were chaotic. People shouting, arguing with others about being ripped off, homeless men and children lying on the dirty floor with their bellies rumbling as they thought about being able to afford a nice meal.
He stopped for a moment and looked around. He'd been treated like a commoner by noble houses all his life, yet knew almost nothing about them. He walked over to the homeless child and reached into his pocket - causing her to flinch, he looked confused at her reaction, he assumed they probably thought he was going to hurt them, most nobles are usually arrogant in a sense. He pulled out some silver coins he had spare and passed it to them.
"What's this for mister?" The child asked while clutching onto the coins as if they'd disappear if it left her sight for a moment.
Lucien didn't reply, he just simply continued walking after giving them the coins. Nothing compelled him to do it. He didn't feel righteous, or kind. He just felt it was necessary, he wouldn't use the money for anything special anyways.
He continued on his walk toward the academy, going through some of the shadier areas of town to get there faster, he didn't want to be late. While walking through one of the back-alleys he heard a loud thud around one of the narrow corners.
He walked over slowly, as he got there he saw 3 thugs punching an elderly man trying to shake him for some money.
"Please… please stop." The old man pleaded as one of the thugs punched him in the stomach. "I have no money left…"
"Hand it over now, old man or else." One said threateningly while lifting his fist, glowing slightly causing a small flame to wrap around his hand.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. A combat class—someone who'd passed their awakening years ago.
"What do you want punk?" The thug shouted while looking at him.
"You should leave," Lucien said without raising his voice.
"Oh yeah? And why would I do tha—" The man got cut off before finishing his sentence as his buddy pointed out to the crest that sat on Lucien's jacket.
"Oh crap, he's a noble, let's get out of here." They hesitated, one spat a curse before stepping back. The others followed, retreating quickly down the alley.
Lucien continued walking, not acknowledging the old man's gratitude. After a while, the academy building rose in the distance, covering the skyline. White stone catching the sun, its spires visible from nearly every district. By the time he arrived at the gates, the sound of the city had shifted, voices were quiet here and laughter softened. Even the most confident and arrogant students adjusted their posture as they passed underneath the entrance.
The academy grounds were wide and immaculately maintained, stone paths stretched down between perfectly trimmed hedges and pale structures. He followed the flow of students toward the main building, noticing how everyone's mannerisms changed slightly the closer they got; backs straightened, hands folding neatly.
Inside, they were directed into a vast hall. There were no seats assigned, no markings on the floor yet the room organised itself all the same. Noble houses gathered naturally near the center, the familiar crests drawing subtle recognition. Commoners lingered closer to the walls, careful not to get too close to the middle.
A few glances flickered his way when his crest was noticed while walking by. Some recognized House Nox and dismissed it quickly, others hesitated as if they were unsure which house that even was. An arrogant boy nearby scoffed softly, arms crossed as he leaned against a pillar, a faculty member corrected him with a subtle look, the scoff vanished in an instant and no argument followed.
Faculty members moved through the room in an organised manner, their presence barely acknowledged yet constantly felt, they had done this ceremony many times before. A set of tall doors at the far end of the chamber opened without announcement, the awakening hall waiting beyond. The shift in atmosphere was quick, the ceiling rose higher than any other room Lucien had ever been in.
At the front of the hall stood the crystal, suspended mid-air, glowing faintly.
Names were called as seats were assigned by lineage, those from superior noble families got to sit towards the front, those from lesser noble families like House Nox sat in the middle and the commoners, the few they were all sat in the back. The seats filled instantaneously, Lucien looked around and saw some students sweating, clearly nervous as if this day meant everything to them. It did.
At the front of the hall, an examiner stepped forward and the crystal brightened almost blinding the room.
"The awakening ceremony is about to begin." The examiner said calmly.