Chapter 2: Awakening Day

The Grand Coliseum roared with life, a sea of 1,000 elite students from various prestigious academies gathered in attendance, while millions more tuned in worldwide.

The air crackled with anticipation, the weight of destiny pressing upon every young soul waiting for their moment.

Towering holoscreens projected every detail in crystal clarity, broadcasting this sacred event—the Awakening Ceremony, the moment when the next generation of heroes stepped into the light.

Bright spotlights illuminated the circular platform at the center, where the future of humanity would be determined.

Multiple Awakening Pillars lined the arena floor, allowing for efficient testing throughout the day, ensuring that every student would get their chance.

The event was prestigious enough to draw the most powerful figures in the world—S-Class heroes, high-ranking guild leaders, and government officials, all present to scout promising talent.

Among them sat Leonard Wright, the legendary hero himself, alongside elite guild representatives, their eyes locked onto the stage, eager to claim the strongest awakeners before their rivals could.

This was where the strong were revealed, where legends were born.

Cain sat near the very back of the Grand Coliseum, his fingers clenching the edge of his seat.

The sheer scale of the event was overwhelming.

1,000 students, all packed into the stadium, their nervous whispers blending into a sea of murmurs.

Towering holoscreens displayed the stage in crisp detail, capturing every movement and every expression.

But Cain's eyes weren't on the stage.

They were locked onto a man sitting in the VIP section, surrounded by the most powerful figures in the world.

Leonard Wright.

Hus

The Titan of Valor, the Radiant Guardian, the man who stood at the pinnacle of heroism.

Leader of Aegis, the most powerful guild in the nation, Leonard's presence alone commanded respect.

Draped in his signature white and gold combat attire, he exuded an aura of absolute strength.

Even among S-Class heroes, he was a legend—a man whose very name could tip the balance of power in wars.

Guild leaders and high-ranking officials sat beside him, murmuring in hushed tones, their gazes flickering toward him with reverence.

Even the S-Class heroes present acknowledged him with nods of respect.

Cain swallowed hard.

Even after all these years, the sight of his father left him in awe.

He had only seen Leonard from a distance, always standing on the battlefield, always unreachable.

Then, it happened.

Leonard turned his head towards him.

Cain stiffened, breath catching in his throat.

His father was looking at him.

And then, Leonard smiled.

Cain's heart pounded.

Was this real?

His body tensed. 

But then a shadow moved in his vision.

Cain blinked. He was looking past him.

At Adrian, who confidently strode down the aisle, golden hair catching the light, eyes brimming with unwavering confidence. 

Cain lowered his head in embarrassment.

Of course, his father wasn't looking at him.

The murmurs around Cain grew louder.

"It's Adrian…"

"He's really something, huh?"

"I'd kill to have that kind of talent."

"He's already set for life."

Jealousy laced their voices, but also admiration.

Unlike Cain, Adrian earned the respect of his peers due to his potential. Some even nodded in greeting, acknowledging his status.

Adrian walked with effortless grace, as if the world itself bent to his presence.

He reached the VIP section, and his father placed a firm hand on Adrian's shoulder, whispering something only he could hear.

Cain smiled proudly before moving to take his seat near the front, surrounded by the best and brightest.

Cain clenched his fists on seeing this.

And Adrian, just before he moved on, raised his head and spotted Cain.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, then dipped ever so slightly—taking in the bandages wrapped around Cain's arm.

Adrian chuckled, a quiet sound only Cain could hear.

Then, without another word, he turned away and continued toward his place at the front.

Cain exhaled, his fists tightening.

As Adrian moved to his seat, the murmurs swelled around him, a chorus of admiration and envy.

"Damn, Adrian's gonna be a monster." 

"I heard his energy levels are off the charts."

"Not surprising. I mean, he's Leonard Wright's real son."

Real son.

The words cut deeper than Cain wanted to admit. 

It didn't matter that they shared the same father. Cain had always been the lesser one.

His mother, a civilian, had died before he could even remember her face.

