A month had passed since Ren's first failed Awakening Ceremony. The initial sting of disappointment had faded, replaced by a renewed determination that burned steadily within him. The words Mistress Elara had spoken to him that day echoed in his mind whenever doubt threatened to creep in: "This just means you have to try harder."
And try harder he did. The Public School's eastern courtyard was still shrouded in pre-dawn darkness as Ren moved through a series of stretches, preparing his body for the long day ahead. At fourteen, his frame remained lean but had begun to show the first signs of the strength that would come with maturity and his relentless work ethic.
"You're up early again," came a voice from the dormitory entrance. Tomas stood there, spectacles perched on his nose, a book tucked under one arm. "Don't you ever sleep?"
Ren smiled, completing his final stretch. "Sleep is for those who've already Awakened their Abilities."
It had become something of a joke between them, though the truth behind it was anything but humorous. The second Awakening attempt would cost significantly more than the first—a deliberate policy by the Awakening Bureau to discourage "frivolous" repeat attempts. For Ren, who had no family to support him, this meant more work, more hours, more sacrifice.
"Master Hiro expects me at the forge by sunrise," Ren explained, gathering his few belongings. "And I've arranged to help unload cargo ships at the harbor this afternoon."
Tomas frowned. "That's dangerous work. The dockmaster doesn't usually hire boys our age."
"He does when they're willing to work for half the usual rate," Ren replied with a shrug. "Besides, I'm stronger than I look."
This was true. Years of survival on Grandia's streets, followed by his time at the Public School where he'd taken on every available job, had hardened him beyond his years. What he lacked in magical talent—so far, at least—he made up for in sheer determination and physical resilience.
"Just be careful," Tomas said, his concern evident. "Remember what Mistress Elara said. Taking care of yourself is part of the preparation too."
Ren nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in his friend's words. After his first failed Awakening, he had driven himself to exhaustion, working every available hour, barely sleeping or eating. It was Mistress Elara who had intervened, explaining that mana responded better to a balanced body and mind. Since then, he had tried to be more measured in his approach, though the urgency of saving enough for his second attempt often pushed him to his limits.
"I'll join you and Eli for dinner tonight," he promised. "And maybe we can review those mana circulation exercises Mistress Elara showed us."
Satisfied with this concession, Tomas nodded. "We'll be in the study hall after the evening meal."
The two parted ways, Tomas heading to the library for some early morning reading, Ren making his way through Grandia's awakening streets toward Master Hiro's forge. The city was coming to life around him—bakers opening their shops, street sweepers beginning their rounds, early risers heading to work. Ren moved through this familiar landscape with purpose, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead.
"The merchant's apprentice will be by at midday. After that, I need you to deliver the repaired cookware to the Golden Swan Inn." Master Hiro said without preamble. Ren coming in early to work was a norm by now.
The morning passed in a rhythm of hammer strikes and the hiss of hot metal in water. Ren lost himself in the work, finding a meditative quality in the repetitive motions. Each nail was small and simple, but required attention—too much force and the metal would split, too little and it wouldn't take shape properly. It was not unlike the mana exercises Mistress Elara had taught him: finding the balance between effort and receptivity.
By midday, Ren had completed the nail order and made three deliveries across Grandia, earning a few extra coppers in tips from satisfied customers. As he returned to the forge, he mentally added these to his growing fund for the second Awakening attempt.
"You've improved," Master Hiro commented, inspecting the nails Ren had produced. "Your hands are steadier."
Coming from the taciturn blacksmith, this was high praise indeed. Ren felt a flush of pride warm his cheeks. "Thank you, Master Hiro."
"Hmm." The blacksmith turned back to his own work, a complex piece of decorative ironwork for one of the city's wealthier merchants. "You're heading to the harbor this afternoon?"
"Yes," Ren confirmed, surprised that Master Hiro knew of his plans. "They're unloading the ships from the Southern Isles today."
Master Hiro's expression darkened slightly. "Rough work. Rough men. Keep your wits about you."
The concern, gruff though it was, touched Ren. "I will."
