After a while, Rina returned with hurried steps and bowed slightly as she said, "Young master, I've found him... He's currently working in the stables. Would you like me to bring him to you?"
I answered without hesitation, adjusting my jacket: "No, I'll go to him myself."
Surprise flickered on her face for a moment, but she bowed again respectfully. "Very well... follow me, I'll show you the way."
"No one visits the stables unless they have to," she murmured.
I replied without looking at her: "Valuable things aren't left in plain sight."
When we arrived, we stopped at a wide wooden door, from which the scent of horses and sweat wafted. I pushed it gently, and it creaked open… The first thing I saw was a boy tying a bundle of straw. His shirt was dusty, and the muscles in his arms were taut from hard labor. His hair was jet black, and when he turned toward us, his eyes—amber and sharp—met mine.
I raised my gaze to him, and he returned the look without flinching or bowing. Rina's voice came quietly behind me: "This is... Leo de Verge."
I looked at him, then stepped forward. "Do you have a minute?" I asked.
He froze, as if time had stopped. I took another step closer, and the bundle of straw slipped from his hand and fell to the ground without him noticing.
I said nothing. He knew who I was. Of course he did. Luca de Verge… the name everyone spoke, whether in mockery or pity. The videos of my failed Awakening ceremony, the images of me kneeling before the mana circle, those lifeless eyes… everything was online.
As heirs of the great houses, my name was on every tongue—like the other ten noble bloodlines.
"M-My Lord Heir..." Leo muttered softly, stepping back half a pace and bowing his head hesitantly.
I felt something stir inside me… not pride, but a deep awareness of the weight of this moment.
I said quietly: "Raise your head. My name is Luca. But you already know that, don't you?" He nodded slowly. "I'm here... because I know who you are, Leo." His eyebrows lifted, as if a single sentence had unraveled his defenses.
"You are not a servant. And no one has the right to treat you as such."
I paused. Then added: "And I... need people like you beside me."
I stepped closer and looked him straight in the eye. "I want you to become my sword."
Leo froze. For a moment, it seemed like he hadn't heard me. "...What?"
I repeated, more seriously: "My sword. My right hand. The strength I entrust with my will."
He stared at me, as if trying to read the truth behind my expression. "Are you... joking?"
I shook my head. "Three hundred thousand shillings per month, for ten years. Starting today."
Leo let out a short laugh, joyless. "This offer... is suspicious."
He added, placing his hands in his pockets: "Why me? There are dozens in the Academy, dozens of Awakened ones, and you're offering that much to someone who hasn't Awakened yet?"
I replied calmly: "Because you're better than them."
He paused for seconds, and I continued: "Tonight, you'll come with me to the Awakening Field... and you will Awaken."
Then I turned and started walking.
"Rina, handle the contract. And get him clothes worthy of tonight." "Yes, young master," she replied quickly and bowed slightly.
I glanced at Leo and added: "Rina will take care of you. From now on... you are one of my men."
I walked for a while, thinking, "That's the first… many more to recruit."
Then I passed by Aiden, who looked at me with hostile eyes. "Alright… only the Awakening Ceremony remains, then the real work begins."
The grand hall was decorated in the family colors: black and silver. Crystal chandeliers hung from the domed ceiling like frozen stars, casting soft light on the polished marble floor. Classical music floated in the background, played by a small ensemble of string and wind instruments, maintaining a noble stillness suited for the occasion.
I moved among the guests, Rina behind me, while Leo remained in the shadows, a few meters away, observing without drawing attention. Cold wine glasses moved on silver trays, and the servants glided silently between tables. The nobles' chatter was like birdsong in a gilded cage:
"Do you see that boy? That's Luca, isn't it?" "And yet he still acts like blue blood runs pure in his veins."
I didn't comment. I didn't look at them. Instead, I chose a corner of the hall, relatively far from the center, where I sat calmly and watched in silence.
Leo sat nearby but kept his distance. His eyes roamed the room, wary, like a young wolf suddenly thrown into a den of kings.
**
Eventually, at the entrance to the Awakening Field… When the formal part of the ceremony ended, the family priest led us down a long stone corridor, growing darker the farther we walked, until we reached a massive door. A towering stone gate, carved with ancient letters of the "First Mana Tongue," glowing faintly in deep blue as we approached.
Beyond it… lay the Awakening Field. A circular arena, carved into the heart of the old earth. The air was cold and strange, saturated with an invisible, yet tangible energy.
In the center of the arena stood a giant crystal, black as night, its core pulsing with faint light, as if it breathed.
The family priest stood at the front, wearing a gray robe embroidered with the De Verge crest, hands clasped before him. When he looked at me, his eyes glowed with rare mana insight.
