Chapter 5: Awakening Day

Arin woke up drenched in sweat, disoriented from the intense nightmares that plagued him throughout the night. He had dreamt of monstrous creatures, some so bizarre he couldn't even name them. As he walked into the kitchen for breakfast, his mother Elira and sisters Livia and Elenor noticed his pale complexion immediately.

"Are you alright, Arin?" Elira asked, her voice full of concern.

"I'm just nervous about the awakening ceremony," Arin replied, forcing a smile. It was a plausible excuse, and they accepted it without further questioning.

"We'll be there to support you," Livia said, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Yes, we'll be there cheering you on," Elenor added.

Arin hugged them both tightly, planting a kiss on their foreheads. He then kissed his mother and headed off to school, feeling a bit more reassured by their support. Before he left, his mother reassured him once more. "We'll be there, Arin. All of us. Just do your best."

The ceremony was structured so that the wealthy students had their awakening in the morning at 10:00 AM, while the poorer students had theirs in the afternoon at 2:00 PM. The process took longer for the wealthy students because there were multiple classes from several schools.

When Arin arrived at school, his favorite teacher Ralear was giving them final instructions. "During the awakening, try to clear your mind completely. Being overly nervous can affect the process, although it's easier said than done," he advised. "Remember, non-combat awakenings are also valuable. Guilds and organizations eagerly recruit a poor child who awakens with a non-combat profession because it's harder to attract wealthy ones who have no financial need. Guild representatives will be in the audience, so for many, this is not just a ceremony but a potential ticket out of poverty."

Arin and his friends, Kevin and Tarin, discussed their hopes and fears about the awakening. "I just hope I awaken to something useful," Kevin said, his voice tinged with both excitement and anxiety. "Anything that can help my family."

"We all do," Arin replied. "We just need to stay calm and focused."

The hours flew by as they waited, their anticipation growing. Before they knew it, it was time to head to the town square, half a kilometer away. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anxiety, not just for the students but for the entire town. People gathered along the streets to watch the procession, treating it like a grand festival. It was a rare spectacle, filled with the hope and potential of a better future for the young participants.

As they walked, they witnessed a disturbing scene. One of the wealthy students, whose name Arin didn't know but recognized by sight, was being beaten by his father with a belt or cane. The student's clothes were torn, and his father yelled, "How could you be the only one not to awaken? Do you know how much you've cost me? Almost 100% of the wealthy students awaken, and you brought disgrace upon us!"

The student's sobs and cries echoed in the air, leaving a lasting impression on the poorer students. The sight was a harsh reminder of the stakes involved in the awakening.

The town square was bustling with activity. Stalls had been set up selling food and trinkets, and children ran around, playing games. It was as if the entire town had come alive for this event. A large platform had been constructed, with a grandstand where a dignified, silver-haired man sat. His presence exuded power and calm, and Arin guessed he must be the Duke, surrounded by school officials, city leaders, and other notable figures, including Baron Blackwood, Jackson's father.

Ralear had told them that non-combat awakenings were also valuable. Guilds and organizations would eagerly recruit a poor child who awakened with a non-combat profession, as it was harder to attract wealthy ones who had no financial need. The promise of guild representatives in the audience added an extra layer of tension to the event. For many, this was not just a ceremony but a potential ticket out of poverty.

As the class took their designated spots, a voice welcomed them and wished them luck. The Duke himself took the stage, holding a device made of many crystals. He explained the rules once more: each student would place their hand on the device for one minute. If it remained unlit, they had not awakened. If it glowed blue, they had a non-combat profession; if red, a combat profession. After his speech, the crowd erupted in applause, not just for the students, but to honor the Duke.

Arin, whose name was second alphabetically, felt a surge of anxiety. After a brief administrative check, the principal began calling names. The first student, a nervous girl, hesitated before placing her hand on the crystal. After a minute of nothing, she was declared unawakened and ushered off the stage. The crowd murmured, and Arin could feel the collective tension rising.

When it was Arin's turn, he took a deep breath and removed his gloves, revealing the ring on his finger. He approached the crystal, the principal not even glancing up as he instructed Arin to place his hand on it. The moment Arin's hand touched the crystal, it glowed a bright red.

Heat surged through Arin's body, an overwhelming sensation that made him jerk his hand back. The crowd gasped, some in disbelief. The principal looked up, stunned as the red light slowly faded back to its neutral state. Arin quickly pocketed his hand, hoping no one noticed the ring.

The principal recovered and directed Arin to a chair, congratulating him as the first awakened from his class. The Duke led the applause, followed by everyone else. Arin, still in shock, took his seat, processing what had just happened. He saw his mother and sisters in the crowd, their faces beaming with pride. It gave him a sense of accomplishment and fueled his determination.

One by one, the students were called. Many did not awaken. The next to succeed was Frank, an obese shoemaker's son, who awakened with a combat profession. The applause for him was less enthusiastic but still significant. Frank walked over to Arin and congratulated him with a firm handshake and a smile.

Then it was Kevin's turn. Arin held his breath as Kevin placed his hand on the crystal. After a tense moment, it glowed blue. Kevin was the first to awaken a non-combat profession, and he took his place beside Frank. Kevin hugged Arin tightly, and they both exchanged excited smiles. Frank also congratulated Kevin, and the three of them shared a moment of triumph.

The atmosphere in the square was electric. Families cheered for their children, and there was a palpable sense of hope and excitement in the air. The townspeople watched intently, eager to see who would awaken next. It was a day of possibilities, and everyone wanted to be part of it.

Arin noted the success rate seemed higher than usual. Out of fourteen students so far, three had awakened. But none of the remaining students, including Tarin, Liora, or Merina, awakened. The disappointment was evident on their faces, but they tried to hide it, clapping politely for their awakened classmates.

The ceremony continued with the principal calling out names, and the students taking their turns at the crystal. Some of the unawakened students looked devastated as they walked off the stage, while others put on brave faces.

After the last name was called and the final student took their place, the principal stepped forward once more. "Congratulations to those who have awakened today," he announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. "For those who did not awaken, do not lose heart. There are many paths to success, and this is only the beginning. You are all valued and have the potential to achieve great things."

The principal's words were met with a mixture of applause and subdued murmurs. The ceremony had come to an end, and the students were free to leave. Arin, Kevin, and Frank, still buzzing with excitement and relief, patiently waited for the principal to meet them.

As Arin walked towards his family, his mother and sisters rushed to him, their faces lit with joy. Livia, the youngest, was crying tears of happiness. "You did it, Arin!" she sobbed, hugging him tightly. Elira pulled her daughter close, soothing her with gentle words.

"We're so proud of you," Elenor said, her voice trembling with emotion. "We knew you could do it."

Elira hugged Arin, her eyes glistening with tears. "I always believed in you, my son. You've made us all so proud."

Arin felt a lump in his throat as he embraced his family, their warmth and love giving him the strength he needed. "Thank you, all of you. I couldn't have done it without your support."

The joy of the moment was contrasted by the visible disappointment on the faces of Tarin, Liora, and Merina. They tried to put on brave faces, but their sadness was palpable. Arin walked over to them, offering words of encouragement. "Don't lose hope. This is just the beginning. There are many ways to achieve our dreams."

Tarin forced a smile. "Thanks, Arin. We'll find our own paths."

Liora nodded, though her eyes were still filled with unshed tears. "We'll keep trying. We'll find a way."

Merina managed a small smile. "We're happy for you, Arin. Truly."

As the crowd began to disperse, the reality of what had happened started to sink in. Arin, Kevin, and Frank walked off together, still buzzing with excitement and relief. They knew their journey had just begun, and with the support of their loved ones, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.