The ceremony master stood at the altar, his tall, poised form commanding beneath the temple's light.
Below him, a pool of shimmering, clear spring water was surrounded by ten-year-old elves.
"I believe each and every one of you has been properly educated on what to expect when the ceremony begins, but for the sake of clarity, allow me to lay it out for you one more time."
The ceremony master looked into the crowd of noble elves, whose auras—undiminished even by the tender age of ten—clearly set them apart from common elves.
"When the ceremony begins, I want each of you to step orderly into the spiritual spring."
"For those who can already handle spiritual energy, you should be able to channel energy from the spirit spring to unblock your meridians."
"It might be painful at the start, but once all your meridians have been unblocked, you will begin to feel the nourishing and healing effect of the spiritual spring."
"One of the major differences between a normal mana awakening and the temple's use of spiritual energy..."
"And if any among you can't handle spiritual energy, worry not; the process is also automated, albeit with diminished returns."
Aeon, among the crowd of ten-year-olds, looked around curiously, doubting if anyone here would come to their Awakening ceremony unprepared.
Because although the process can be automated, you would also lose your chance of building a strong foundation, or worse—waste the slim chance of awakening a superior talent.
"Begin the ceremony."
Aeon, shifting his focus back toward the temple master, noticed how all of a sudden the lights from the pool became brighter and the air felt richer, and temple priests from all sides were ushering in those nearest to the pool.
When Aeon finally got to his place in the pool, he took deep breaths, concentrating inwardly to feel the already begun automated process of the ceremony.
He could feel the spiritual energy from the spring coursing gracefully through his mana veins, familiarizing himself with its rhythm.
When he finally felt ready, he gradually increased the flow of spiritual energy coursing through his mana veins until the intensity was almost enough to cause minor ruptures, giving it the chance to heal and expand in order to build a strong, stable foundation.
Within seconds, the spiritual energy was already upon his first meridian blockage, tearing through it with force.
"Ungh!"
Aeon could barely contain his muffled groans.
The shock and pain from the force of impact caused him to lose concentration for a few seconds.
He could feel his internal injuries accumulating faster than the spring could heal, but he endured still.
By the time the spiritual energy unblocked his sixth meridian, its momentum was already three times what it initially was.
He endured the seventh.
He endured the eighth.
But his consciousness was already close to passing out, until finally, spiritual energy flowed through his ninth meridian blockage, releasing a flood of healing and nourishment into his mana veins.
"Fwooo…"
Aeon released a soft, long, and steady breath like wind through his lips, while still maintaining the flow of spirit energy from his first mana gate to his ninth, stabilizing and healing his already widened mana veins through nine rotations, until finally...
[Ding]
A screen flashed before his eyes, glowing with a soft blue light.
"Alright, I believe everyone has completed their Awakening, thus establishing a contract with the world's system."
The ceremony master interrupted before he could get a chance to gather his thoughts.
"Through the established contract, you should now be able to view your status screens."
The master of ceremonies paused and watched as hushed murmuring began in the crowd. He watched them scrutinize their status screens, some with deep scowls, most with wide smiles, and some with barely contained grins.
"For those who have awakened A-class or S-class traits and affinities, I hope to see you at the academy working hard so as not to waste your talents."
"Now scurry on out of my temple; your guardians await you at the temple's entrance."
Stepping out of the spring—which, oddly enough, did not wet his clothes or skin—Aeon followed the temple priests along with many other ten-year-old elves like himself, dressed in luxurious elven-styled robes, each with the insignia of their noble houses.
"Aeon."
Looking slightly behind, he noticed a girl with silver-white hair smiling brightly as she approached him.
"Luna."
He slowed down his steps just enough for her to catch up to him, noticing how everyone parted ways for her as soon as they noticed her insignia: golden threads artistically woven in the resemblance of a tree.
The insignia of the royal family, the same as his.
"So...."
"How did it go?"
"It was intense," Aeon replied with a hesitant smile.
"And your trait rank?" Luna probed.
"Haven't checked yet."
"C'mon. If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."
From the way she still had a smile tugging at the edges of her lips, it's not hard to guess that she's probably eager to show off her trait rank.
"I really haven't checked yet, Luna."
"Hmph!"
Throwing her face to the side, Luna pouted with her arms crossed and cheeks puffed.
"I'll tell you all about it once we get to the carriage."
"You promise?"
"I do."
Luna almost immediately bounced on her toes, with a big grin lighting up her face.
By the time they finished talking, they had reached the temple's grand entrance—massive doors carved from wood and stone, with graceful arches that echoed the style of elven architecture.
Stepping through to be greeted by four of Luna's guards and one of Aeon's:
"Your highness."
"Your highness."
"Your highness."
"Your highness."
"Young master."
Behind them came the view of a beautiful gold and green-colored carriage plated with the symbol of the royal family—an innovative locomotive that runs on mana.
"This way, your highness; Lady Jane awaits."
Following slightly behind Luna with his guard behind him, Aeon almost felt sorry for the families that stood around bowing patiently. But then again, the temple halls were only opened today because members of the royal family had their Awakening ceremony.
Closer to the carriage, he could already notice Lady Jane within the carriage door.
Her silver-white hair, the same color as Luna's, shimmered softly, like strands of moonlight falling in gentle waves. Her skin was smooth and pale, almost glowing with a quiet, natural radiance. There was a calm, timeless beauty about her—simple, striking, and impossible to ignore.
"Mom."
"Your highness."
They both greeted Lady Jane, with his a little more formally than Luna's, because although Aeon carries the royal blood and name, Lady Jane—married to the brother of the king—is of the direct royal line to the throne, making her of a higher hierarchy than him.
"You know you don't have to be formal with me, Aeon," Lady Jane said gently with a smile on her face.
"Yes, Auntie."
"Now you both hurry on in; don't leave people waiting."
Inside the carriage, Luna could barely contain her patience.
"We're finally inside! Quick, check your status!" she said, her words tumbling out in excitement.
"Alright, alright."
'Status,' Aeon muttered inwardly.
[Ding!]