The Truth About Awakenings
Age: 4
November 23rd, 1252 KE
It's been a bit over a year and a half since Cedric and I met at the year meeting and from then on we've become best friends. Since then, I've spent almost every day with him, going back and forth across the city, causing mayhem in both of our families. We usually always get in trouble but I've been able to weasel us out of some situations like the time we stole a pie from my house's chef, safe to say he was angry but when he threatened to tell our parents I asked if we could help him bake another pie. Thankfully he agreed and kept our stealing of that one a secret.
Today both of our families are attending a Knight's son's 12th birthday, also known as an awakening day. Our parents decided we need to watch one for when we have ours in 8 years just so we know the process.
"What element do you think he'll awaken?"
"I don't know? It's completely random, nobody knows." We both haven't been told all what happens at these awakening just that you get an element and trait. Everything else that happens we have no clue about.
"Well duh everyone knows that, just take a guess on what it'll be."
"Hmm, I'm leaning towards Ice right now, it just feels right. What'd you think it'll be?"
"I'm actually leaning the complete opposite with fire."
"Well I guess we'll see tonight at the ceremony."
[5 hours later]
I put on the same formal outfit I wore the first time I went to Cedric's house and got into the carriage with the lion horses—Rosh—their manes braided and golden eyes glowing under the streetlamps. We clop down the same brick roads on our way to the Knights estate. He's not a very big noble and our families are really only here for me and Cedric to get experience.
The city was like it always is—clean, lively, and packed with people no matter where you looked. But it didn't ruin the beauty of it, only made it livelier. It might be even more active since it's eleven pm. After about a 15 minute ride our carriage slows as we enter the gates to the estate.
We get out of the carriage and are led by a butler to the venue.
"Welcome Ducal House Elowen, and Baron House Thalore to the event!" Oh it seems we get announced when we arrive. The venue was very well made, a glass dome roof so that we could see the stars, chairs surrounding the raised stage with a podium on top of it. What really struck me was the smell, it was like a mix of cinnamon and ginger that made the whole area smell wonderful.
Another man, dressed in formal attire, walks us to our seats. The seats themselves are the second closest to the stage the ceremony will take place at, with only the Knight family being in front.
"Why are we here so late?" I'm rather curious, why would our parents take us here knowing it was so late at night.
"Because it's really the day before the Knight's son, Christoph, is awakened. Everybody has the celebration the night before so when it strikes midnight the child can get awakened as soon as possible." My father explains. Ah, that makes sense. So the celebration starts the day before his birthday and ends on it after his awakening.
"Boys, do you know what a person awakens yet?" Duchess Miriel asks.
"I don't know, an element, and trait is all I've heard about." I responded.
"Okay I'll tell you both since I know that Cedric doesn't know either. Well both of you know about elements and their tiers, let's start with traits. Traits are passive, unique abilities based on what element the child awakens. For example, a fire awakened may get a trait that enhances their control over their element. There's really infinite possibilities for traits, some are weak and some are extremely powerful, and it's completely random similar to elements".
"Are traits only tied to elements?" Cedric asks.
"They may be slightly affected by early combat styles forming, but it is always tied to your element" The duchess responds.
That's… a lot to take in. I wonder what kind of trait I'll get—will it be strong?
"The next thing is affinity rank. This goes from Nullborn - all the way to Mythic, there are eight tiers but I won't list them all right now. What affinity ranks do is set your base mana quality, and the rate at which you learn to use your element. These are also randomly awakened and the upper ranks of affinity level are even rarer to awaken than high-tier elements." So even if you get the perfect element and trait, a low affinity rank could ruin everything. That's kind of terrifying.
"What's the average rank most people get?" This time I ask a question.
"The average rank is three - four, they are awakened the most often and are called Spark and Adept."
Interesting…
"Next is the mana core. The core is the base of your power, it's where all your mana is stored. To increase mana capacity and quality you must refine your core and mana channels to go to the next stage in advancement. The core levels are Initiate - Immutable, though some speculate of an even higher rank core but nobody knows if it exists." Oh, so this is where all my mana is stored when I awaken, I have to quickly start advancing my core.
This time neither of us ask questions and she continues.
"Lastly is the mana channels. These connect to your core and determine how you move around the mana in your body. When you awaken these channels it will be painful, but, you are going to instinctually create yours as your body gets acclimated to all the rush of power everything will bring. You will need to refine them so that you can progress in your core stage but the pain is not as bad as when you first awaken them. Some people won't have to do this for the first few ranks since their instinctual channels they build will already reach the requirement for a core rank up." Okay wow that's a lot of info, but I guess we would've been lost without it for sure. Elements, affinity rank, traits, core, and mana channels. All that power at once would feel crazy, like you're freed from chains wrapped around your body.
"What do you mean by refining your mana channels?" I ask another question and the Duchess happily tells me.
"Well it could pertain to, getting rid of impurities in your channels, making them stronger, wider, more durable, and lastly completely changing how they are networked. All cause pain but the last is especially bad."
Well hopefully mine aren't going to need complete restructure.
"Some awakenings change lives… and some ruin them." I blinked. That was ominous. Bit of a mood killer, honestly.
"Welcome everyone, and thank you for attending my son's awakening day. The ceremony will now begin, thank you once again." Small applause follows the man's, who I can only assume is the Knight, speech.
Music begins to play as Christoph walks to the stage in his formal attire. I can see nervousness but also excitement written all over his face. Finally he reaches a podium with a glowing crystal on top, and a screen facing the audience flashes into place. We wait a couple seconds and then giant bells ring around the room signaling it has now reached midnight. They sounded beautiful, like a chorus—deep, resonant, and especially loud. Once the ringing ends Christoph tentatively reaches his hand out to the crystal.
He immediately falls writhing in pain but nobody rushes to him. I felt my stomach twist, my hands gripping the edge of my seat. Cedric leaned forward, eyes wide but silent. Why is nobody helping him? Is this normal? Is that what I'll have to go through? My stomach clenched for a second time. Just touching that crystal did that to him? What would it do to me? Eight years suddenly felt terrifyingly short. Then the screen shows what Christoph awakened. His element, Sound, affinity rank, Gifted, his trait, something called Echo Step. Loud applause runs through the ground as well as my family, I also clap but I'm not sure why the applause is so loud? Is his affinity rank high? Do they think his trait might be good? I'll just have to ask when we get in the carriage and leave.
After the applause the Knight comes back on stage and checks on his son who has by now finished his awakening and is asleep. He once again thanks everyone for coming and sends us on our way.
Once we're in the carriage I ask "Why was the applause so loud? Did he awaken a good affinity rank?"
"Oh yes, it was a fairly strong rank—the fifth highest out of nine. It's still considered average, but at the very top of that range. Also his Element will be powerful and I think his trait is decent. Maybe it will affect how he's perceived when moving? He might be able to get into a Mage Academy but they have really high standards". Thankfully my father answers my question.
The carriage rolled on through the sleeping city. I watched the glow of lanterns flicker past, heart racing. Eight more years. What would I awaken… and would it hurt that much?