Sam spent two peaceful days with his family and grandparents—
quiet, joyful days that he hadn't known he needed so badly.
He stayed close to home,
never wandering far,
never doing anything that might draw attention.
Because deep down, Sam knew—
the capital wasn't simple.
It lay secrets and power.
'The more I move... the more I'm seen,'
he thought.
'And the more I'm seen... the more likely I'll be found'
He hadn't forgotten about the Second Barrier.
But Sam made a decision:
It can wait.
Because now...
he had time.
After all, once the Awakening Ceremony was complete,
he would be officially enrolled in the Capital Academy—
******************
The Day Arrives
And then—
the day came.
The one his family had been waiting for with glowing pride.
Excitement buzzed through the household like static in the air.
For them, this was a celebration.
A sacred ritual.
A memory to be cherished.
But for Sam…
this wasn't just a day.
It was his moment of performance.
A stage where he had to stand alone
and show them what he was capable of.
Not just his family.
But those watching from the shadows.
The nobles.
The hidden figures who valued power
*************
His heart beat slower than usual—
controlled, focused.
He stood in front of the mirror, wearing the white ceremonial robe,
trimmed with intricate black designs that shimmered faintly under the morning light.
His face—plain to most—now held a quiet edge of grace and confidence,
the robe elevates his presence like a silent aura.
"Today… I will show them the best performance of my life,"
he whispered to himself
Then he walked out of his room,
a gentle smile resting on his face.
In the main hall, his entire family had gathered—
waiting, hoping, watching the door.
And the moment Sam stepped out,
every eye lit up.
A wave of smiles spread through the room,
like the morning sun breaking through clouds.
His younger siblings paused mid-conversation,
staring at him in awe.
His grandfather straightened his back,
his lips curling with quiet pride.
And then—
his mother and grandmother stepped forward,
smiles soft, eyes shimmering.
"Oh my," his grandmother whispered,
"Look at you…"
"You've grown so much," his mother added,
her voice trembled just enough to betray her emotions.
They both reached out—
adjusting the collar of his ceremonial robe,
brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves,
touching his cheek like he was still his little boy.
**************
Sam stood still, smiling gently
Sam looked around at his family.
They were all dressed in fresh, elegant clothes—
each of them trying to look their best for this important day.
It made his heart warm in a way even mana couldn't explain.
Then his father stepped forward and placed a steady hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Sam, don't be nervous," he began with a proud smile.
"We all believe in you and—"
But before he could finish,
Sam's grandfather cut in with a gruff voice,
"Bah! No need for long speeches! Sam, just go there, sit down, guide the mana into your body, and form your core.
That's it. Nothing more, nothing less."
Sam blinked as the mood shifted.
His father turned to glare at the old man, clearly annoyed.
"I was talking to him," he snapped, his tone sharp.
"I don't need you cutting in every time I—"
This time, it was Sam's mother who stepped in, raising her hand gently.
"Enough," she said with a patient smile.
"Sam, it's time now. Let's go.
Leave your father and grandfather behind—they'll argue all the way to the temple if we let them."
To support her, Sam's grandmother chimed in quickly, waving her hands,
"Yes, yes! Let's not be late! Today, the whole city is gathered near the temple.
If we don't leave the house now, we'll be stuck in the crowd!"
Sam couldn't help but smile.
So this is family, he thought.
Warm, chaotic, and always full of love.
He took a breath, then nodded.
"Let's go," he said.
****************
The family carriage rolled smoothly through the capital's stone-paved streets.
Banners fluttered from every corner—bearing the crests of the royal family and the six duke houses, proudly displayed above shops, balconies, and pillars.
The streets were alive with excitement.
Crowds had gathered near the temple gates, their eyes shining with anticipation.
People talked loudly, voices overlapping in a wave of chatter:
"Have you heard? All six duke family heirs are participating this year!"
"Not just the dukes—both the second prince and princess will awaken today!"
"And don't forget the high nobles' children. Even some mid and low-tier noble houses are sending their heirs."
