“Axel....”
“Wake up Axel!”
“…AXEL!!!”
Axel’s eyes cracked open to see auburn curls obscuring the lazy summer sun. He groaned in displeasure as he was rudely awakened from his nap. He groggily rubbed his eyes and blinked to find someone standing over him.
It was Illicia Flume. The only girl in town would who even bother to give him the time of day. He noticed that her red hair was getting fuller and longer, accenting her petite face, a far cry from her tomboy days.
“We’re going to miss the annual induction!”
Axel sat up with a grunt and raked his fingers through his raven black hair. His joints were stiff and cold from sleeping on the ground underneath the massive oak tree by the town’s stable. He remembered he had fallen asleep waiting for her to finish her studies so that they could go to the town square together for the annual Induction Ceremony.
He sighed.
What’s the point? Ever since I was 12, I’ve failed every induction ceremony, and this year is my last chance. People lose the chance to Exceed after their 17th birthday, which means I won’t have another chance after today.
Induction Ceremony. The annual ceremony held by all towns and cities across the Five Kingdoms. The ceremony had only two rules. Be a minimum of twelve years old and no older than seventeen. The participant could attempt to Exceed any year they wanted as long as they met the requirements.
Those who didn’t Exceed within that five-year time frame would be forced to start at Common classes like a farmer or guardsman. However, If they were able to Exceed, they could potentially ascend to the Uncommon, Epic, and Supreme classes. Those that successfully Exceeded were given more privileges and respect since they contributed more to the growth and power of the nation.
“I'm going to fail again. I can feel it. You know, the other kids even gave me a title, The Trash of Kingdom Lobosad! A perfect title fit for me don’t you think since I’m the only person in town to ever fail an induction ceremony every single year!” rambled Axel.
Axel’s brow furrowed as he remembered each year he had failed. His first time entering the Induction ceremony was nothing short of failure and embarrassment.
He had been the last to go, right before Illicia. She had just Exceeded into the Epic class: Tamer. A triumphant left fist was raised to reveal a purple branded [E]. The entire town of Jerich was ecstatic. She had been the town’s third-ever Epic Exceed, the first and second being the guildmaster and the townhead respectively. After everyone settled down from the joyous occasion, it was Axel’s turn to draw from the Exceed Orb.
It should have been so easy.
He just had to walk up to the orb and place his hand on it, then wait for the mark to appear. A message should have popped up to announce his new class just as Illicia’s Epic purple flared announcement had, signaling to the town that he was worthy.
But nothing happened. Why was the orb not responding? Why was he not Exceeding? He tried again and again until the guildmaster pulled him away from the orb. Already the town was whispering. No one ever failed their Exceed on the first try, not once in the recorded history of the Five Kingdoms.
‘Maybe next year Axel’, the guildmaster had told him. But the subsequent years were no different. Each time he was the last to go, each time he was the only one to fail. His confidence crumbled more and more with each failing induction ceremony. He changed. He spoke less, avoided socializing, spent more time alone so that he didn’t have to be scrutinized by others. He became a recluse, a shell of his former self.
“This year it will be different!” said Illicia, though Axel could see the worry in her eyes and in her half-hearted smile.
“Illicia, I know you’re the only one who still talks to me. But I think you should stop. I see them talking behind your back about us.” Axel hesitantly replied. “I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Illicia stamped her foot on the ground, her pale cheeks coloring to match her hair. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about what other people say, you hear me Axel Nal?” She stopped, noticing Axel’s glum expression.
“You’ve got to believe Axel.” Her voice softened as she spoke. “Even if you don’t, I do.”
Axel shrugged as he picked himself off the ground and headed towards the town center with Illicia trailing behind. This year would be no different, besides, why shouldn’t it? Nothing was new. Nothing had changed. His mind was already wandering towards thoughts of when he should apply for an apprenticeship as a Common Exceed. Might as well start early.
