Meanwhile, across the Global Cosmic Alliance
***
An ancient coalition formed in the wake of mana's sudden arrival thousands of years ago...
Across its many cities and settlements, the young came of age ready to awaken their talents.
In one modest home, a mother wrapped her arms around her son, eyes shining with quiet pride.
"Go on, Max," she whispered, brushing a hand through his hair. "Whatever talent you awaken, know this, I'm already proud of you."
Max swallowed hard, fists clenched at his sides, fire burning in his chest.
"I know, Mom. I won't let you down."
Elsewhere, in a mansion adorned with family crests and trophies, a massive man loomed over his daughter, voice gruff and demanding.
"Asha. Bring honor to the Greyhound name. Anything less is failure."
Asha met his stare with unflinching confidence. Her chin tilted up, her voice, steel.
"I won't disappoint you, i'll go beyond the family's expectations."
In a crumbling shack tucked deep in an alley, a gaunt boy sat alone, hands trembling.
"I just need a C-Rank... just a C-Rank," he muttered, voice cracking. "For you, Dad... for you, Mom. I can't fail now."
Across the alliance, the same hope stirred in a thousand hearts. The same pressure coiled around a thousand throats.
And the world held its breath.
***
Silvermoon Academy
In a sealed chamber lined with spell-forged crystal and mana-threaded banners, twelve figures watched a monitor displaying the gathered youths.
A man with raven-black hair and icy blue eyes finally broke the silence.
"Think this batch will surprise us? Or are we expecting too much again?"
One of the women; elegant, silver-haired, with eyes like twilight—sighed.
"Does it matter? With rift activity spiking and dungeon zones growing unstable, we need strong awakenings. If this generation falls short… Maelstrom City could become just another ruin."
Her words settled like a stone in the room.
Then, all eyes drifted toward the man seated at the head of the table.
He looked no older than his late twenties, but his aura gave away his true weight. Power clung to him like a second skin.
Dean Cedric. A name whispered across kingdoms. One of the few to have broken past Level 100 and lived to tell the tale.
He smirked, a glint of mischief lighting his eyes.
"What's the point of worrying?" Cedric said, voice casual. "For all we know, we might see an SSS-Rank talent today. Maybe even two."
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
The scoffing came from an elderly man with stark white hair and sharper eyes. Solar Scepter, the Academy's relic in the flesh. Another of the Level 100 elite, but unlike the others, he never let Cedric forget who had been around first.
"Brat," Solar muttered, "you think SSS-Rank talents grow on trees? Last one we saw was a decade ago. If one appears today, I'll eat my walking stick."
Cedric leaned back, grinning.
"Care to bet on that?"
The old man narrowed his eyes.
Cedric held up a hand, ticking off the stakes. "If I'm right, you hand over that S-Rank wine you've been hoarding since the Mana Wars. If I'm wrong, I give you the Void Breaker Sword from the Valley of Death Dungeon."
The room stirred.
"You—! You cheeky bastard," Solar growled. "How the hell do you know about that wine?"
The others sighed in unison.
Just another day at Silvermoon.
***
Silvermoon Academy – Awakening Hall
The chamber pulsed with anticipation.
Hundreds of youths stood packed within its marble halls, the air thick with tension. Above them, sunlight filtered through stained-glass skylights, casting rainbow streaks across the floor.
At the center, a levitating obsidian orb flickered with inner light, the Talent Awakening Orb, ancient, mysterious, and unforgiving.
In the back, away from the noise, Azvoid stood with arms crossed, silent. Watching and listening.
"Did you hear? The Hunter's Association President's daughter is here today."
"She's in our batch! Imagine the talent she'll get..."
"Pfft. I'd kill just to get B-Rank."
"B-Rank? Man, I'd take D-Rank and dance!"
"Keep dreaming, loser. You're not even getting E."
Azvoid let out a soft breath. Same nonsense, different faces. Everyone wanted to be special. Most would leave with nothing but disappointment and a consolation scroll.
Then, silence fell like a hammer.
A woman entered the hall.
She moved like frost, beautiful, cold, and untouchable. Her silver hair glinted under the stained glass. Her black eyes carried the weight of judgment.
"That's one of the senior instructors."
"Gods... she's gorgeous."
"I'd give up ten years of my life if she agreed to marry me... Ahhh, what a goddess."
"Dream on. She wouldn't look at you even if you were the last man alive."
Her voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"SILENCE."
The crowd froze.
"The Awakening Ceremony begins now. When I call your name and number, step forward. No questions and no delays."
Her gaze swept the hall, drilling into hearts and spines alike.
"I hereby declare the commencement of Silvermoon Academy's 100th Talent Awakening."
Azvoid's fingers flexed.
His name hadn't been called yet.
But when it was...
The world would change.