Morning came.
The sun had barely risen, yet the entire stadium was already filled with life. Children, all around the age of five, arrived with their families to attend the long-awaited Awakening Ceremony. The air was filled with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness that lingered in every whispered conversation.
You could see it clearly—bright eyes, restless movements, small hands clenched into fists.
Today… they would awaken their future.
Alex walked into the stadium, his eyes wandering everywhere, trying to take in the overwhelming scene before him. The place was massive—far larger than he had imagined. Rows upon rows of seats circled the arena, filled with nobles, families, and spectators.
At the center stood a massive monolith.
It towered above everything else.
There—you could see intricate carvings etched deeply into its surface. Ancient symbols, flowing lines, and at its front… numbers.
From 1 to 7.
One at the bottom.
Seven at the very top.
The numbers seemed ordinary at first glance, but there was something about them—something ancient… something powerful.
Alex stared at it for a moment longer.
That's the Stone Stele…
They walked around the stadium, weaving through the growing crowd, until they saw familiar faces.
The heirs of the prominent clans of the Dragon Kingdom.
"Zup, you guys are early," Alex said casually, raising a hand.
"HMPH!"
Betty snorted, crossing her arms, but didn't say anything.
"Dude, we're not early," Draco said with a smirk. "You're just lazy."
Alex rolled his eyes.
"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."
Then, together, they all walked toward the testing site.
The closer they got, the more intense the atmosphere became.
At the front, near the center stage, stood a raised platform.
And above it—
A throne.
It stood high above the crowd, dominating the entire stadium. The seat was empty.
Because the event had not yet started.
Or perhaps—
The event had not started because the one meant to sit on that throne had not yet arrived.
Kaeltharion Skycrest.
The Second Emperor of the Dragon Empire.
The children were clamoring, chattering loudly among their groups of friends. Excited voices overlapped one another, creating a constant hum of noise.
You could see how excited they were.
Some were boasting.
Some were nervous.
Some were silently praying.
Then—
Footsteps.
Slow.
Steady.
Echoing from the distance.
At first, no one noticed.
But as the sound grew closer… louder…
The clamoring began to fade.
One by one, the voices stopped.
Until—
Silence.
The entire stadium fell quiet.
Then—
They looked up.
A man walked forward.
He wore an azure royal gown, adorned with golden buttons and fine white lining that shimmered under the sunlight. His presence alone was overwhelming.
On his head—
There was no crown.
He didn't need one.
Because his horns—curved, majestic, and sharp—rose from his head like a natural crown, radiating authority and dominance.
Kaeltharion Skycrest.
Every step he took carried weight.
Power.
Authority.
The very air seemed to bend around him.
He reached the throne—
And sat.
Only then—
Did the ceremony truly begin.
The instructor stepped forward below the platform, his voice clear and commanding.
"The Awakening Ceremony will now begin. Step forward when your name is called."
The Stone Stele began to emit a soft glow.
The first child stepped forward, trembling slightly, and placed his hands on the monolith.
The stele responded.
Light appeared—
Number 1.
Then 2.
Then 3.
It stopped.
"3rd tier bloodline talent."
"NEXT!"
Another child stepped forward.
Again—
"3rd tier innate talent."
"NEXT!"
Another.
"3rd tier bloodline talent."
"NEXT!"
The process repeated.
Again.
And again.
The excitement slowly shifted into tension.
Some children smiled.
Others lowered their heads.
Then—
"Next."
A boy with silver hair stepped forward.
His presence alone drew attention.
He placed his hand on the stele.
The light rose—
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
It stopped.
"Ryu Thunderclaw—5th tier bloodline talent!"
OHHHHHH!
The crowd erupted.
"Who's that?"
"I don't know… maybe just another prodigy from a noble family."
"A good seedling… from the Thunder lineage," the emperor muttered softly from his throne.
His gaze lingered for a moment—then shifted away.
"NEXT!"
"3rd tier bloodline talent."
"NEXT!"
"4th tier bloodline talent."
The instructor continued calling names, one after another, until—
Only the prominent clans remained.
The atmosphere changed.
Everyone knew—
Now, the real show begins.
"NEXT!"
"Beatrix Frosthorne."
Betty stepped forward confidently, her chin raised high.
She placed her hand on the stele.
The light appeared—
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
6…
It stopped.
"6TH TIER BLOODLINE TALENT!"
OHAAAAAAAAA!!!!
The entire stadium exploded into noise.
A massive commotion broke out.
Betty turned her head slowly—
And looked at Alex.
A mocking smirk formed on her lips.
Alex narrowed his eyes.
This girl…
She'll do anything just to mock me and drag me down to the ground, he thought.
Behind him—
"Hahahahahaha!"
Draco, David, Lucas, and Travis burst into laughter after seeing Betty's expression toward Alex.
"NEXT!"
"David Blaze—6th tier bloodline talent!"
"NEXT!"
"Lucas Goldenvale—6th tier bloodline talent!"
"NEXT!"
"Travis Aetherion—6th tier bloodline talent!"
"As expected from the prominent families… all of them are monsters. I would be more shocked if they produced useless offspring," the emperor muttered.
His voice was low—but carried authority.
The instructor continued.
"NEXT!"
"Draco Skycrest!"
WHAT?!
NO WAY!
The stadium fell into silence.
The moment his surname was announced—
Everything stopped.
Even his friends were stunned.
They knew Draco was from the Azure Clan.
But this—
This was different.
Skycrest.
The Imperial Family.
The direct bloodline.
The heir to the throne.
(AN: Draco never mention his surname to his friends)
Draco stepped forward.
Calm.
Composed.
Each step steady as he approached the stele.
He stopped.
Then slowly raised his head.
His eyes met the emperor.
His father.
Those eyes—
Were filled with expectation.
No—
More than that.
They demanded greatness.
Draco took a breath.
Then placed his hands on the monolith.
BOOOOOOOM!
A majestic sound resounded through the stadium.
The monolith burned with light.
Not just bright—
Blinding.
Gold.
From number 1—
To number 7—
Every number lit up.
Golden light surged upward like flames.
The entire stele glowed in radiant gold.
The emperor—
Stood up.
A proud smile formed on his face.
That's my son, he thought.
"Beat that, trash… hmph," Betty mocked under her breath.
The other boys chuckled.
But even they—
Were amazed.
"CROWN PRINCE, DRACO SKYCREST—7TH TIER BLOODLINE TALENT!"
WOAAAAAAH!!!
The stadium erupted.
"DEYMN! That was hot!"
"PRINCEEEEEEEE!!"
Cheers echoed everywhere.
Some shouted his name.
Others screamed in excitement.
The energy reached its peak.
Draco turned his head toward Alex.
"What… cat got your tongue now, my friend?"
Alex smirked.
"Me? No… just shocked that you have absurd talent…"
He paused.
"…but you still can't defeat me."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming."
He walked past him, not bothering to argue further.
The noise slowly died down.
The instructor raised his voice again.
"The last one…"
A pause.
"…Step up."
His eyes landed on Alex.
"Alex."
Silence fell once more.
All eyes turned—
Toward him.