At the foot of the mountain, the aftermath of the Awakening Ceremony unfolded like a chaotic symphony. Families were scattered across the open grounds where the Spirit Spring’s glow still lingered faintly in the air, its energy having left its mark on the young participants.

The sounds of celebration and sorrow blended into a singular cacophony. On one side, joyous cries erupted as proud parents embraced their children who had successfully awakened their Totems. Shouts of triumph rang out as families congratulated each other, eyes shining with hope and pride.

“Look at his Totem! A wolf, no less! My son has awakened a wolf!”

“Ha! My daughter’s falcon will soar above all others!”

Amidst the joy, there were those who quietly wept. Mothers knelt, holding their children close, their tears falling silently as fathers stood by, grim-faced. Some children sat in shock, hollow-eyed and trembling, as the weight of failure bore down upon them.

“I… I couldn’t…” a boy stammered, his voice barely audible.

“Don’t cry, my love,” his mother whispered, holding him tightly. “We’ll try again. You’re still strong.”

The contrast was stark—one side filled with laughter and hope, the other with sobs and despair. Such was the nature of the Awakening Ceremony: it gave dreams to some and stole them from others

Near the edge of the gathering, Courage’s family stood out in their own small bubble of warmth and happiness. Amber, tears of pride streaming down her face, had all five of her children trapped within the circle of her arms. She showered them with hugs, kisses, and endless praise.

“Oh, my beautiful children! I’m the luckiest mother in the world!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. “To have all of you succeed! My Opal, my Besmouth, my Ruby, my Sapphire, and—” she turned to Courage, squeezing his cheeks fondly, “my sweet Courage!”

“Mother, please!” Opal whined, her face flushed as she wriggled helplessly in Amber’s embrace. “You’re embarrassing us!”

“Yeah!” Ruby chimed in, his voice muffled as Amber smothered him with kisses. “Can’t you… calm down a little?”

“Not a chance!” Amber declared playfully, pulling her children even closer. “I will never stop celebrating my children’s success. Never!”

“Help… can’t breathe,” Sapphire groaned dramatically, though her smile betrayed her amusement. Besmouth, ever the calm one, tried to endure it with quiet dignity, but even he looked pleadingly at his mother.

Standing off to the side, Dorsen—one of the instructors overseeing the ceremony—watched the scene with clear amusement. A hearty laugh escaped him, loud and full of warmth, as the children’s half-hearted struggles only made Amber tighten her grip.

“Amber, you’re relentless!” Dorsen called out, grinning from ear to ear. “Let the poor kids breathe before you smother them to death!”

Amber turned to him with a beaming smile. “Not until they realize how proud they’ve made me!”

Dorsen shook his head, still laughing. “You’re unbelievable.”

Away from the celebrating families, near a small pavilion overlooking the ceremony grounds, the mayor of Blue Orchid Garrison stood with his hands clasped tightly in front of him, his face stretched into an overly wide smile. His every word dripped with careful reverence as he spoke to the man beside him.

“Truly, it’s an honor to have someone of your station here, sir,” the mayor said, his tone bordering on obsequious. “We’ve prepared everything to the best of our ability to ensure you’re impressed.”

The man beside him—dressed in dark, finely tailored official robes—remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the grounds. His most striking feature was the golden emblem pinned to his chest, a stylized star surrounded by a flowing river: the unmistakable mark of Star River City, the core city governing Blue Orchid Garrison.

The envoy’s posture was straight, his demeanor calm but commanding. His presence alone seemed to carry weight. To the side, a few local officials fidgeted nervously, acutely aware of the man’s importance.

The mayor, desperate to impress, had spent months pulling every string he could to secure the envoy’s presence at this year’s Awakening Ceremony. Such visits were rare—almost unheard of. But to the mayor, this was a golden opportunity. If Blue Orchid Garrison could rise in the yearly evaluation rankings, it might attract more resources, attention, and investment from Star River City.

“I must say, sir,” the mayor continued, his voice shaking slightly with anticipation, “this year’s results are quite promising, don’t you think?”

The envoy finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. “Indeed.” He glanced toward the children still lingering on the grounds, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “The success rate here is impressive, particularly for a garrison of this size. I can see the effort that’s gone into this ceremony.”

