The moment Ethan placed his hand on the massive crystal and closed his eyes, the atmosphere around him shifted. A tense stillness blanketed the field, as if the very air was holding its breath. Ethan found himself back in the crimson-hued world, the oppressive heat and thick atmosphere weighing heavily on him. His gaze was drawn upward, where the ashen white object loomed ominously, now the size of a two-story house. Cracks webbed its surface, thin at first but slowly growing more pronounced, as if something inside was struggling to break free.
In the real world, an intense wave of heat burst out of Ethan. The recruits closest to him instinctively stepped back, shielding their faces as ash-like particles and crimson droplets began to materialize and drift in the air around him. The heat was suffocating, causing the crowd to murmur in alarm. Even Gabriel, usually calm and collected, narrowed his eyes, watching the phenomenon unfold with a keen focus.
Just as the recruits and supervisors began exchanging worried glances, the oppressive heat abruptly vanished. In its place, a new aura seeped out of Ethan—cool, crackling with energy. Lightning danced in small arcs around him, accompanied by tiny metallic particles that floated and shimmered in the light. This aura was chilling, carrying a sense of quiet strength and precision. The crowd was stunned into silence, save for a few hushed whispers. The supervisors exchanged solemn glances, their eyes flickering with an emotion that was hard to read. Gabriel caught their looks and gave a single nod, prompting the others to nod back, though their expressions remained tense.
Inside the crimson space, Ethan’s focus was locked on the ashen white object. The cracks on its surface widened, and a faint, pulsing light escaped through the fractures. It felt like something monumental was on the verge of occurring, a revelation just out of reach. Ethan’s heart raced as he unconsciously opened his eyes within the space, staring directly at the crystal before him.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice echoed in the vast emptiness—old, raspy, and faintly amused. “Convergence.” The single word seemed to reverberate through the crimson world, resonating deep within Ethan’s chest. He blinked, startled, and before he could process what had happened, he felt himself being pulled back to reality.
Ethan’s eyes snapped open, meeting the curious and concerned gazes of the crowd. Still disoriented, he turned to Gabriel, then to the sea of faces. Slowly, he repeated the word that had been spoken to him. “Convergence.”
The murmurs among the recruits rose into a dull roar as they discussed what had just happened. Most of them were still buzzing about the twin auras Ethan had released moments earlier. Zane, standing near the back, had a thoughtful expression, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.
Gabriel stepped forward, clapping a hand on Ethan’s shoulder with a reassuring firmness. “Alright, Ethan,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with an undertone of curiosity. “Place your palm on the smaller crystal.”
A staff member had returned with the palm-sized crystal, holding it carefully as if it were made of fragile glass. Gabriel took it and held it out to Ethan, who hesitated for only a moment before pressing his hand to its smooth surface. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, their chatter dying down as they waited for the crystal to reveal its verdict.
At first, nothing happened. Then, a faint glow emanated from the crystal, its light shifting and swirling like a restless storm. The glow intensified, but instead of stabilizing into a clear color, it remained erratic, refusing to settle. Words began to form on the crystal’s surface, and Gabriel read them aloud:
“Potential: TBD. Type: TBD.”
A collective gasp rippled through the recruits, followed by a flurry of confused and excited whispers. Ethan’s brows furrowed as he looked at Gabriel, who was studying him with sparkling eyes, his expression unreadable but intrigued.
“What does that mean?” Ethan asked, his voice low but steady despite his inner turmoil.
Gabriel didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he clapped his hands together, the sharp sound echoing across the field and silencing the crowd. His gaze swept over the recruits before he turned to Rudra, who gave him a brief nod. Finally, Gabriel addressed everyone.
“Listen up,” he began, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention. “What happened here is rare, but it’s not unheard of. There are instances when an individual hasn’t completely awakened their innate skill. In such cases, the crystal is unable to determine their potential or type because the awakening process is incomplete. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and while it’s surprising, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.”
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Now, let’s not dwell on this. We have many more awakenings to get through, and the ceremony must go on.”
With that, he gently guided the still-dazed Ethan toward the edge of the field. “Come with me,” he said quietly. Ethan followed, glancing back at the recruits, who were still buzzing with speculation. Gabriel’s grip on his shoulder was firm but not harsh, a silent reassurance that everything would be explained in time.
As Gabriel and Ethan disappeared into the distance, Rudra stepped forward to regain the crowd’s attention. His voice was calm but commanding as he addressed the recruits. “Settle down,” he said, waiting for the chatter to die down. “What you witnessed may be unusual, but it’s not unprecedented. Sometimes, an incomplete awakening indicates the presence of multiple innate abilities or other unique circumstances. Regardless, it’s no cause for concern.”
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Rudra’s words managed to calm most of the recruits, though a few remained skeptical. Among them were Ethan’s teammates, who exchanged meaningful glances. Zane, in particular, seemed deep in thought.
“I heard about this once,” Zane muttered under his breath, his voice low enough that only those nearest to him could hear. “When someone’s awakening is incomplete, it usually means one of two things. Either they have no innate skill at all, or they’re hiding more than one ability. In Ethan’s case…” He trailed off, his gaze distant.
