The awakening ceremony part 5

The ceremony hall was filled with eager anticipation as each child took their turn, stepping forward to place their hands on the round, radiating ball. This ball was a vital part of the awakening ceremony, designed to draw out any elemental affinities that lay dormant within them. It was the first step — a test that would reveal the elements each young Asura would wield.

Next to the radiating ball was another, glowing white orb, much larger and more imposing. Beneath it lay a vast magic circle, etched with intricate runes and symbols. This second ball was meant to unlock each participant's potential, allowing their latent abilities to be quantified and measured. For those who stood out as geniuses, this ball would reveal the rare grades beyond what most could ever achieve.

One by one, children stepped forward. First was a young boy Lucas vaguely recognized from their morning training sessions. As the boy placed his hand on the radiating ball, it pulsed, and the Fourth Elder, who was in charge of the ceremony, announced with authority, "He has awakened the Shadow element!"

The crowd clapped politely. Shadow was a common element within the Asura Clan due to their bloodline, but it was still a point of pride. Yet for true talent, awakening more than one element was a mark of exceptional promise.

The boy then moved to the glowing white ball. As he placed his hand on it, the magic circle flared with light, and the Fourth Elder declared, "Potential of S!"

There was a murmur of approval, and the crowd clapped with a little more enthusiasm. For other clans, an S rank would be remarkable, but here, it was merely respectable. Lucas clapped along with the others, smiling in encouragement.

The ceremony continued, with the Fourth Elder calling out names one by one. Many of the faces were unfamiliar, yet some struck a chord of recognition for Lucas. One by one, each child's potential was unveiled. However, none had reached above S rank so far, and many merely had the Shadow element. The Asura bloodline, with its dominant affinity for Shadow, ensured this outcome, but the clan still held out hope for those rare geniuses who might bring more power to their ranks.

After several hours, only a few children remained. The Fourth Elder called out, "Adam."

Lucas recognized him instantly. Adam was the son of the Ninth Elder, a serious young boy known for his straightforward and honest personality. Lucas respected Adam for his unwavering honesty; if Adam disliked someone, he'd say so openly, making it clear where he stood.

Adam stepped forward with confidence, his every movement filled with determination. As he placed his hand on the radiating ball, the room fell silent. A low buzzing sound filled the air as the ball lit up, brighter than it had for the previous children.

The Fourth Elder's voice rang out clearly, "Adam has awakened Fire and Shadow elements!"

The crowd stirred with excitement, whispers spreading throughout the hall. Even the elders, who had kept their expressions carefully controlled, betrayed a hint of interest. Awakening two elements, especially Fire and Shadow, was rare, a sign of significant talent.

Then Adam approached the glowing white orb, placing his hand on it with a calm, focused gaze. The magic circle beneath it flared with intense energy, brighter than any before. The Fourth Elder announced, "Potential of SS!"

This was met with loud cheers and applause. Clan members congratulated Adam, their voices filled with admiration and pride. In the midst of the celebration, Adam's eyes found Lucas's across the room. Lucas offered him a small smile, and Adam gave a respectful nod in return, a silent acknowledgment between them.

Lucas's heart beat with anticipation as his own turn drew near. The stakes were high, and his mind raced, wondering what his awakening might reveal.

With Adam's successful awakening still fresh in their minds, the energy in the hall was electric. Elders congratulated the Ninth Elder, who merely nodded with a composed expression, though the glint of pride in his eyes was unmistakable. The Asura Clan had just gained another promising talent.

Then the Fourth Elder's voice called out, "Evan!"

Lucas, Emily, and Lily turned to Evan, offering encouraging smiles and well-wishes. "Good luck, Evan," Lucas said, patting his shoulder. Evan nodded, though a trace of nervousness showed on his face as he walked toward the radiating ball. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and placed his hands on it.

A bright flash of light accompanied a buzzing sound, and the Fourth Elder announced, "Evan has awakened Lightning and Shadow elements!"

The crowd broke into applause, with excited murmurs rippling through the hall. The combination of Lightning and Shadow was indeed rare and intriguing. Lightning, loud and destructive, was a stark contrast to the silent, stealthy nature of Shadow. Such a pairing spoke of both strength and adaptability — qualities the Asura Clan valued highly.

Evan, now visibly more relaxed, moved confidently to the glowing ball. As he placed his hands on it, the orb emitted a radiant light, and the Fourth Elder's voice rang out once more, "Potential of SS!"

Evan's face lit up with joy, and he broke into a broad grin. Without hesitation, he rushed back to Lucas, Emily, and Lily, who welcomed him with hugs and congratulations.

"Well done, Evan!" Emily beamed, giving him a proud smile. Lily added, "You're amazing!"

Even the elders shared in the joy, congratulating the Third Elder on his grandson's accomplishment. The Third Elder laughed warmly, his eyes alight with pride, knowing that Evan's success would bring honor to their family and strength to the clan's future.

Then the Fourth Elder's voice resounded once again. "Lily!"

Lily took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she prepared herself. She looked back at her friends, who smiled encouragingly, and then stepped forward. With each step, her nerves seemed to intensify, but she steeled herself, determined to prove her worth.

Reaching the radiating ball, Lily placed her hands on it, her heart pounding as she waited for her fate to be revealed.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! I know I missed posting another chapter yesterday — sorry about that! As I mentioned before, I'm a student, so things can get a bit busy on my end sometimes.

But to make it up to you, I'll be uploading two chapters today with a 7-hour gap in between! So stay tuned, and I hope you'll enjoy the extra content.

Thank you for all the incredible support so far! If you could keep cheering me on with power stones and sharing this novel with your friends, that would be amazing. 😊

And here's a little goal: if we reach 15k views and over 100 power stones, I'll post three extra chapters within the next few days as a big thank-you!

As always, feel free to drop suggestions and feedback. Your thoughts mean a lot to me! Happy reading!