Isaiah was a bright lad not quite in intellect but in the soul. He knew the boorish reality that he faced in his village just like every other village brat: you woke up at 5am to eat breakfast, you attend lessons till 2:15, got home to help on the farm or whichever profession your folks choose, have dinner, wander around the village causing a ruckus, beg the baker for sweets, then slink back home with practiced ease.
For most this was enough till they grew of age to choose a profession. Of course for children like Isaiah who could never be satisfied with a simple village life or just were destined for unique (and hopefully great)things they looked forward to something.
That had become tradition in all the villages and cities in the country of arleos the awakening.
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“I wonder which ability I'll receive? "Isaiah wondered aloud to himself whilst staring longingly into the sky “hopefully an ability that increases your intelligence” his best friend, confidant, and long time torturer Caprice said while smirking.
When they had been but small children Isaiah was much smaller than her, namely due to his once frail nature and her neopterran physique which gave her the robust characteristics of what could be equated to a Hercules beetle. When the larger children would come to pick on Isaiah she would come in and scare them away. Usually to do her signature move “the eight heavens divine noogie” Isaiah would come to know it as a dick move.
“Whatever I'm gifted I'm sure it'll be better than what your pea brain can comprehend” Isaiah smarmily said, and for that comment Isaiah was once again acquainted with her signature move.
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As the pair made their way closer to the place that would decide the course of their lives they peered at each other examining how each other has changed,
The once scrawny and small Isaiah had since filled out quite nicely and with the help of good food, farm work, and training had built quite some muscle at least for a human.
Caprice on the other hand had been training all her life and had grown much larger than Isaiah much to his chagrin. Soon the two were upon the church, a place of worship and where everyone went to awaken themselves to the system.
“I just knew you two would be late. Nevertheless I'm happy to see you at least made it. Sit down so I can begin the ceremony.” a large man in gray bellowed
“Yes Father Kane “ the two replied and promptly sat down. “Today marks a momentous occasion in each of your lives, what happens here today will shape the rest of your lives but what you do with your gift is in your hands.”
Father Kane grumbled aloud." no reason to wait any longer, each one of you will place your hand upon the searing stone and do your best to infuse as much mana into it as possible and you will then strengthen your bond with the system, once you have done that i will ask you to summarize your ability and document it for the villages records.”
Thus it began each adolescent would place their hand upon a stone and concentrate as their destiny lay beneath their palm, some would scream in joy and others would listlessly walk away in utter disappointment.
As Isaiah sat in awe thinking of all he could potentially get he was jolted awake by a hand covered in chitin grabbing his cheek. “It's your turn doofus knock 'em dead' 'Caprice urged him.
Isaiah, awakened from his stupor, walked calmly to the stone hiding his inner joy and turmoil and as he stood in front he gave one last look at Caprice, closed his eyes and touched upon the stone.
As Isaiah followed the priest instructions he felt a warmth in his chest as though there was a fire steady in his heart but as he focused on it more he lt something amiss as though slowly the fire was being put out and in his mind he felt as though instinctively if he didn't stoke that flame his dreams were forfeit so he pushed and pushed against the frost and yet to his dismay he was left with nothing but a cold feeling in has chest as though something else nestled in his heart.
“Boy, is there something wrong? “ the priest said as he steadied an arm around the boys shoulder only to be shocked to see that he boy had been knocked out cold.