A large crowd of people had already formed around the Exceed Orb and there was a line of eager participants waiting expectantly before the guild master. Nervous chatter filled the air as everyone was excited to see this year’s batch of Exceeds.
No one paid any attention to Axel as he slinked towards the back of the line. Any interest in Axel had faded years ago. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Illicia give him an encouraging wave before she headed towards the guildmaster to assist him with this year's hopeful prospects. As he arrived at the end of the line, the Exceed Orb suddenly started to illuminate white.
The ceremony had begun.
A timer popped up above the Exceed Orb. 30:00...29:59...29:58. When the timer ended, the orb would dim and it would take a full year before it would activate again.
“ALL RIGHT. EVERYONE PROCEED IN ORDER AND PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE ORB. ONCE YOUR CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT IS GIVEN, HEAD OVER TO YOUR DESIGNATED MENTOR GROUP AND WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS,” bellowed the guildmaster. The line then lurched forwards and the first participant stepped up.
Axel paid no attention as he shuffled forwards in the line. He found his surroundings to be much more interesting than the ceremony. He recognized a couple of familiar faces in the crowd.
There was Briar the tavern owner, a rambunctious woman who had zero-tolerance for nonsense in her establishment. Despite her rowdy personality, she had a soft spot for children and sweets. Standing to her side was her husband Jacobs, the town’s tailor, a much more reserved man.
Axel spied Monpiet the baker, dressed in his traditional brown chef uniform, the front side of his apron and mustache stained with flour. He was particularly fond of the crunchy and fluffy baguettes that only Monpiet could seem to create.
A sudden flash of green caught his eye.
Uncommon Exceed // Class: Merchant
A sudden roar of joy came from Briar as she furiously cheered. Jinks, her 15-year-old son, had just become an Uncommon Exceed with the merchant class. Axel felt a tinge of envy. It was the class he wished for the most. Ever since the school had taught them about Exceeds, the merchant class was the one that caught his eye. He would have even settled for the lower-tiered High-Common trader class with no complaints. He wanted to leave Jerich and see the world.
A couple of more flashes went by.
High-Common Exceed // Class: Teacher
High-Common Exceed // Class: Botanist
High-Uncommon Exceed // Class: Adventurer
Cries of elation could be heard throughout the crowd as their sons or daughters Exceeded. With each passing participant, Axel’s gut dropped and his mood soured. It was like this every time for the past five ceremonies.
Then he saw his parents. His father was covered in soot and charcoal dust. As far as Axel could remember, his father never left the forge unattended. The only exception to that truth happened once a year, during Axel’s induction ceremony. His mother stood beside him, a stark contrast of white as she was dressed in her healer’s uniform. Her face seemed to be lined with worry as he met her gaze. She opened her mouth as if to say something but Axel had already averted his eyes. They came every year to support him, and every year he let them down. He couldn’t bear to see her right now.
Suddenly a shine emanated from the Exceed orb. Axel jerked his head up as collective gasps and cheers resounded throughout the town. In the sky floated a purple flared announcement alongside a raised fist. A purple [E]. And it belonged to Edwin, the ringleader of the kids who taunted him incessantly.
Epic Exceed // Class: Knight
Axel’s stomach curled. Just his luck that his last induction ceremony would be marked by another Epic Exceed. And on top of that, it was given to a complete jerk who would no doubt flaunt his new status after the ceremony.
Axel trembled with anger until he thought he saw red. Feelings of vexation and desperation boiled deep in his stomach.
Is there no justice in the world? Why can’t I obtain an Epic Exceed? What makes me so different from everyone else? I work just as hard as anybody else does in this town. I don’t skip class, I help out at father’s forge, I don’t get into trouble. This isn’t fair!
He usually didn't feel so agitated, but for some reason this year he felt especially bothered as if there was a need to excel. Perhaps it was his mind telling him to give it one last shot, to put it all on the line.
No. I cannot go down like this. I must Exceed.