The sky over the Forbidden Varkas Forest wasn’t weeping; it was raging. The roar of thunder echoed against the hiss of rain, which hammered the earth like thousands of ice needles. In the midst of the storm, four cloaked figures stood frozen like monuments of death, surrounding a young man kneeling in total resignation."Are you sure... we really have to end it here?"The voice trembled, nearly swept away by the wind. A young elder stared at the boy in the center of the magic circle with a look that was hard to decipher—somewhere between pity and horror. Around the young man’s wrists were the SpiritSuppressing Chains. The ancient artifact glowed dimly, emitting a painful hum, as if insulted that it had to bind a body that didn't even possess a single drop of Aether energy.Saint Realm chains for someone who couldn’t even cultivate. A cruel irony."Do not let doubt dull your blade," replied Grand Elder Laakso, his voice heavy and cold as a tombstone. His sharp eyes never wavered from t

The gates of the Elarion Sacred Hall opened slowly.Thousands of eyes were instantly drawn inside. White stone pillars towered along the length of the hall, while a round altar stood majestically in the center of the room. Above it hovered a giant blue crystal, radiating a soft, ethereal light."That’s the Awakening Crystal.""I can finally see it with my own eyes."Whispers of awe could be heard everywhere.Participants began entering the hall according to their assigned numbers. In the upper galleries, nobles occupied the seats of honor, while commoners stood in the back. Today, all of Elarion was witnessing the birth of a new generation.Akseli walked along with the other participants.Cynical gazes immediately followed him."There he is.""The boy without an Aether Heart.""To think he still has the nerve to show up."He did not turn his head.To him, such mockery had long since become a part of life."All participants, gather before the Awakening Altar!"An elder stepped into the

Akseli’s palm touched the surface of the Awakening Crystal.The entire Sacred Hall fell silent. Thousands of eyes were fixed on the altar, waiting for the light that had determined one’s fate for thousands of years.One second...Two seconds...Nothing happened.Then...Bzzz...The crystal vibrated softly.The vibration was so slight that some thought they were hallucinating. But moments later, the entire altar began to tremble, causing the runes on the floor to emit an irregular, flickering light.The Altar Guardian frowned."Strange..."He stepped closer, observing the crystal. In the decades he had led the Awakening Ceremony, he had never seen a reaction like this."What is happening?" murmured one of the elders."I don't know. The crystal should have displayed the Aether Heart rank immediately."Whispers began to fill the hall.Meanwhile, Akseli stood perfectly still. He could feel a chilling cold spreading from his palm throughout his entire body. It didn't feel like touching cry

The sky above the Holy City of Elarion remained shrouded in black clouds. Bolts of red lightning struck incessantly, plunging the entire city into panic. The protective formation, which had lain dormant for thousands of years, now emitted a golden radiance, forming a giant dome that enveloped the entire region.Inside the Holy Hall, no one dared to move. The participants, who had previously been scrambling to showcase their talents, now only stared at one another with pale faces. The Awakening Ceremony, which should have been their proudest day, had turned into a nightmare."Report!"A guard ran into the hall, gasping for breath."All the city gates have sealed themselves shut!""None of them can be opened!"Commotion broke out once more."What does that mean?""Are we trapped?""That’s impossible!"The Altar Guardian immediately raised his staff."Quiet!"His voice echoed until the entire hall fell silent again."The Ancient Formation would not activate without cause."He looked at t

The Sacred Hall had not yet returned to peace.Cracks still marred the altar floor. Several pillars had collapsed, and guards were busy evacuating the wounded. No one spoke of the Awakening’s results anymore. Everyone’s thoughts were fixated on a single event.The Awakening Crystal had shattered.And Akseli had been at the very center of it all."All participants, stay where you are!"The voice of the Altar Guardian echoed through the hall."No one is permitted to leave the Sacred Hall until the High Council reaches a decision."The atmosphere turned chaotic instantly."What? We have to stay here?""I had nothing to do with what happened!""It’s that Vainio boy’s fault!"A guard slammed the butt of his spear against the floor."Silence!"The commotion died down immediately.On the honor stand, the seven Patriarchs had gathered in a circle. Their expressions were far graver than when the ceremony began. Even the notoriously stern Patriarch Draven appeared deep in thought.The Altar Gua