A chariot flew through the clouds, followed by four more.
It was pulled by two winged white horses and steered by a rider in black. Three people occupied the passenger seat: a middle-aged man in a white overgarment and fur-lined cape, alongside two children dressed similarly.
The girl had long ashen-brown hair streaked with silver and large white eyes that seemed to reflect everything around them.
The boy had honey-bronze skin, dark mahogany hair, and a smile.
A prideful smile.
His life was about to become much harder. His training would intensify, he would begin schooling at the strictest academy on Earth, and eventually be dragged into the war between Primoria and Eldrath.
Yet he was thrilled.
Today, he would awaken as an Aura Farmer.
'I'll get my abilities and become the strongest,' he thought.
Leo was so lost in his excitement that he failed to notice his sister trembling beside him.
Thirteen years ago, the Aura System had fully manifested on Primoria. Before then, Aura was limited to a select few who could form contracts with powerful beings. These individuals eventually founded the clans that ruled not only Earth, but the entire realm.
Everything changed when Elara Atlantis broke the rules and brought Aura into the common world. Many died. Others gained access to the system. Some became Banished, unable to use Aura at all.
The arrival of Aura also weakened the seals separating Primoria from Eldrath, allowing a long-standing enemy realm to invade. The war had lasted ever since.
Still, every year children between eleven and thirteen were given the chance to Awaken.
Today, it was Leo and Mirage's turn.
"Leo?" Mirage whispered.
"Yes, Mira?"
"What if we don't awaken?"
Leo didn't hesitate.
"Why wouldn't we? We're Royals. Our families used Aura before the system even existed."
Mirage nodded, though she still looked nervous.
Leo turned back toward the clouds. In the distance hung the Crimson Orb, the mysterious red sphere that had appeared alongside the system. It could be seen from every direction at once, yet nobody knew where it truly was.
He glanced at their father.
"Where's Aunt Yariel?"
Jean pointed toward the ground below.
"An Eldrath portal opened yesterday."
Leo's eyes widened.
Jean smiled faintly.
"She's your trainer and the last warrior of Zahara. She can handle it."
Leo relaxed.
Soon, the chariots approached a massive city built from red stone atop a miraculous fountain that surged endlessly from the ocean below.
At its center stood a gigantic glass dome.
The Awakening Cathedral.
The chariots landed, and the family disembarked.
As they approached the entrance, whispers followed them.
"Isn't that Jean, the Divine Mage?"
"I heard he casts spells in English."
"That's that witch's family."
"Thank goodness Elara is in jail."
Jean and Leo ignored them. Mirage flinched.
Before they entered, a pleasant voice called out.
Leo immediately recognized it.
Two young men approached.
Fang Rui wore flowing black-and-white robes and carried an infuriatingly pleasant smile. Beside him stood Taren, whose left arm and right leg had been replaced by porcelain wood.
"Let's walk in together, Atlantis," Fang Rui said.
Jean nodded.
"Why not?"
He greeted Taren warmly before the two groups joined each other.
Mirage immediately hugged both young men.
"Leo! Big brothers are here!"
Leo did not share her enthusiasm.
He stared at Fang Rui with murderous intent.
'I'll burn him alive.'
Fang Rui smiled.
"Too bad for you, I won't die such a petty death."
Leo froze.
The bastard had read his thoughts.
'Forgot he reads minds.'
"It's nice to know we agree on your level of intelligence."
Leo gritted his teeth.
Then he noticed something.
'Wait. Did he rank up?'
Fang Rui's smile widened.
"Yes."
Leo's eye twitched.
'Just wait until I awaken.'
"I trust you..."
Leo almost smiled.
"...to fail."
Before Leo could respond, Taren called them inside.
The cathedral was even more magnificent than he had imagined.
The glass exterior gave way to a stone interior illuminated by a miniature Crimson Orb floating high above.
At the center of the chamber rose a massive glowing root that spiraled toward the ceiling.
According to the world, that giant piece of wood was about to decide whether he was a king or a peasant.
Thousands of seats surrounded it in a perfect circle.
Leo, Mirage, Fang Rui, and Taren took their places near the front.
Across the chamber sat the most powerful figures in Primoria.
Jean.
King Tharok.
The Chairmen of Celestial Academy and Tenebris Academy.
Clan Leaders. Royals. Commanders.
A man in a large white tunic stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Twelfth Annual Awakening Ceremony. Today, another generation of elites will be born."
The crowd erupted in applause.
The host raised a hand.
"Before we begin, let us remember the woman who made Aura available to humanity. Elara Atlantis, Queen of Bones."
To Leo's surprise, everyone stood.
Mirage looked emotional.
Leo looked confused.
His mother was in prison.
Why were people saluting her?
The answer came in the form of thousands of voices.
"Once we lived in shame!"
"But then she came and made a name!"
"She said fight or die without a name!"
"Glory to the Queen of Bones!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN OF BONES!"
The cathedral shook with their voices.
Then everyone sat back down.
As the host continued speaking, Leo quickly lost interest.
Instead, he turned toward Taren.
Taren was older, but he was Leo's closest friend.
There was so much he wanted to talk about. He wanted to brag about finally beating Yariel in a spar and riding a horse without Jean finding out.
Seeing Leo's growing grin, Taren shifted uncomfortably.
"Uhm... is there something you want to talk about?"
Leo leaned closer.
"Taren, doesn't this all feel strange?"
He gestured toward the stage.
"They keep calling Awakening a gift for humanity, but the people standing up there are already the strongest people in the world. Kings. Clan Leaders. Warlords."
He tilted his head.
"It's always the same people."
His grin remained.
"Makes me wonder if we're really here to become heroes... or just more soldiers for their war."
Taren blinked.
Leo continued.
"Though forget all that."
His grin widened.
"If I awaken a Seed stronger than yours and Fang Rui's combined..."
He leaned closer.
"Will you still call me little brother? Or will you start looking at me the same way those people outside do?"
Taren stared at him.
It was honestly disturbing how Leo could say things like that while smiling.
And yet...
The kid was making a terrifying amount of sense.
"Uhm, Leo."
"What?"
Taren rubbed the back of his neck.
"I think you're forgetting something."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"What might that be?"
Taren smiled sheepishly.
"Nothing much."
"Just maybe the fact that I am a Banished."