After completing his duties at the forge, Ren made his way to Grandia's bustling harbor. The docks were a world unto themselves—a chaotic, noisy realm of shouting foremen, cursing sailors, creaking ships, and the constant smell of salt, fish, and sweat. It was dangerous work, especially for someone as young as Ren, but the pay was better than most jobs available to him, and the dockmaster cared more about strong backs than birth certificates.
"You again," the dockmaster, a barrel-chested man with a perpetual scowl, grunted when Ren presented himself. "Thought you'd have given up by now."
"No, sir," Ren replied respectfully.
"Well, you worked hard enough last time. Join Crew Three—they're unloading spices from the Southern Isles. Half-rate for half-sized, same as before."
Ren nodded, accepting the terms without complaint. Half the usual pay was still more than he could earn elsewhere in the same amount of time. He joined the indicated crew, a mix of rough-looking men who eyed him with varying degrees of skepticism and amusement.
"Look what the tide washed in," one of them, a burly man with a scar running down one cheek, commented. "You sure you can lift more than a feather, boy?"
Ren didn't respond to the taunt. Instead, he simply positioned himself at the end of the line and prepared to receive his first load. The work was grueling—hours of lifting heavy sacks and crates, moving them from ship to shore to warehouse, all under the relentless afternoon sun. The spices made his eyes water and his nose itch, but he persisted, matching the pace of men twice his size and age.
By the time the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the harbor, Ren's muscles were screaming in protest. But he had earned his pay, and more importantly, earned a grudging respect from his fellow workers. Even the scarred man who had mocked him earlier gave him a nod of acknowledgment as they lined up to receive their wages.
"Not bad, half-size," he muttered. "You've got more spine than most."
Ren accepted the compliment with a tired smile. "Thank you."
With his earnings carefully tucked away in the hidden pocket Mistress Elara had sewn into his tunic—the harbor was notorious for pickpockets—Ren made his way back to the Public School. Despite his exhaustion, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Another day, another step closer to his goal.
True to his promise, he joined Tomas and Eli in the study hall after quickly washing up and changing into clean clothes. The younger boy greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Ren! Did you fight any pirates at the harbor?" Eli asked, his eyes wide with excitement.
Ren laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. "No pirates today, just a lot of spice sacks and grumpy sailors."
"Boring," Eli declared, though his admiring gaze didn't diminish.
"How was your day?" Ren asked, genuinely interested. Despite his own burdens, he always made time for Eli, who reminded him so much of himself at that age—eager, hopeful, and in need of someone who cared.
As Eli launched into an animated account of his day's adventures—mostly involving a frog he'd found in the school garden and subsequently lost in the kitchens, to the cook's dismay—Ren felt some of his fatigue melt away. This was why he pushed himself so hard, why he endured the aches and exhaustion. Not just for himself, but for moments like these, for the small family he had found here.
After dinner, as promised, they practiced the mana circulation exercises Mistress Elara had taught them. Even without an Awakened Ability, everyone in Lumeria could use basic magic with the help of a wand or staff. Ren had become quite proficient with the simple wooden wand Mistress Elara had given him, able to perform minor cantrips and basic spells that made his various jobs easier.
"Remember," Tomas instructed, demonstrating the proper wand movement for a light-creating spell, "it's not just about the words or the motion. You have to feel the mana flowing through you, directing it with your intention."
Ren nodded, focusing on the sensation of mana—that subtle, almost imperceptible energy that permeated everything. He had always been unusually sensitive to it, according to Mistress Elara. It was one of the reasons she remained convinced he would eventually Awaken an Ability, despite his first failure.
"Like this?" Eli asked, waving his own practice wand with more enthusiasm than precision. A feeble spark sputtered at its tip, then died.
"Almost," Ren encouraged. "Try to feel the mana gathering before you release it. Like taking a deep breath before speaking."
Eli tried again, his face scrunched in concentration. This time, a small but steady light appeared at the wand's tip, illuminating his delighted expression. "I did it!"
"Well done," Ren praised, sharing a smile with Tomas. These small victories, these moments of connection and growth, were precious to him. They reminded him of what was possible with persistence and support.
