"Lord Ascalon, I am so nervous. Please grant me a Yellow-tier Sword Soul, or higher if you are willing. I will not ask for anything else," a young man whispered fervently with his palms pressed together as he stared up at the towering statue.
Moments later, another thin boy joined in,
"Lord Ascalon, forgive me for all my sins, and bless me with the power to wash away the stains of my commoner birth."
"Tch. What a delusional freak," someone scoffed quietly from nearby, rolling his eyes.
Not far from them, a girl with shoulder-length pink hair tugged lightly at the sleeve of a group of boys.
"Um… can anyone explain how our talents are measured? I'm still a little confused here."
Hearing her, the young men stiffened instantly and then straightened their posture as though facing royalty.
"O-of course, my lady!" one of them said eagerly, gesturing toward the altar. "You see that Awakening Globe over there? Once you touch it, it will baptize your body and try to awaken your Sword Soul."
Another boy chimed in, clearly delighted to be helpful. "When that happens, the globe will change color based on the grade of the Sword Soul you will awaken."
He began counting on his fingers.
"White is the lowest, then Green, Blue, Yellow, Red, Gold, and finally Black is the highest."
"These colors represent your potential as a Swordmaster. And the Swordmaster Academies use this assessment to decide who they will recruit."
The pink-haired girl's eyes sparkled with understanding.
"I understand now. But is there anyone with a Black tier Sword Soul in our kingdom?" she asked curiously.
"Yes. But only a handful of people throughout the Fernis Kingdom were able to awaken Black Tier Sword Souls. They are practically legends, like King Magnus and First General Trinity."
"Oh, I see now. Thank you so much!"
She leaned forward and blew them a small, playful kiss.
The boys became stunned.
Their faces flushed bright red as their minds completely shut down, standing stiff as statues while the girl skipped away with a satisfied smile.
"Silence!"
Just then, the Grand Priest raised his staff to amplify his voice, and the murmuring across the Ceremonial Plaza gradually faded into reverent silence.
"Children, as most of you already know, we have gathered here today for your Awakening Ceremony," he said.
His gaze swept across the countless young faces before him.
"On this day, each of you will undergo the divine baptism of Lord Ascalon and attempt to awaken your Sword Soul. This moment shall determine the path you walk for the rest of your lives. Power, status, and destiny will all begin here."
As his words reverberated, every aspirant instinctively straightened their posture, backs stiff with tension and anticipation.
The plaza became so quiet that even breathing seemed intrusive.
The Grand Priest continued:
"Before we proceed, there are rules you must understand clearly."
He raised a single finger.
"Firstly, each of you is granted only one attempt. If you fail to awaken your Sword on your first trial, there will be no second chance."
"Tears, pleas, or cries of injustice will not be tolerated. This ceremony is not a place for tantrums or excuses. The world you are about to enter is unforgiving, and it does not bend to emotion."
Some swallowed nervously. Others clenched their fists.
And a few, like Adonis, simply listened thoughtfully.
The Grand Priest raised a second finger.
"Secondly, once you step before the altar, you are forbidden from interfering with the awakening of others. Any attempt to disrupt the ceremony, whether through magic, items, or ill intent, will be judged as sacrilege against the Church itself."
"Such an offense will result in immediate expulsion and permanent prohibition from all future Sword-related rites within the Fernis Kingdom."
He raised a third finger.
"Thirdly, the sword you awaken reflects your own soul. You may not reject it, bargain with it, or attempt to force a different outcome. Whether it manifests as glorious or humble, it is yours alone to bear."
"Those who attempt to deceive the ritual or alter its results will suffer severe backlash. In extreme cases, the soul itself may be wounded."
His fourth finger rose.
"Fourthly, once your awakening concludes, you will leave the altar immediately. You are not permitted to linger, boast, or provoke others. Pride has no place in this sacred ground."
He then lowered his hand, resting it upon his staff.
"Lastly, from the moment you awaken your Sword, you are bound by its Sword Link forever. Power will grant you opportunity, but also responsibility. Abuse of your awakened Sword Link within this holy city will be punished without exception."
The plaza became utterly quiet.
"These rules exist not to frighten you, but to remind you that the path of the Swordmaster is not one of indulgence, but of discipline, resolve, and sacrifice."
"Engrave these words into your hearts. The ceremony will now begin."
"First off, Dayson Castros, step forward!" an acolyte announced loudly from the sidelines.
At the call of his name, a young man with short purple hair and chubby cheeks emerged from the line. His steps were careful and visibly nervous as he ascended the altar, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.
"Do not be nervous, child," the Grand Priest said kindly. "Touch the sacred globe and learn your destiny."
"Ah… y-yes," the boy replied while trembling a little.
Gathering what little courage he had, Dayson stepped forward and placed his trembling palm against the surface of the pulsating gray globe.
The moment contact was made, the globe shuddered faintly.
"Buzz!"
The boy was enveloped in a bright white light, and the color of the globe began to change.
Adonis watched quietly. He understood what was happening.
The Sword Link, also known as the "System" in many games and novels, had begun establishing a connection between the Sword Soul and the boy.
The color was merely a parameter indicating how strong their bond was. But this world mistakenly assumed that this was the main scale of one's talent.
It started with the lowest hue, white, then shifted to green, and finally settled into a blue radiance.
At last, a purple sword began to manifest from Dayson's heart.
"Dayson Castros, Blue-Tier Sword Soul. Success!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Instantly, a handful of applause followed. After all, a Blue Tier Sword Soul was not considered exceptional. That being said, it was not something to dismiss either.
With this level of talent, Dayson could easily become a regular Knight.