Chapter 173: End of the Awakening

Fifteen minutes dragged on as if they were hours while various awakenings took place in the Hall of the Eternal Crystal.

One child after another was called to the polished stone altar, where the Eternal Crystal rested upon its ornate silver stand.

Each time a small hand touched its translucent surface, the crystal pulsed with light, revealing the dormant talent that resided within that child’s soul.

The first boy to step forward was skinny, with red hair and freckles scattered across his nose.

He hesitated for a moment, looking at his parents, who encouraged him with subtle nods. When his fingers touched the crystal, a soft emerald-green light shone for several seconds.

The gray-haired woman presiding over the ceremony wrote something in her record book with a raven-feather quill.

"Olfactory sensory ability," the boy announced loudly enough for everyone else to hear.

"I possess the ability to identify and track scents with above-average accuracy."

The boy’s parents exchanged satisfied glances. It was not a combat ability, but it was certainly useful in a world where monsters and dangerous territories constantly required skilled hunters and trackers.

His father proudly squeezed his son’s shoulder, while his mother was already whispering about the finest tracking instructors in the region.

Next, a dark-haired girl with curious eyes placed her hand upon the crystal. This time, an intense yellow light illuminated the altar, drawing quiet murmurs from those present.

"The ability is called Enhanced Physical Resistance," the girl declared, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"I have the capacity to withstand damage and fatigue far beyond the norm. Excellent for frontline warriors."

The girl’s father, a broad-shouldered man with a scar across his chin, could not suppress a proud smile.

He himself was a veteran of countless battles against the monsters of the Gray Mountains, and seeing his daughter awaken such a valuable ability filled him with hope for her future.

Another boy awakened enhanced motor coordination, represented by a pale blue light that danced across the crystal like liquid flames.

As he explained, the ability was particularly suited for archers and hunters who relied on pinpoint precision in their movements.

The lights continued appearing in different colors, green, blue, yellow, and red, each indicating a different category of talent.

There were sensory, physical, mental, and instinctive abilities. The parents watched attentively, some celebrating quietly, while others were already planning the next steps in their children’s education.

However, none of those lights came anywhere close to the dazzling brilliance Lukas had produced only moments earlier.

The colorful radiance that had erupted from the crystal when he touched it still lingered in the memories of everyone present, a phenomenon the gray-haired woman admitted she had never witnessed in all her years of service.

Nor did any genuine magical abilities appear among the children—no elemental control, energy manipulation, or arcane powers. As always, true magical talents were exceedingly rare, appearing perhaps in only one out of hundreds of children.

Had it not been for Lukas’s extraordinary Awakening, this group would have been nothing more than another ordinary class of children awakening mediocre abilities, just as happened almost every day within the Hall of the Eternal Crystal.

Finally, the last child, a timid boy hiding behind his mother, was led to the altar. With trembling hands, he touched the crystal. A faint light blue glow shone weakly for several seconds before fading away completely.

"Night vision ability," the boy announced.

"I have the ability to see in low-light conditions. It’s useful for night watch and patrol duties."

The boy’s family appeared disappointed, but they still thanked the woman politely before walking away.

The woman closed the record book with a sharp thud.

"Congratulations to all of you," she proclaimed, her voice echoing through the stone walls of the hall.

"Today’s awakenings have been completed. May your abilities serve both you and our society well."

The parents began smiling at their children. Some celebrated quietly, while others were already enthusiastically discussing the children’s future training. There were promises of new equipment, plans for study, and discussions about which career paths they should pursue.

Little by little, the families began leaving the hall. Their footsteps echoed across the stone floor as the vast chamber, once filled with anticipation and excitement, gradually emptied.

The massive wooden doors creaked each time they opened and closed, allowing the afternoon sunlight to stream across the floor in golden bands.

Within a few minutes, only a single family remained.

The Dmond family.

Clavor Dmond stood motionless like a statue, his brown eyes fixed upon the woman who had conducted the ceremony.

Beside him, Aurora rested one hand on Lukas’s shoulder, her gentle touch contrasting with the tension that was beginning to build on her face.

A few steps behind them, Judite watched everything with curious eyes, biting her lower lip, a habit she had developed whenever something deeply intrigued her.

The gray-haired woman took a deep breath, as though preparing herself for a difficult task, before walking toward them.

Her expression remained serious, but there was something in her eyes, a mixture of caution and admiration, that Lukas could not immediately identify.

"Lord Clavor," she said, inclining her head slightly.

"Lady Aurora. May we speak for a few minutes?"

Clavor nodded immediately, his face remaining unreadable.

"Of course."

Then he looked at Lukas and Judite, his gaze hardening slightly.

"Wait outside. We won’t be long."

The two siblings exchanged a quick glance. There was no denying they were curious. Especially Judite, who looked as though she was about to ask something, her mouth already opening to form the words, her eyes shining with the need to understand what was happening.

Even so, they both obeyed.

"Yes, Father," they replied in unison, Lukas in his calm voice and Judite in a tone that barely concealed her frustration.

The two siblings left the hall as the enormous wooden doors slowly closed behind them. The sound of the latch echoed like a final period upon a conversation they were not permitted to hear.