Leo, looking at the student spoke with heavy tone.
"People say the younger generation is the flame of the future, while adults are the methane that keeps it burning. I don't know about others, but I see that the people of Ashtrum are still alive! The young of Ashtrum live on! We protect, and we endure!"
He took a deep breath before continuing
"Today is the start of the new chapter of your life for the Ashtrum or for protecting it from the vile President of those bastard, who not only exploit us but also legally kidnapped us from our own planet."
"We know we had no chance to oppose them. The ones before us, the former Ashtrum, allowed it. We remained silent while our brothers in Lahr were shackled, forced to leave their mothers and sisters behind for an unknown fate of slavery.
They lived under oppression from the moment they were born. Even as they grew, they remained nothing more than slaves to the sick, corrupt Central Government."
Leo paused for a moment, scanning the crowd before him. Then, with a fiery roar, he continued:
We did not resist. We did not speak against their crimes. We endured every injustice, every punishment they threw at us, asking for nothing but peace in return.
And what did they give us in return?"
"They destroyed Lahr. They slaughtered us without hesitation. Even when we begged, even when we prayed for mercy, they ignored us. Eight billion of our brothers and sisters were massacred—all because they dared to ask for freedom. All because they wished to be treated as equals, as humans."
Was it a crime to want to be treated as equals?
He clenched his fists.
"We did not take up arms for power, nor for tyranny. We fight not for conquest, but for survival. For justice! For the memory of those who came before us. To protect our children and the weak! That is why we became the military, this is the solo responsibility of Military of Ares!"
Leo's voice softened,
"Every child of Ashtrum and Ares is our future flame. I wanted to remind you all of what we are fighting for. I know what you are going through—twenty years ago, I felt the same uncertainty, the same fear."
"No matter what happens today, whether you awaken or not, I hope you will continue to support your families, the young and the old, our district, and our world! No matter how far you go, never forget where you came from!"
He took a deep breath, then declared
"We might not be the strongest compared to other races, but we're tough! We adapt fast! We're survivors! And we will continue surviving for generations to come! We are humans!"
With that, Leo raised his hand.
"Now—let the Awakening begin!
As the students blood pump with Leo's word, the start of awakening snapped them out of their day dreams!.
"Romus Arno | Roll No: 0001 | ID-027832-421, step forward!"
Romus, the first boy in the class, stepped up and touched the Source Cube. A minute passed—nothing happened. The instructor, along with the District Governor, exchanged a look of disappointment.
"Failed, Next"
As harsh as it sounded student had no choice but to accept it. But being a person of high grade and being top of the class he had chance to work in command room, Unlike student of lower grade whose only chance if not awakened is work as normal soldiers whose fatality rate high as 88%.
The next student came up.
"Failed, next!"
"This isn't looking good…"
"Listen! everyone move aside to your room after your result." Green haired instructor named Alcie, instructed.
Today was a day when the dreams of the best and brightest could be shattered. She didn't want failed students breaking down in the auditorium.
"Next!"
"Failed" "Next!"
"Failed"
As time passed, Roman could see the student's face changed, hopeful to grim.
It had been while but no one had awaken their Origin power! Take it to mind all of those are best of best of their class. Who are not only excellent in combat efficiency but also best in study.
If he was teenager like them, and hadn't face harshness of the world, maybe he would be also worried but hopeful like them.
If Roman were younger, untouched by the harshness of the world, he might have worried like them. He would have held onto hope, just as he once did when he dreamed of starting an online business, imagining thousands of sales in a year—until reality struck.
"Nobody is the main character in the world. Even if you want to succeed, life puts you in its shoes."
He understood that something based on luck could never be relied upon. Right now, all he could do was plan for his future if he failed to awaken.
"Worst case, I could always mooch off someone… Now that I think about it, my predecessor's father is one of the regiment head of the normal army. Maybe I could get a position through nepotism and work my way up."
He smirked at his own thoughts.
"People love backdoor opportunities when they benefit, but when it's someone else, they call it unfair."
Just then, someone he knew stepped forward.
"Lily Backerman | Roll No: 0050 | ID-027832-421, step forward!"
Lily slowly stood from her seat. It was finally her turn.
"Not a single person has awakened before me. If I fail… will my dream end here?"
The thought sent a chill through her. If she couldn't awaken, her chance of avenging her father and mother would disappear.
A hand closed around hers, reassuring and warm.
It was Roman.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Lily," he said with a smile. "No matter what happens, life will go on. Nothing will change. You still have me, and you still have your friends."
Her anxious heart steadied.
"Wish me luck," she whispered, smiling.
Roman nodded, watching as she stepped toward the Source Cube.
Instructor Alcie, unfazed by the small delay, simply said, "Just touch the Source Cube for a minute."
Whispers spread through the hall.
"Will she awaken her Origin Power?""Who knows? No one in the first forty awakened. If she doesn't, that makes fifty failures.""It would be ironic if she failed."
Some words were filled with hope, others with malice. But Roman ignored them. Meanwhile, Lily, standing before the Source Cube, was unaware of the murmurs around her.
"58… 56… 54… 43… 21… 8… 9… 3…"
Alcie took a breath, preparing to declare failure—
"Fai—" She stopped.
A faint light flickered within the Source Cube. The glow grew stronger, pulsing as it was absorbed into Lily's body.
As the light faded, a faint shower of energy wrapped around her like a gentle embrace.
"Congratulations, Lily!" Alcie announced. "You truly are a phoenix, just like your father and mother."
Would you mind sharing what talent you are awakened, hearing it Lily smiled brightfully, "Its not that good, instructor Saying the a visual interference appear above her.
[F rank talent: Wood Master]
"What a wonderful talent! you could not only heal you comrade but also attack them with your plant controlling power." Alcie replied.
"If your mana core was little stronger you could have fight on the front line" Leo added while praising her talent."
While nodding to their flattery she wave at Roman while exit the room just like protocol.