The Awakening Ceremony

The air was thick with anticipation as Lucian stood at the bow of the ship, the vast expanse of the capital unfolding before him. Velaerian—a city of towering spires and floating platforms, where magic and technology collided in breathtaking harmony. The Class Awakening Ceremony was a grand tradition that determined the fate of every young soul on the continent, and today, it was Lucian's turn.

His white hair, a striking contrast against the dark fabric of his cloak, fluttered in the wind as he gazed out at the horizon. Red eyes, as fierce as flames, pierced through the sea of buildings before him. His gaze was calm—almost cold—but it carried the weight of something much darker beneath. Revenge was a silent mantra that lingered in the back of his mind, but today wasn't about that. Today was the start of a new chapter. Today, he would finally step into the light and reveal the truth.

The ship docked, and Lucian disembarked with the grace of a predator stalking its prey. As he entered the Grand Hall of the capital, the atmosphere was electric. Hundreds of students filled the hall, their uniforms bright and immaculate. Their excited chatter echoed off the high, crystalline walls, but Lucian barely noticed. He was above this noise, his mind sharp as ever.

He was different from them, no matter how well they dressed, no matter how much wealth they flaunted. His presence commanded attention—not with flashiness or charm, but with an undeniable aura that made others wary. He wasn't a prince, nor a noble heir, yet when his red eyes swept across the room, they instinctively understood: this was someone who could reshape destiny. He was a high elf's son, but his bloodline carried the weight of far more than mere nobility.

As Lucian walked to the designated area, students shifted uneasily to make room for him, their gazes drawn to his commanding figure. They whispered, some fearful, others curious, but no one dared approach him. He had always been alone, and that solitude felt comforting to him.

A woman draped in elegant dark robes stepped forward, her gaze sharp and calculating. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her jade eyes seemed to pierce through the crowd, assessing each student with the precision of a hawk.

"Children of the future, welcome to the Class Awakening Ceremony," she announced, her voice smooth and commanding, but carrying a weight of authority. "Today, you will find your true path. Will you be a wielder of fire, or a master of the waters? Perhaps an earth bender, or a manipulator of the winds? Or something more? Only the crystal shall reveal your fate."

She turned to the massive crystal orb that stood at the center of the stage. It glowed faintly, emanating an aura of ancient magic. Lucian had seen this ceremony countless times in the past. He knew what to expect—everyone would receive one of the common elements. Water, fire, earth, wind, light, or dark. Simple. Predictable.

One by one, the students stepped forward, each placing their hand upon the glowing orb. Each time, the crystal would flare to life, glowing in bursts of color as it revealed the student's class. The crowd would cheer or murmur with approval, depending on the rank. Water mages, fire wielders, wind and earth manipulators—all were accepted, some with applause, others with envy.

Lucian, however, stood at the back of the line, his mind focused on one thing. His class wasn't going to be simple. He wasn't like the others. His bloodline had already determined that. The question wasn't whether he would receive an impressive class, but what kind of power would awaken within him.

When his name was called, the crowd went silent. The students whispered among themselves, eyes turning toward Lucian. The red-eyed boy. The son of the high elf and the black hound assassin.

His presence alone made people nervous. The very fact that he'd made it this far without anyone daring to stand in his way spoke volumes.

Lucian walked calmly to the stage, his every step purposeful. He knew this moment was inevitable, but there was something strange in the air today. The usual calm he carried with him had been replaced by an unsettling sense of anticipation, as though something immense was about to unfold.

He placed his hand on the crystal orb, the cold surface sending a jolt of energy through his fingers. The air around him seemed to grow heavy. Lucian's mind flashed back to the loss of his parents—the brutality of their deaths, the emptiness left behind. Today, he wasn't just revealing his class. He was unveiling his destiny.