Chapter 2: Awakening

After breakfast, the children went to the playground while being filled with bubbling excitement for the day ahead. Some whispered in hushed tones about the martial souls they hoped to awaken, while others clutched in the tiny hope to change their destiny. Among them, Shun Lee tried to stay calm, though his thoughts ran wild.

'This is it, the moment that defines my entire life in this world. What if I end up with something lame? Please, don't give me something like a spoon or a fly swatter…'

Just as he was lost in thought, Sister Mei, the nun responsible for their care, entered the room, her soft smile putting the children at ease. "Alright, little ones. It's time to go to the Spirit Pagoda. Everyone ready?"

The mention of the Spirit Pagoda made the kids shift nervously but with excitement. Wu Pei gave Shun a playful nudge. "This is it. Maybe you'll awaken a spoon after all."

"Keep dreaming, Squid Boy," Shun muttered, rolling his eyes, though a nervous flicker churned in his stomach. This ritual determine my future here if this is anything like the true story.

Sister Mei smiled kindly at the group and gestured for them to follow. "Let's get moving, children. The Spirit Pagoda has been very generous to offer us this opportunity. Remember to behave!"

A collective murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Wu Pei nudged Shun, smirking. "Hope you're ready, Spoon Boy."

Shun rolled his eyes. "You first, Squid Boy."

The group of children followed Sister Mei through the bustling streets of Eastsea City. Though the streets were crowded, people gave them warm smiles and were aware that these young orphans were about to undergo a life-changing experience that will indicate their future.

The Spirit Pagoda branch in Eastsea City is an impressive structure, towering above the other buildings with its dark stone walls and mysterious aura. It was said that within these walls, ancient secrets resided, and countless people had taken their first steps toward becoming powerful spirit masters.

Shun glanced at the tall buildings around them, his thoughts swirling. 'The Spirit Pagoda, huh? I know it's critical in this world... but I've never really studied the timeline of the Dragon King era. I wonder if the food improves a lot too.'

Sister Mei led them through the tall gates and into the entrance hall, where they were met by a middle-aged instructor wearing ceremonial robes. His silver hair shimmered under the dim lights of the pagoda, and despite his stern expression, his voice carried warmth.

"Welcome, children, to the Spirit Pagoda," he greeted. "Today, you will undergo your awakening ceremony, a crucial first step in discovering your potential as soul masters. Each of you has a unique martial soul waiting to awaken, and some of you may even possess a innate full soul power which a rare gift from birth."

The children's excitement grew, buzzing with whispered conversations.

The instructor gestured toward the center of the room, where a glowing crystal ball rested on a intricate table. The crystal glowed with an ethereal light, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.

"One by one, you will enter the ritual room and will awaken your martial soul." the instructor explained. "Then you will place your hands on the crystal ball ritual that will indicate your soul power. This process will determine wether you have the potential to be a soul master or not."

The children stared at the crystal in awe. Even Shun couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and fear.

Wu Pei leaned closer to him, whispering, "Bet mine's cooler than yours."

Shun grinned. "If it's a mic, I'm going to start calling you the Squid Bard."

Sister Mei clapped her hands to quiet the chatter. "Stay calm, children. Everyone will get a turn."

One by one, the children stepped forward and entered the ritual room, after a while they left the room disappointed and some cried for having no soul power. Most of them showed no sign of response which prompting some small murmurs of disappointment from the instructor. Sister Mei comforts them one by one but her eyes didn't hide some level of disappointment but still encourage them that being a soul master isn't that important anymore in this peaceful era.

Shun stole a glance at the glowing signs that surrounds the ceremonial platform. His heart throb in his chest as the realization settled deeper within him. This is it. This is the real deal. The awakening ceremony, just like in Douluo Dalu.

His mind raced through the possibilities. 'What if I get some super powerful spirit? What if it's something stupid? What if I awaken a… sponge?' He swallowed hard. A part of him still couldn't believe he was in the timeline of Dragon King, an era that felt hazy in his memory since he only half-remembered the spoilers from the forum he sometimes visit.