The weeks passed in this rhythm of work, study, and preparation. Ren continued to divide his time between Master Hiro's forge, the harbor, and occasional shifts in the school kitchen, where he used a staff lent to him by the head cook to perform the magic necessary for his duties. The staff, designed specifically for culinary magic, allowed him to regulate heat, preserve ingredients, and perform other tasks that would otherwise require an Awakened Ability.
Through it all, he maintained his studies and his friendships, heeding Mistress Elara's advice about balance. He still rose before dawn to train his body, still stayed up late studying magical theory, but he also made time for meals with his friends, for helping younger students with their studies, for moments of rest and reflection.
And slowly, steadily, his savings grew. Copper by copper, silver by silver, he approached the sum needed for his second Awakening attempt. The anticipation built within him, a mixture of hope and anxiety that he carefully managed, neither allowing himself to become too confident nor succumbing to the fear of another failure.
Five months after his first attempt, Ren once again stood before the Awakening Crystal, his heart pounding in his chest. The ceremony was less crowded this time, the atmosphere more subdued. Second attempts were common enough, but lacked the excitement and spectacle of the first public ceremony.
The official—a different one from his first attempt, though equally stern and impersonal—instructed him to place his hands on either side of the crystal. "Focus your intent," she said, her tone suggesting she had repeated these words countless times that day. "But do not force."
Ren took a deep breath, centering himself as Mistress Elara had taught him. He could feel the crystal's energy, a pulsing presence that called to something deep within him. Closing his eyes, he focused on that connection, allowing his mana to flow naturally, seeking harmony with the crystal's power.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, gradually, he felt a response—a subtle resonance between his core and the crystal. Opening his eyes, he saw the crystal beginning to glow, its light faint but unmistakable.
Hope surged within him. Was this it? Was he finally Awakening?
But then, just as it had during his first attempt, the light began to fade. The resonance weakened, the connection slipping away despite his efforts to maintain it. Within seconds, the crystal had returned to its dormant state, as if nothing had happened.
"No Awakening detected," the official announced, already making a notation in her ledger. "Next participant."
Ren stepped away from the dais, a familiar disappointment settling over him. But this time, it didn't crush him as it had before. He had been prepared for this possibility, had steeled himself against it. The brief glow of the crystal, though ultimately unsuccessful, confirmed what Mistress Elara had always told him—he had potential. It was just a matter of unlocking it.
Mistress Elara was waiting for him outside the hall, her expression a question. When he shook his head, her face softened with sympathy, but not surprise. "The crystal responded again?" she asked.
"Yes," Ren confirmed. "It glowed for a moment, just like last time."
"I'll try again," he said, his resolve firm.
"I know you will," she replied with a smile that held both pride and concern. "But remember, the fee increases with each attempt. The third will be even more costly than the second."
"Then I'll work harder," Ren said simply. "Save more. Prepare better."
And so he did. The next six months followed a similar pattern, but with even greater intensity. Ren took on additional jobs, ventured into more demanding and sometimes dangerous work. He spent hours in the library, researching everything he could find about Awakening, about mana sensitivity, about the factors that might influence success or failure.
The bullies at the Public School, led by Bran, intensified their taunts after his second failed attempt. "Two-time failure," they called him, or simply "The Untalented." It stung, especially coming from those who had also failed their first Awakenings but, unlike Ren, had parents to support their subsequent attempts. They didn't understand the struggle of earning every copper, of balancing work and study and training, of pursuing a dream with no safety net.
But Ren refused to let their mockery deter him. If anything, it strengthened his resolve. He would prove them wrong, not out of spite, but because he believed in his potential, in the path he had chosen.
By the time he turned fifteen, Ren had saved enough for his third attempt. He was taller now, his frame filling out with the muscle earned through constant physical labor. His face had lost some of its boyish softness, taking on the more defined features of approaching manhood. But his eyes remained the same—determined, focused, alive with a quiet fire that neither failure nor hardship had extinguished.
The third Awakening Ceremony was even less ceremonious than the second. The officials processed him with efficient disinterest, one more hopeful in a long line of those seeking to unlock their magical potential. But as Ren approached the crystal this time, something felt different. The humming resonance he had sensed before was stronger, more defined. It responded to his focus, intensifying as he directed his attention toward it.
