Awakening Ceremony

Two months passed without a major incident. Ben altered his morning training schedule to fit in the extra physical and meditation exercises. As he had been training for a few years already, the physical training overseen by the instructors wasn't a big challenge for him, but meditation was another case altogether. He struggled initially to clear his mind or a the instructors phrases it, "emptying the mind". He was told that this mode of training would prove useful when he started to cultivate as one had to clear his mind and concentrate on circulating the essence during cultivation. His initial struggle to master basic meditation only, motivated him to strive harder, for he didn't want have any obstacles when he finally started his cultivation. He would start his sword training at the crack of dawn, which would last for atleast two hours, then have his morning meal ,following which he would spend the rest of the morning with the rest of the kids at the training grounds. He would then return to his residence for lunch and resume his training with the sword. The preparation training ended about a week and half before the set day for the ceremony. The Annual Family Meet was due to happen in two days.

The Awakening Ceremony was held by families in the last month of the year, so as to let almost all children who would turn 10 years to be able to take part in it. As many in the family would come together to witness this event, it had become a tradition to hold an annual Family Meet just before the ceremony, where the elders and other important members of the family would sit together and evaluate their activities over the past year and make plans for the coming one. There would also be a competition held for the younger generation to display their progress in cultivation over the past year. Ben had avoided the Family Meet every year, including the competition and he didn't find any reason to change that this year too.

As the big day approached, his anxiety also grew. His initial fears to waking a weak martial spirit morphed into one where he couldn't even awaken a spirit. In order to take his mind of his worries, he increased his training, so much so that he was exhausted by the end of the day to worry about anything else. And it seemed to be effective too.

On the day of the ceremony, he woke up at the usual time, but didn't train. Instead, he took a bath, had a light meal, told Oram he would see him the awakening hall and left the house. He visited the Ancestral Hall of the family, stood in front of the plaque with his father's name on it, staring at it for sometime, remembering the man, his words. He hoped he would not be too disappointed at the end of the day. He then went straight to the Awakening Hall.

He was early, yet there the hall was not empty. Most the children who were supposed to be awakening their spirits today, had arrived, with their families. Nervous excitement could be seen on their faces as they faced the most important turning point in their lives. People kept streaming in. The children were asked to group up towards the centre of the large circular hall, just a bit away from the giant stone slab. "The Stallicite Tablet, no doubt", he thought. The audience where restricted to the periphery of the hall. A stage was setup with a good view of the tablet, most probably for the important figures attending today. The Milton and Smith family representatives were already seated on the stage.

A large group of people approached, lead by the Patriarch Allistair Silvester himself. He was followed by his 3 sons and some prominent figures in the family. Ben spotted both Derek and Riya in the group. Both of them separated from the group and approached the centre of the hall where the rest of the kids were standing. Ben spotted Oram among the audience, he gave Ben an encouraging smile when their eyes met.

When it was confirmed that all the children had arrived, a bell was rung. Moments later, two old men entered and moved towards the children. One was wearing a dull grey robe, while the other a dark green one. As they aporoched, Ben snuck a glance at the stage one more time to see the Patriarch sitting on the high seat with his sons flanking him. He looked away as one of the old men started to speak.

***

" What do you make of Raymond's kid?", Allistair asked. Richard shared a glance with Rupert before answering, " He is sharp kid, very keen. He will have a bright future ahead". Ramon snorted as he heard this, " We'll see, won't we", he muttered." What about your own son Ramon?", Allistair glanced at his eldest son. " He has potential, very high potential, and coupled with a good martial spirit, he may even surpass Damon, as the best of the younger generation", Ramon replied, pride and expectation evident in his voice.

" And Riya?", Allistair continued his questioning turning to Rupert. Rupert hesitated before saying, " I have high hopes for her". Allistair nodded again, the. said quietly, as if to himself, "Let's hope there are some good seedlings this year".

***

The Master was explaining what Uncle Richard had told them months ago about what would happen during the ceremony. He then called out the first person, "Stan Milton", a tall lanky boy walked nervously upto the grey robed Channeling Master who stood near the Tablet. The Appraisal Master stood a few metres away ready to grade the spirit as soon as it was seen. The boy was asked to put one hand on the Stallicite Tablet, while the Master took the other into his own hands. A faint blue glow appeared in his hands and a pained expression on Stan's face. Suddenly, an image of a white heavy bow appeared on the Tablet. The Appraisal Master took a few moments before announcing, "The Ice Bone Bow, tier 4 martial spirit, ice affinity possible." The murmuring from the crowd could be heard, Stan appeared a bit disappointed, but slowly walked back and stood alone to one side.

The next name was called immediately, and this pattern continued for sometime. Ben noticed that the Appraisal Master would occasionally hint at the possible affinity of the spirit in some cases. The Milton and Smith family children were called first, and the highest tier spirit seen was a tier 6 one, Silver Crowned Eagle, for a girl called Elena Milton. It was

Silvester family youngsters were next called forth. One by one, they went forth.