"With that lineup, the top 10 rankings will belong to them for sure!"
"Well… we'll see. Mana doesn't always favor bloodline," another voice added.
******************
These murmurs floated through the air and reached Sam's ears.
He sat inside the carriage, calming on the outside—
but inside, his thoughts stirred.
'They're talking about rankings... Are they really going to rank everyone?'
He looked up at his grandfather, sitting across from him.
"Grandpa," he asked, "are they going to rank the participants during the Awakening Ceremony?"
His grandfather gave a short chuckle, then shook his head.
"Sam," he said calmly, "don't worry about the rankings.
That's just a small system the Capital Academy uses.
It helps them sort and filter first-year students based on their performance.
It's nothing more than paperwork to them."
Sam nodded slowly. "Oh… I see."
********
Sam's grandfather noticed the flicker of doubt in his grandson's eyes.
With a gentle smile, he leaned back and continued:
"You don't have to worry about rankings, Sam.
That's just useless stuff. What matters… is that you stay calm and focused."
He placed a firm, reassuring hand on Sam's shoulder.
"You only need to create one mana core. That's it.
Just one successful awakening, and you'll be admitted to the Capital Academy."
As his grandfather finished speaking,
Sam simply nodded, keeping his expression calm and quiet.
But deep inside… his thoughts ran differently.
'Grandpa… I'm not worried about the rankings.
Not even about getting into the academy.'
'It's the opposite.'
'I'm excited.'
'I want to see what the heirs of kings, dukes, and noble houses are truly capable of.'
His fingers twitched slightly on his robe.
Not from nervousness—but anticipation.
'I've read about them in books. I've imagined their mana flow, their training, their talent.
Now I get to see it with my own eyes.'
His lips curved into the faintest smile.
'Let's see what they'll show me today…
And how far I've already come—on my own.'
*************
As the carriage came to a smooth halt before the grand entrance of the Awakening Temple, the golden sunlight bathed its polished frame.
One by one, Sam's family stepped out.
His younger siblings rushed to hug him first, their small arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
"You'll do great, big brother!" one of them grinned, eyes sparkling.
His grandmother placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Remember, no matter what happens, you're already shining in our eyes."
His mother, eyes moist but smiling, embraced him silently, her hands trembling slightly as she let go.
Then his grandfather gave him a strong pat on the back.
"Make your mana yours, Sam. Don't rush—feel it."
Finally, his father stepped forward. He didn't say much—just rested a hand on Sam's shoulder and nodded.
"Go," he said softly. "It's your time now."
Sam took a breath, looking at each of them.
Then he turned.
Without hesitation, he began walking alone—his white and black ceremonial robe flowing behind him as he stepped forward.
He passed the crowd, the whispering nobles, the curious onlookers.
Each step was calm.
Each breath is steady.
He reached the gathering line, where dozens of other candidates stood—some tense, some arrogant, some trembling.
But Sam stood still.
**************
Just as Sam settled into the gathering line,
a sudden shift rippled through the air.
A soldier in dark ceremonial armor strode forward,
his voice ringing out with authority as he raised a tall black pole—
a flag bearing a haunting crest:
A crescent moon behind a grave bell.
"Make way!" the soldier shouted.
"Clear the path for the carriage of the Young Master of House Duskgrave—
the Bloodline of Echoing Souls!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
Even the noble families and instructors turned their heads,
eyes sharpening with a mix of respect… and unease.
From the edge of the ceremonial road,
a carriage emerged—
unlike anything Sam had seen before.
Painted in obsidian black with silver soul runes etched along the edges,
the carriage gave off a faint blue mist that curled around its wheels.
It was not pulled by ordinary beasts…
but by two undead horses, their bodies were made of bone and shadow,
wreathed in eerie black and blue flames.
Whispers surged through the crowd again:
"That's the heir of Duskgrave…"
"They say he can hear the voices of the dead…"
"No one knows the full extent of their soul arts…"
"The bell on his wrist can summon spirits from past ages."