Chapter 2: Test

The morning sun filtered through the hospital window, casting a warm glow over the sterile room. Luciel sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the glowing screen that only he could see. His stats hadn't changed since he'd first awakened the system, but the promise of growth lingered in his mind like a tantalizing dream.

The system's latest objective—increasing his Awakening Completion Rate to 10% —was both exciting and daunting. He had no idea how to begin, but he knew one thing: he couldn't do this alone. He did not know anything related to awokeners or magic. If he tried to do anything alone, he would just be wasting his time. 

When the doctor entered the room for his morning check-up, Luciel made up his mind. He had to tell someone about the system, or at least hint at what was happening to him. The doctor had been kind to him, and if anyone could help, it was him.

"Doctor," Luciel began hesitantly, his voice low but steady, "I think… I think I might have the potential to become Awakened."

The doctor paused, his pen hovering over the clipboard. He looked at Luciel with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "What makes you say that?"

Luciel hesitated. He couldn't reveal the system—no one would believe him, and he might be labeled as delusional. Instead, he said, "I've been feeling… different lately. Like there's something inside me, waiting to come out. I don't know how to explain it, but I think it might be magic."

The doctor studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It's not uncommon for latent magical potential to manifest in times of stress or trauma. Given what you've been through, it's possible your body is reacting to the strain. Tell you what—I'll arrange for you to undergo an Awakening test. It's a simple procedure, but it will give us a clear answer."

Luciel's heart raced. An Awakening test. This was his chance to prove himself, to take the first step on the path the system had laid out for him, and get out of his horrible living conditions. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The test was scheduled for that afternoon. Luciel was escorted to a different part of the hospital, where a specialized facility for Awakening diagnostics was located. The room was filled with strange machines and glowing runes etched into the walls. A technician in a white coat greeted him and guided him to a chair in the center of the room.

"This won't hurt," the technician assured him. "We'll just be measuring your mana purity and potency. If you have the potential to become Awakened, the machines will detect it."

Luciel nodded, trying to calm his nerves. As the technician attached sensors to his arms and chest, the system's screen flickered in his vision.

[Awakening Test Detected.]

[Objective: Demonstrate your potential.]

[Reward: Awakening Completion Rate increased by 5%.]

Luciel took a deep breath. This was it. The moment that could change everything.

The technician stepped back and activated the machines. A low hum filled the room as the runes on the walls began to glow. Luciel felt a strange tingling sensation in his chest, like a spark igniting deep within him. The machines beeped and whirred, their screens displaying streams of data.

At first, the technician's expression was neutral. But as the seconds passed, his eyes widened in shock. He adjusted the controls, double-checking the readings, but the results didn't change. He turned to Luciel, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"This… this can't be right. Your mana purity is off the charts. And your magical signature… it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Luciel's heart pounded. "What does that mean?"

The technician shook his head, still staring at the screens. "It means you're not just Awakened—you're a prodigy. Your potential is… unprecedented. I need to call the director."

Within minutes, the room was filled with hospital staff and high-ranking officials. Luciel sat in the chair, feeling both exposed and exhilarated as they discussed his results in hushed, awed tones. The director of the facility, a stern woman with sharp eyes, approached him.

"Young man," she said, her voice firm but not unkind, "do you understand what this means? Your magical potential is beyond anything we've ever recorded. If nurtured properly, you could become one of the most powerful Awakened in human history."

Luciel swallowed hard. "I… I don't really understand anything right now."

The director smiled faintly. "You don't need to say anything. We'll take care of everything from here. You'll be enrolled in the Celestia Academy—the finest institution for the Awakened in human territory. They'll help you develop your abilities appropriately."

Luciel's mind raced. Celestia Academy. It was a name he'd heard before, whispered in awe by those who dreamed of becoming Awakened. It was a place reserved for the elite, the most talented and promising individuals. And now, he was being offered a place there.

The system's screen flickered again.

[Objective Complete: Awakening Completion Rate increased to 10%.]

[Reward: Basic Mana Manipulation Skill Unlocked.]

[New Objective: Enroll in Celestia Academy and get into the top five in midterms.]

[Reward: Step 1 Unlocked.]

