After Dayson, more and more young men and women stepped onto the altar and awakened their Sword Souls.
Nabi awakened a Yellow tier sword, and Silvia became the first Red tier talent in this batch. All the recruiters were practically scrambling to get her admission to their prominent academies.
But to their disappointment, Silvia rejected them all, as she was already set to enroll in the Royal Academy, where most nobles take part.
Adonis felt very envious, but not jealous.
He was still unsure what kind of sword he would awaken.
Still, he felt relieved to learn that the privacy surrounding Sword Souls was still strictly upheld.
No one knew exactly what kind of Sword Soul another person awakened, except for the Swordmaster himself.
Honestly, no one in their right mind would willingly reveal their sword's attributes and Arts to others.
However, just as Adonis believed this to be an absolute rule, a single boy shattered it completely.
Holding a black-and-crimson sword with jagged, spiked edges, the boy shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Listen carefully!" he roared. "I'm Julian Voston, and all of you are trash. The sword in my hand is called Dragoon. It is a Red Tier Sword. You know what that means, don't you?"
His eyes swept over the crowd with icy contempt.
"You worthless pieces of trash should now stay away from me and our Voston Marquisette. If you dare approach us, then from this day onward, you will face a dragon standing in your way."
His expression was utterly cold, devoid of any restraint.
The priests, acolytes, and all the gathered participants stood frozen, their mouths agape in disbelief.
"Did you hear that? Another Red Tier Sword! That's unprecedented for this generation."
"He has the right to be arrogant. Red Tier means future general at the very least."
"Tch, but shouting it out like that? It's foolish. Revealing your Sword Soul is akin to openly inviting danger."
"Still… strength decides everything. If I had a red-tier sword, I wouldn't hide it either."
Several representatives from prominent Swordmaster Academies jolted out of their sleep, as if they just found a jewel.
"Julian Voston. Remember that name."
"No. Prepare an invitation immediately. A Red Tier awakener must not slip through our hands."
"Even the Royal Academy will have to compete for him."
Julian basked in the attention, chin raised high, his black-and-gold sword shining under the sacred light.
Then, without warning, his face twisted into a sneer of disgust.
His sword was suddenly pointed toward Adonis on the third line.
"You—what right do you have to stand here among us?" Julian said with cold contempt.
Adonis was a little surprised after being targeted so suddenly. But he did not respond. He merely met Julian's gaze, calm and unmoved.
Julian scoffed, "Do you truly think we don't see it? That filthy black hair of yours. It's a mark of Null heritage."
As soon as he said the word "Null," gasps sounded from the crowd:
"A Null?"
"No way… Why is he here?"
"They aren't even supposed to awaken Sword Souls."
Julian continued mercilessly, "And yet here you stand, participating in a sacred ceremony meant for the chosen. Do you know what that means?"
He smirked cruelly, "It means someone pulled the strings for you."
He turned to the crowd, "Allow me to enlighten you all. This boy is Adonis, the youngest son of the Brunvalia Duchy. The Duke used his influence to force the Church to allow a Null to take part."
Commander Silva's eyes narrowed, feeling an ulterior motive toward Duke's youngest child.
But the others were not so calm after this narration.
"So that's who he is."
"A duke's illegitimate disappointment."
"Disgusting. Using noble power to trample sacred rules."
"Does he think he can become a swordmaster just because his father is a duke?"
One voice spat openly, "Know your place, trash."
Another sneered, "Dreaming beyond your limits will only bring humiliation."
Through it all, Adonis remained silent.
Not once did his expression change.
Julian sneered at his lack of reaction. "What? Cat got your tongue? Or are you finally realizing how pitiful your existence is?"
He took a step closer, looking down at Adonis with superiority.
"You should kneel and thank the Church for even letting you breathe this sacred air."
Only then did Adonis speak.
"Are you finished?"
Just one sentence was his response. And it was managed with calm as a lake.
Julian blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Adonis continued, "You speak so loudly for someone who believes strength excuses insecurity."
Julian's face darkened. "What did you just say?"
Adonis met his glare without flinching. "You awakened a Red Tier Sword. That is impressive. But all I see is someone afraid that attention might slip away."
Aonis took a single step forward, saying coolly.
"I don't know what kind of motive you have. But if talent alone makes you superior, then prove it through action, not barking like a guard dog protecting scraps."
Julian's face turned ugly with veins bulging on his temple.
"You dare, inferior breed?"
Hearing the open insult toward his mother, Adonis's eyes completely darkened, but quickly, it faded into its usual dull grey.
"I dare to stand here. That alone seems to offend you more than my heritage ever could."
Julian still looked smug.
"You say some interesting, flowery words," he sneered. "But the real world doesn't run on words alone. You are an inferior breed, and you will always remain that way."
Adonis tried hard not to lose control, but this guy's insults were never directed at him alone. They were always indirectly aimed at Adelaide, the woman who had sacrificed her life for him, simply because she had given birth to a son like him.
Insulting her dignity was taboo.
Yet this little prick trampled over that taboo again and again.
In the next instant, Adonis moved.
He lunged forward and tackled Julian to the ground.
A physical brawl erupted instantly. To everyone's shock, Adonis completely overwhelmed Julian in raw physical strength.
He drove his fist straight into Julian's face.
Bam!
"You shouldn't use that word so casually, little prick. You should always know when to stop before crossing the line with your superior," Adonis said coldly, sounding far more like an adult than his age.
Bam.
Bam.
Bam.
Julian was not merely being beaten. While pinned to the ground, he summoned the Dragoon sword into his hand, preparing to strike at Adonis.
If that blade connected, Adonis would be seriously injured, if not killed outright.
"Enough."
A single hand caught the descending sword, as if it were no more dangerous than a dull stick.
Everyone looked up.
The Grand Priest stood above them, his expression dark with fury.
Under his intense stare, both Julian and Adonis hurriedly stood up, attempting to compose themselves.
Adonis realized that he had acted irrationally, yet there was no guilt on his face.
"Julian Voston!" the Grand Priest shouted.
Julian straightened like a frightened cat. "Y-yes, Grand Priest?"
"You have violated the fourth rule," the old man declared. "You will be punished."
"But, Grand Priest," Julian spat angrily, "Adonis also broke one of the rules. Won't you punish him as well? Or are you going to play favorites?"
"Of course not," the Grand Priest replied coldly. "Both of you will receive punishment later, and I will personally ensure it."
He then fixed Julian with a sharp gaze.
"But who told you that someone of Null heritage cannot undergo the Awakening Ceremony?"
Julian could not utter a proper response. He simply glared hatefully at Adonis, his face bruised and teeth cracked.
"You…" he snarled. "I will deal with you later!"
With that, he descended from the altar and joined his father, who was a powerful marquis.
Adonis could not understand what kind of feud this little brat had developed toward him.
The Grand Priest then gestured toward Adonis.
"Step forward, boy. Let us see if you possess the talent to back up your confidence."
The moment of truth was finally here.