8 Awakening (II)

After saying everything he needed to Master Edic gave a light cough and pointed toward the child in the front of the line. "You first boy, state your name." The child was slightly nervous but as he didn't want to embarrass the emperor he replied quickly. "I'm Eron Nightray from the side branch."

"Alright boy for the first test, step forward and place your hand on this orb close your eyes and try to feel out the elemental qi around you."

After saying this the man took out an orb and placed it on a hole inside the pillar that was next to him. these two things combined was how talent was tested. The boy quickly nodded and walked forward toward the pillar and did as instructed.

For a moment nothing happened but suddenly a small flame sparked within the orb and burned silently and the pillar lit up with a solid red glow. and after a moment it disappear and the boy re-opened his eyes not sure exactly what had happened.

"Flame affinity. High-ranked Red talent." Said The man sounding very monotone. He wasn't very surprised about this talent rating as the child was only from the side branch of the Nightray clan. Although a Nightray couldn't be compared to a commoner red talent, within the clan this result was all the same, disappointing.

The boy was heartbroken with this talent, and seeing the crowds disdainful expression he felt even further despair he wanted to jump off the alter immediately but he put on a brave face and hoped the second test would go better.

Master Edic took a few steps toward the boy and put his hand on top of his head. "Do the same as before, close your eyes but this time follow my soul energy and see if you can sense a spirit within yourself." The boy nodded silently.

After seeing his affirmation Master Edic's hand that was placed on the child's head began to glow with a pale blue light. and a small amount of his energy traveled toward the boy's soul and once there, he fed small drops of energy toward it. "Tell me if you feel anything sense carefully if you have a spirit there it will try to connect with you."

The boy nodded but after a couple of minutes past nothing happened. Finally Master Edic retracted his soul energy and lifted his hand. "There is nothing, step down now boy." The child sighed and left he was highly disappointed with his results.

Riel had had his soul waves in constant fluctuation as he observed this entire process it all seemed straight-forward but he was still worried about causing a scene like when he was born and he also didn't want someone interacting with his soul. He knew that his soul was far more powerful than a child's should be and if Master Edic were to see he could possibly blow away the low profile he had kept until now.

"Should I just leave after the first part?" He thought worriedly.

As he was having these thoughts suddenly an old voice sounded within his mind. "Relax boy.... Just keep your crown on. It will mask your soul and hide your talent you don't have to worry, we've thought of everything..."

Riel was shocked to hear the voice but he recognized it as his grandfather's. Riel was happy but he also had a self mocking expression. "I thought they never noticed my soul waves but it seems I was just being naive." At least there will be no trouble for now.

With that he continued to watch the Ceremony in silence.

"Alright next." Said Master Edic. One by one the children continued to step forth but they were much less excited than before seeing the first person fail so miserably.

Earth affinity. Mid-ranked Orange talent. No spirit.

Water affinity. Mid-ranked Red talent. No spirit.

Flame affinity High-ranked Orange talent. No spirit...

The ceremony continued, and 17 people had already awakened to their element. So far the results hadn't been promising the highest ranking talent to come out of these people was a Mid-ranked green talent who possessed the rare Lightning element. Many people praised him but even he did not have a spirit.

The others to awaken varied from Mid-ranked Red To High-ranked Orange. To the Nightray clan although A high ranked Orange could compete with a Low-Ranked Green if they're eyes were strong enough this results were really low compared to previous years.

"It seems this year isn't too great for the Nightray clan hopefully these last few can do better." Said the red-haired prince beside the Brightflame emperor with a faint arrogance that was hard to suppress.

The Nightray Emperor didn't bother to respond to the prince's taunting words. "Hmph! my brother will be great anyway just keep your mouth closed dumb prince. Said Rize with an angry expression. She always had this straight-forward character and hearing someone insinuating her brother had no hope, pushed her over the edge.

Riel's other siblings didn't say anything but none of them reprimanded her they believed in their brother as well. "Big brother you have to make sure to discipline the 2nd princess later her will is a bit to strong." Said Regis sounding slightly upset.

"Regis, Worry about your own child, he's about to go up soon you will need to wish him luck." Said the Nightray emperor not even looking at him.

When he said that everyone's focus returned to the alter and a girl went up and stood before the elder.

"State your name child then begin." Said Master Edic.