The mayor practically beamed, his chest puffing out with pride. “Thank you, sir! I knew this year would—”

“I’m especially interested,” the envoy interrupted, “in those four siblings.”

“The edelstein children?” the mayor asked quickly, trying to mask his surprise.

“Yes,” the envoy said, folding his hands behind his back. “It’s rare to see multiple siblings display such promise. Each of their Totems appears to have qualities worth noting . I’ll be reporting this to my superiors.”

The mayor’s eyes widened. “R-Really? That’s excellent news, sir!”

The envoy nodded. “Star River City has instructed to monitor cases like these. Core cities are offering substantial benefits to garrisons that perform well in their evaluations. With results like today, Blue Orchid Garrison may soon see a rise in its standing.”

For a moment, the mayor’s face froze in sheer delight. His mind raced with the implications—greater funding, more resources, and perhaps even prestige among neighboring garrisons. The dream he had been chasing for years might finally be within reach.

“That is… truly wonderful to hear,” the mayor said, his voice trembling slightly as he struggled to keep his composure. “We are honored—honored, sir—to have your attention.”

The envoy merely gave a small, approving nod before turning his gaze back to the ceremony grounds.

The mayor barely managed to suppress the giddy smile threatening to break across his face. Finally, he thought. Finally, things are looking up for Blue Orchid Garrison.

The testing grounds were a sprawling collection of tents, each marked with banners and signs, bustling with activity as instructors and personnel managed the ceremony's aftermath. Rows of children lined up in front of the tents, their numbers thinning as each group was called forward. Inside the tents, instructors shuffled paperwork, monitored machines humming with energy, and directed children with brisk efficiency.

The air buzzed with tension and curiosity, the lines moving steadily as every few moments an instructor would step out, call a name, and usher the next group inside. The children standing in line shuffled forward with each call, their steps slow and hesitant.

Among the crowd, Courage stood quietly in his line, his gaze fixed on the small, glowing white beetle Totem resting on his open palm. It floated just above his skin, shimmering faintly, the light of the Totem casting soft shadows across his fingers. Lost in thought, he barely registered the line inching forward around him.

I have a Totem now, Courage thought to himself, eyes narrowing at the translucent beetle. That means… I can really become a beast tamer.

He knew the Awakening Ceremony was the first step for anyone wishing to tame beasts, but now that he stood there holding his Totem, an entirely new question plagued him: How exactly does this help me tame anything?

His mind drifted back to the countless times Dorsen, the family’s instructor and a seasoned beast tamer himself, spoke to Courage and his siblings about Totems and beast taming. Dorsen had described the process—how crucial a Totem was, how it connected with spirit energy, and how it allowed beast tamers to channel their willpower. But no matter how much he explained, none of it ever seemed to make sense.

“Spirit energy is something you’ll feel,” Dorsen had once said with a knowing smile. “It’s not something you can describe. Until you awaken, you won’t understand it.”

At the time, Courage and his siblings had dismissed it as one of those mysteries adults loved to overcomplicate. But now that he had awakened, Dorsen’s words rang true. Courage could feel it—something within him that wasn’t there before.

His brow furrowed as he tried to recall that feeling, to describe it, even to himself. It was unlike anything he had ever imagined.

It felt… strange, he thought. Hot and cold at the same time—like standing in sunlight while touching snow. Calm, like a still pond… but also rushing, like a river after a storm.

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The memories of the Awakening Ceremony flashed in his mind. He remembered the spirit energy surging through his body, like a breath of fresh air filling his lungs, yet sharp and alive, like a crackling bolt of electricity running across his skin.

How do you even explain something like that? he wondered, shaking his head slightly. It was like trying to describe a color to someone who had never seen it.

Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, a sudden voice jolted him back to reality.

“Courage Petacos!”

The call was sharp and clear, ringing out above the quiet murmur of the crowd. Courage blinked, his fingers curling protectively around his Totem as his head snapped up. An instructor stood near the entrance to the tent, holding a clipboard and gesturing for him to come forward.

Behind him, his siblings—Opal, Ruby, Besmouth, and Sapphire—were also called, their names echoing in quick succession. Courage turned to glance at them briefly. They met his gaze, offering nods and small smiles of encouragement. Without wasting another moment, they all stepped forward and disappeared into the tent.

