Chapter 165: Lukas’s Awakening

The crystal vibrated gently beneath Arthur’s fingers.

The first child to be called after Lukas arrived in the hall approached the altar with hesitant steps. His small body trembled slightly as he stared at the floating crystal, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

For a brief moment, a green light emerged from within it, spreading a serene glow across the altar. The light was neither intense nor blinding, but it conveyed a pleasant feeling, like a forest after the rain, fresh, rejuvenating, and full of promise.

The radiance lasted only a few seconds before disappearing completely, as though it had been absorbed by the crystal itself.

Arthur blinked a few times, his hand still resting on the stone’s cold surface. His eyes widened slightly, as though something had just appeared inside his mind, a new piece of knowledge, an understanding that had not existed before.

The woman in the white robe smiled calmly, her green eyes shining with the familiarity of someone who had witnessed that scene hundreds of times.

"You may step down."

The boy obeyed, his steps no longer as hesitant as before. There was a different light in his eyes now, a confidence that had not been there when he had climbed the steps.

As soon as he reached his mother, she immediately knelt down, her hands gripping her son’s shoulders with a mixture of anxiety and hope.

"So?"

Arthur gave a shy but genuine smile.

"...Plant Growth."

His mother covered her mouth with both hands before pulling him into a tight embrace, her tears of joy soaking the boy’s shoulder.

"That’s a wonderful ability!"

Around them, several parents smiled quietly, recognizing the value of that ability. Agriculture-related abilities were highly valued in any city. While they were not powerful in combat, they could guarantee a comfortable and prosperous life for those who possessed them.

The woman lowered her gaze to the book again, her finger moving across the list of names.

"Next."

A blonde girl walked toward the altar, nervously clutching the hem of her dress. Her blue eyes remained fixed on the crystal, and her lips moved silently, as though she were praying.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the effort. Then she touched the crystal.

This time, a pale blue light illuminated the entire hall for a few moments, resembling the calm surface of a lake on a summer day. The light was gentle and soothing, like crystal-clear water.

When the girl withdrew her hand, her eyes lit up with sudden understanding. She let out a small laugh of relief before even stepping down the stairs, her steps much lighter than when she had climbed them.

Her family welcomed her with celebration as she quietly explained her ability, unable to hide the smile spreading across her face.

The awakening continued, one child after another, each with their own unique experience.

A sturdy boy, nearly as tall as Lukas, confidently placed his hand on the crystal. Immediately, an intense red light burst across the altar, so bright that several people had to look away. The light pulsed with energy like living fire.

As soon as it ended, he stepped down, pounding his chest proudly with a broad, confident grin.

"Enhancement Ability!"

His father laughed heartily, his eyes shining with pride.

"I knew it! Just like your grandfather!"

Shortly afterward, another girl received only a very faint golden glow, so dim that it almost went unnoticed. She remained motionless for several seconds, her hand still resting on the crystal, as though waiting for something else to happen.

When she stepped down, her eyes were filled with tears, and her lips trembled. Her mother quickly embraced her, wrapping her daughter in unconditional love.

"Don’t be sad. Even a simple ability can blossom in the future. What matters is how you use it."

The girl merely nodded in silence, but something in her eyes showed that her mother’s words had found their way into her heart.

The hall continued at the same steady pace. One child. One glow. One new ability. One new life beginning.

Meanwhile, Lukas’s heart beat faster and faster. Every time another child was called, he felt that his own turn was drawing closer. The anticipation grew like a wave on the verge of breaking.

Beside him, Judite seemed unable to contain her anxiety. From time to time, she squeezed her brother’s hand, her small fingers wrapping tightly around his.

"It’ll be alright..." she whispered, her voice filled with unwavering faith. A few seconds later, she repeated herself.

"I’m sure of it." Right afterward, she squeezed his hand again, as though she needed to reassure herself.

"You’re going to awaken an incredible ability."

Lukas simply smiled, appreciating his sister’s support. The truth was... he had no idea what to expect.

The books he had read in Hark Castle’s library described dozens of possibilities. Swords, bows, elemental magic, physical enhancement, elemental control, item creation, and support abilities. Each with its own characteristics, applications, and paths of development.

But none of them seemed to explain what had been happening to him since childhood. The strength that came from Tilbo. The weaving he had learned from Prata. The vision he shared with Astra. Not a single book mentioned anything remotely similar.

Would the Crystal be able to perceive the ability he had received from Tilbo? And from Prata? And from Astra? Or would those remain a secret known only to him, an anomaly that no amount of study could explain?

Two more children were called. The first received another green light, similar to Arthur’s, indicating an affinity with nature. The second awakened a faint yellow glow, indicating a common ability related to craftsmanship.

Up to that point... no truly powerful magical manifestation. No light that made the entire hall shine as it had during Judite’s Awakening.

Lukas remembered that day perfectly. The crystal had radiated an intense light, so brilliant that everyone present had widened their eyes in astonishment. It indicated an extraordinarily rare magical affinity, a talent that did not appear in every generation.

The woman in the white robe slowly closed the book for a moment, her eyes sweeping across the hall. Then she turned another page, the sound of parchment echoing through the silence. Her finger calmly traced the names written there.

Then she raised her head. Her eyes met Lukas’s.

"Lukas Dmond."

Her voice echoed clearly throughout the enormous hall, cutting through the murmur of conversations. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the entire hall had fallen silent, as if time itself had come to a stop.

Lukas took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs. He felt Aurora’s gentle hand rest upon his shoulder, her touch conveying all the love and support of a mother.

"We’re with you."

Clavor said nothing. He simply nodded once, the movement firm and full of meaning. Yet that small gesture carried all the pride of a father, all the confidence he placed in his son.

Judite smiled from ear to ear, her eyes shining with contagious excitement.

"Good luck, brother."

Lukas returned a small smile, a gesture of gratitude toward the family that had always supported him. Then he stepped forward.