Void Devouring System

The clamor of 50,000 people sounded more like a landslide than a celebration.

Kael Ashworth adjusted his collar, his fingers quivering just enough to irritate. He waited in the VIP waiting area of the Neo-Veridia Stadium, the air conditioning blasting frigid air that did nothing to relieve the sweat on his neck.

"Breathe," a kind voice said.

Kael looked down. Luna sat in her wheelchair, her skin pale enough to reveal the blue veins underneath. She gave him a faint grin while clutching a handkerchief splashed with crimson.

"I am breathing," Kael replied, attempting a grin. "It's the rest of the world that's holding its breath."

"They're just loud," Luna said. She reached out with her chilly fingers, gripping his hand. "No matter what happens out there, Kael... you're still my hero. You know that, right?"

Kael tightened his hold. "I know. But heroes need power, Luna. If I don't awaken an A-rank ability at minimum, Father won't pay for the next round of your treatment."

"He's our father," she continued, her voice lacking confidence. "He wouldn't let me—"

"He's a businessman," Kael interrupted, his voice lowering to a hoarse whisper. "And right now, we're bad investments."

The heavy velvet curtains on their left swung open. Light invaded the dim waiting room, followed by a man who appeared to absorb the light rather than reflect it.

Darius Ashworth. The Golden Heir.

He strode with the casual swagger of someone who had awakened an S-rank solar ability two years prior. He donned a suit worth more than Kael's entire life allowance.

"Touching," Darius said, halting a few feet away. He gazed at Luna with pity and annoyance, as if he were looking at a broken vase. "Saying your goodbyes?"

Kael stepped between Darius and the wheelchair. "What do you want, Darius?"

"Just checking on the family runt." Darius smirked, checking his watch. "You're up in two minutes. The whole world is watching. Try not to trip on your way to the stone. It would be... embarrassing for the brand."

"I'll be fine," Kael said, his voice firm.

Darius leaned in, his voice lowering. "Let's be real, Kael. You've been sickly since birth. You have zero mana sensitivity. The only reason Father let you participate is because the media demanded to see all the Ashworth children. You're a PR stunt."

"Get out," Kael demanded.

Darius laughed, making a sharp barking sound. "Good luck, little brother. Try not to cry when the stone stays gray."

He turned and stormed out, the drapes billowing behind him.

Kael's jaw tightened, and his teeth ached. He looked back at Luna. She coughed into her handkerchief again, her little body trembling.

"Kael Ashworth!" The announcer's magnified voice echoed through the walls, rocking the flooring. "Please proceed to the Ascension Platform!"

Nothing occurred. The stone remained dull and milky white.

A murmur spread through the gathering.

"Focus, boy," Elder Chen snarled, moving closer. "Push your mana."

"I am," Kael growled, pressing his eyes close. He drove every ounce of his frustration, anxiety, and desire into the stone. Give me something. Anything. Even an e-rank. Simply don't be nothing.

Twenty seconds.

The murmurs developed into distinct voices. "Is it broken?" "He's a dud." "Look at him sweating."

30 seconds.

Kael experienced a strong pain in his chest. The stone didn't accept him. It seemed like it was... resisting. It's like pressing two magnets together the wrong way.

"It's not working," Elder Chen said, reaching out to pull Kael away. "Time is up. Zero compat—"

CRACK.

The sound was like a gunshot increased tenfold.

Elder Chen jumped back.

Kael did not move. He could not. His hand was adhered to the stone.

The milky white surface started to darken. It did not glow; it decayed. A spiderweb of inky black fissures spread from Kael's fingertips and raced across the monolith's surface. The soothing hum transformed into a shrieking discord, like metal crushing against bone.

"What did you do?" Elder Chen demanded, terror shattering his calm façade.

"I can't... let go!" Kael said. He pulled, but his hand became bonded to the surface. He felt a dreadful, profound cold flow up his arm.

The dark cracks deepened. Smoke, thick and greasy, began to pour from the cracks.

SNAP.

A big portion of the Celestial Awakening Stone broke off and landed on the stage floor. Then another. The holy artifact, which had stood for a century, was deteriorating.

The stadium erupted. Screams. Boos. Confusion.

The force freed Kael. He was propelled backward and landed hard on his back. He crawled up, panting for breath.

The stone had died. It sat in a mass of gray debris, its beautiful light dimmed.

Elder Chen looked at the rubble, his face pallid. He glanced at Kael in complete terror. Then he grabbed the mic.

"Corrupted Awakening!" Chen's voice broke. "Zero compatibility! The subject has... rejected the gift! The stone is destroyed!"

The boos became thunderous now. Trash was hurled from the lower stands.

"Failure!"

"You broke it!"

"Ashworth trash!"

Kael stood alone on the big platform, his heart pounding against his ribcage. He gazed up to the VIP box.

Victor Ashworth stood up. He did not appear angry. He stared at Kael with pure, freezing disinterest. Then he turned away and walked out of the box.

Stepmother followed.

Darius remained. He moved to the glass barrier and looked down at Kael. Even at this distance, Kael could see the smile. He raised his wine glass in faux toast before turning and leaving.

"Security!" Elder Chen demanded. "Get this... thing off the stage!"

Two big guards dressed in combat gear hurried up the ramp. They did not treat him as a noble scion. One grabbed Kael's arm and yanked him hard enough to leave a bruise.

"Move it, kid," the guard demanded.

Kael stumbled back to the pile of wreckage. He felt hollowed-out.

He had not merely failed. He had become a disaster.

And in the stillness of his own head, he knew one thing for certain.

Luna had died.