Chapter 7: Arcane Energy for Ranking System

Three hours had slipped by since the commencement of the awakening ceremony, and the culmination of 180 children's efforts was now evident. The three administrators, their expressions inscrutable, bore witness to the diverse array of talents on display.

A sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air as the children couldn't resist comparing and boasting about each other's achievements.

"Twin Hammer, I got it, and did you know there's an engraving of thunder on the hammer?"

"Heh! Mine's the Fiery Axe."

"Is that all? I have the Water and Air Blade. I can create any blade using just the wind's knowledge."

"You may have a Water and Air Blade, but the question is, can you make it into the rankings later?"

"Right, remember, no matter how impressive your arcane powers are, if they don't make it to level 5 of the ranking system, they're worthless," Izy replied to them.

As the children bragged and boasted, Alcala, as a vigilant woman, remained focused on watching over the kids who were still awakening. Though she had grown accustomed to these children, she didn't let her guard down, always on the lookout for anyone who might surpass the ones before. However, she knew that there would likely be no one to surprise her anymore.

Her attention was fixed on the children when she suddenly heard a commotion behind her. She followed their gaze.

"Sebastian?" What could be so special about this child that he seemed to be such a sensation to them?

Unable to contain her thoughts, she couldn't help but wonder as she saw their eager anticipation, knowing that Sebastian had finally awakened.

Sebastian had a wand with intricate carvings, a wand that exuded a presence akin to a slumbering, mighty beast that had just awakened. It was this aura that sent shivers down Alcala's spine.

Once, she had received a mission from the academy, one that took her to a distant kingdom. News had spread of an arcane beast tide there, and amidst the battle between arcanists and arcane beasts, a colossal dragon had attacked. Fortunately, the Arcana Academy had dispatched their Elder.

It was there that Alcala had first realized just how fragile they were. It was there she learned that her eyes needed to be opened to the world of Arcane Masters.

So, after graduating, she had decided to journey to an empire, still haunted by the memories of the past, motivated by experiences that had forever changed her.

As she reminisced about the past, Sebastian's arcane power provided her with a similar feeling. The wand belonged to the top tier of arcane powers due to its diverse abilities.

Those who wielded the wand were known as arcane wizards. It earned its diversity from the fact that some of its bearers could manipulate elements, while others possessed auxiliary arcane abilities.

In the kingdom's records, there were only three arcane wizards, but rumors had it that neighboring kingdoms also had their own arcane wizards.

Regrettably, within the Kingdom of Salamanca, the wealth of knowledge recorded about itself remained tragically inadequate. Even its treasury of books held but a scant and incomplete glimpse of its history.

Nevertheless, in Alcala's eyes, the electrifying butterfly and blazing lion of Izy and Darwin held greater significance, even though Sebastian's aura had sent shivers down her spine, for it was fleeting and soon vanished. She merely shrugged it off.

The number of individuals who were still in deep meditation was steadily decreasing, but luckily, all those who completed the awakening succeeded.

Meanwhile, young Sebastian remained bewildered by what he had witnessed. Nevertheless, he was certain that he had a mission, one that involved the 12 arcane guardians, and he knew it was significant. As a child, he needed to mold himself for this task.

After witnessing the events in his deep meditation, he decided he needed to redouble his efforts. He believed that his tender age was no obstacle to fulfilling his mission.

At this point, he looked around, assessing the state of his fellow villagers. Despite being just 7 years old, every move he made seemed like that of a young adult.

"Hey!" Izy and their group approached Sebastian with cheerful smiles.

"I told you, I'm going to surpass my big brother," Izy began as they drew near to him.

"What's your arcane power?"

"Based on the information from deep meditation, my arcane power is called the 'Electrifying Butterfly.' And it says there that my potential will start unlocking at Tier 2: Apprentice level," Izy proudly boasted to Sebastian.

"And you, Henry?"

"I'm a Twin Arcanist," Henry replied, scratching his head.

"I hope we all pass the ranking system," Emma said.

"Yeah, hopefully," they responded. Despite their happiness at the outcome of their arcane power awakening, some of them still felt uneasy, lacking confidence in the ranking system.

"Believe it or not, I'm sure we'll all make it," Sebastian said confidently, smiling at the reaction of his fellow villagers.

"Miss Alcala, what happens next after the awakening?" Sebastian inquired as he noticed that only a few remained in the awakening process.

"Just stand by and wait for me to call your name to go up on stage," Alcala replied. The children nodded in response to her reminder.

"Oh, by the way, before I forget," Alcala handed an Arcane Gem to Izy, the one closest to her.

"Using this arcane gem, we will record the names of your arcane powers. It will make the proceedings on stage swift, and we'll be done before nightfall. Don't worry, it can only record the names of your arcane powers because it's a lower-grade gem."

Many let out a sigh of relief upon hearing Alcala's final announcement.

They began circulating the arcane gem to gather the information swiftly, ensuring that when they called out the names in the ranking system, it would be a seamless process.

In the awakening ceremony, it was common for only up to 80% of individuals to successfully awaken. Passing the actual ranking system was an even rarer achievement, with barely 5% making it through. Villages and awakening centers were considered fortunate if they managed to produce up to 20 new students for the academy.

In the past year, out of 200 participants, only a few managed to pass. That's why the children weren't holding onto high hopes now. However, they remained undaunted, determined to record their own achievements.

In a matter of moments, all the children had completed their deep meditation, and fortunately, every single participant had succeeded.

"This year, I am turning 18. From the time I became a full-fledged arcanist up until today, this is the first time I have witnessed a 100% success rate in the awakening ceremony," Alcala began her speech in front of the children, and the two Royal arcanists could only nod in agreement, for they too shared in the sentiment.

"I expect that just as you focused during your deep meditation, now your task is to draw in arcane energy," Alcala stated with a tone of anticipation.

"Arcane energy is the lifeblood of an Arcane master's strength and prowess. It serves as the foundational wellspring from which they draw power, allowing them to enhance their abilities and ascend to higher levels of mastery. This mystical force, often unseen but profoundly felt, permeates the very fabric of their being.

In the realm of Arcane magic, an individual's connection to arcane energy is paramount. It's through this connection that Arcane masters can elevate their skills, channel more potent spells, and attain greater command over their chosen Arcane discipline, whether it be Elemental, Weaponry Enchantment, or Auxiliary Arcane.

Imagine arcane energy as a boundless reservoir, ever-flowing and ready to be tapped into. Arcane masters learn to access this energy through rigorous training and focused meditation. With each progression, their attunement to this mystical force deepens, enabling them to perform feats that were once beyond their reach.

This energy acts as the catalyst for growth and transformation. It allows Arcane masters to push their limits, break boundaries, and achieve unparalleled mastery in their chosen field. It's the essence of their journey, a force that propels them toward becoming true Arcane adepts.

But harnessing arcane energy is not without its challenges. Mastery requires discipline, control, and a deep understanding of the mystical forces at play. Unleashing too much energy too quickly can be perilous, akin to a wildfire that consumes everything in its path. Thus, Arcane masters must balance their thirst for power with the wisdom to wield it responsibly.

In essence, arcane energy is the bridge between potential and realization, a force that empowers Arcane masters to transcend their limitations and reach ever-greater heights of magical prowess. It's the key to unlocking the full extent of their abilities, pushing the boundaries of what is magically possible, and ascending to the highest echelons of Arcane mastery.

But today, this arcane energy will be the basis for the ranking system, so best of luck in drawing in arcane energy,"

Alcala gave a brief lecture to the children.

"But Miss Alcala, how do we attract it?" The children couldn't help but question, as they had just heard about arcane energy for the first time.