The others turned to look at him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “How do you even know that?” Iris asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zane shrugged, not meeting their eyes. “Just something I heard.”
Only Yara remained quiet, her thoughtful expression betraying that she was lost in her own musings. Despite the questions lingering in their minds, the group’s focus shifted back to the ceremony as the next recruit was called forward. For now, the mystery of Ethan’s awakening would have to wait.
Ethan sat in Gabriel's office, his mind still swimming with confusion and fragments of the strange vision he had experienced during his awakening. The room was surprisingly simple, furnished with a large oak desk, shelves lined with books and artifacts, and a single glowing orb in the corner that softly illuminated the space. Gabriel leaned back in his chair, studying Ethan with an intensity that made him feel as though the man could peer directly into his soul.
“How are you feeling?” Gabriel finally asked, breaking the silence.
Ethan shifted in his seat, unsure of how to answer. “I… I feel fine, I guess. Just… a bit overwhelmed.”
Gabriel nodded, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “That’s understandable. What happened during your awakening was… unique, to say the least. Did you experience anything unusual?”
Ethan hesitated, his thoughts racing. He wasn’t sure how much to reveal. The crimson hue, the ashen white object, the cracking surface—it all felt deeply personal, almost sacred. And then there was the strange voice that had whispered “Convergence.” He decided to tread carefully.
“I…” Ethan began, his voice faltering slightly. “I’ve been having these dreams. It’s like I’m in this crimson-colored space, and there’s something there. Something… big. But it’s hard to describe.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Go on.”
“It was there again during the awakening,” Ethan continued, choosing his words carefully. “But this time, it was different. The… thing, whatever it is, seemed closer. Bigger. And there was this… cracking sound, like it was breaking apart.”
Gabriel’s expression remained unreadable, but Ethan caught the faintest flicker of something in his eyes—interest, perhaps, or concern. “I see. And the two auras? Did you sense them?”
Ethan nodded slowly. “Yeah. The first one felt… hot, almost suffocating. And the second was calmer, like… lightning and metal.”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers thoughtfully against the armrest. “Ethan, what happened today is rare, but not unheard of. Most people awaken a single innate ability, but occasionally, someone awakens two. It’s extremely rare, but it does happen.”
Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. “Two abilities?”
Gabriel nodded. “Yes. And while it’s rare, it’s not unprecedented. There’s even a being who has awakened nine abilities, someone who’ll be participating in the upcoming Battlefield of the Gods.”
“Battlefield of the Gods?” Ethan repeated, frowning. The name stirred something in him, a mix of curiosity and unease.
Gabriel waved a hand dismissively. “Not something you need to concern yourself with… for now. Let’s focus on you. The two auras that leaked out of you indicate that your abilities might be powerful. But there’s a lot we still don’t know. For now, your status remains TBD—to be determined. That’s not a bad thing. It just means you haven’t fully awakened yet.”
Ethan nodded slowly, trying to process everything. “So… what happens now?”
Gabriel offered him a reassuring smile. “You train. You focus. And when the time comes, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. But for now, take it one step at a time.”
The two talked a little longer, their conversation shifting to lighter topics. Gabriel shared a few anecdotes about past recruits who had faced similar challenges, and Ethan found himself relaxing slightly. But there was still a lingering tension in the air, an unspoken weight that neither of them addressed.
Finally, Gabriel dismissed him. “Get some rest, Ethan. You’ve had a long day.”
As Ethan left the room, Gabriel watched him go, his expression unreadable. Once the door closed behind him, Gabriel reached into a drawer and pulled out a sleek, futuristic device. It looked like a smartphone, but its surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow. He tapped a few buttons and brought it to his ear.
“This is Gabriel,” he said, his voice low and serious. “We have a situation. Code TBD. Yes, I’m certain. Two distinct auras, and the second one… it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Keep this off the records for now. I’ll handle it on my end.”
Unbeknownst to him, a shadow flitted past the window. Outside, perched on a nearby branch, an owl with piercingly familiar eyes watched him intently. The moment Ethan had left the office, the owl took flight, disappearing into the night.
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Thousands of miles away, in the heart of Inferinia, a grand manor loomed against the crimson sky. Inside, Pluto sat in his lavish study, a glass of dark wine in hand. He read through the report that had just arrived, his golden eyes glinting with interest.
“Interesting,” he murmured, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He set the report aside and leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of Region 13, a quaint manor stood nestled within a dense forest. In one of its dimly lit rooms, a shadowy figure sat by the window, the curves of her silhouette hinting at a sensual, feminine form. She held a similar report in her hands, her red lips curling into a sly smile.
“Hmm,” she mused, her voice low and melodic. Her eyes scanned the page, lingering on a particular name. Ethan.
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Far to the north, in Region 3, a massive floating island drifted high above the clouds. At its center stood a sprawling palace, its architecture a blend of ancient and futuristic designs. Inside, a middle-aged man sat at a large desk, stacks of reports and documents spread out before him. His left sleeve bore the symbol of a pagoda, and his sharp eyes flicked across the papers with practiced efficiency.
“This could be… problematic,” he muttered to himself, before moving on to the next report. The page with Ethan’s name lay discarded on the edge of the desk.