Meanwhile, Adrian's mother was a renowned S-Class healer, a woman who stood alongside Leonard in battle.

Cain's existence had always been a stain, something to be tolerated rather than embraced.

A loud booming voice from the announcer then interrupted his thoughts.

And the Awakening Ceremony began.

The Awakening Ceremony was the most sacred event for aspiring heroes, a rite of passage that determined one's future.

Every individual possessed latent potential, but only during this moment—when they placed their hands upon the Awakening Pillar—would their true abilities manifest.

The Awakening Pillars were otherworldly obelisks, unearthed from the depths of dungeons.

The first was discovered during the earliest dungeon breaks, buried within the ruins of a collapsed core.

When a dying soldier collapsed against it, his body convulsed, his wounds vanished, and a surge of power erupted from within him.

He had Awakened. 

One by one, others followed, each emerging with unique abilities.

The world quickly realized the truth—these pillars unlocked the hidden potential within humanity. 

More were found, always deep within high-level dungeons, as if they had been waiting.

Now, every major city safeguards one, turning the Awakening Ceremony into a global tradition. 

A single touch. A moment of fate. The power you received was yours for life.

The stronger the ability, the greater the destiny.

Those who awakened high-tier abilities would rise to prominence, securing positions in elite guilds and government forces. But those who awakened weak abilities…

They would be cast aside.

The coliseum fell silent, thousands holding their breath as the first name was called.

"Melissa Carter! Step forward."

A tall girl with short red hair approached the Awakening Pillar.

She placed her hand on it, and a gentle blue glow surrounded her. The system's voice rang out:

[Awakening Complete. Ability Acquired: Water Manipulation (C-Rank)]

A polite round of applause followed.

C-Rank wasn't impressive, but it was usable.

With the right training, Melissa could carve out a spot for herself in a mid-tier guild.

She bowed slightly and walked back, her expression neither thrilled nor devastated.

"Jonas Reed! Step forward."

A stocky boy with a determined look stepped up.

He took a deep breath, then pressed his palm to the Awakening Pillar.

A small ripple of energy pulsed outward.

Then, a silver shimmer coated his skin briefly before fading.

[Awakening Complete. Ability Acquired: Iron Skin (B-Rank).]

The reaction was much stronger this time.

A B-Rank ability meant real potential.

The applause was heavier, some guild recruiters even taking notes.

Jonas grinned, pumping his fist before stepping away proudly.

One by one, more names were called.

Angela Li – Wind Dash (C-Rank)

Michael Grant – Shock Fist (B-Rank)

Eric Dawson – Minor Telekinesis (C-Rank)

....

Some faces lit up with relief, others with disappointment.

The tension in the coliseum only grew as the names climbed the list.

Each new awakening was a roll of the dice—would they rise to greatness or fade into mediocrity?

Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for.

"Adrian Wright! Step forward."

Adrian strode to the center of the Awakening Platform, every movement exuding confidence.

The arena's energy buzzed with anticipation.

Adrian was the son of Leonard Wright, an S-Class hero renowned for his unmatched power.

His mother was also an elite healer, making him the perfect combination of two exceptional bloodlines.

Everyone expected him to awaken something extraordinary.

The Awakening Pillar hummed with ancient power as Adrian placed his hand upon it.

A pulse of golden energy surged upward, tendrils of raw, celestial force wrapping around his body.

Cain watched, arms tightening across his chest.

Please... let it be weak.

The thought came unbidden, bitter and desperate. He clenched his fists, forcing his nails into his palms.

He didn't care if it was selfish.

Just this once—just this one time—he wanted Adrian to fail. To be ordinary.

To know what it felt like to be looked at with disappointment instead of awe.

But fate was never that kind.

The very air trembled.

Then it happened.

A brilliant explosion of divine energy erupted from Adrian's form, lifting him into the air.

Ethereal patterns materialized in the sky, shifting and swirling, as if the very cosmos was acknowledging his power.

The holoscreens zoomed in as the system's voice rang out:

[Awakening Complete]

[Ability Acquired: ...