'I'm not even supposed to be here,' Shun thought with frustration. 'Why couldn't it be the original Douluo Dalu? At least I'd know what's coming! Now I'm flying blind with only bits and pieces of information.' He groaned internally. 'This world already hates me, doesn't it? '

Wu Pei nudged him with a sly grin. "Hey, you're zoning out. What? Are you really that worried you'll awaken a spoon or a broomstick?"

Shun shot him a side-eye. "I'd take a broomstick over whatever you're getting, Wu Pei."

Wu Pei gasped theatrically, clutching his heart. "How dare you! I bet I'll awaken something awesome like a dragon… or maybe a giant creature!"

"Right. You're definitely a giant squid in the making." Shun smirked. "A squid… with a guitar. That's exactly your vibe."

Wu Pei snorted. "Oh yeah? And what about you? I bet you'll awaken a… fork. Or a watch. You know, something useless."

Shun stiffened slightly, an uneasy feeling swirling in the pit of his stomach. He better not be right about the fork… He pushed the thought away and shot back, "Well, whatever I get, at least I won't be a musical calamari."

Wu Pei laughed, and for a moment, the anxiety between them eased.

It was already late in the evening when Wu Pei's turn came, he walk up with exaggerated confidence.

"Watch this," Wu Pei whispered to Shun, smirking. "Get ready to see history in the making."

Shun stifled a laugh. "More like 'Squid with a Mic: The Prelude.'"

Wu Pei shot him a mock glare before entering the room.

Shun stifled a laugh, but inside, he felt his heart race. What if Wu Pei really gets something amazing?

After a while, Wu Pei came out lifelessly, prompting Shun Lee to show some concern to his roommate but before he could say anything Wu Pei spoke.

"A... guitar? You've got to be kidding me." Wu Pei said, dumbfounded.

"Don't. Say. A word," Wu Pei muttered.

Shun, of course, couldn't resist. "Well, look at you. Wu Pei the Squid Rockstar! Just imagine it. You, serenading the masses with your silent guitar. The first musical calamari in history."

Wu Pei glared, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You're the worst."

"Come on," Shun teased. "Think of the fame! 'Wu Pei, the Squid with a Guitar.' People will write songs about you. Well… maybe not songs they can hear, but still."

Wu Pei groaned but couldn't help grinning. "Alright, alright, atleast I have a soul power of 3 and laugh it up. Just wait till it's your turn, Spoon Boy. If you get a spoon, I'll make you my backup musician."

Shun chuckled. "Deal. But only if you teach me to play air guitar."

As the children continued taking turns, Shun's nerves began to spike. 'What if this doesn't work? What if the fact that I reincarnated messes with the ritual somehow?' He forced himself to take deep breaths, ignoring the anxious flutter in his chest.

"Shun Lee, you're next," the instructor called out.

Wu Pei elbowed him playfully. "Don't trip. And if you awaken a spoon, I'm definitely naming you Spoon Boy for life."

Shun shot him a glare but couldn't help smirking. With a small gulp, he entered the room The clean, dimly lit room features smooth, beige walls and a polished wooden floor that reflects the soft glow of flickering candles. A single window, dressed with neatly hung curtains, allows a gentle light to spill in.

In the center, a round table holds a mysterious crystal ball, its smooth surface shimmering as it pulses softly. Surrounding the table, the floor is adorned with intricate symbols and cryptic phrases, meticulously drawn in a swirling pattern that forms an elaborate ritual. The air is thick with the scent of incense, and a palpable sense of anticipation fills the space, drawing the eye to the arcane designs below and the enchanting sphere above.

"Let's get started." The instructor spoke which prompts Shun Lee to slowly makes his way in the center.

'This is it, the moment that defines my entire life in this world. What if I end up with something lame? Please, don't give me something like a spoon or a fly swatter…'

A wave of nervousness washed over Shun Lee. This is it. Don't mess this up.

