A chariot flew amongst the clouds, followed by four more.
It was pulled by two white horses with beautiful, large wings and steered by a rider in a black uniform. Three people occupied the passenger seat: a middle-aged man wearing a simple white overgarment, a high-collared shirt, tight breeches, and a cape with fur at the neck. Beside him were two children, a boy and a girl, dressed in similar attire.
The girl had long, ashen-brown hair shot through with silver strands like an old woman's. The contrast made her appear otherworldy and beautiful, especially alongside her large eyes—orbs like an endless white ocean that reflected everything around them.
The boy had honey-bronze skin and rough, dark mahogany hair. Unlike the other two, whose expressions were unreadable and anxious, he wore a smile.
A prideful smile.
It was a fitting look, considering his life was about to change for the… worse.
His training would soon multiply tenfold. He would have to begin schooling at the strictest academy on Earth. He would be dragged into the ongoing war between Primoria and Eldrath. There was much more he couldn't even fathom yet, but he was overwhelmed by happiness nonetheless.
In a nutshell: he was going to awaken as an Aura Farmer.
'I'll get my abilities and become the strongest,' he thought.
Leo was so lost in his childish joy that he didn't notice his sister, Mirage, trembling beside him.
Thirteen years ago, the Aura System had fully manifested on Primoria. Aura had existed before then, but it could only be used by those with high soul affinities. Even they had to travel to other realms to sign contracts with powerful beings to grant them its use. These individuals eventually united from different royal families to form clans that ruled not just Earth, but the entire Primoria realm.
That era ended thirteen years ago when Elara Atlantis of the Dravenor Clan broke the rules and brought Aura to the common world. Her actions cost humanity dearly; many died due to low soul affinities, while others gained access to the system. Some were "banished"—unable to use Aura, yet allowed to live.
Aura wasn't the only killer, though. Some were slain by the Eldrath—a neighboring realm with a grudge against humanity. The arrival of the Aura System had weakened the seals held by the clans, allowing Eldrath beings to pour through and spark a war that had raged for over a decade.
On the bright side, every year, children between the ages of eleven and thirteen are given the privilege to attempt an Awakening, birthing countless new Aura Farmers.
Today, it was Leo and Mirage's turn.
Mirage touched Leo's shoulder, her hand shaking. "Leo?" she whispered, her face pale with fear.
Leo flinched at her touch but quickly composed himself. They weren't biological siblings; Leo was from the Zurin Family of the Zahara Clan, which had been wiped out by a "shadow," while Mirage was of the Atlantis Family. In every way that mattered, the Atlantis family had adopted him.
"Yes, Mira?"
Mirage paused, glancing at their father before whispering in Leo's ear. "What if we don't awaken?"
Leo didn't hesitate. "Why wouldn't we? We're Royals, remember? We were born to people who mastered Aura even before it landed here. We would have been Aura Farmers even if the system didn't exist."
Not fully reassured, Mirage nodded, though her trembling worsened.
A guilty smile tugged at Leo's lips. 'I shouldn't have mentioned the Royal part. That only made her feel more pressure.'
He turned his gaze back to the clouds. They were magnificent. In the distance, he could see the Crimson Orb that had appeared alongside the system. Its glow was dim, yet it seemed to reach everywhere. It was a paradox—visible in the North, East, West, and South simultaneously, yet located neither in the clouds nor in space. Aside from acting as a harbinger of Aura, it remained a total mystery.
Leo sighed, glanced at the trailing chariots, and turned to their father, Jean. "Where's Aunt Yariel, by the way?"
Jean stared at him with an unreadable expression before pointing downward toward the world below.
Leo's eyes widened. "But... but..."
Jean offered a small smile. "I know. An Eldrath portal opened yesterday. That's why she's there. Remember, she's your trainer and the last warrior of Zahara. She can handle it."
Leo calmed himself. He couldn't bear the thought of losing the only person he felt was his true blood family. He shrugged off the worry and returned to his prideful watch of the sky.
Soon, the chariots approached a massive city. From a distance, it looked like a mere black dot, but as they drew closer, both Leo and Mirage were left in awe.
The city was constructed of red stone and sat atop a miraculous fountain of flowing water. The water surged upward from a still ocean and cascaded back down simultaneously, creating a permanent liquid platform for the architecture. At the center of the city stood a massive glass dome that reflected the sky, hiding everything within.
The Awakening Cathedral.
Leo had heard stories of this place his entire life, but seeing it was a dream come true.
The chariots landed in front of the dome. The three of them disembarked, flanked by soldiers. As they walked toward the entrance, the surrounding crowd began to mutter.
"Isn't that Jean, the Divine Mage?" "I heard he casts spells in English." "Isn't he one of the warlords who stole the crown from King Tharok?" "Damn! It's that witch's children and her husband." "I thought Jean was just her butler." "Elara ruined our world and now her children want to awaken? Thank goodness she's in jail."
Jean and Leo ignored the vitriol, but Mirage flinched at the harsh words. They reached the entrance and were greeted by organizers who exchanged quick pleasantries with Jean before gesturing for them to enter.
But as they stepped forward, a pleasant voice called out to them.
Leo gritted his teeth at the sound. Mirage, however, smiled brightly. Jean turned, already knowing who it was.
Two young men stood before them. The elder, Fang Rui, wore a black and white hanfu of soft silk with flowing sleeves and a white sash. His long black hair framed a pleasant, almost deceitful smile. Beside him was Taren, who wore black armor made of the same soft material, with white sashes tied around his arms. He had short brown hair and honest eyes, though his left arm and right leg were crafted from porcelain wood. He wore a simple, childlike smile.
Fang Rui bowed slightly and met Jean's eyes.
"Let's walk in together, Atlantis."