The Dawn of Awakening 4
The elder adjusted the parchment in his hands, scanning the names before calling out in a clear, resonant voice, "Elena Valcrest!"
A ripple of attention swept through the crowd as a young woman stepped forward. She had striking auburn hair that fell in loose waves down her back and sharp hazel eyes that seemed to assess everything in her surroundings. Her posture was straight, exuding confidence, though her clenched fists betrayed a trace of nervousness.
"Valcrest family, hmm?" someone murmured in the crowd.
"A minor noble house, aren't they?"
"Yes, but I heard Elena is rather talented. Let's see if that's true."
Rachel's eyes narrowed slightly, observing Elena's composed demeanor. She's holding herself well, she thought. Better than most here.
Elena's family stood off to the side—a man and woman dressed in modest but elegant clothing. Their expressions were hopeful, though not overly showy.
As Elena reached the platform, the elder gave her a nod. "Step forward, young lady. Let destiny reveal itself to you."
Without hesitation, Elena placed her hand on the awakening crystal. For a moment, nothing happened, and then a soft, cerulean light emerged, swirling with faint arcs of electricity. The air grew tense as the crowd realized what they were seeing.
"Wind and Lightning elements!" the elder announced, his tone approving.
A murmur of awe swept through the audience.
"Dual elements? That's rare!"
"She's certainly not ordinary."
"The Valcrest family might rise higher after this."
Elena's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. But before the crowd could fully absorb her awakening, the air shimmered, and the Veil Interface appeared before her, its translucent glow drawing gasps from the spectators.
Elena hesitated, her gaze flickering between the interface and the crowd. After a moment, she adjusted the settings, allowing the interface to become visible to all.
-----------------------------------------------
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name] : Elena Valcrest
[Age] : 16
[Realm] : Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Wind] :
[Lightning] :
-------------------------------------------------
The murmurs turned into a low roar as the crowd reacted to the display.
"Her potential is listed as high! That's incredible."
"The Valcrest family is going to gain a lot of attention now."
Elena stood tall, her expression calm as the whispers of admiration and envy filled the air. Behind her, her parents exchanged glances, relief and pride etched on their faces.
Rachel's thoughts lingered on the dual elements and the skill displayed on the interface. She could be formidable if she hones it properly. Her gaze shifted to Elena's composed expression. She knows her worth already. A rare quality in someone so young.
The elder gave Elena a nod of approval. "Well done, young lady. You may return to your place."
Elena descended from the platform, her steps steady and confident. As she passed by Rachel, their eyes met briefly. There was no hostility, only a shared understanding of what this ceremony meant.
Meanwhile, the murmurs in the crowd continued, with speculation growing louder.
"Two awakenings and already impressive results. Who's next?"
"I wonder if someone will awaken something truly extraordinary today."
Rachel crossed her arms, her thoughts wandering again. The Veil Interface... It never fails to reveal potential, but its origin remains such a mystery. Even my father said it was beyond comprehension, tied to powers no one dares challenge.
The elder adjusted his stance, his voice carrying a note of anticipation as he addressed the gathering once more. His tone was deliberate, emphasizing the importance of the next names on his parchment. "Next… Yvonne and Claire Thunderstrike!"
The mention of the Thunderstrike twins instantly sent a ripple of murmurs through the crowd. All eyes turned toward the two young women stepping forward, their movements synchronized with an innate elegance that came from years of discipline and training.
Yvonne led the way, her silver hair gleaming under the light, giving her an almost ethereal presence. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the platform with measured calm, a contrast to her sister, Claire, who walked beside her. Claire's long, dark hair cascaded like a flowing shadow, and her glowing golden eyes hinted at a fiery intensity beneath her composed exterior. The sisters' differences were subtle but noticeable—the grace of a moonlit storm in Yvonne and the relentless fury of thunderclouds in Claire.
"The Thunderstrike twins," someone whispered, their voice barely audible over the growing chatter.
"They're the prodigies of the Thunderblood lineage, aren't they?" another murmured.
"Their family has been preparing for this moment for decades. This could change everything," a third added, their tone a mixture of awe and envy.