[Bonus reward: If you get the first place, you may choose a B-rank skill from the system library]

Luciel clenched his fists, a surge of determination coursing through him. This was his chance. His path to salvation.

A week later, Luciel stood at the gates of Celestia Academy. The sprawling campus was unlike anything he'd ever seen—towering spires of glass and steel, lush gardens filled with exotic plants, and students in pristine uniforms moving with purpose and confidence. He felt out of place in his simple clothes, but he held his head high.

As he stepped through the gates, a notification appeared on the system's screen.

[Welcome to Celestia Academy.]

[Your journey begins here.]

Luciel took a deep breath and walked forward. The world had always been cruel to him, but now, for the first time, he had found a path filled with light.

As he walked through the campus, he couldn't help but feel out of place. The students around him moved with confidence, their uniforms pristine and their demeanors radiating strength. Many of them glanced at him curiously, no doubt wondering who the scrawny, poorly dressed boy was. Luciel ignored their stares, focusing instead on the task at hand.

A staff member approached him, a kind-looking woman with a clipboard. "You must be Luciel," she said with a warm smile. "We've been expecting you. Follow me, the principal would like to meet you."

Luciel's eyes widened. The principal? He had heard rumors about the man who led Celestia Academy. Gabriel, the SS-ranked Awakened, was one of the pillars of humanity. Meeting someone of that caliber was both thrilling and intimidating.

He followed the woman through the campus, his nerves growing with each step. They entered a grand building at the heart of the academy, its halls lined with portraits of legendary Awakened. Finally, they reached a set of ornate double doors. The woman knocked gently before pushing them open.

"Principal Gabriel," she said respectfully, "this is Luciel."

The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the academy grounds. Behind a large desk sat a man who looked far too young to be the principal of such a prestigious institution. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and silver hair that seemed to shimmer in the light. He exuded an aura of calm authority, and Luciel could feel the weight of his presence even from across the room.

"Thank you," Gabriel said, his voice smooth and commanding. "You may leave us."

The woman nodded and exited, closing the doors behind her. Gabriel stood and walked around the desk, his movements graceful and deliberate. He studied Luciel with an appraising gaze, his expression unreadable.

"Luciel," he said, "welcome to Celestia Academy. I've heard quite a bit about you. Your test results were… extraordinary."

Luciel swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. "Thank you, sir," he managed to say.

Gabriel smiled faintly. "There's no need to be nervous. You're here because you have potential—potential that could change the course of this war. But potential alone is not enough. Tell me, do you understand what it means to be Awakened?"

Luciel hesitated. "I… I know that Awakened are humans who have unlocked magical abilities. They're the ones fighting the demons."

Gabriel nodded. "That's correct. But there's more to it than that. Awakened are graded based on their strength and potential, from F to SSS. F-rank Awakened are those with minimal magical ability, barely above ordinary humans. At the other end of the spectrum are the SS-ranked, like myself, who can level a city with a casual wave of their hand and the legendary SSS-ranked, though no human has ever reached that level. It's said that only the primordial demons possess such power."

Luciel's eyes widened. The ranking system was something he'd heard whispers about, but hearing it explained so clearly made it feel more real. "Where do I fit into that?" he asked.

Gabriel's smile widened. "That's the interesting part. Your test results suggest that your potential is beyond anything we've ever seen. If nurtured properly, you could surpass even the SS-ranked. But potential is meaningless without discipline, training, and the will to succeed. Are you prepared to dedicate yourself to this path?"

Luciel met Gabriel's gaze, his determination shining through. "Yes, sir. I'll do whatever it takes."

Gabriel studied him for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Good. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress, Luciel. Celestia Academy will provide you with the resources and guidance you need, but the rest is up to you. Remember, the road ahead will not be easy. There will be challenges, both within these walls and beyond. But if you persevere, you may just become the hope humanity needs."

Luciel's heart swelled with a mix of pride and resolve. "I won't let you down, sir."

Gabriel placed a hand on Luciel's shoulder, his touch firm but reassuring. "I believe in you, Luciel. Now, go and meet your peers. The first class should begin in few minutes."

Just as Luciel was about to leave, Gabriel said, "Oh, I forgot, you'll have to skip the first class, as Elise, the woman who brought you here, gives you a tour around the school and she also hands out your uniform."