Rowen slowly walked toward the Awakening Platform.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
By the time he reached the platform, his breathing had already become uneven. He quietly steadied himself before looking at the small, round stone resting on the pedestal before him.
The Awakening Stone.
For the past hundred years, countless awakened individuals had begun their journey through this mysterious artifact.
Today...
It was finally his turn.
Daniel looked at Rowen with a calm expression.
"Place your hand on the Awakening Stone."
Rowen nodded.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly raised his hand and placed his palm against the smooth surface of the stone.
The Awakening Stone immediately began to glow with a soft white light.
A stream of pure mana flowed into Rowen's body through his palm.
Just as Daniel had explained, the mana began circulating through his body, attempting to awaken his Class.
A warm sensation spread throughout his body.
For the first time that day, a trace of hope appeared in Rowen's eyes.
It's working...
However, that hope lasted only a moment.
The mana circulating through his body suddenly began to weaken.
The warm sensation rapidly faded.
Before the Awakening could be completed, every trace of mana suddenly disappeared from his body, as though it had been swallowed by an invisible abyss.
Within moments, the glow faded completely, leaving the Awakening Stone exactly as it had been before.
Nothing happened.
Rowen's expression stiffened.
He had clearly felt the mana entering his body.
Then...
Why had it suddenly disappeared?
A trace of panic slowly appeared in his eyes.
He instinctively looked toward Daniel, hoping for an explanation.
Daniel was equally confused.
In all the years he had overseen awakening ceremonies, he had never witnessed such a strange phenomenon.
"Remove your hand," Daniel said.
Rowen slowly withdrew his hand.
Daniel carefully examined the Awakening Stone before shaking his head.
"The artifact is functioning normally."
He turned back to Rowen.
"We'll try one more time."
Rowen silently nodded before placing his hand on the Awakening Stone once again.
The soft white glow reappeared.
Mana once more flowed into his body.
This time, everyone watched without blinking.
Yet the result remained exactly the same.
The mana circulated through Rowen's body for only a brief moment before rapidly dissipating.
Within moments, the glow faded completely, leaving the Awakening Stone exactly as it had been before.
Daniel's expression gradually became solemn.
Daniel looked at Rowen with a complicated expression.
"I'm sorry."
"Your body was unable to withstand the Awakening."
"The mana released by the Awakening Stone could not synchronize with your body."
"As a result..."
"You have failed to awaken."
The words echoed across the training grounds.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Many students looked at Rowen in disbelief.
Some looked at him with pity.
Others simply couldn't believe that someone had actually failed to awaken.
Principal Eamon slowly closed his eyes.
A trace of disappointment flashed across Miss Evelyn's face.
Mr. Harris let out a quiet sigh.
He had always hoped that Awakening Day would change Rowen's fate.
Unfortunately...
Reality had been far crueler.
Rowen stood there in silence.
His hands slowly tightened into fists.
So...
This was the end.
Ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of becoming an awakened individual.
He wanted the strength to survive in this cruel world.
He wanted the strength to stand on his own.
He wanted to live a better life.
Now, that dream had been shattered before it had even begun.
A bitter smile appeared on Rowen's face.
He slowly took a deep breath before forcing himself to calm down.
Reality would not change simply because he refused to accept it.
Without saying a single word, he bowed politely to Daniel.
"Thank you."
Then he quietly stepped down from the Awakening Platform and returned to his seat.
For the remainder of the Awakening Ceremony, Rowen kept his head lowered.
He no longer paid attention to who awakened what class.
None of it had anything to do with him anymore.
Just then, an unpleasant laugh broke the silence.
"Heh..."
"I knew it."
Kael looked at Rowen with unconcealed contempt.
"Trash will always be trash."
"You couldn't even awaken."
"I've never heard of anyone failing the Awakening Ceremony."
"What a joke."
Several students frowned.
Even those who had mocked Rowen in the past felt Kael had gone too far.
Finn's expression immediately darkened.
He took a step forward, but before he could open his mouth, Rowen quietly shook his head.
Seeing the calm look in Rowen's eyes, Finn reluctantly stopped.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
Kael merely sneered before turning away.
In his eyes, Rowen was no longer someone worth paying attention to.
The Awakening Ceremony eventually came to an end.
Students gathered around their friends, excitedly discussing their awakened classes and future plans.
After the Awakening Ceremony came to an end, Rowen was asked to report to the principal's office.
Without saying a word, he quietly made his way there.
Inside the office, Principal Eamon sat behind his desk while Mr. Harris stood beside him.
The atmosphere was unusually heavy.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Finally, Mr. Harris broke the silence.
"Rowen."
"I know today's result is difficult to accept."
"But failing to awaken doesn't mean your life is over."
"You've always been the top student in theory."
"If you continue your studies, you could pursue the path of a researcher."
"The Federation always needs talented researchers."
"They may not fight on the battlefield, but their contributions are just as important."
Mr. Harris looked at Rowen seriously.
"You still have a future."
Rowen remained silent for a few moments before slowly shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Harris."
"I've already made my decision."
"I want to withdraw from school."
Mr. Harris frowned.
"Don't be stubborn."
"You're only making this decision because you're emotional."
"You should take a few days to calm down before deciding."
However, Rowen simply lowered his head.
"My decision won't change."
"I've already thought it through."
Mr. Harris was about to continue persuading him when Principal Eamon quietly raised his hand, stopping him.
The principal looked at Rowen for a long moment.
He could see the determination in the young man's eyes.
After letting out a quiet sigh, Principal Eamon nodded.
"I understand."
"If this is truly your decision..."
"...then the school will respect it."
Mr. Harris wanted to say something more, but in the end, he remained silent.
The withdrawal procedures were completed shortly afterward.
Rowen accepted the documents, bowed respectfully to both of them, and quietly left the principal's office.
From that moment onward...
He was no longer a student of Boulder Lower School.