Unexpected result

The morning sun was bright, the sky a perfect blue—ideal for an Elemental Awakening Ceremony.

Adonis stood in the courtyard of the Awakening Hall, hands in his pockets, watching the excited children file toward the grand stone circle. Parents clustered at the edges, some whispering prayers, others offering encouraging smiles.

Lyra was near the center of the line, bouncing on her heels in her simple white robe, silver hair neatly tied back. Every so often she scanned the crowd until her eyes found Adonis's. He gave her a small, steady thumbs-up. "You've got this," he mouthed.

She grinned, all confidence and mischief.

Inside the vaulted hall, the air hummed with raw mana. A single, flawless mana crystal sat at the center of the raised stone platform. An elder mage in flowing blue robes and a carved staff guided each child forward.

"Step into the circle," he instructed gently. "Close your eyes. Listen to your heartbeat. Let your mana flow outward. Do not resist it—embrace what it reveals."

One by one, children ascended:

A boy sparked a swirl of water, his laughter echoing like tinkling drops.

A girl flared fire in her palm, sending sparks dancing across the platform.

Others awoke earth, wind, or none at all—some cried at disappointment, some beamed at success.

Then it was Lyra's turn.

Adonis leaned against the stone wall outside, silent and tense. He recalled his own awakening: the violent storm of sword qi that cracked the hall's foundation. He swallowed, his mind a whirl of memories.

Lyra stepped forward, her small frame almost swallowed by the circle. The elder placed her hand on the glowing crystal. A soft hiss of energy pulsed outward.

First, a gentle green light spread beneath her feet—the mark of Healing. Relief washed over Adonis; that was good, kind, pure.

But then—he saw it too clearly.

A tendril of black curled along the edge of the crystal, forming a shadowy wisp.

Dark Element.

His heart thundered. No… she can't…He sprang forward, yanking Lyra's hand away just as the black mist recoiled into the crystal.

From the other side of the hall, the elder's calm voice rang out: "Hey—awakening isn't finished yet!"

Adonis forced a smile, scooping Lyra into his arms. To the watching crowd, he looked like a proud big brother. But inside, panic and guilt wrestled in his chest.

"If Lyra awakened what I think it is I can't let this get out" he thought and give a smile to the priest.

"I saw green Healing, right. Only one element can awaken in a special magic user." Adonis said coldly releasing his aura, making the priest shudder in pressure, the priest eyes widened, he felt like he is not looking at a 15 year old boy but a peerless sword just away from his throat, the feeling made him chill to his spine as he gulped down, and shut up.

Adonis swallowed hard thinking inside "She has Healing element but she also awakened dark element, but only one special magic could be awakened in one body so how is this happened?"

Lyra, startled, hugged his neck. "Did I do good, Brother?"

He kissed her head. "You did great, Lyra."

As they left the hall, Adonis's mind raced.

Dark and Healing at once… Lyra is different.Have I been wrong?Negative emotions are part of life—maybe Rabisu's path wasn't so simple.But the world fears the dark element…

Adonis's throat burned. He pressed a hand to his heart, voice tight.

"No one saw… Thank the stars no one saw."

Lyra chattered happily at his side, unaware. Adonis looked down, eyes stinging. Tears threatened, but he blinked them away.

Today, the world believed Lyra had awakened only Healing.

Tomorrow… he'd uncover the truth.

And protect her—no matter what.