The harsh sunlight pierced through the white clouds and bathed the entire Golden City in its dazzling radiance that was accompanied by disturbing heat, forcing the residents of Golden City to search for shade or cool places.
Under this harsh sunlight, tens of young boys and girls dressed beautifully in their blue uniforms stood in orderly columns in the huge assembly ground of the White Fang academy, an academy known for its reputation of training talented beast tamers.
One after the other, the youngsters who ranged from the age of 15 to 18 were called up to the high platform in front of the assembly, where three adults in former clothes stood behind a one-meter tall pillar on which a blue, glowing orb was placed.
These three adults were teachers at the White Fang Academy.
"Rachel Rodwick, weak healing!"
The loud voice of one of the teachers standing behind the pillar resounded through the assembly ground while he stared at the orb. A young girl who looked to be about 16 years of age slowly removed her hands from the orb with an excited expression, some words could be seen floating about inside the orb; they were what the teacher just announced.
Another teacher pushed her glasses with her fingers before writing something on the file in her hands.
The girl excitedly walked back to the assembly of students with a bright face and excitedly waved at her friends. The teacher called another student right after the girl went down the platform, and the student quickly ran up.
"Place your hands on the orb," one of the teachers commanded.
The young boy of about 15 years of age gulped nervously and slowly moved his hands toward the orb, his fingers trembling on the surface of the orb.
"Don't be nervous, calm down and focus." A stern voice commanded.
The body of the student jolted and he forced himself to calm down. Soon, his result was announced.
"Cain Vlaton, body strengthening!"
Gasps were heard amongst the students in the assembly when they heard the announcement from the teacher; they could not help but look at the young boy in envy. The boy's face lit up after hearing the result of his awakening, his nervousness vanishing instantly as he returned to the assembly with confident steps.
More and more students were called up to the platform to carry out their awakening as more exciting and disappointing announcements were made, increasing the nervousness of the students who had yet to go up.
At the back of the assembly, a young handsome youth who was around 17 years of age with messy golden hair and striking blue eyes stood nervously while watching more and more students go up to awaken.
He was dressed in similar blue uniforms just like the others but the state of his uniform wasn't anything to be proud of due to how faded it was and the patches that told tales of its age.
This young man was Lucian Ashford, a student of the White Fang academy. He had been in the academy for three years and was finally going to awaken at the age of 17, he could not help but be nervous as the result he would get here would greatly influence his future developments and very much affect his life from here on.
A hand suddenly landed on Lucian's shoulder from behind, startling him so much that he almost let out a scream.
He looked back and saw that it was the 16-year-old fatty, Marcos, his only friend in and outside the academy.
"Don't be nervous, bro. Just stay calm, we're sworn brothers and will look after each other. Have faith; one of us must awaken a good ability to live a good life; we just have to carry the other along; who knows, we might both even awaken good abilities." Marcos said with a large grin on his face in an attempt to cheer up his friend, the fat on his face trembling with each word he spoke.
Lucian smiled slightly, Marcos' action did work and calmed him down a bit. That's right, he had such a good brother. Everything will be all right as long as either of them awakens with a good ability.
But deep down, Lucian knew that this would not be enough. He had big dreams and needed strength to achieve them, this was why he didn't become completely calm.
"Marcos Dukin,"
The voice of the teacher sounded in their ears, drawing the attention of the two.
Marcos removed his large hand from Lucian's shoulder and adjusted his blazer.
" This is it, brother; wish me luck." Marcos flashed a grin and stepped to the front of the assembly before approaching the platform.
Unlike other students, Marcos didn't seem nervous at all as he approached the orb. It was as if he wasn't bothered about whatever his result might be and had already accepted whatever would happen.
While Marcos walked to the platform, Lucian looked sideways and his eyes spotted some figures. Far away from the assembly ground, standing under the shade of one of
The academy's building that shielded them from the hot sun was a group of five students in similar uniforms.
They all had arrogant and prideful expressions as they stared at the students standing under the sun.
One of them, in particular, crossed gazes with Lucian and flashed him a disdainful look before turning away and walking deeper into the academy building.
"Place your hands on the orb,"
The voice of the teacher pulled Lucian's attention back to the pressing matter, he ignored the student who just tried to provoke him and focused on his best friend's big moment.
Marcos placed both of his large palms on the orb, covering it completely.
After a few seconds of silence, the teacher asked him to move his hands away which Marcos obediently did.
"Marcos Dukin, body strengthening!" The teacher announced after looking at the orb.
The students in the assembly gasped again as they all looked at Marcos with astonished and jealous gazes.
Lucian wasn't any different, only that he was astonished and happy for his best friend; he didn't feel jealousy at all.
Another student was called as Marcos walked down the platform under the gazes of the students and moved toward the back where Lucian was, he immediately flashed a wide grin after reaching his friend.
"See? Easy, just stay calm and everything will go well. Even if you don't have a good ability, you can rest easy with me around, hehe." Marcos said with a short chuckle.
Lucian could not help but let out a slight smile, Marcos was the only one in the entire academy who could have such an attitude during a moment that could give others sleepless nights; he wanted a portion of his friend's confidence.
After many more minutes of many students going up to awaken, his turn finally came.
"Lucian Ashford,"
Lucian felt his heart drop, and the nervousness that had barely disappeared rushed back with full force; he forgot how to react to his name being called for a moment.
Marcos slapped his shoulder lightly.
"Come on, don't bail on me now. Just go up there and go with the flow, what could possibly go wrong? Now get your ass over there and show them who's boss!" Marcos hyped.
His words were very effective as Lucian got the courage to walk up, the gaze of tens of students almost made him trip but he managed to reach the platform without any hiccups.
Standing in front of the small pillar and the orb, Lucian felt a strange feeling of dread making its way into his heart.
"Place your hands on the ord,"
The stern voice of the teacher entered his ears, and Lucian placed his trembling hands over the orb. The orb felt cold and smooth to touch, sending a wave of coolness into his body through his palm.
After a few seconds, there was nothing but silence.
Lucian could not help but turn to look at the teacher who was supposed to announce his result, his heart dropped to his stomach when he saw the teacher looking at the orb with a strange expression on his face.
'Please let it not be,' Lucian prayed as he called out to the teacher, snapping the latter out of his daze.
The teacher calmly cleared his throat before announcing.
" Lucian Ashford…Beast eyes!" He announced.
The entire place dropped into silence, and Lucian's face turned extremely ugly.
'God, please no!'