The great hall of Argan City buzzed with excitement and tension. Today, every 18-year-old in the kingdom had gathered to awaken their potential as lords. The Awakening Ceremony, held once each year, was the most anticipated event in a teenager’s life. For those from humble backgrounds, it was a rare chance at power. For others, it was a moment that could change their destiny forever.
Billy Knight stood near the back of the hall, silent as he observed the other candidates. He was taller than most, with a lean build and sharp features that hinted at a rough life on the streets. As an orphan, he didn’t have the same cheering family as the others. All he had was his determination—and a fierce sense of independence. In this world, no one would fight for him but himself.
All around him, candidates were stepping up to the Awakening Platform, each one disappearing into a radiant sphere of light. They would reappear moments later, transformed. Some returned with strength in their eyes, while others stumbled back, disoriented but elated by their newfound abilities. Each lord was born with a unique talent, a gift that would define their future path.
The crowd murmured as a boy in ornate robes stepped onto the platform. He was a noble, his family known for producing powerful lords. When he emerged from the light, a bright aura surrounded him, and he raised a hand to summon a flash of silver energy that crackled around his fingers. The hall erupted in applause. Power like that would set him on a path to greatness.
Billy’s heart pounded as he waited, wondering what fate had in store for him. For someone like him, with no connections and no name, this was his one shot.
Finally, his name was called. “Billy Knight.”
The hall fell silent as he walked toward the Awakening Platform. His steps were steady, but inside, he felt a swirl of excitement and anxiety. He stepped into the sphere of light, and everything went white.
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Billy felt as if he were floating in a vast emptiness, surrounded by a strange, pulsing energy. It was warm and inviting, yet it held a chaotic edge, like a storm barely contained. Then, a voice echoed in his mind.
*“Unique Ability Detected: Drop Claim. Allows the user to claim unique rewards from defeated enemies. Rarity: Special.”*
Billy’s eyes widened. A cheat ability. He’d heard of them in legends but never thought he’d receive one. This ability was rumored to be one of the rarest, the kind that could shift the balance in battle. It was the kind of power that lords from noble families coveted—and would do anything to possess.
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The voice spoke again. *“Select a race to nurture. You may choose from the following list of ancient and rare races.”*
A list appeared before him, displaying dozens of names, each race long forgotten or feared. Billy scanned the list, but his gaze settled on one in particular: *Chaos Cyborgs.* The name itself exuded strength and mystery, hinting at an unparalleled potential for both power and adaptability. A brief description accompanied the choice: *“A powerful race that uses chaos energy as fuel, with forms that evolve and adapt for both battle and survival. Warning: highly unpredictable.”*
Billy felt a strange pull, a feeling that this race was meant for him. Without hesitation, he chose it.
The light flared around him, flooding him with energy. His mind raced as the chaotic energy surged through his veins, his body shifting, adapting, transforming. He felt his bones strengthen, his muscles tighten, and his senses sharpen beyond anything he’d known before.
Then, the light vanished, and Billy stumbled back onto the platform.
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The crowd gasped as they saw him. Billy was changed. His hair, once dark, had turned a deep shade of purple, and his eyes glowed with a strange, intense energy. He was taller now, his build lean yet powerful, and there was an edge to him that hadn’t been there before.
He touched his face, feeling the difference. This was his **Human Form**, a blend of his original self and his new race. But he sensed something more beneath the surface, something raw and untamed. He closed his eyes, focusing on that energy, and felt himself shift.
With a surge of will, he transformed into his **Lord Form**. His body became encased in sleek, metallic armor, dark and iridescent, with chaotic energy coursing along the seams. It was as if he had become part machine, part warrior, built for power and endurance. He felt invincible, every movement smooth and controlled, his senses heightened. He could see the awe in the faces of those around him, their admiration mixed with fear.
But there was still one more form to uncover. Billy pushed himself further, drawing on every ounce of chaos energy within him, and felt his body expand. His **Battle Form** emerged—a towering 8-foot figure clad in heavy armor, his arms transformed into powerful weapons, infused with raw chaos energy that pulsed with every beat of his heart. This form was built for war, a weapon in itself, and he could feel the immense destructive potential coursing through him.
The hall fell silent, all eyes on Billy as he stood there in his Battle Form, radiating power.
A voice called out from the crowd, breaking the silence. “Well, well, looks like we have a new toy to play with.”
Billy turned to see a young man approaching, his own aura crackling with energy. He was a lord too, recently awakened, but already looking for a challenge. The crowd watched eagerly, sensing the tension. Billy returned to his Lord Form, his gaze steady.
“I don’t think you’re ready for this,” Billy said, feeling the chaos energy flare within him, pulsing with anticipation.
The rival smirked, his eyes narrowing. “We’ll see about that.”
As the crowd held its breath, Billy prepared to face his first test, chaos energy thrumming in his veins, ready to show the world what he was truly capable of.
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**End of Chapter 1**