“Wha…what is this place?!”
The sound of the bustling street assaulted his ears. Norman stood at the pavement watching the scene before him in bewilderment, as unknown but familiar vehicle passed by him at a speed so fast that he barely realized. He wandered why he felt that this vehicle is familiar, have he seen it before? Maybe he had forgotten about it? He observed his surroundings and went into further shock. The buildings around him are tall, stretching up as high as his eyes could see. He didn’t think to see such tall buildings at this place, he would normally see at most three-story houses.
What a weird place. He continued his observation and notice people walking briskly to their destination wearing odd clothes. At the same time, the clothes were familiar to him. Confused, he wandered down the busy streets to explore this strange world.
“Norman, long time no see!” A cheerful voice called out to him.
A girl cheerfully smiled as she approached him, waving her hands to catch his attention. Her long hazel hair shined brightly under the embrace of the sun. Her eyes seem to sparkle with happiness. Like the others, she wore odd looking clothes and at the same time, enchanted him with her beauty.
He cocked his head sideways, pondering if he had met her before. But it was to no avail. All of a sudden, his vision turned blurry as purplish-red lights obscure his eyes.
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“Arggh”
Norman woke up with a pang of pain in his head. It took him a moment to realize, whatever that had happened just now was all a dream. He rubbed his eyes and found tears trickling down. It was a surprise to him when he saw the moistness on his hand after he wiped his eyes. What was that dream? He found himself unable to recall what was the dream about, it was a fleeting dream drifting to the back of his mind, never to resurface. What followed next was a huge commotion at his doorstep.
“Norman, hurry up! We’re gonna be late for the ceremony!” The bubbly and cheerful voice interrupt his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.
“One moment!”
Although Norman replied, the door to his bedroom slam open and he had finger pointed at him, ready to do some reprimanding.
“Get out of your bed now, or else we’ll be punished by the director!”
“Urgh…alright Yato…”
Norman’s face tensed up when he heard it. The director is known to be very strict in the house. His punishments had struck fear into many children in this Orphanage – The Grimore House, some of them sends shivers down his back. On the second thought, when he saw his best friend with bed hair, he knew he had overslept like him. What’s worse is that his tunic is a mismatch with his skinny pants, giving him a beggar appearance with his bed hair. I don’t think that’s how you dressed up for a ceremony…
When they entered the ceremonial chamber for the first time, the intricate designs on the dome shaped ceiling and the carvings on the walls were the first to catch their attention. Colorful Murals on the wall further back depicted a figure with a white hood covering the profile and behind it was a landscape of trees, lakes and fields. It is more symbolic for honoring the god compared to the one in the house. Wide and long chairs are lined up horizontally on both sides of the room, providing a spacious feel but it was erased by the occupants of his peers.
Many of his peers are gathered here to undergo the God’s blessing. It’s a ceremony to awaken the ability dormant in them upon reaching the age of 12 in the year. This ceremony is held for centuries but nobody knows why it has to be at age 12. Despite the mystery, it is essential to awaken them since more of the dangerous Soul Eaters has appeared. The cities have to gather as much manpower to fight and defend the citizens. And by citizens, they are the people whom had their abilities diminished in the passage of time or none to begin with.
A huge blue crystal stood at the center of the room captivating everyone with its dazzling beauty. The God Crystal. It is told to be a crystal created by God, Sirius. It has the power to evaluate and awaken the ability in the bodies of 12-year-olds. That is what makes it scary to most of us. It has the power to determine someone’s fate and status in this city. The same would apply to the other cities as well.
As Norman took a glance around the room, he noticed hooded figures on the second floor overlooking them. Their grey hoods were covering the surfaces of their face, one would probably find them suspicious. But, since this is a ceremony, that factor is unlikely as it would be disrespectful towards the royal church and it would be a crime to do so. Thus, under the assumption of being part of the staffs, he continued his observation.
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“Oh, gloomy boy Norman has come! Hahaha!”
Upon hearing that remark, Norman had an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He knew what is about to come. He turned around and send him a death stare.
“Hmph, don’t give me that look, Shit face.”
He glared back with disdain, face full of pride and superiority. His voice has contempt aim towards Norman as if he couldn’t bear seeing the sight of him in this place.
