System Awakening: Rise Of Thomas Walker

CHAPTER FOUR

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the boy's dormitory, Duke sat on the edge of his bunk, scoffing at the edge memory of Mike's performance.

"So he's the so-called captain?" He said

"What a loser." One of his friends named Saul.

His closest friends, Brian and Saul nodded beside him.

"When I get my power, I'll crush him. I'll crush all of them. I'm not here to play knight. I'm here to be king." Duke muttered darkly.

"And we'll be right behind you?" Saul replied.

"Oh, you won't need to be, because there won't be anyone standing in front of me." Duke said.

The next day, the morning light was reflecting into the academy through the windows. Students began to gather at the hall in numbers, their voices filled with excitement.

They have been waiting for this day and it's time Thomas was standing beside Jerry as he was waiting for master Iverson to show up. His stomach filled with a mixture of dead and wonder.

"I can't believe it's finally here, what if I can fly? Or turn into stone?, mate, I've got a feeling today's going to be mental." Jerry said while adjusting his collar.

Thomas chuckled faintly. "I just hope I don't get anything at all." He said.

"You will, we all do. That's the prophecy, right?" Jerry replied.

Suddenly, Thomas heard his name at the back.

"Thomas!"

He turned and saw Allison, the elemental warrior. She was radiant, standing tall in her black battle jacket, hair ties behind her, and a calm expression on her face. But today, she looked at him not like a warrior but like someone who knew him.

He stepped forward nervously. "You called me?" Thomas said.

Allison was smiling and was holding a necklace, it looked old and silver with a black stone at the center along with a chain. "Your mother asked me to give you this." She said.

Thomas took the necklace and turned it over in his hands. It was heavier and it looked cold to the touch and the markings pulsed faintly as thigh alive.

"What is this? And...How do you know my mum?" Thomas asked.

"I know you, Thomas. And I know why you're here." Her tone was gentle but sure “you’re here for your brother." She said,

Thomas raised his brows.

"What? What brother? I don't have a brother." He said.

"You do, your parents must've tried to keep you for the truth. From the world you were born into." Allison said, her voice now.

Thomas stepped forward. "What truth?"

She was already leaving as she went to the front where master Iverson and Mike are.

Thomas stood there confusedly as he held the necklace tightly.

"What was that about?" Jerry asked, noticing his pale face.

Thomas didn't answer. Jerry leaned closer "I think she likes you." He said.

But thanks I wasn't laughing. Not today.

The noise stood as master Iverson stepped forward, flanked by Mike and Allison.

The great hall fell into silence. "Let us begin" master Iverson said.

"The power has already been passed down to you, in silence, in sleep. What we do now ..is to awaken it." He said.

The torches dimmed. And the breeze began to blow massively.

"Close your eyes and breathe deeply, feel the air around you. The earth beneath. The fire in your blood. The water in your veins. Open yourself to the universe mm for the gift you were promised is already within you." Master said.

The hall light dimmed further, and the room filled with an ethereal hum and the students followed his guidance. The silence that followed felt as ancient as the portal itself.

A minute passed. Then master Iverson raised his hand.

"It's done." A murmur passed through the crowd.

"Now, you'll step forward, one by one and show us what you've been given." Master Iverson said.

The first student stepped out and lifted his arms. His eyes turned gold and crimson vines erupted from the floor, shaking around Hun protectively.

"Nature shaper," someone whispered.

Next, a girl clapped her hand together and became invisible. Another exhaled sharply and froze a stone bench beside her. Another boy a swarm of light blades, spinning around his shoulders.

"Aether blades. Haven't seen that in years," Mike murmured.

One by one, the students came forward, their powers dazzling the hall.

Then came Duke. He came out with a straight face and his hands were in his pocket. Everywhere was silent as he stepped up.

Duke cracked his knuckles and suddenly darkness began to gather against him.

The floor beneath his boots blackened.

Duke stretched his hand forward and sent out a dark energy moving across the floor and knocking a heavy rock to pieces.

"Hmmm, void manipulation" Master Iverson said with worry written all over his face.

"Isn't that your bully?" Jerry whispered.

"Yeah," Thomas said quietly, his throat tight.

Duke turned and locked eyes with Thomas and gave him a dark smile.

Thomas looked away. Next, Jerry was called.

He stepped out and raised his hands. A tiny sphere of light blinked into existence.

"Glow?" A few students giggled.

"Well, it's something!" Jerry said cheerfully as he returned to Thomas's side.

Then...."Thomas Walker." His name rang through the hall.

Thomas stepped forward and he was trying to hide his fear. Thomas raised his hand but nothing. He raised his hand. Still.... nothing.

He tried again but still nothing.

Laughter echoed quietly from the crowd. Some whispered. "Another null.”

"I knew it, this guy is a damn loser, I'm going to make him suffer...he better get ready" Duke said to his guys.

Thomas looked at master Iverson helplessly