Chapter 1: Marked As TrashTeenage chatter filled the air as a crowd of students gathered before an elevated platform. At its center stood a crystal pillar, humming with power and shifting through every color imaginable, a wondrous sight, visible even from the back of the crowd.To the right, seated on a floating platform, were rows of teachers. They were here to scout outstanding talent for their own tutelage, because today was the general Awakening Day for every eighteen-year-old fit to awaken.Standing beside the crystal was a middle-aged man with short black hair and deep brown eyes, his muscular build visible through the shirt that hugged him tightly. His gaze swept the crowd, fierce and intimidating."I welcome you all to the annual Awakening Ceremony." His voice boomed through the stadium like a loudspeaker, though he carried no mic, it simply sounded like thunder."Today is the day you've all been waiting for, the day you step beyond the ordinary, made possible the moment mana

Chapter 3: Blood for BloodKael walked in a daze, the day's events replaying in his mind like a tape stuck on loop. Just thinking about it made him grit his teeth and clench his fists. Then his phone started buzzing, nonstop."What now?" he groaned, pulling it out. What he read made his eyes go wide with shock.[ALERT! ALERT!! ALERT!! All citizens in Creek Core District are urged to seek underground shelter immediately. A Red-Class rift break has occurred in the area. Any nearby awakened individuals are urged to assist. God help you all. Amen.]Dread washed over Kael's face. One disaster a day should've been enough but a rift break, of all things? A Red-Class one, no less.The same fear spread across everyone around him as the warning sirens began to wail through the district.Panic broke out instantly. People scattered, running for the nearest underground shelter, cars abandoned in the street as it became every man for himself.Kael stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing to catch

Chapter 5: HospitalizedThe battle began in earnest as Kael tore through them, his movements fluid, almost weightless. A single punch obliterated a cluster of goblins on contact; every strike of his claws cut down another orc.Bare-handed, he tore limbs from bodies and crushed skulls as he fought. This wasn't a battle anymore, it was a massacre, carried out by one person.Blood soaked the ground beneath the growing pile of corpses, gore scattered across what remained of the street.Kael caught a struggling goblin by the head and crushed it like a grape. The battlefield was a ruin of blood and shattered pavement, destruction everywhere.He turned back toward Elisa, who stood frozen, still processing the scale of what she'd just witnessed. When his gaze met hers, a chill ran through her entire body, the person looking back at her didn't feel like her brother anymore.He started walking toward her, and fear gripped her as she watched him approach, his eyes flat and cold, utterly devoid o

The royal banquet had finally come to an end.One by one, the nobles, knights, ministers, and other important guests left the Imperial Palace. The grand hall, which had been filled with music, laughter, and lively conversations only moments ago, slowly became quiet.The sounds of the celebration faded into the distance, leaving the palace in silence.Outside, the night stretched across the sky.A bright full moon hung above the palace, its soft silver light shining over the snow-covered rooftops and frozen gardens. A cold breeze moved through the courtyards, carrying the crisp scent of Eternal Winter as it passed through the ancient trees.Sleep refused to come.Kael slowly climbed out of bed, careful not to make a sound. He crossed the room and stepped onto the balcony attached to his chamber.Placing both hands on the smooth stone railing, he looked across the vast palace grounds.Everything was quiet.Too quiet.His golden eyes moved toward the countless stars scattered across the n

The Draconic God Emperor slowly raised one massive claw toward Kael.Kael immediately became cautious.After everything he had just learned, he had no idea what the ancient dragon intended to do next. The Emperor's enormous golden eyes remained fixed on him, carrying a strange mixture of amusement and expectation."Get ready, little one," the Emperor said. "This might hurt a little."Kael's expression changed."That doesn't sound reassuring."Before he could ask anything else, golden energy began gathering around the Emperor's raised claw.The energy was unlike anything Kael had ever felt before. It was dense, ancient, and powerful enough to make the entire void tremble. Golden particles gathered around the dragon's claw, spinning faster and faster until they formed a concentrated sphere of light.Kael swallowed hard."Wait. What exactly are you—""Receiving my inheritance."The Emperor's voice was calm.Kael's eyes widened."Could you at least explain what you're going to do first?"