ARCANE DRIFTERS – Volume 1
Chapter 2: The Awakening Test
Darkness.
Endless darkness surrounded Shen.
Voices echoed through the void.
"Shen!"
"Shen!"
"Where is he?!"
"He's our last hope!"
Shen tried to answer.
Tried to move.
But his body wouldn't respond.
A chilling laugh suddenly echoed.
"Oh?"
"So he lied."
A tall figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
"Then it's just Shen."
Pain exploded inside Shen's head.
He grabbed his ears.
The world around him started shaking violently.
The mysterious figure slowly raised one hand.
"Fine."
"Then I'll destroy this place."
BOOOOM!
Dark energy exploded across the sky.
At that moment another voice echoed.
A familiar voice.
Kenya.
"Shen is back!"
A golden light descended from above.
The darkness split apart.
A gigantic silhouette appeared in the sky.
Its presence alone made reality tremble.
Shen stared at it.
His heartbeat accelerated.
"What..."
"What kind of form is that...?"
FLASH!
Everything disappeared.
"Hah!"
Shen suddenly sat upright in bed.
Sweat covered his forehead.
"A dream...?"
The words remained in his mind.
Dark Mage Ultra Form.
He had never heard those words before.
Yet somehow they felt important.
Very important.
Shen rubbed his eyes before getting out of bed.
Outside, the village was already awake.
Soldiers trained.
Vehicles moved around.
People prepared for another day.
Shen stretched.
"Whatever."
"Today's going to be fun."
The moment he stepped onto the training field—
BAM!
A fist landed directly on his stomach.
"GUAAH!"
Shen bent forward instantly.
"What was that for?!"
The Commander stood there with crossed arms.
"Yesterday my speech motivated you."
"Today you're late."
"Perfect balance."
Shen nearly cried.
"That's not balance!"
Kenya burst into laughter.
Ruke nodded seriously.
"I think it is."
Eliz shook her head.
"You deserved it."
A few minutes later, the Commander gathered everyone together.
"You all wish to join the Arcane Drifting Force."
The children nodded immediately.
"Unfortunately, the minimum age is eighteen."
Everyone's shoulders dropped.
"But..."
Instantly they looked up again.
"You may join the trainee program."
Shen grinned.
"For real?"
The Commander nodded.
"For two years you will train."
"You will learn."
"You will survive."
"And if you pass..."
"You will officially become Arcane Drifters."
Shen clenched his fist.
"I'll definitely pass."
Suddenly a glowing crystal orb appeared before them.
Blue light flowed inside it.
Kenya's eyes widened.
"What's that?"
"The Magic Awakening Orb."
The Commander smiled.
"It will reveal your magical potential."
Shen's eyes sparkled.
"My power!"
The Commander looked confused.
"How do you already know about this?"
"I read books."
"...Fair enough."
Kenya stepped forward first.
The moment her hands touched the orb—
BOOOOM!
Crimson flames exploded around her.
Dark red fire danced across the sky.
The Commander staggered backward.
"Fire Demon Power."
"A God-Class Ability."
Kenya blinked.
"Is that good?"
Everyone immediately shouted.
"YES!"
Next came Eliz.
Darkness and light erupted around her body.
The Commander looked shocked.
"Dark Healing Magic."
"Light Attack Magic."
"A dual-attribute user."
Then came Ruke.
Golden lightning exploded from his body.
Thunder echoed throughout the training ground.
"Ultimate Lightning Manipulation."
The Commander smiled.
"Excellent."
Finally everyone looked at Shen.
The boy everyone expected to become a legend.
Shen stepped forward confidently.
"My turn."
Slowly he placed his hand on the orb.
The wind moved.
Leaves rustled.
A faint glow appeared.
Then...
Nothing.
Silence.
The glow vanished.
The orb became still.
The Commander's face slowly changed.
Shock.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
"No magical power detected."
The entire field froze.
"What?!"
Kenya's eyes widened.
Eliz covered her mouth.
Ruke stared.
Shen blinked.
Then looked at his own hands.
"Huh...?"
Because the boy everyone believed would become a legend...
Had awakened absolutely nothing.
To Be Continued...