Rachel, standing amidst the crowd, narrowed her eyes at the sisters. The Thunderstrike family… she mused, her mind racing through the layers of prestige, power, and expectation surrounding the name. A military lineage renowned for their dominion over storms and battlefields, the Thunderstrikes were a force even noble families like hers respected. Their history was steeped in triumphs, but it came with an unrelenting pressure to surpass their ancestors.
The elder gestured for the sisters to approach. "Yvonne. Claire. The moment of truth for the Thunderblood lineage is here. Place your hands on the awakening crystal and let destiny unveil itself."
The crowd held its collective breath as the twins stepped onto the platform. Their movements were unhurried, yet purposeful, a display of confidence born from years of rigorous training. They exchanged a fleeting glance, their bond evident in the unspoken understanding that passed between them.
As their hands touched the crystal simultaneously, an unnatural stillness descended over the space. The crystal pulsed faintly, its glow intensifying with each passing second. Then, with a sudden and dramatic surge, arcs of blue and golden lightning erupted from its core, filling the air with a crackling energy that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers.
The crystal became a storm of its own, radiating a blinding light that made it nearly impossible to look directly at the twins. The electricity crackled and danced around them, forming a tempest that seemed alive, threatening to spill into the crowd. The sheer intensity of the display was enough to make seasoned veterans in the audience flinch.
"Thunder… Thunderblood Awakening!" the elder exclaimed, his voice trembling with awe.
The crowd erupted into chaos, whispers and exclamations blending into a cacophony of disbelief and admiration. "This is it! The Thunderblood lineage has been fully realized!"
"I can't believe it—they both inherited the power!"
"The gods themselves must have blessed them.
As the storm began to stabilize, the Veil Interface materialized before Yvonne and Claire, its translucent panels shimmering with the same electrifying energy that surrounded them. The crowd grew silent again, eager to see the details of this extraordinary awakening.
The twins hesitated only for a moment before adjusting their settings, allowing the interface to become visible to the onlookers. The data displayed was nothing short of remarkable.
_________________________________________
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name]: Yvonne Thunderstrike
[Age]: 16
[Realm]: Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Thunder]:
{Special Powers}
- *Thunderblood Heritage*:
The purest form of thunder-elemental power, gifted by **Zerathis, God of Storms**.
*Blessing Note*: "To the heirs of my storm, wield this power with strength and wisdom. Let no foe stand before your thunderous might."
_________________________________________
Claire's Veil Interface:
_________________________________________
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name]: Claire Thunderstrike
[Age]: 16
[Realm]: Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Thunder]:
{Special Powers}
- *Thunderblood Heritage*:
The divine manifestation of a storm's wrath, granted by **Zerathis, God of Storms**.
*Blessing Note*: "With the fury of my storms, I bestow upon you dominion over chaos. Let the thunder guide your path."
_________________________________________
Gasps filled the air as the crowd processed the significance of the blessing. "Zerathis himself?!"
"This confirms it—the Thunderstrike family is chosen by the divine."
"To awaken Thunderblood Heritage is beyond extraordinary. Their potential is limitless."
Rachel observed silently, her expression unreadable. The God of Storms himself blessed them… she thought. Such divine favor ensures their power, but it also places a target on their backs.
The elder stepped forward again, his voice solemn and reverent. "Yvonne. Claire. You are the living embodiment of your family's legacy and the will of Zerathis. The Thunderblood Heritage is not merely a gift; it is a responsibility. Wield it wisely."
The twins nodded in unison, their gazes steady and unwavering. Though their faces betrayed no arrogance, there was an undeniable pride in their posture. They descended from the platform to thunderous applause, the crowd parting respectfully as they rejoined their family.
Rachel's eyes followed the twins as they moved through the crowd. The electrifying display of their awakening still lingered in the air. The Thunderblood… A power that commands storms and crushes mountains. Even the gods envy such might. But divine blessings often come with divine tests.
She glanced at the Veil Interface again, the words of Zerathis echoing in her mind. "Strength and wisdom… chaos and dominion…" Rachel whispered to herself. The Thunderblood lineage may have risen to new heights today, but power like that draws attention—and enemies. I wonder if they understand the weight they now carry.
As the ceremony continued, Rachel couldn't help but feel the shift in the atmosphere. The twins' awakening had raised the stakes for everyone. The path forward, for her and all the others, had just grown far more dangerous.