"Zyra... Protector. " This girl was absolutely gorgeous it was guaranteed that she would be a stunning beauty in the future, she had light green eyes and raven black hair with slightly darker skin that was completely unblemished. She almost had the looks on the level of the Nightray emperors own daughters but clearly she wasn't a Nightray

"She must be an orphan of one of the Main branches elder's she hasn't got our name." Said a side branch member in the crowd. Everyone agreed when this person spoke she didn't have the markings of a Nightray clan member either so it must be true.

"She says she's a Protector as well could she have been raised by the main family all this time?" Everyone was curious but all of that was put to the side as an odd win kicked up within the cave.

This was strange since they were underground. And people were shocked by the source which was the young girl on the alter. The orb on the pillar was now green in color and on the inside was a large tree and constantly growing vegetation around it almost like an entire world was being born within the space of the orb.

After a while the pillar began to glow with a pale blue light and then the phenomenon died down shortly after. Everyone in the underground chamber was silenced even Master Edic himself didn't expect the girl to have such talent nevertheless he had a job to do.

Life affinity. Low-ranked Blue talent.

Blue talent! the crowd was shocked. This girl wasn't even a Nightray yet she had surpassed all of the other children that went up today so far. "Hmm.. A blue talent with the life element where did you find her Klein?" Said the Brightflame Emperor.

"My wife found her some time ago, she's been training with her ever since." Said the emperor lightly.

The crowd was even more surprised the empress had never taken in a disciple before but looking at the young girls talent they could easily understand why.

"Alright come, Miss Zyra i will conduct the spirit test next." Hearing that this girl was trained by the empress herself and she was already this talented Master Edic decided to treat her with a lot more respect.

The girl nodded and stepped forward. The man put his hand on her head and much like the few times before a pale blue light was released and sank into the child's body. almost instantly a green glow started to appear on the childs skin and around her body a green wind began to swirl around her. Master edic imediately stopped the flow of his soul energy and stepped back.

"She is already a Blue ranked talent but she also has a spirit this is amazing i wonder what it will be and what rank it is."

"The rank should be high right i mean she is a blue talent her spirit might be heaven ranked." The crowd was ecstatic as their empire had gotten a spirit holder in this batch.

The Brightflame emperor's son was a bit mesmerized by the girl, her beauty and talent were both top notch and she also appeared to have a spirit as well.

While everyone was talking excitedly the green wind that covered around her body ceased and the spirit that caused it was revealed. It was a fairy that was completely green in color yet almost completely transparent, it had a light blue aura that surrounded it. It flew around the girls head before disappearing within her body. After this happened the little girl finally opened her eyes slightly dazed at what just took place.

People were silent as they gazed at her but she didn't bother with any of them and silently stepped off the stage.

"Everyone Miss Zyra's spirit is Low Sky ranked judging by its aura." Said Master Edic sounding very excited.

The many kings and lords in the crowd were shocked at this girls talent she was just a mere protector yet her talent for cultivation was higher than even the Main family members that took part in the awakening.

Apparently the Brightflame prince thought so as well. "Hey you girl join my empire we wouldn't have you be a mere protector with such talent, we will grant you much higher status." He said arrogantly.

The girl looked toward him and spoke expressionlessly. "With all do respect your Highness, I must decline, the empress has shown me great kindness and I must do my duty and protect the 2nd prince I could never shy away from this nor would I want to.

Riel was shocked when he heard this although he didn't show it on his face but he turned toward his mother curiously. She looked at him and smiled amused by his curiosity after all, not much could move this young son of hers.

"You can head back now child will talk later." The empress said completely ignoring the boy's enticing words.

"Apologize to the empress now Kira, you want to take her people right in front of her it seems you need more discipline." The Brightflame emperor said simply.

Those observing this felt this was very hypocritical as he didn't say anything until after the empress ignored his son as he was an emperor however they did not mention it.

After this small episode the Awakening ceremony continued with only two children left One was the only son of the emperor's little brother Dorian; and the other was the emperor's second son. The crowd felt heavy excitement but not for the prospects of the prince but for his cousin. The reason being was because except the prince standing behind him he was the one with the purest bloodline of all of the children awakening this year and according to his father, he was very close to awakening his Nightray Eye bloodline.

The stage was set for him to be one of if not the most talented Nightray of his generation so it wasn't a surprise that he would garner this much attention. And if you looked at him you could almost feel the arrogance radiating off of him as his calm gaze landed across the crowd of people surrounding him.

Master Edic to, had a smile as he was very excited to be the one to unearth the potential this child would undoubtedly possess.

"Lord Dorian please step forward."