Near the center of the vast plaza stood a raised platform.
Runes were carved deep into its surface, glowing faintly beneath the daylight. It was the Awakening Platform, the focal point of the ceremony, and the place where destinies would be decided.
Without warning, the earth beside it twisted.
Stone rippled like water, cracking and deforming, and in the next instant, a figure stepped out of the distorting rock.
A man.
He looked young, no older than his twenties, yet his presence immediately drew every gaze. He was tall and strikingly handsome, dressed in flowing blue and green mage robes. A monocle hung over his left eye, lending him an air of refinement and mystery. In his hand was a crystal-tipped mage staff, its surface pulsing with restrained power.
A bright smile rested on his face as he looked out over the crowd.
The plaza exploded.
Gasps, whispers, and excited cries rippled through the thousands of gathered youths.
"Isn't that Ian!... The vice guild master of the Golden Eagle Guild!"
"The genius Earth Mage!"
Shock was barely hidden in the voices that spread like wildfire.
The man before them was no ordinary awakener.
Ian.
The most renowned genius of Springvale's younger generation.
A peerless talent who had proven that age and experience meant nothing before absolute talent. It had not been long since he himself awakened, yet he had already fought his way to the top, becoming vice guild master of the Golden Eagle Guild.
The strongest guild in Springvale City.
A guild powerful enough to be considered top-tier even within Dunridge, one of the ten human Safe Zones.
Ian stood tall before the crowd.
Confidence radiated from him naturally, effortless and infectious. His presence alone stirred emotions.
Girls stared with flushed faces, eyes shining.
"He's so handsome…"
"How can someone be that cool?"
Boys watched with unconcealed admiration, fists clenched in excitement.
"That's what I want to become."
"To stand there someday…"
All the youths present looked at him with reverence.
To them, Ian was the embodiment of success. The future they dreamed of.
All of them... except one.
From beneath a curtain of messy black hair, a single green eye glared toward the platform.
Cold. Sharp. Filled with hatred.
Leo's teeth ground together.
The Golden Eagle Guild.
The name alone made his chest burn.
They were the ones responsible for the dungeon break that had taken his father's life. Their carelessness and mismanagement had caused it.
And yet, what punishment had they faced?
A fine.
A temporary revocation of their dungeon license.
A public apology spoken with hollow words.
As if lives lost could be balanced with paperwork.
Awakeners had died. Civilians had died.
Blood had stained the streets of Springvale.
Yet nineteen years later, it was as if nothing had happened.
The public had forgotten.
Worse still, the Golden Eagle Guild had risen. From third-ranked to the top guild in the city. Their members treated with admiration and respect, walking proudly through the same streets once soaked with civilian blood.
And their vice guild master? A celebrity renowned by everyone.
Leo's fingers trembled.
He wanted to laugh.
He wanted to scream.
On the platform, Ian basked in the attention, unaware of the hatred burning toward him. His smile widened slightly before he cleared his throat.
The sound was soft.
Yet the entire plaza fell silent instantly.
"I am honored," Ian said warmly, his voice calm and pleasant, "to stand before the future of Springvale City."
A ripple passed through the crowd.
"To witness the awakening of young talents who will one day rise like dragons," he continued, "and perhaps even surpass us seniors."
His tone was humble, layered with a quiet pride no one seemed to notice.
The plaza erupted again.
"He's so modest!"
"A genius like him, yet still humble…"
"I'm your biggest fan!"
"If I awaken today, I'll definitely join the Golden Eagle Guild!"
A nearby voice scoffed. "Dream on. You think they recruit just anyone?"
Ian's lips curved into a brief, proud smirk.
It vanished just as quickly.
"Now then," he said, lifting a hand, "let us not waste time. When your name is called, step onto the platform."
"The Awakening Ceremony begins."
Names echoed through the plaza.
One by one, youths stepped forward.
And one by one—
Failure after failure resounded through the entire plaza as the mood gradually sank.
Sweat beaded on brows. Hands trembled. Breaths grew shallow as dread spread through the crowd.
Ian watched calmly.
Outwardly, his expression remained composed.
Inwardly, his patience wore thin.
How disappointing.
So much had been paid. So many strings pulled, just to secure the privilege of hosting this year's ceremony. To have the first chance to scout new talent.
And this was the result?
Trash.
All of them.
Ian's gaze hardened briefly.
Then he smiled again.
"Why so gloomy?" he said, spreading his arms. "Is this enough to discourage you?"
"Failing today doesn't mean the end. You can try again next year."
"And for those whose final chance lies here, does it truly diminish your worth?"
"You are still the outstanding youth of Springvale City."
"Awakened or not, you are amazing."
His words breathed life back into the plaza.
Hope rekindled.
Cheers rose again as the ceremony continued.
There were successes.
A few decent awakenings.
Then—
A shock.
A young man awakened a rare Paladin class.
The plaza exploded.
Ian's eyes lit up instantly.
He personally invited the youth to join the Golden Eagle Guild on the spot. The boy nearly fainted from excitement.
Compared to him, the rest paled.
Soon, only a few names remained.
Then—
"Leonardo Spades."
The plaza buzzed.
Heads turned.
Whispers surged at the name they were all familiar with. Leonardo Spades, the trash son of the hero…
Necks craned as people searched through the crowd for him.
Leo sighed.
Slowly, he stepped forward.
Eyes followed him every step of the way. Whispers trailed behind like shadows.
When he reached the platform, Ian's expression shifted.
Surprise.
Then sorrow.
"Oh," Ian said softly. "It's you."
He raised a hand.
The crowd fell silent.
"There are moments," Ian said firmly, "when an awakener's choices matter more than power itself."
"Moments that shape the future of this world."
He turned, pointing toward Leo.
"This boy's father was such a man."
"A legend."
"A hero who gave his life in service to humanity."
"Since his passing, our guild has carried immense grief."
"The guild master himself has long been burdened by guilt over the mistake that led to the loss of such an icon."
Murmurs spread rapidly.
"Out of that grief," Ian continued, his voice heavy, "the guild master once requested to personally raise and train the child left behind."
"A request rejected by a grieving widow."
The plaza erupted.
"What?!"
"He offered to train him personally?!"
"That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"How could his mother reject that?"
Leo's fists clenched.
Of course, he knew about the offer, and he also knew why his mother had rejected it.
An offer made by the hands that caused her husband's death was no offer at all. It was a performance. A public gesture meant to cleanse public rage.
He was glad she had refused.
He would rather rot than be shaped by them.
Ian watched the crowd carefully, satisfied.
He raised his hand again.
"Grief affects everyone differently," he said gently.
Then he turned to Leo.
"But none of that matters today."
"Because once more—"
"The guild master has extended an offer to you."
He pointed directly at Leo.