The Youth Awakener's Championship Begins

Chapter 19: The Youth Awakener's Championship Begins

Arjun stood in the central arena, taking in the grand spectacle that lay before him. The immense stadium, built to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, hummed with anticipation. High above, massive screens displayed the countdown timer—two hours until the start of the Youth Awakener's Championship, the event that would set the stage for promising young awakeners across the nation.

He could see the bustling activity of the event's organizers—the International Awaken Control Organization (IACO)—ensuring that every last detail was perfect. Security was tight, with city enforcer officers patrolling the area, while teams of event managers and support staff hustled to oversee safety protocols and precautions. It was a high-stakes event, with hundreds of aspiring awakeners set to participate, each eager to make their mark.

The practice arena was filled with young awakeners engaged in mock battles. Blasts of elemental magic and the hum of special abilities filled the air. Some were honing their skills, while others showed off, drawing admiring or envious glances. Arjun's gaze moved across the field, taking in the various abilities being displayed.

As he stood observing, a small creature on his shoulder shifted. Happi, his little summon, stared out at the chaos with wide, curious eyes. With its tiny form and glowing eyes, it looked more like a plush toy than a summon. Happi shared its master's curiosity, taking in the spectacle with childlike fascination. Arjun patted Happi's head gently, the summon letting out a soft chirp in response.

Among the young awakeners, Arjun noticed a few displaying their powers openly—fiery eruptions, water whips, and telekinetic feats drew gasps from onlookers. But he could also sense tension simmering beneath the surface. Not everyone was here to simply practice; some were sizing up the competition, their eyes full of envy and jealousy as they measured their peers.

Turning his attention to the far end of the arena, Arjun spotted a group of prominent awakeners gathered near a raised platform. They were engaged in animated discussion, and he realized they were preparing for the speeches that would kick off the championship. It was a tradition for top-tier awakeners to motivate the participants each year, sharing their wisdom and encouragement as part of the opening ceremony.

Among them, Arjun recognized a few familiar faces—people he had read about, watched on IndraLive, and even idolized. Seeing them up close was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. These were the same people whose exploits were legendary, the ones who set the bar for what it meant to be an awakener.

But amidst all the excitement, something unexpected happened. Happi, who had been sitting quietly on his shoulder, suddenly perked up and dashed off. Arjun's heart skipped a beat as the little creature leaped down and started scurrying across the arena grounds.

"H-Happi, wait!" Arjun called out, his voice tinged with panic. Without a second thought, he took off after his summon, weaving through the crowd and dodging surprised participants and staff.

Happi darted forward with surprising speed, moving towards a group of people standing near the main stage. Arjun tried to keep up, but his summon was too fast. Finally, Happi stopped and, to Arjun's shock, leaped onto the shoulder of a tall man who was speaking with one of the IACO staff members.

Arjun skidded to a halt, his mouth falling open as he realized who Happi had chosen to perch on. It was none other than Ranveer Rathore—the Gravity General. A former army commander turned top-rank awakener, Ranveer Rathore was one of India's most powerful and respected figures in the awakener community.

The Gravity General's presence alone was enough to make Arjun's heart pound with nervousness. The man's power to manipulate gravity was legendary, and his battlefield prowess was the stuff of myths. And now, Happi—his tiny summon—was sitting on the man's shoulder, looking quite content.

"I-I'm so sorry, sir!" Arjun stammered, his words stumbling over each other. He bowed his head respectfully, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. "I didn't mean for Happi to disturb you. It—um, I mean—"

Ranveer glanced at the small creature on his shoulder, then looked down at Arjun. His expression was neutral, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"No need to apologize," he said in a deep, calm voice. "It's not every day a summon chooses to sit on my shoulder." He gently patted Happi's head, and the summon let out a soft coo of approval.

Arjun was taken aback. "Y-you don't mind?"

"Not at all," Ranveer replied. "Infant beasts are often attracted to strong sources of mana. It probably sensed mine and got curious." He paused, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Arjun. "But I'm curious myself. Why are you keeping your summon out in the open before the championship starts? You know it's a waste of mana, right?"

Arjun hesitated, glancing at Happi. "I know… but it's just that… Happi doesn't like staying in the space. It's still small and wants to stay by my side."

The Gravity General regarded him for a moment, then gave a nod of understanding. "I see. A bond like that is rare. Hold on to it."

As if on cue, Happi hopped back to Arjun's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. Arjun let out a breath of relief, murmuring his thanks to Ranveer.

Before he could say more, the loudspeakers crackled to life, and a voice announced the start of the opening ceremony. The buzz in the air heightened as the top young awakener, Rishabh Mehta—the Thunder Lord, and the youngest S-rank awakener in India—stepped onto the stage.

Dressed in his distinctive battle gear, Rishabh radiated confidence and power. His presence commanded attention, and as he began his speech, the entire arena fell silent.

"Welcome, aspiring awakeners!" he began, his voice resonating with authority. "This is your moment to shine. The Youth Awakener's Championship is more than just a competition—it's a proving ground. Many of us standing here today made our debut on this very stage. So, give it your all, and show the world what you're capable of!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Arjun couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for. As the championship officially began, he knew that all eyes would be on him.

And as the only summoner in the competition, he was already gaining attention. A few participants had noticed his interaction with the Gravity General, and whispers spread like wildfire.

"Did you see that?"

"Isn't that guy a summoner? What's he doing here?"

"Why would a summoner even compete? They're practically support roles…"

But Arjun didn't let the murmurs get to him. He squared his shoulders, his gaze steely. He wasn't here to listen to doubts or second-guess himself. He was here to make a name for himself, to prove that a summoner could stand alongside the strongest.

The battles ahead would be tough. The competition would be fierce.

But with Happi by his side and the determination burning in his chest, Arjun was ready to show the world what a summoner was truly capable of.