The interior of the tent was a hive of organized chaos. Several instructors moved about, some hunched over stacks of paperwork, others monitoring glowing screens and machines that hummed with energy. A few security personnel stood quietly in the corners, their watchful eyes scanning the tent.

Courage’s gaze darted around, taking in the unfamiliar equipment and the sharp smell of something sterile in the air. Just as his curiosity began to get the better of him, an instructor near the center of the room called out.

“Over here, kid. Step forward and sit down,” the man instructed, pointing to a small medical bench tucked into one corner.

Courage obeyed, slipping onto the bench as his siblings were directed to others nearby. He felt the eyes of the instructors on him as they moved closer, a woman with a clipboard stepping up to confirm his details.

“Name?” she asked without looking up.

“Courage Petacos,” he replied.

The instructor marked something on her sheet before continuing with a series of questions. “Age? Any known health conditions? Have you ever experienced dizziness, nausea, or fainting in the last month?”

Courage answered each question dutifully while another instructor moved in to give him a quick but thorough physical checkup. They checked his pulse, peered into his eyes, and even made notes about the faint glow still emanating from his chest, where the Totem had first appeared.

“Looks good,” one of the instructors finally said, stepping back. “Now, come with me.”

Courage stood, following as he was guided toward a platform in the center of the tent. It caught his attention immediately.

The platform was unlike anything he had seen before. Thick black wires snaked from its edges, connecting it to several machines that hummed softly. The surface of the platform was composed of interlocking segments, each seam glowing faintly. Between the segments, crystalline orbs were embedded, pulsing with soft light as though alive.

“What is this?” Courage muttered, unable to hide his fascination.

One of the instructors, a tall man with a kind face, stepped forward and smiled reassuringly. “This machine measures your aptitude,” he explained. “It allows us to collect precise data on your spirit energy and rank your potential as a beast tamer.”

Courage blinked, his attention now split between the man’s words and the strange platform.

“You don’t have to worry,” the instructor continued. “It’s completely safe, and you won’t feel a thing. This is all just part of the process to help us—and you—understand your potential.”

Another instructor stepped up, clapping his hands together with forced cheer. “Alright then! Who wants to go first?”

A nervous murmur spread through the tent as Courage glanced toward his siblings. For the first time since the ceremony began, hesitation began to creep in. The platform, for all its glowing beauty, suddenly felt a little ominous.

“Come now, kids,” the instructor encouraged with a smile. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Step up when you’re ready.”

Courage took a deep breath, his hand instinctively tightening around his glowing Totem. I’ve made it this far, he thought. No turning back now.Slowly, he stepped forward.

Courage stood on the platform, clutching his glowing Totem tightly in his hand. The soft light from the beetle flickered and shifted, casting strange shadows across his fingers. His heart beat faster as he looked around, realizing how much he was about to be scrutinized.

One of the instructors stepped forward, eyeing Courage carefully.

"Are you ready?" the instructor asked, his tone measured.

Courage nodded, offering a small but resolute thumbs-up in response.

"Alright then," the instructor said with a nod, signaling to another figure standing by the machines. "In three, two, one—"

With the count, the second instructor pressed a button. The entire platform buzzed to life, a low hum vibrating through the air. Courage flinched at the sudden sensation, his grip tightening around his Totem. Then, to his shock, the small beetle in his palm erupted in a brilliant flash of light.

The light was so intense, so sudden, it left Courage blinking rapidly in the afterglow. His heart skipped a beat as the glow swelled brighter than he had ever imagined, almost blinding in its brilliance.

Such a great light, he thought quickly, his mind racing. Maybe my Totem really does have some hidden potential—something I didn’t realize before.

But just as rapidly as it had come, the light began to fade. In the span of a heartbeat, the dazzling glow dimmed, settling to a soft, almost imperceptible radiance, like a lightbulb barely glowing in the dark.

Courage blinked, momentarily stunned. His fingers tingled as the last remnants of light faded into nothingness, leaving only the faintest glow from his Totem.

The sudden change left him bewildered, his thoughts scrambling to catch up. He glanced around, searching for answers, and noticed the instructors staring intently at the monitors, their faces awkwardly tense.

Before he could even open his mouth to ask, one of them let out a soft sigh and shut down the machine with a click.

"You can get down now," the instructor said quickly, his voice a little too distracted for comfort.

As Courage stepped off the platform, his confusion only deepened. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone wrong—or at least, that it hadn’t gone how he had expected.

