The Awakening Stone

The stone doors groaned open.

Led by the robed man from before, the twenty students of Class 3A walked down a long, cold hallway. 

Their footsteps echoed against smooth marble floors. Torches lined the walls, casting flickering light across banners sewn with golden lions and black roses.

None of them spoke. They were still shaken.

Noah walked near the back, watching everything.

Earlier, the robed man had managed to calm down the students. Some were still scared, but they had all calmed down.

But right now, they were much more interested with what the man had told them.

He had introduced himself as Master Edric, the High Magus of the kingdom of Camelot.

He had told their story and it had sounded like something out of a storybook.

Their kingdom had been peaceful, right until they had been attacked by demons. The demons didn't care for peace, and had killed their people. 

Losing the fight, they had tried their last desperate chance. They had summoned heroes from the world beyond, and class 3A had answered the call.

He had spoken gently, with the kind of voice people trusted without knowing why.

"You are heroes." He had said. "Chosen by the Circle of Summoning. Your bodies have been bonded to abyssal beasts, ancient spirits from beyond the veil. You will awaken, and when you do, your potential will become clear."

Ben had snorted at his words. "Potential, huh? I'm already feeling stronger than ever."

He wasn't wrong.

Noah could feel it too. Like something curled up inside him, breathing slow and steady. Something big.

But Noah still didn't trust the man. They had all accepted their new reality way too easily. It was cool, but 18 year olds like themselves shouldn't be fine after being told they would never be able to go back home.

That they would be stuck here forever, serving as heroes for the people of Camelot.

There was just something too… fishy about the whole thing.

Either way, they had been led out of the summoning room and into the castle proper, where they would meet the king and awaken their powers.

After a few minutes of walking, they passed under a stone archway into the throne room.

It was massive.

Red carpets ran down the center of the polished floor, leading to a tall throne of carved obsidian at the far end. Guards stood at attention along the sides, unmoving in silver armor. 

A circle of nobles filled the balcony levels above, each dressed in embroidered silks and furs. Their jeweled eyes watched the newcomers with reverence and curiosity.

Atop the throne sat a broad shouldered man in golden robes. His beard was trimmed, his crown modest but heavy with black gemstones. He stood as they entered.

"Welcome, brave ones!" He said. "I am King Cillian, ruler of Camelot. On behalf of my people, I thank you."

The students gave unsure bows, some mimicking each other awkwardly. Noah kept his hands at his sides.

"We have long awaited your arrival." The king continued. "A darkness spreads across the land. Demons ravage our villages, and you heroes are our only hope. Now you are here. And soon, we will know the strength you carry within."

He raised a hand.

Servants rolled a large stand into the center of the room. Atop it sat a crystal the size of a human head, clear, smooth, and shaped like a giant tear. It pulsed faintly with inner light.

"This is the Awakening Stone." Master Edric said. "Each of you will place your hand upon it. The stone will read your soul and unlock your potential. It will name your potential rank, your race, your affinities, and awaken one of your hidden skills."

The nobles leaned forward.

Ben Stanley stepped ahead without being called. "Might as well start strong."

Noah saw the smirk already forming on his face.

Ben walked to the crystal like it already belonged to him. He placed his hand on it, fingers splayed.

The stone pulsed, then flared.

A bright red glow erupted from within, shining like a miniature sun. Sparks of black and silver swirled through the light as if shadows were dancing.

Words floated above the crystal in golden script.

[Name: Ben Stanley]

[Potential: S Rank]

[Race: Vampire Lord]

[Affinities: Blood, Shadow, Time]

[Skill Unlocked: Blood Armament (A Rank)]

Ben raised his other hand and flexed his fingers.

Blood poured from a tiny slit on his palm and shaped itself into a long crimson spear. It hardened into something jagged and beautiful, gleaming like glass. He spun it once and slammed it into the ground.

Gasps filled the room.

Nobles began clapping. Some stood. One old lord whispered, "A genius. A born ruler…"

King Cillian nodded, clearly pleased.

Ben basked in the attention.

"Guess some of us are just built different." He said, throwing a smirk over his shoulder.

That lit the fire under the rest of the class.

One after the other, they stepped forward.

Julia Kim. A Rank. Race, Skyborn. Affinities. Wind and Ice. Skill, Gale Dancer.

Carlos Minh. A Rank. Race, Flamekin. Affinities. Fire and Earth. Skill, Magma Fist.

Chloe Davis. S Rank. Race, Seraphic Host. Affinities: Light, Water, and Celestial. Skill, Healing Prism.

Even the unlucky ones ended up with B Rank potential and strong elemental affinities. Their new races granted them increased speed, strength, and unique magic skills.

No one failed.

No one was weak.

For once, they were all on top of the world.

Then, it was Noah's turn.

Everyone stared at him expectantly as he walked forward in silence.

Ben leaned back and chuckled. "Try not to break it, charity case."

A few snickers followed.

Noah didn't respond. He stepped up to the crystal, his boots echoing on the marble.

The room went silent.

The nobles leaned closer.

The students watched with bated breath.

Noah raised his hand slowly… and placed it on the stone.

It was cold. Then it was burning.

The crystal pulsed once. Then…