The Awakening of the creator
The air buzzed with anticipation, a heavy silence falling over the gathered crowd as Asmodeos took his place before the awakening machine. He glanced back once, catching sight of the other students from the slums lined up in awe, wide-eyed and silent. The noble families looked on from their raised platform, watching with expressions of curiosity, surprise, and—for some—barely concealed contempt. The awakening machine towered over him, gleaming and pulsing with a strange energy, an intimidating spectacle that demanded respect.
Asmodeos took a steadying breath and stepped forward, entering the machine. The heavy doors sealed behind him, and an intense stillness surrounded him. Then, with a subtle hum, the machine sprang to life, drawing him into a dark, weightless void. He felt his mind tugged in different directions as though something was reaching into his very soul, pulling out his innermost potential.
Suddenly, a soft glow appeared, illuminating a system interface floating before him, filled with words and symbols that felt strangely familiar. The first line appeared, confirming his class.
Class: Death
Rank: ???
Skill 1: Pain Infliction
A shiver ran through him as he read the details. It wasn't just a skill; it was power—raw, visceral power. Asmodeos scanned the description eagerly.
---
Death Class
First Skill: Pain Infliction
Agony's Touch
Description: Unleashes torturous pain on a target through mere touch.
Effects:
1. Inflicts 15-25 damage.(upgradable)
2. Applies a 5% damage-over-time effect for 3 seconds.(upgradable)
3. Slows target by 10% for 2 seconds. (upgradable)
Cost: 8 Mana
Cooldown: 4 seconds
---
The words lingered in his mind, each effect vivid and clear. This was unlike anything he'd ever imagined. But before he could fully process it, another screen appeared, startling him.
Class: Creator
Rank: SSS
Tagline: "Shaping reality, one stroke at a time."
The "Creator" class was legendary, whispered about but rarely seen. He scanned the description, struggling to believe it. His heart pounded as he read through the abilities.
---
Creator Class
Ability: Sketch of Deception (SSS-Rank Ability)
Description: Create a realistic, temporary illusion that deceives all five senses.
Effects:
1. Forms a tangible, hyper-realistic illusion.
2. Affects sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
3. Duration: 5 minutes (can be extended with experience).
Limitations:
1. Requires a brief sketch or drawing.
2. Effective range: 10-meter radius (upgradable).
3. Susceptible to high-level magical sensing.
---
The glow faded, and the machine's hum quieted. Asmodeos felt the tugging sensation release him, and he knew it was time to step back into the real world. When the machine's doors opened, he found himself greeted by utter silence. Then, slowly, murmurs rippled through the crowd as the information displayed above him—Creator, Rank SSS—sank in.
Gasps and whispers filled the air.
"A Creator class at SSS rank… from the slums?" an official said, eyes wide in shock.
"I've only heard of such a rank in stories!" another noble muttered, incredulous.
"Could it be… a one-in-a-million awakener?"
The nobles on the raised platform exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of fascination and envy. Asmodeos descended from the platform, his steps measured and calm, even as he felt the weight of hundreds of eyes upon him.
Just as he reached the bottom, a mocking voice broke through the crowd.
"Well, well. Fancy rank and a flashy title." Theseus sauntered forward, his expression one of thinly-veiled contempt. "Just because you're SSS rank doesn't mean you'll actually reach that potential—or even have any real skills to back it up."
Asmodeos met his gaze evenly, his voice calm. "You sound worried, Theseus. I didn't think someone with a Titan class would be so rattled by competition."
A faint gasp went through the crowd at Asmodeos's retort, the boldness of it surprising everyone.
Theseus's smug smile faded slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Competition? Let's get something straight," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I don't see you as competition. A commoner from the slums with some fanciful rank? Don't make me laugh. You'll be nothing more than a spectacle for these nobles—something to gawk at for a moment before they forget you entirely."
"Is that so?" Asmodeos replied coolly, crossing his arms as he maintained an unbothered expression. "And here I thought Titans were supposed to be brave, not insecure."
The crowd murmured again, some nobles sharing amused glances as they watched the exchange. It was rare for anyone to challenge Theseus so openly, much less with such composure.
"You think you're clever?" Theseus's voice grew sharper. "Let's see how clever you are when we're out there. Power like mine will only keep growing, while your Creator abilities—if you can even call them that—will just be parlor tricks."
"Funny," Asmodeos replied with a faint smirk. "For someone so convinced of his strength, you seem awfully desperate to convince others. 'Titan' is a fancy name for a brute, isn't it?"
Theseus's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, he looked ready to lunge at Asmodeos. But he restrained himself, taking a step back as he forced a grin. "Enjoy your fifteen seconds of fame, commoner. Let's see how far that SSS rank actually gets you."
Before Theseus could say more, a voice cut through the tension—a nobleman in the crowd, dressed in intricate robes and watching Asmodeos with curious eyes. "Interesting. A Creator from the slums, he's getting more interesting… I rather like him," he murmured, almost to himself, as he stroked the raven perched on his shoulder. "It's been far too long since we've seen such an unpredictable talent."
The officials stepped in, guiding the next group toward the awakening machine, signaling that Asmodeos's turn had ended. He gave Theseus one last, unwavering glance before turning away, leaving the fuming Titan behind.
Asmodeos rejoined the other newly awakened, feeling the weight of his class and rank but showing none of the awe or excitement others might have felt. Around him, those who had awakened in the preceding groups were whispering, some staring openly at him, others with a mixture of awe and envy.
He overheard snippets of conversation as they moved, bits of dialogue from others who had awakened with different ranks and classes.
"He got an A-rank in Blaze?" someone whispered in disbelief. "That's almost unheard of in the slums."
"Well, I got B-rank in Guardian class," a girl nearby said proudly, though her gaze drifted over to Asmodeos with a mix of admiration and jealousy.
It was clear that Asmodeos's awakening had set a new bar among the slum children, and every whispered word only solidified his standing in their eyes. His SSS rank marked him as something rare—almost mythical—and he could feel the shift in the way they viewed him. No longer just another face in the slums; he was something else entirely now.
And Theseus knew it too, even if he refused to admit it. Asmodeos caught him glancing over every so often, his expression a blend of irritation and unease. But for all his smugness, Theseus's Titan rank now felt less significant next to the one-in-a-million class and rank that Asmodeos had unlocked.
The officials gathered the newly awakened students and led them back toward the academy gates, where their families and friends awaited outside. Before he left, Asmodeos cast one last look at the nobleman with the raven, the only one who had shown something other than contempt or envy.
Perhaps, Asmodeos thought, there were people here who understood true strength—and others, like Theseus, who merely flaunted it.
With that final thought, he turned and stepped out into the bright light, ready to face whatever awaited him next.