He turned to the instructor. "Is… is this whole process usually this quick? I thought it would take longer…"

The instructor sighed again, rubbing his temple. "Normally, yes. But..." He trailed off as the tent's entrance suddenly flung open, cutting off any further explanation.

The sound of footsteps filled the tent as the Mayor, accompanied by the envoy and the children's parents, walked in. The suddenness of their arrival left the staff scrambling in confusion.

The instructors froze for a moment before they hastily rearranged themselves, attempting to form a neat line, rushing to tidy up the area. It was clear they hadn't been expecting this.

Courage stood back, feeling like an invisible bystander in the commotion. The staff buzzed around, frantically trying to set up a good viewing spot for the envoy, while the Mayor offered polite but hurried instructions. Everyone seemed to forget about him entirely.

The Mayor, oblivious to the tension, stepped toward the four siblings who had just entered. He greeted them warmly, his smile bright with obvious pride.

“I must say,” the Mayor began, his voice booming across the room, “your performance in the Awakening Ceremony was exceptional. It did not go unnoticed.”

Courage's siblings exchanged wide-eyed glances, their hearts beating faster in response to the unexpected praise.

The Mayor turned slightly to the envoy, who was standing beside him. “This, honored guest, is the edelstein family. Their children, all of them, have shown great promise. I thought it fitting to invite their parents to witness the evaluation firsthand. After all, we cannot underestimate their potential."

The envoy, a tall figure with a sharp, thoughtful gaze, nodded approvingly. "I have seen their remarkable performance and felt the need to confirm my thoughts."

The siblings, still standing together, could hardly contain their excitement. The idea that someone from a core city had taken notice of them was almost overwhelming. Courage could see the excitement reflected in his parents' faces too—eyes wide, lips stretched into smiles. For parents who had worked so hard to support their children's future, this was an incredible opportunity.

A chance to be noticed by the core cities meant doors to higher ranks, better resources, and perhaps even partnerships with the most prestigious tamers. It could mean everything.

The weight of the moment settled around them, and even Courage, despite the earlier confusion and uncertainty, couldn't help but feel the pulse of excitement in the air. He glanced at his siblings, their smiles contagious, and for the first time that day, a small smile tugged at his lips.

After a brief pause to prepare, the instructors signaled the continuation of the evaluations. With the new guests eagerly watching, the siblings decided the order in which they would proceed through a quick game. Ruby was the first to step onto the platform.

Following the same process as Courage, he activated the mechanism, and in mere moments, a brilliant radiance enveloped the tent. Ruby’s Totem began to shine, resembling a miniature sun, its intense glow piercing through the fabric of the tent and becoming visible to the world outside.

Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd, and one of the instructors exclaimed in disbelief, "Oh my god! A peak-grade aptitude! And the Totem ability… it’s Energy Synthesis! A truly remarkable power!"

The declaration sent shockwaves through the room. Peak-grade aptitude, the highest possible, was a rarity—something most tamers could only dream of. To see such an exceptional result was already extraordinary, but the day was far from over.

As Ruby descended the platform amidst murmurs of amazement, his twin sister, Sapphire, took his place. She activated the mechanism, and this time the tent was bathed in a serene, silver glow. A soft, melodic hoot echoed, creating an ethereal atmosphere that left everyone spellbound.

Another shocked cry came from the instructors. "A—another peak-grade aptitude! And this time, the Totem ability is Foresight! One of the most coveted abilities!"

The crowd was now visibly trembling, struggling to comprehend what they were witnessing. To awaken one peak-grade aptitude in a single generation was already a rarity; to see two in succession was nearly unheard of. Even the envoy, though composed, couldn't entirely mask his astonishment. His superiors would be overjoyed by this unprecedented discovery.

As Sapphire gracefully left the platform, her older sister, Opal, confidently stepped up. The process was repeated and the results were no less spectacular. Her Totem filled the tent with mesmerizing oceanic lights, evoking the sensation of being submerged in the deep sea.

The instructors’ voices, though strained from repeated shocks, still carried a sense of wonder. "Another peak grade… and her Totem ability is Nature Attunement, water-element-based. This is… unbelievable!"

By now, the atmosphere was electric. The tent buzzed with disbelief, whispers of miracles spreading like wildfire. Three peak grades in one generation? It defied all logic, even for the wealthiest and most advanced core cities.

