Nora was excited. That day she would awaken her Devastra.
Her emerald eyes gleamed with emotion, imagining what power she would receive that day.
Surely it was something incredible.
However, few in her situation would have such high hopes.
She was an orphan after all, a commoner.
It was well known that the Devastra reflected the authority of the god from whom you descended.
It was hereditary.
Only certain families could afford to dream of achieving greatness.
The rest of the common people, on the other hand, were condemned to mediocrity.
But Nora didn't think about those things.
She wanted to be a heroine, someone strong like in the stories, someone who would always be remembered.
Her lineage wouldn't be an excuse to abandon her goals.
"Next," the priestess announced in a kind voice.
Upon hearing her, Nora quickly approached the pedestal.
"Finally, it's my turn!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, raising her arms with excitement.
The priestess offered a gentle smile at the scene, like a mother watching her children play.
"Hello, dear. I see you're very excited for this day. What's your name? Do you know what you have to do?" she said, maintaining her kind attitude.
However, her thoughts were much less well-intentioned than her words might seem.
She was analyzing her.
Her blonde hair, beautiful features, and the radiant aura surrounding her made her look like a girl of noble lineage.
With so much Ka, it was clear a bright future awaited the girl.
And if it happened, who knows, perhaps the pleasant memory of her baptism would encourage her to make donations to the temple in the future.
"Yes! I am! And my name is Nora," the girl responded enthusiastically.
Upon hearing that, the woman's mask of kindness crumbled, replaced by an expression of confusion.
"Huh?" The priestess blinked, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard.
Nora. That wasn't a name for a noble. It was impossible for it to be.
It was well known that names shape a person's destiny. Therefore, the grandeur of a name was a key tool for a prosperous future.
A good name should start with a vowel, and the longer the better.
But only nobles could have a name that started with a vowel.
It wasn't a law, but since only a priest could name a Vanir child, they began reserving the best names for those who could 'reward them' afterward.
"Mmm, is something wrong? Can I start now?" Nora asked, somewhat confused, not suspecting anything about the woman's attitude.
The priestess only nodded with a disappointed expression.
While that girl seemed to have a lot of Ka, "Nora" was a simple and mediocre name. It was impossible for her to achieve anything in life.
"Yes, yes, go ahead." Her gentle attitude had vanished, as if she had become a completely different person.
But the girl didn't give it importance, too innocent to notice that change in attitude.
She simply dipped her face into the vessel. She felt the water beginning to warm up.
She didn't have a shred of doubt. She was confident. It didn't matter what Devastra she got. Whatever it was, she would make it great.
Under the priestess's skeptical gaze, the ritual began to activate.
Nora felt the whole world vanish, to be replaced by a completely different one.
"Huh? Where am I?" the girl said, confused, looking around.
The square had disappeared, becoming a nebula of gleaming green and silver glows.
The girl turned around, observing her surroundings with curiosity.
Both the ground and her surroundings were formed by masses of green and silver flashes that created a kind of slowly moving gas.
"What a beautiful place! I want to explore it!" the girl said with clear emotion in her voice as her eyes shone.
But then, a voice echoed through the space, catching her attention.
"How strange. It had been a long time since I received a descendant of mine. I thought my lineage had been annihilated," said an imposing and deep voice.
The girl turned around looking for the origin of that voice, but found nothing.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" the girl demanded with a firm tone. Her gaze made it clear she wasn't going to be intimidated.
"Ho ho ho, you're brave. I see you really are one of my descendants," the voice responded with pride. "I respect your courage, but if you want me to tell you my name, you'll have to come talk to me face to face and introduce yourself first. A knight must always introduce himself before demanding someone's name."
The voice explained. Nora nodded firmly, feeling excited about the lesson she had learned from that voice.
"Alright, but where do I find you?" Nora asked, trying to find some hidden path through the nebula.
"Climb the stairs," the voice indicated.
Upon saying that, the "gas" wall behind the girl began to deform, gradually transforming into steps.
"I'm coming!"
With excitement, Nora began to run toward the stairs.
Upon doing so, she realized the nebula was surrounded by an immense black void, but she felt no fear seeing it at all.
She continued walking up the gas stairway while spotting what appeared to be a white and gleaming palace.
"Wow! It's enormous."
Upon reaching it, she could see up close how beautiful it was.
The girl began to walk along a majestic red carpet while admiring the white columns on the sides.
Between them were marble statues showing angels pouring a cascade of liquid gold from a vessel.
The girl could see the golden river flow through channels attached to the walls until falling into the void.
"It's magnificent, isn't it? Though it's only a shadow of what it once was."
Looking ahead, Nora could see where the voice came from.
An immense marble statue showing a knight in golden armor leaning on his sword.
Behind him, a stained glass window made with golden and silver mosaics projected a majestic white light behind the statue, giving it a much more magnificent aura.
"Really? What a shame. I would have liked to see this place in all its splendor."
Then, the girl placed her fist against her heart in an improvised salute.
"My name is Nora! It's a pleasure to meet you... um, Mr. Statue!" she said with a voice full of determination.
The statue emitted a powerful laugh. It didn't move when speaking, but the sound emerged from it.
"The pleasure is mine, Nora! My name is Idris, the lord of justice and the unlimited. My heart burns with the courage that blurs limits and breaks barriers. Tell me, Nora, you who share a part of my essence, what is your wish?"
The voice resonated forcefully throughout the castle, with a tone that instilled respect.
Nora's lips drew a big smile. There was no doubt in her voice.
"I wish to be the greatest heroine in history!" she declared with pride.
Her eyes burned with determination. She had waited a long time for this moment, the moment she would become a heroine.
"Fabulous! Those are words worthy of someone from my lineage. However, not everything is about intention and dreams. Even the most just can lose their values if they don't have enough conviction. Your words are honorable, but even the sweetest words can become empty."
The intense glow emanating from the stained glass window completely bathed the palace, so intensely that only Nora and the statue were visible now.
"That's why I ask you: What will you stake to fulfill your dream? What will you sacrifice for it?"
Nora didn't think for a second.
"Everything!"
At those words, Idris could only emit an even louder laugh.
She was someone extremely pure and determined. Just the type of person he respected.
Nora saw how the light intensified so much that everything became indistinguishable.
The laughter intensified as the statue said its last words.
"Marvelous! I'll take your word for it. You who can sacrifice everything for your wish, receive what remains of my authority: Aperion!"
And then, the world was lost in a sea of golden light.
Nora began to gradually regain consciousness, feeling an immense power beginning to surge from her.
Then, an immense column of light emerged from her.
A champion had been born.