New World V

The Inquisitor, with his sharp eyes, cast a penetrating gaze in Derek's direction, scrutinizing him thoroughly.

With a voice steeped in irritation, the Inquisitor proclaimed, "I refuse to be led by a boy who doesn't know how to manipulate mana!"

Lady Elyssa, Derek's defender, quickly intervened, "Derek has not yet reached the minimum age for awakening, but I can assure you he possesses power to rival mine, even without using a drop of mana!"

The Inquisitor, remaining inflexible, reaffirmed his refusal to accept Derek as the leader.

Ignoring Lady Elyssa's pleas, he openly defied the orders of Lord Kaloch.

As the exchange of words unfolded, a wave of unease swept through the ranks.

Anxious whispers and nervous glances multiplied, fueling uncertainty in the hearts of the troops.

It was then that the Inquisitor, with a sudden and deliberate movement, began to draw something from his pocket.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as the troops, instantly alerted, hardened their stances.

The murmur of swords being unsheathed echoed in the air, and cautious looks turned towards the Inquisitor.

However, before the situation could completely spiral out of control, the Inquisitor's hand emerged, not with a deadly weapon, but with a dazzling magical object.

It was a bluish crystal, emitting a gentle light that reflected on the eager faces of the troops.

"My God! It's an awakening crystal!" someone exclaimed in the camp, and a collective sigh of relief spread among the troops.

The initial misunderstanding transformed into surprise and wonder at the magical beauty of the crystal.

"We need to address this minor issue, even if he hasn't reached the appropriate age; we're dealing with an emergency!" declared the Inquisitor.

The camp was in a state of ecstasy, faced with the wealth that the Inquisitor displayed.

After all, only the elite of the elite had the resources to acquire a mana awakening crystal.

Normally, awakening was a grand event led by a high cleric of the Holy Church, protected by a massive guard.

Father Cicero interrupted the collective murmur, saying, "He is an Inquisitor; he can give orders even to a King if he deems humanity is at risk! While my ecclesiastical wing represents the emperor's goodness, consider him as the emperor's executioner!"

A shiver ran down the soldiers' spines, as threatening a high-ranking member of the Holy Church was not just an act of insubordination but heresy!

"Lower your swords, men! I apologize for the insubordination of my comrades. They promise to make amends by giving their lives on the battlefield!" Derek ordered, realizing the gravity of the mistake made by the troops.

The Inquisitor, however, smiled sinisterly.

Although the boy had defused the situation, drawing weapons against a member of the Holy Church was still a serious crime!

"We'll deal with this heresy later! For now, let's focus on your awakening and that of the little ones your age!" the Inquisitor said, directing his gaze toward Johnny, who was there watching the scene with bright eyes.

Johnny couldn't contain the smile that formed on his lips.

The prospect of unleashing arcane powers was an aspiration that burned in every human on Earth, and Johnny was no exception.

As the children organized themselves into a single file, an atmosphere charged with expectation permeated the air. They exchanged glances full of tension and anxiety, aware of the special significance of that moment.

As the children arranged themselves, Father Cicero initiated a brief explanation about the nature of mana.

Mana was a primordial force, a magical energy that permeated all aspects of the universe. Every living being possessed a finite amount of mana, renewable over time and through rest. This energy flowed through an invisible network known as the "Web of Existence."

Mana was a crucial tool, allowing the casting of arcane spells and thereby enabling the enhancement or creation of new runic echoes.

As the priest's words filled the air, the children listened attentively, absorbing the complexity and mystery of this magical energy.

The Inquisitor, with his magical authority, made strange hand movements, causing the awakening crystal to glow brightly.

The crystal, a translucent gem with a sky-blue hue, had intricate grooves on its surface. As magical light pulsed through it, it created mesmerizing patterns that danced across the gem, as if revealing arcane secrets guarded within its core.

Derek, ready to undergo his awakening, approached the crystal. As he prepared to touch the resplendent surface, he absorbed the explanation that mana potential was divided into ten levels.

The higher the level, the greater the connection with the mysterious "Web of Existence!"

When Derek touched the crystal, a dramatic change occurred. The bluish light enveloping the crystal instantly transformed into a vibrant red, a phenomenon that interrupted Father Cicero's explanation.

The anticipation in the air reached a new level when, before the astonished eyes of everyone, the number nine appeared, unveiling Derek's magical potential.

"By the holy emperor! How can someone have such magical potential!" exclaimed Father Cicero, his expression reflecting a mix of shock and admiration at the discovery.

The Inquisitor, in turn, smiled satisfied. In a gesture of acknowledgment, he subtly bowed before Derek. "Boy, not bad! You have the potential to become an Inquisitor! I can be your mentor!" declared the Inquisitor, offering a rare and prestigious opportunity.

Derek, still shrouded in confusion, absorbed the words.

Awakening a magical talent of level nine is extraordinary, even surpassing that of his own rival brother, who boasted an incredible level seven.