Placing his hands on either side of the crystal, Ren closed his eyes and immersed himself in that resonance. He didn't grasp for the Awakening, didn't try to force it. Instead, he simply allowed himself to be fully present with the energy, to become a conduit for its flow.
The crystal began to glow, brighter than it had in his previous attempts. The light was steady, neither intensifying dramatically nor fading away. It was a modest illumination, but persistent, reflecting the determined persistence that had brought Ren to this moment.
And then, with a clarity that took his breath away, he felt it—the Awakening of an Ability. It wasn't dramatic or overwhelming, but a quiet unfurling, like a flower opening to the first light of dawn. He could sense its nature immediately: a gentle pull, drawing in the ambient mana around him, absorbing it into his own core in tiny, almost imperceptible amounts.
The official observed the process with clinical detachment, making notes on his ledger. After several minutes, when it became clear that the Awakening had stabilized, he made his pronouncement: "Ability Awakened: Absorb. Rank: E-class."
E-class. The lowest possible rank. An Ability considered barely worth noting by most standards. Around him, Ren heard murmurs, some sympathetic, others dismissive. "All that effort for an E-class?" someone whispered. "Might as well have no Ability at all."
But Ren barely registered these comments. He was too focused on the sensation of his newly Awakened Ability, the gentle pull of 'Absorb' as it drew in tiny amounts of ambient mana. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was real. It was his.
And more importantly, it was a beginning. An E-class Ability was still an Ability. It meant he was officially a Talented. It meant he could apply to Grandia Academy, could pursue formal training, could take the next step toward his dream.
Mistress Elara was waiting for him outside, as she had been for his previous attempts. But this time, when their eyes met, she knew immediately. Her face broke into a radiant smile, years seeming to fall away from her in her joy. "You did it," she said, embracing him warmly. "I knew you would."
"It's only E-class," Ren felt compelled to point out, though the words couldn't diminish the quiet elation he felt.
"It's an Awakening," she corrected firmly. "The rank is secondary to the other benefits of being a Talented. You will gradually gain better mana control, develop higher mana reserves and your body will gradually become stronger, faster. These will open various possibilities."
She was right, of course. The mere fact of his Awakening, after so many failures, was remarkable, but beyond that, the other benefits of being a Talented regardless of class was the various boosts that it provided in terms of physical strength and magic capability. Of course, having higher class Abilities generally provided better boosts but this was a start. Having Awakened as a Talented, it meant that his chances of Awakening other Abilities were now higher.
The three months following his Awakening were a period of discovery and adjustment. Ren explored the nature of his new Ability, learning its subtleties and limitations. 'Absorb' was exactly what its name suggested—it allowed him to draw in small amounts of ambient mana from his surroundings. The rate was slow, the amount minimal, but it was constant, a steady trickle that gradually added to his own mana reserves.
More significantly, his Awakening brought with it the physical enhancements that all Talented enjoyed. His strength increased dramatically—where before he had been strong for his age due to constant physical labor, now he possessed the strength of three grown men. His senses sharpened, his reflexes quickened, his endurance improved. Even his mana control, already unusually refined for someone his age, became more precise and intuitive.
These changes transformed his work. Tasks that had once left him exhausted now barely winded him. He could use 'Absorb' to replenish his energy during long shifts, drawing in mana to refresh himself and continue working long after others would have collapsed from fatigue. Master Hiro noticed the difference immediately, assigning him more complex tasks at the forge, ones that required both strength and finesse.
"You've changed," the blacksmith observed one afternoon, watching as Ren effortlessly lifted a heavy anvil that would have challenged him just months before. "The Awakening suits you."
"Thank you, Master Hiro," Ren replied, pleased by the rare compliment.
The blacksmith studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "There's something I should tell you," he said finally. "I'm not just a blacksmith. I also teach at Grandia Academy. Swordsmanship."
Ren's surprise must have shown on his face, because Master Hiro's mouth twitched in what might have been amusement. "Didn't expect that, did you? Most don't. I prefer it that way."
"Why are you telling me this now?" Ren asked, curious.
