Chapter 1: Awakening of a Flame

The Awakening Hall stood at the heart of the city, a towering structure of glass and stone, its spires reaching into the heavens like silent sentinels. Beneath its imposing shadow, a sea of students had gathered, each waiting anxiously for their turn. The hall was more than just a place; it was a symbol, a reminder of humanity's unending struggle for survival in a world torn apart by demons and beasts. In a world like this, power wasn't just desirable—it was necessary.

For years, the Awakened had been humanity's shield, defending against the savage creatures that threatened to overrun their cities and wipe out what remained of civilization. Without Talents, without Awakenings, there would be no hope. And today, Elric Drayven and hundreds of others would find out what role they would play in that defense.

Elric stood near the back of the line, his expression unreadable as he watched student after student take their place before the massive Awakening Stone. The students ahead of him were all nervous, whispering among themselves about which Talent they might awaken. Some prayed for powerful abilities, hoping to rise above the average ranks. Others simply wished for anything that could grant them a fighting chance in the dangerous world outside the city walls.

Elric, however, felt none of that. He had long given up on the idea of a powerful Talent—in fact, he had given up on a lot of things. The other students had families waiting for them, eager to hear the results of the ceremony, ready to celebrate or console them. But for Elric, there was no one. He was an orphan, one of the many who had lost their parents in the endless war against the demonic forces. The orphanage was his only home, and no one there really cared what Talent he awakened.

He glanced up at the stone pillars lining the walls, each carved with the names of those who had fallen in battle over the years. His parents' names were somewhere on those pillars, though he had never bothered to find them. It didn't matter anymore. Nothing about his past did.

"Eliana Verge, Rank D, Wind Step," announced Master Roderic, his voice ringing through the chamber.

The hall erupted into quiet murmurs. A Rank D was impressive for someone of her age. Eliana beamed, clearly pleased with her result as she stepped down from the platform.

The line shuffled forward again, and Elric's mind drifted. The ceremony was more than just a tradition—it was the start of everything. No one could fight the demons or the beasts without awakening their Talent. The raw, unawakened human body wasn't designed to fight monsters that could tear through steel or breathe fire. This was how humanity survived—by awakening their souls and unlocking their potential.

Finally, the line moved, and Elric found himself next in line. The air felt heavier here, beneath the gaze of the Awakening Stone, and for a brief moment, he felt a flutter of anxiety. This was it. He was about to find out what kind of future he had.

"Elric Drayven," Master Roderic called out.

The hall fell silent as Elric made his way to the platform. He could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on him, watching, waiting. There was a strange emptiness in his chest as he stepped forward, placing his hand on the cool surface of the Awakening Stone.

"Focus," Master Roderic instructed.

Elric closed his eyes, feeling a tingling sensation spread through his body. The Awakening Stone pulsed with a deep, resonant hum as it connected with his soul. And then, it came—a rush of energy, like a wave crashing over him, surging through his mind, body, and spirit.

Flame Spark.

A single word burned into his consciousness, searing itself into his very being. And then it was gone, the energy retreating, leaving him standing in the cold, empty silence of the hall.

Elric opened his eyes, already knowing what was coming.

Master Roderic's voice echoed through the chamber. "Elric Drayven, Rank F, Flame Spark."

Whispers immediately broke out among the students, barely contained laughter following quickly after. An F-rank. The lowest possible result. To them, Elric was nothing more than a failure. A disappointment.

Elric stood still, his face emotionless as he turned away from the platform. Rank F. He had expected this, and yet the sting was still there, gnawing at him. Flame Spark was barely considered a real Talent. It was weak, insignificant. He would be lucky to light a candle with it.

He made his way to the back of the hall, ignoring the stares and murmurs of his classmates. No one bothered to hide their amusement. For them, an F-rank was nothing more than a burden—someone destined for mediocrity.

But as Elric sat down, something strange happened. A voice—cold and mechanical—echoed in his mind.

System initializing...

His heart skipped a beat. What was that? He glanced around, but no one seemed to notice anything unusual. The voice continued, its tone precise and emotionless.

Congratulations. You have been granted the unique Talent: The Creator System. You may now create items, skills, and talents at the cost of soul points. Soul points may be acquired by killing awakened beings.

Elric blinked, his mind racing. Create anything? How was that possible? His initial reaction was disbelief—this had to be some kind of mistake, right? But then, as if answering his confusion, a translucent screen appeared in front of him, visible only to him.

[Creator System Menu]

Soul Points: 0Available Creation Options:ItemsSkillsTalents

Elric stared at the screen, his thoughts swirling. It was real. Somehow, this was real. He had been granted a system, something far beyond a simple Talent. The ability to create anything he wanted—skills, items, even Talents—at the cost of soul points.

But then, another thought hit him like a bucket of cold water. How do I even get soul points?

The system had mentioned killing other awakened beings, but what did that mean? He had never killed anyone before. Was it saying that he needed to take lives just to use this power? His stomach churned at the thought.

He had no idea how this System worked or what it truly meant. And more importantly, if anyone found out about it...

I can't let them know. That thought rooted itself deep in his mind. If word got out that he had a System like this, he'd become a target. There were people—organizations—who would do anything to control or steal power like this.

His mind buzzed with questions. He was still reeling from the shock of it all. How had he ended up with something like this? Was this part of his Flame Spark? Or was there something else at play?

As the students began filing out of the Awakening Hall, Elric's confusion only deepened. He had no soul points, no idea how to get them, and no clear understanding of what this System could truly do.

But one thing was clear: nothing would ever be the same again.

Outside the hall, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the academy grounds. Students were chattering excitedly, comparing their awakened Talents and dreaming of their futures. Elric, however, stayed silent, his mind a chaotic swirl of uncertainty.

He had just been branded an F-rank, a virtual nobody in the eyes of the world. But that wasn't entirely true, was it? Not with the Creator System in his hands. The problem was, he didn't know how to use it yet.

What did "soul points" even mean? Did he have to kill people? Demons? Beasts? And how could he do that when his Talent was nothing but a weak flicker of flame?

As Elric walked through the academy courtyard, he couldn't help but glance up at the towering walls that encircled the city. Beyond them lay a world teeming with danger—demons, beasts, and other creatures that had hunted humanity for generations. That was the reality they all lived in. The awakened were humanity's last line of defense, and now, he was supposed to be one of them.

But what can I do with a Flame Spark and a system I don't understand?

His fingers clenched into fists. There was no time for doubt. He had to figure it out—he had to survive. And if the only way to use his new power was by collecting soul points, then he would have to find a way to get them.

One thing was certain: his life had just become much more complicated. But deep down, beneath the confusion and fear, a small spark of excitement ignited within him. He wasn't as powerless as he had thought.

And in this world, that was all that mattered.

End of Chapter 1.