The elder began chanting and Shun felt energy gathering around him, the air seems to gather with magic. His entire body tingled as the awakening began in earnest. Light swirled around him, and slowly, an object began to take shape in the air.

Shun's heart pounded in his chest as light swirled around him.' Please don't be something embarrassing. Anything but a spoon'

The energy condensed, and slowly, a faint object began to take shape on top of his right arm. It solidified… into a watch.

A plain, ordinary watch with intricate designs yet it doesn't give off any mysterious aurora but just a simple watch in color red and have a cool design on it.

Shun blinked in disbelief. "A watch?"

Shun groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. I'm the guy who tells everyone when they're late."

The instructor gave him a polite smile. "A watch martial soul is... unique. I'm sure you'll discover its usefulness in time."

'How is this possible? Every fanfic I read would always awaken something cool like system or powerful power yet all I have is a watch?!!' Shun Lee complained in his heart.

"Now let's move on and try to test wether you'll have the ability to be a strong soul master." the instructor spoke which disrupts Shun Lee's train of thought.

A wave of nervousness washed over Shun Lee.' This is it. Don't mess this up.'

He placed his hands on the ball, and a soft warmth spread through his fingertips. The glow from the ball flickered—and then the bright light intensified for a moment before it calmed down.

The instructor look shock for a moment before it change to calm and stoic look.

'Strange, Strange, for a moment your soul power was about to reach an innate full soul power but now, No, That's impossible' The instruction spoke strange for a moment and shakes his head for a bit before he gently placed his hands on top of Shun Lee's head.

"Congratulation my child. I'm happy to announce that you have a soul power of level 7 which means you have the potential to be a soul saint." The instructor gently said which excites Shun Lee.

'This is it! Now I can also cultivate but I guess this means I won't have the opportunity to be one of the strongest.' Shun Lee tried to hide his disappointment and before long he was already outside the room and only few children was left behind as the sun was about to set.

Suddenly, Wu Pei approached Shun Lee and smack the back of his head after noticing that his friend seems to be lost in thought.

"hey?! What's that for?" Shun Lee rubbed his head as he glared Wu Pei fiercely.

"Nothing, Just that you need to be brought in reality, anyway what did you awaken?" Wu Pei spoke excitedly which prompts a sigh from Shun Lee.

"A W-watch." Shun Lee spoke slowly.

"what? What was it?" Wu Pei asked once more .

"I said it is a watch!" Shun Lee said more forcefully this time.

Wu Pei burst out laughing after a moment of silence. "A WATCH?! Oh man, you've got to be kidding me! I called it! You're officially 'Spoon Boy with a Watch' now!"

Shun shot Wu Pei a murderous look after he fell to the ground "You've got to be kidding me..."

Wu Pei gasped between fits of laughter. "Spoon Boy! What's the time? Time to not be useful!"

Shun shot him a glare, though he couldn't help chuckling along. "Alright, Squid Boy. At least my watch exists on this plane of reality. Enjoy your silent guitar."

Wu Pei was doubled over, struggling to catch his breath between fits of laughter. "Oh man, this is perfect! We've got a squid with a guitar and a spoon boy with a watch! What a team!"

Shun crossed his arms, pretending to pout. "At least my watch won't be completely useless in battle."

Wu Pei wiped tears from his eyes. "Sure, sure. Just make sure you don't forget to wind it."

Shun smirked despite himself. "At least I can tell time. Too bad your guitar doesn't make noise. Maybe you can mime your way to greatness."

Wu Pei grinned, "Yeah, yeah. When we both become legends, just remember: You started out as the kid with a watch."

"And you as the musical calamari," Shun shot back, bumping Wu Pei's shoulder playfully.

As they left the platform together, their bickering continued. The laughter mask the uncertainty in Shun's heart. His martial spirit was ordinary, sure, but he had no idea what challenges lay ahead.