"Because you're Talented now. You could apply to the Academy." Master Hiro's gaze was assessing. "Your Ability isn't suited for direct combat, but that doesn't mean you can't fight. If you decide to take up the sword, find me there. I could use an apprentice with your work ethic."
The offer was unexpected but intriguing. Ren had never considered swordsmanship as a path, but Master Hiro was right—his E-class 'Absorb' offered little in the way of offensive capability. If he wanted to pursue his dream of becoming someone who could protect others, he would need to develop other skills to complement his modest Ability.
"I'll consider it," he promised, genuinely grateful for the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Mistress Elara continued his education, now focusing on the specifics of being Talented. She explained the classification system in detail—how Talented were ranked according to their highest-class Ability, from E (the lowest) to SSS (the highest and rarest).
"Most Talented have between one and three Abilities," she told him during one of their private sessions. "Four or five is exceedingly rare. And while having multiple Abilities is valuable, the class of those Abilities is generally considered more important. A single S-class Ability would place someone higher in the hierarchy than three C-class Abilities."
"And each class represents a significant difference in power?" Ren asked, absorbing this information with his usual focused attention.
"Yes," Mistress Elara confirmed. "The gap between classes is substantial. An A-class Talented would typically be many times more powerful than a B-class, who in turn would far outstrip a C-class. It's not a linear progression but an exponential one."
She went on to explain that a Talented's highest-class Ability also determined the degree of physical enhancement they received. Those with SSS-class Abilities might be ten times stronger than an ordinary person, while E-class Talented like Ren typically received a more modest boost—though still significant compared to the non-Awakened.
"Does this mean I could Awaken additional Abilities?" Ren asked, hope kindling within him. "Perhaps ones of a higher class?"
"It's certainly possible," Mistress Elara replied. "Many Talented undergo multiple Awakenings throughout their lives, especially if they have the resources for repeated attempts. And yes, later Awakenings can be of a higher class than earlier ones."
This possibility gave Ren a new purpose. He redoubled his efforts, working even harder to save money for future Awakening attempts while also preparing for the next phase of his journey: Grandia Academy.
The Academy was the premier institution for Talented individuals in the empire, a place where they could learn to master their Abilities and develop their potential. It was also notoriously elitist, favoring those with high-class Abilities and noble backgrounds. An E-class Talented from a Public School, an orphan with no connections and no family name, would be an anomaly, an outcast.
But the rules of the Academy, though rarely invoked, did allow for applications from any Awakened individual, regardless of rank. And Ren was determined to seize this opportunity, however daunting the challenges ahead might be.
Mistress Elara helped him with the application process, guiding him through the complex forms and requirements. "Your work ethic and character are far more important than the initial rank of your Ability," she assured him as they completed the final documents. "If the admissions committee has any wisdom at all, they will see that."
Three months after his Awakening, Ren received the news he had been hoping for: he had been accepted to Grandia Academy. The letter arrived on a crisp autumn morning, delivered by a courier in the Academy's distinctive blue and silver livery.
Ren accepted the letter with steady hands, though his heart was racing. "Thank you," he said simply, waiting until the courier had departed before breaking the seal.
The acceptance was formal and brief, stating only that he had been granted admission for the upcoming term, with a partial scholarship that would cover half of the tuition fees. The remaining amount was still substantial, but not insurmountable. Between his savings and the continued support of Master Hiro and Mistress Elara, he could manage it.
That evening, as he packed his few belongings in preparation for his departure, Ren felt a complex mixture of emotions. Pride in his achievement. Anxiety about the challenges ahead. Gratitude for those who had supported him. And beneath it all, a quiet, steady determination to make the most of this opportunity, to continue pushing beyond the limitations others would try to impose on him.
His journey was far from over. In many ways, it was just beginning. But as he looked back on the path that had brought him here—from a street orphan scavenging for scraps to a Talented accepted into Grandia Academy—he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had earned this. Through perseverance, through unwavering effort, through refusing to accept failure as final, he had opened a door that many had told him would remain forever closed.
Tomorrow, he would step through that door into a new world, one filled with both promise and peril. But tonight, he would savor this small victory, this faintest spark that he had nurtured through years of darkness. It was not the roaring flame he had dreamed of, not yet. But it was light. It was hope. And for now, that was enough.