True enough, he has the qualities to do so since his skills from swordsmanship and knowledge, has been recognized as one of the best in the Grimore house. His name is Nathan Grimore, one of the twelve saints of the house. Not so much as a saint with his attitude.
Soon, the bells rang in succession and their chimes resonant in the air signaling the beginning of the ceremony. A man walked up the stage where the participants will stand and have their abilities awaken and evaluated. He stroked his white goatee as he took a quick glance over the gathered twelve-year-old kids. Even that quick glance shook them with sweat trickling down their backs. It was a kind of glance with an overpowering feeling behind it as if he is a razorback lion (a beast known to be ferocious and deadly among ability users) and paired with his robust body, he is the embodiment of power. This man is none other than the director of the Orphanage, Matthias Grimore.
“Soon, everyone here is going to have their dormant ability awaken in them. The older generation will pass on the torch of defending the city onto the younger generation. So, don’t be discourage when you awaken your ability. Every single one of them plays a role in defending the city. This is an important task to every one of you here. Keep that in mind.” After giving a lackluster short speech, the man descended from the stage. Even so, this speech has a strong power behind it, giving everyone the chills.
However, in the eyes of Norman, the tone behind the speech has a hint of superiority behind it as if looking down on everyone and he knew exactly why. The power of a noble rank ability, its rank is so rare that the chances of being born with it is one out of ten thousand. The power of a noble rank ability can devastate thousands of commoner rank ability user. It is a strong asset in the military and one of last resorts in defending the city. These users are usually given a knight status when they are older, gaining fame and wealth. A status that everyone would dream of but is out of reach.
“The ceremony will now commence!” The staff overseeing the crystal announced.
“Hey, Norman what do you think my rank will be?” Yato smirking asked.
“Probably a commoner rank.” Norman raised his shoulders with a face of who can say?
“Sarah Grimore, rank: Commoner”
“Zack Grimore, rank: Commoner”
The following awakening had resulted in the crystal glowing in a cyan color; signifying the ability ranked as a commoner. As time passes, more and more of their fellow orphans are awaken with their powers. Those whom have yet to awaken them has an encroaching nervousness in their minds. However, a change in the crystal shock the life out of everyone, changing the tense atmosphere hanging over the orphans yet to awaken their power. The crystal was glowing bright red as if it was trying to dye the room red.
“Nathan Grimore, rank: Noble”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Both Norman and Yato gasps with disbelief on their faces as everyone either have their mouth agape or have the same reaction as Norman and Yato. Everybody was stun stock still upon hearing the result of a certain individual. The supporters of Nathan or admirers were the firsts to snapped out of it and cheered for him. Gradually, the entire chamber is filled with cheering and congratulations for Nathan, giving birth to a new upcoming knight.
Despite of this celebration, some of them were having the opposite reaction. They are the victims of Nathan’s bullying and his antics. Norman is one of them and a bitter expression hung over his face, erasing the mask of disbelief. Being his only friend, Yato knew what he is thinking. It probably goes like this…
Shit, I’m pretty much screwed for life.
With his pessimistic mindset, Norman could only expect the worse to come in the future. Although Nathan is showered with praises, the ceremony has not ended and will have to continue onwards.
“Next! Yato Grimore, step up!” The staff called out to him, still in a jolly mood.
“Good Luck Yato.” Norman gave a thumbs up to him with a wide smile, Yato nods.
When he places his hand on the crystal, the color changes and turns into the same color as the rest whom had gotten commoner rank – cyan.
“Yato Grimore, rank: Commoner”
The commotion from the previous evaluation has finally died down and the process moves on.
Damn it, if only Nathan ability is a commoner rank, I would be safe.
Norman couldn’t help but think back on the previous evaluation, even so, he gave Yato a pat on the back after he descend from the stage. Just when Yato was about to take a seat, Norman was called out. Finally, it is his turn.
Norman ascend to the stage where the crystal is waiting for him. He closed his eyes, praying for the best after he saw his friend’s thumbs up as a form of encouragement. Placing his hand on the crystal, a change occurs. This change brought upon a different effect on the atmosphere compared to Nathan’s. The crystal has turned completely white. There is no hint of any color except white.
“Norman Grimore, rank: Null”
Again, everyone was in aghast when the result was announced.
“huh…null…rank?”
Muttering these words, a grim future awaits him.