Finally, Besmouth, the eldest of the siblings, stepped forward. The room fell silent, the anticipation almost tangible. When the mechanism was activated, his Totem—a majestic silver falcon perched proudly on his shoulder—spread its wings wide. It emitted a radiant silver glow, its piercing screech echoing far beyond the tent, reverberating through the mountain like a king declaring his dominion.

The final evaluation was announced, and it confirmed what everyone suspected: "Peak grade! And the Totem ability is King's Aura! A power that commands respect and instills dominance in allies and foes alike."

The mayor was visibly trembling, his breathing shallow as he tried to process the implications of this event. Four peak-grade aptitudes from a single garrison? It was nothing short of miraculous. Even the most prestigious core cities would struggle to claim such an achievement.

The envoy clenched his fists, his professional demeanor cracking as his amazement bled through. Amber and Dorsen exchanged looks of pride and disbelief, fully understanding the gravity of the moment.

The future of Blue Orchid Garrison had shifted irrevocably.

After the evaluations concluded, the tent was abuzz with excitement and disbelief. The envoy, still reeling from the results, approached Amber and Dorsen with a wide smile, his composure barely containing his elation.

"Madam Amber, Sir Dorsen," the envoy began, his tone brimming with enthusiasm, "I must personally commend you and your extraordinary children. Results like this are unheard of, even in the most powerful core cities. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Blue Orchid Garrison receives the recognition and merits it deserves from higher management."

He turned to the siblings, his gaze warm and approving. "And as for you four, let me guarantee that with these results, you will undoubtedly secure a place at the Imperial Academy in the core city. This is a place where even the wealthiest and most powerful families struggle to gain admission. But with your talents? The academy will welcome you with open arms."

Gasps of amazement rippled through the crowd. The mention of the Imperial Academy—a prestigious institution that most could only dream of—sent a wave of celebratory cheers and applause through the tent, and even the mayor could barely contain his joy at what this meant for the garrison’s future.

Amidst the jubilation, the envoy’s eyes scanned the room, catching sight of a quiet figure lingering in the background. Courage stood there, his arms folded and his expression carefully neutral. Something about his solitary demeanor caught the envoy’s attention.

"And who might this young man be?" he asked, gesturing toward Courage.

The instructors, still glowing from the earlier results, seemed momentarily puzzled. After a pause, one of them spoke. "Ah, that’s Courage, the elder brother of these four."

The envoy raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Another sibling? Fascinating. And his evaluation? With a family like this, I assume his results must be equally remarkable."

The question made the room grow quiet, the celebratory atmosphere dimming slightly. The instructors, snapped out of their euphoric haze, quickly referred back to Courage’s results. Their earlier excitement faded, replaced with hesitant expressions.

Finally, one of the instructors replied, their tone measured, as though trying to soften the blow. "Inferior-grade aptitude... Totem ability: Performance Enhancement."

A heavy silence settled over the room. The phrase "inferior grade" hung in the air like a weight.

The envoy’s initial spark of curiosity dimmed, his brows furrowing slightly. He cleared his throat, turning back to the instructors. "Inferior grade? That’s… unfortunate. Please elaborate for everyone’s understanding."

The instructor hesitated but eventually continued. "Inferior-grade aptitude is... well, the lowest possible aptitude. It indicates minimal growth potential for both the domain and taming capabilities. And as for the ability… Performance Enhancement grants temporary boosts to a beast’s performance thought the boost could come in all sorts of forms, it’s still one of the most basic and limited abilities available. It… doesn’t scale well with experience."

The explanation sent ripples of discomfort through the crowd. Even those unfamiliar with taming could sense the weight of those words.

Amber and Dorsen exchanged worried looks, their joy from earlier now tinged with concern. As for Courage, he felt the words land like a blow to his chest. He had prepared himself for disappointment, especially after learning about the family curse, but hearing it confirmed so plainly still stung.

The envoy, noticing the tension, attempted to recover the mood. "Well, every individual has their own strengths and paths. Aptitude doesn’t define one’s character or potential to make a difference in this world."

But the words rang hollow to Courage, who clenched his fists, trying to hold back the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. As the cheering resumed, it felt distant and disconnected, as though he were standing on the outside of his own family’s triumph, invisible to the celebration around him