"Lord Luca... Are you ready?" he asked softly.
I looked at him, then at the sky. The stars had begun to gather, as if preparing to witness something unforgettable.
"Begin," I said firmly.
He nodded, then turned to the audience behind us.
"Each who enters will face the mana field alone," he said aloud. "The process lasts only minutes... and if the person doesn't emerge in time, we'll send a rescue team."
Silence cloaked the arena.
Leo, standing beside me, exchanged a silent look with me, then nodded in understanding.
The priest continued, his voice more detailed: "The mana field… is simply a chamber saturated with raw mana particles. Whoever enters must feel that energy, interact with it, and allow their body to draw it in. If the body responds… a mutation occurs. They Awaken."
He paused, then added in a lower tone: "But do not be fooled… despite the simple explanation, the pain is... another story.
Mana is a strange element. When it enters the human body for the first time, it changes it. Rebuilds it from the inside."
I glanced at the black crystal… and smirked inwardly.
The problem was never understanding the theory. The problem was that every time I stepped into that field… I felt nothing. I never heard the call of mana. As if my body itself rejected it.
I stepped forward and looked at the priest. "I'll be the first to enter," I said coldly.
I walked steadily toward the crystal. Everything around me was still… even my breathing felt foreign. The air here was different. An invisible weight pressed on my chest… as if the field itself tested my resolve before letting me approach.
I stood before the black crystal, the one I had failed to touch before. In previous times, it felt like a dead rock. No whispers, no breath, no response.
But tonight… it was different.
[ Initiating Genetic Awakening Field… Bloodline: De Verge. ]
The air exploded around me. A hidden energy surged into me, as if the sky itself bent down to pour something into my soul.
It wasn't pain… it was ecstasy. Like I had been thirsty my whole life, and now… I was drinking at last.
The mana entered my body smoothly—no resistance, no struggle. As if I had always been part of it since birth.
I closed my eyes and let the current take me. I could see it… colors, patterns, a pulsing breath in the air.
Mana wasn't just energy. It was a living thing… and I understood it.
I moved my hand slowly, and—
It responded.
A point of mana gathered before my finger, gently spun, then split into two threads, twirling around my arm like a ribbon of light.
I laughed. A short laugh, unheard by others, but it came from the heart.
It was easy… too easy.
This wasn't a normal Awakening. It was the return of something long asleep within me.
The De Verge bloodline… descendants of the first kings, who once spoke to mana as an old friend.
Then I heard the system. Ding.
The system's chime echoed in my mind like a temple bell.
[ You have awakened the bloodline: De Verge ]
I smiled.
But before I could catch my breath, Another voice came, deeper… from a place beyond awareness.
[ You have awakened the bloodline: ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ]
The screen in front of me glitched. Strange symbols, question marks, a line of static and noise.
A chill ran through me. This isn't normal. Even the system... didn't know how to process what I had awakened.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Then closed it.
No time for shock now. The mystery... can wait.
I turned and stepped out of the Awakening Field.
Outside, all eyes were on me. The priest, the family members, the guards… Everyone felt something had changed.
But I said nothing. I looked straight at my grandfather and said calmly:
"I've Awakened… Grandfather."
A deep silence settled over the arena.
Then he gestured to the priest and said with his usual coldness: "Measure his capabilities… and elemental affinity."
The priest nodded respectfully, then pulled two crystals from his robe. One was deep blue, the other a translucent silver.
"This is for measuring capabilities…" he said, handing me the first. "Infuse it with mana. It may be difficult for a newly Awakened, but… with your bloodline, I expect you'll manage easily."
I took the crystal. Closed my eyes, focused… and poured mana into it.
At first… a faint flicker. Then suddenly, the crystal burst into a brilliant golden light.
It gleamed brightly, its edges brushing white… before settling on pure gold.
The priest was stunned. His eyes widened, and he swallowed hard before saying in awe-laced respect:
"SS-rank potential… very close to SSS."
Then he looked at Ragnar, who showed nothing but deadly calm on his face.
"Continue," my grandfather said coldly.
The priest handed me the second crystal:
"This one is for elemental affinity. Focus and direct your mana into it."
I placed my fingers on it.
Suddenly, it lit up…
Black at first… then colors flashed in rapid succession.
Red… blue… green… violet… gray… purple… fire… wind… stone…
Every element appeared… except one.
The priest stared at me, momentarily speechless, then muttered in shock:
"Affinity with all elements… except Light."
The crowd exchanged glances, whispers rising from the back rows.
Even I was stunned. Affinity with every element? Are you kidding me?