Awakening (I)

 What are you talking about? How will other heroes wake up?

[!DING HOST WILL AWAKEN UP WITH YOU THE PHOENIX HERO, ELF HERO, HUMAN HERO, VAMPIRE HERO AND DEMON HERO.]

Are you saying they are all the same age as me?

[!DING HOST, ONLY THE PHOENIX HERO IS THE SAME AGE AS YOU, BECAUSE ONLY THE RACE TO WHICH THE PHOENIX HERO BELONGS AND YOUR RACE CAN AWAKEN UP AT 1 YEAR OLD.]

[!DING HUMAN HERO IS 13 YEARS OLDER, ELF HERO IS 9 YEARS OLDER, DEMON HERO IS 7 YEARS OLDER, AND VAMPIRE HERO IS 5 YEARS OLDER.]

[!DING NOT EVERY CREATURE IS AS LUCKY AS YOU. NOT EVERYONE CAN ENTER THE AWAKENING CEREMONY AT 1 YEAR OLD.]

Understood, that's enough Ande.

I turned my head and looked at my father.

Noticing that I was looking at him, my father asked, "Is there a problem, son?"

"No, father, I'm just curious about when I'll participate in the awakening ceremony."

"You'll go last, because the best always comes last," my father said proudly.

"Understood, father," I said, grinning.

"We don't have any relatives here, Aldrich. So you don't have to be nice to anyone. Your position is above everyone else here, so everyone has to treat you with respect," my father said in a neutral tone.

I simply nodded in response to my father.

A servant came and said something to my father.

After the servant left, my father stood up and spoke.

"The awakening ceremony is starting. All officials, take your places and begin the awakening," my father said.

My father's speech was normal, even quiet, but his voice echoed throughout the hall.

I need to learn this technique; I can't keep shouting every time I talk about something.

After my father's speech, the awakening stones were brought into the hall, and the awakening ceremony began successfully.

I also learned from my father that everyone's surname except for ours and the duchies' is Dragonborn.

The first name was announced by the person conducting the awakening.

"Falkon Dragonborn, please come forward for the awakening," said the host.

After the host's words, a poorly dressed boy came forward to the awakening stones.

At least that's what I think.

"He's the son of a duke," my father said.

I was surprised because how could the son of a duke be so poorly dressed?

"It may seem poor to you because of the life you've lived, but it's actually very luxurious compared to other beings," my father said.

I realized it was my mistake, and I nodded to my father again.

"First, hold the Energy Stone with both hands and awaken your energy," said the host.

Falkon complied with his instructions and placed both hands on the awakening stone.

After waiting for 1 second, 12 out of 16 notches lit up, indicating that Falkon had awakened at the Sacred level.

Judging by its brightness, the Sacred level is understood to be the 4th stage, almost entering the Saint stage.

"You'll have a bright future, child. Awakening mana at the Sacred level is very good," said the host.

"Now, come to the Ruh awakening stone, child," said the host.

Falkon followed the host's instructions and placed his hands on the awakening stone for the soul.

After waiting for another second, 11 out of 16 notches lit up, and a large azure dragon appeared above it, indicating that Falkon had awakened at the Emperor level.

Judging by its brightness, the Emperor level is the 5th stage, almost reaching the Sacred stage.

"Hahaha, you're a good sapling for the dragon empire. A bright future awaits you; you might even elevate your family's position," the host praised Falkon.

"Thank you for your praise," Falkon said with a dignified manner.

"Now, put your hand on the final awakening stone as a cosmic weapon," said the host.

Falkon complied with the host's instructions and placed his hand on the cosmic weapon awakening stone.

After waiting for 1 second, 12 out of 16 notches lit up, and a blue sword appeared above it, indicating that Falkon had awakened at the Sacred level with a weapon.

Judging by its brightness, the Sacred level is the 5th stage, almost reaching the Chaos stage, indicating a very bright future.

"He's a really good sapling. Awakening at the Sacred level with both mana and a weapon, he'll develop very well," my father said.

"You're right, father. Maybe we should provide resources to cultivate him," I said.

"The academy is enough for that. I'll sponsor his entry into the Celestial Education Academy," my father said.

"Father, you didn't tell me about academies before," I said, furrowing my brows.

"Because you didn't need to know about them, my son. You're still very young," my father said.

"Okay, father, but you have to tell me later," I said to my father, raising my eyebrows.

My father ruffled my hair and nodded in approval.

After an hour, almost everyone's awakenings were complete.

There are only 2 duchy children and me who haven't undergone awakening.

Although there are 6 duchies in the empire, the other 4 duchy children didn't achieve good results.

My father's disappointment is evident.

The remaining 2 duchies are the ones my father is most hopeful about and believes will produce good saplings because these families have been serving the empire for a long time and provide good young talents to the empire.

"Alicia Balerion, please come forward for the awakening," said the host in a respectful tone.

A white-haired girl emerged from one of the rooms in the hall and glided to the awakening area.

"Before you ask, let me tell you, child, she's using an artifact to glide," my father said.

I'm sure my father understands me very well by now.

Alicia, with her sea-blue hair and blue horns, was an average-sized girl with a luxurious and extravagant dress, exuding a dignified demeanor beyond her years, a young female dragon.

She placed her hand on the energy stone.

After a second of waiting, 13 out of 16 notches lit up, indicating that Alicia had awakened at the Chaos level.

Judging by the brightness of the stone, we can understand that it's at the 5th stage of the Chaos level, almost at the Primitive Chaos level.

"You'll have a truly bright future, Lady Alicia," said the host.

Alicia just gave him a glance and continued, placing her hands on the soul awakening stone.

After waiting for another second, 14 out of 16 notches lit up, and a huge dragon appeared above it, indicating that Alicia had awakened at the Primitive Chaos level with the hereditary soul of the Balerion family, Caraxes.

Also judging by its brightness, the Primitive Chaos level is the 4th stage, almost at the Void level.

"Lady Alicia, you may become a very good soul magician in the future, maybe even the best. This is the best degree in the last 100 years," the host shouted.

Then my father's voice was heard

 in the hall.

"The Balerion family has produced a good young dragon again. You can visit the palace for a reward later," my father said.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty, I'm not worthy of it," Alicia said in a respectful tone.

"Don't be humble in front of me, Alicia. When you're told to visit the palace, you visit," my father said, revealing all his majesty.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Alicia said in a fearful voice.

"Now, continue with the awakening ceremony," my father said.

As soon as Alicia finished my father's speech, she placed her hands on the cosmic weapon awakening stone.

After waiting for a second, 13 out of 16 notches lit up, and a red zither appeared above it, indicating that Alicia had awakened at the Chaos level with a weapon.

Judging by its brightness, the Chaos level is the 5th stage, almost at the Primitive Chaos level.

"She's truly a good young dragon. She definitely deserves a reward. As I said before, visit the palace, child," my father said.

Alicia nodded her head in agreement and took her place.

"Next awakener, Aemond Sunfyre, please come forward," said the host.

This announcement made it clear that the next person was Aemond Sunfyre, the greatest duchy.

TO BE CONTINUED...