Then, silence. Morca's mind drifted into unconsciousness.
It wasn't every day one encountered such a sight, a treasure like the constitutive divine awakened pool, a place where the mind could rest in total tranquility.
.....
Twenty five minutes had passed since the opening of the Constitutive Divine Awakened Pool, and many youths had already emerged.
Eight of them stood proudly on the platform, their faces alight with joy. Yet, two remained composed, Thur and Denis.
These eight were the newly awakened members of the Sherman family's new generation. However, of the three expected to awaken, only Tyler had yet to appear.
Then, suddenly, a figure emerged, radiating a chilling, dark aura. it was Tyler.
The First Elder smiled as he made the announcement:
"Tyler Sherman has awakened a mutated S - Rank Dark Frost aptitude."
A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd.
"Our Sherman family has produced two S-Rank talents this year!" he continued, his laughter thick with joy.
After all, the highest aptitude rank awakened in last year's ceremony had only been A - Rank. But this year was different. this year, history was being made.
Two S - Rank talents.
Clearly, the heavens favored their family. Or so he believed.
.....
Among the Eight awakened, one figure stood out, Grant. The joy on his face was unmistakable as he stood among the geniuses, determined to hold his place for the rest of his life.
Even though he was only a C - Rank Talent, he clung to the hope of attending Eden Domineer Academy, where he could gain resources far beyond what the family could offer.
His eyes scanned the area, searching for someone. But when he failed to find him, his expression darkened with concern.
"Why isn't he out yet? He was the first to jump into the water… Is he dead?"
As Morca's figure surfaced in his mind, a wicked smile crept across Grant's lips.
Suddenly, the gateway swirled violently, ejecting the remaining youths from the Constitutive Divine Awakened Pool.
Among them was Morca.
His aura was eerily calm, so much so that he seemed more like an ordinary mortal than an awakened one. No oppressive energy. No sign of power.
As he stood up, preparing to leave, a young man stepped forward, blocking his path.
Grant sneered.
"One... Eyed Librarian Fool, do you think you can just leave without the First Elder's permission? How bold of a wretch like you to disrespect him. You must face the consequences for your insolence."
His voice carried the weight of false righteousness, as if he were a judge pronouncing a sinner's fate.
If there was one thing Morca despised, it was those who cloaked their selfish ambitions in the guise of justice.
.....
The heavens watch as mortals suffer.
Yet when a mortal struggles, survives, and ascends to their rank, they hunt him down, claiming it is the natural order of evolution.
How hypocritical.
Those who fear the rise of a mere mortal dare to dictate the path to ascension.
The same injustice unfolds now.
He only wished to leave in peace. Yet this fool stood in his way, spewing self... righteous nonsense about honor and respect.
How laughable. How hypocritical.
Today, he would correct this fool, with his fists.
Morca's gaze locked onto Grant, his murderous intent unmistakable.
"Step aside, or else."
Grant's instincts screamed at him to flee. But how could he? He was an Awakened now. To retreat from trash like Morca (the so-called One-eyed Librarian Fool), would be disgraceful.
And so, he stood his ground.
"Or what?!"
Pain. Sharp and sudden.
Darkness crept into his vision.
The next thing everyone saw was a hand flying through the air, followed by a fountain of blood.
It happened so fast that even the First Elder failed to react in time to save Grant.
"How dare you attack your own kin without remorse, you fiend! I will show you your place. Trash like you has no right to stand among the Awakened. You shall pay with your life!"
.....
The Storm Approaches
"First Elder, are you saying you want to kill a genius of the Sherman family?"
A calm voice rang out, cutting through the tense silence.
Everyone present felt a chill, as if the Grim Reaper himself had arrived to collect a soul, unstoppable and inevitable.
No one dared to stand in his way…
"What do you mean, Emmett Lee?" the First Elder asked, his voice shaking.
His formal, imposing aura had vanished, he couldn't, or rather, he should not dare to show it. The consequences of going against this madman…
"Yes, Emmett Lee. Morca's elder brother is here."
Emmett Lee smiled, his amusement barely concealed.
"So, you think my little brother didn't awakened just because he can control his aura, huh?"
The First Elder didn't know when he had started sweating. He had placed himself in a difficult situation, one he had no idea how to resolve.
And if that wasn't enough, his son Thur stepped forward.
"Brother Emmett Lee, you are acting unjustly here. My father was not at fault. Why should you speak to him that way? And he is an First Elder at that. I think you should be punished by the family rules!"
Thur gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Emmett Lee chuckled.
"Oh, is that so? How about I say your father will no longer be the Sherman First Elder? Will I still be punished by the family rules?"
His tone was light, almost teasing, yet the weight of his words made the air suffocating.
Thur's face twisted in anger.
"Do y... hmm hmm."
Before he could retort, his father swiftly appeared behind him, covering his mouth.
"Brother Lee, please forgive him..."
Emmett Lee smirked.
"No bother. Do I look angry to you? All you have to do is compensate. My little brother has a mental disorder, anything should be enough, but with value."
The First Elder clenched his fists.
"Anything, my as ass... You are clearly demanding something valuable," he thought bitterly.
Finally, he sighed, retrieving a ring from his pocket.
"This is a 4 star ring, and inside is 50 thousand dollars. Please accept my apology."
He extended it to Emmett Lee, whose smile widened as he took the offering.
"Manageable. I will pass."
.....