A few hours earlier.
The Awakening Ceremony finally drew to a close in the early afternoon. The grand hall slowly emptied as the heavy bronze doors were thrown open. A crisp autumn breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and distant spirit herbs.
Examiners moved through the remaining rows with practiced efficiency. Their datapads chimed in a steady rhythm as they scanned identity chips and directed students toward different exits according to their newly recorded ranks. The once-unified crowd of gray-robed teenagers began to split like water finding separate channels. The subtle currents of social hierarchy were already taking hold.
Ash followed the flow of students marked D, E, and F.
The group was significantly larger than the higher ranks, yet the atmosphere remained quiet and slightly awkward rather than hostile. Most simply kept their eyes forward. Their expressions showed a mix of mild resignation and quiet calculation.
