Six days passed like a blur.
News of the broken engagement of the Princess and the heir of the Voidbanes spread like wildfire.
Some people who were alive and saw what happened during the SS rift subjugation, spoke against the emperor in their circles.
Talking about how there wouldn't be a Brax household if not for the Voidbanes.
Others just dismissed it, saying that it was only right since the heir of the Voidbanes was going to be a normal awakener unlike his father.
In this world only strength mattered, therefore they thought it was only right.
After the broken engagement, the Voidbane family stayed silent, they made no comments towards the imperial family, nor did they do anything using their businesses.
It was as if this humiliation never happened, although everyone knew better, the Voidbanes showed no care.
Today was the awakening ceremony, where around a hundred or so people that had just reached eighteen years old in the Voidbane county were ready for awakening.
Aristocrats and merchant children were lined up first.
Then came the common folk.
First in line was of course the heir of the Voidbanes, this was the most talked about awakening in the whole continent.
Other houses and families from surrounding counties came over to celebrate his awakening, others came as a show of mockery.
The best example was the Cullingham family, of Duke Arnold.
The Duke and his son were seated alongside other nobles, acting as if they came here to celebrate but everyone knew that this was like a slap in the face towards the Voidbanes.
This was the family that the princess was now being engaged to.
They had no business being here.
However everyone was surprised, that the hot headed Celine was so calm even after such disrespect.
The emperor came alone, out of respect for his old friend that he had not seen in eighteen years.
Today, the officiate was going to be the Duchess herself, Celine Voidbane.
"Attention!", she said calmly, her voice laced with mana acting as a microphone.
"Today, you will embark on your life as awakeners."
"No matter the talent, bloodline, or skills you awaken, every one of you is an essential component in our continent."
Arnold on the side sneered at her comment.
"Sure, since your son is trash of course you would say that.", he said it in a hush tone enough for the nobility to hear it.
He was going to laugh, but suddenly his mouth was sealed shut with ice.
Even as an S rank, he was unable to break free as quickly as he expected.
Celine just smirked, and continued.
"First in line, my son, the heir of the Voidbane household, Calux."
The Voidbane household members clapped, they all loved Calux, he was a down to earth man.
He treated Commoners and Nobles alike with kindness.
Never used his status to oppress on the contrary, the crime rate on their dukedom was extremely low thanks to both Calux and his mother being so strict and attentive to common populace.
Calux, got up from his seat and walked calmly towards the awakening altar.
Although he showed no nerves on the outside, within he had a storm of raging emotions.
Fear.
Anxiety.
Hope.
All of them while he walked to the altar.
When he finally reached it, there was a sudden silence.
No one spoke, and suddenly a red light was cast around Calux.
The space trembled around him.
Cracks appeared as if there were crystals in the air.
No one had seen such a phenomenon.
The emperor had a pale complexion when he saw this.
These types of phenomenon only appeared with S ranks, and he himself had never witnessed one so powerful.
The rest of the venue was equally shocked, Arnold on one side who was once sneering had a pale face.
His son had a face full of disdain and worry.
The rest of the nobles that came with the hopes of mockery, didn't know what to do with their faces, only wanting to leave as soon as possible.
An earthquake suddenly happened around the venue, but was quickly quelled.
On a screen hovering above everybody, the Apex Network displayed its new awakener.
"Congratulations Calux VoidBane."
"Potential - S Rank"
"Bloodline - S Rank"
"Talent - S Rank"
The public Apex Network only showcased the ranks, never the actual information to avoid leaks.
What was known of awakeners, was fully provided by them.
Of course, the personal Apex Network Screen shown to the awakener himself was a different matter altogether.
While everyone was seeing the public screen showcased in the altar, Calux was seeing something else entirely on his status screen.
"Error. Administrative intrusion detected."
"User: Calux Voidbane."
"Potential has been sealed by a higher authority."
"Reach S-Rank to unlock your true potential."
..
--Welcome to the Apex Network--
--Status--
Name: Calux Voidbane
Age: 18
Potential: Transcendent[Locked] -> S
Bloodline: Void Sovereign - Transcendent[Locked] -> S
Talent: Sword Sovereign - Transcendent[Locked] -> S
Mana Rank: F-
Body Rank: F-
Innate Skills : Void Step, Void Slash, Inventory, Void Palace, Absolute Comprehension
Techniques: Void Sovereign's Conversion
Affinities: Void, Space
Soul Space : Void Edge(Transcendent[Rank Locked +1](E)), Beast Egg
--
Looking at his screen, Calux couldn't help but gasp for air.
He felt like he forgot how to breathe for a few seconds.
The knowledge of every skill and technique flowed into him like a dam breaking apart, causing him a slight headache.
Once the skills were integrated with his being, knowledge and memories of improved swordsmanship flowed into him, he felt like he was one with the sword at this point. He felt like whatever he had trained with his mom was child's play in comparison to the knowledge he was gaining at this moment.
He innately felt space and void, as if it was second nature to him, something he had never felt before since everything he had was sealed.
He had heard what the crowd was saying, the Apex Network was only displaying his public status with his current locked potential.
It says a higher being intervened.
I would assume that it's the creator of the Apex Network, but why seal my abilities or potential?
Suddenly, a ding sound was made in his system screen.
The Apex Network allowed for messages between awakeners, however he had yet to add anyone so how could this be?
Suddenly, he saw that the notification was from an administrator.
Messages like these appeared when you were in a rift that suddenly changed ranks or something, in order to let awakeners know or if a rift break was going to happen.
But he had never heard of the administrators sending personalized messages.
He decided to put his thoughts aside and just mentally click to open.
"Hello Calux, I'm sure you want to know why your abilities have been sealed."
"To make it short, this was done to protect you, if your potential was shown off since the day you were born as it should of, you would of been the target of those who are creating these rifts to invade our worlds."
"Once you reach S Rank, your potential will unlock and you will be able to grow past the limitations set by this world and join your father."
"I know you have questions, but I can't answer them yet, I have left you two gifts in your soul space, the soul space is something only transcendent awakeners have, to access these gifts, you have to concentrate and look into yourself as if searching for your inner self, since you will be looking into your own soul. Do this only when you are in a safe space."
"I'm sure you will like your gifts, tell your mom they were from Liana, she'll know they aren't dangerous."
"Hope yo see you soon kiddo!"
What the fuck?