Thud.
Two sloshing buckets hit the ground, narrowly missing Ben's feet as he stumbled forward, arms limp, legs jelly. His face glistened with sweat, shirt stuck to his back like a wet rag clinging to dignity.
"That's… the fourth run today…" he wheezed, dramatically collapsing backward onto his favorite spot—a hay pile so soft it had its own emotional support value.
For a brief, glorious second, all he knew was peace.
"This is it," he muttered, staring at the clouds above. "The salted fish has returned to the sea…"
He could already feel his spirit leaving his body and drifting toward nap nirvana.
"BEN!"
Ben's eyes snapped open. Oh no.
"Ben, come on! It's time! The Spirit Awakening Ceremony's about to start at the plaza!" Grandpa Jack's voice rang with that particular cheeriness that only old people or villains had before ruining your day.
Ben groaned. "Can't I just awaken it in my sleep? Like… lucid dreaming?"
"Don't make me drag you by the ear like last time!"
That got him moving.
Fifteen minutes later, a still-wobbly Ben joined the bustling crowd at the Holy Spirit Village's city plaza. Banners fluttered in the wind, and kids were buzzing with excitement—or fear. Most were just six years old like him, their faces a mix of hope and nervous anticipation. Parents hovered nearby, whispering blessings or warnings, and a few older kids were already showing off wooden swords in preemptive celebration.
Ben eyed them from the back of the line.
Awakening day, he thought. Right. This is where the plot kicks off, huh?
Not that he remembered the plot clearly—his meta knowledge was more Swiss cheese than script. All he vaguely recalled was that spirit power levels mattered, Martial Souls decided your future, and people could summon things out of nowhere like Grandpa Jack did that one time with a potato.
The plaza's focal point was a circular stone platform with shallow stairs, upon which stood a lean, young man in a light blue robe edged with white. His hair was short and neat, and his aura gave off a "young intern trying to act like the boss" kind of vibe.
Su Yuntao, Ben recognized, the name suddenly jogging into place. According to Grandpa Jack, he was a Spirit Hall envoy—still young, just nineteen, and only rank 24, but officially trained and qualified to perform awakenings. His job was to travel to small villages and see which kids were worth reporting back to the Hall.
"Line up properly!" Su Yuntao barked, mostly at the kids bouncing in place or trying to climb onto the platform too early. "One at a time. We begin shortly."
Ben sighed. His legs ached, arms still numb from hauling spring water, and the hay pile back home was calling his name in a sultry whisper. I could be napping…
Still, as he stepped in line behind a short kid who smelled vaguely of cabbage, he felt a twinge of excitement.
This was it—the first real turning point in his new life.
And when he looked down at the Evoltruster still dangling from his neck—its tiny core warm against his skin—he couldn't help but wonder…
What the hell is gonna come out of me?
Ben yawned, standing in line with a dozen squirming kids, some picking their noses and others whispering nervously about what kind of Martial Soul they might awaken.
He, however, was more concerned with keeping his knees locked. After four rounds of hauling water, his legs felt like boiled noodles. He was a salted fish, after all—a salted fish who did cardio.
At the front of the small stage built in the center of the plaza stood Su Yuntao, arms crossed and eyes stern behind youthful pride. A few villagers, including Grandpa Jack, stood off to the side, watching quietly, each hoping someone—anyone—would awaken something impressive for once.
Su Yuntao cleared his throat.
"Ahem! I am Su Yuntao, a Spirit Master from Spirit Hall. I am here to perform your Spirit Awakening Ceremony."
The murmuring kids settled down, a hush falling over the plaza.
"Before we begin, I'll demonstrate what a Spirit Master is."
He stepped forward and raised his right hand. His expression sharpened with focus.
"Lone Wolf—awaken!"
With a low rumble of energy, a glow enveloped his body, swirling green and blue lights dancing along his limbs. A ghostly silver wolf head shimmered into being behind him, its fangs bared and eyes fierce. Around his feet, **two spirit rings appeared—one white, one yellow—**circling like celestial halos.
Most of the kids gasped. Ben blinked.
Cool.
"This is my Martial Soul: Lone Wolf," Su Yuntao announced. "I have attained Spirit Master rank, which means I've absorbed two spirit rings. Most people don't awaken anything useful—but should you awaken a Martial Soul and possess innate spirit power, you too may one day cultivate and grow stronger."
Ben nodded slowly. Okay, that checks out. So it's Pokémon rules but for spirits. Got it.
With practiced movements, Su Yuntao brought out a small wooden chest and opened it. Inside were six black stones, each etched with silver runes. He carefully placed them on the platform in a hexagonal formation, forming the Spirit Awakening Array.
Once done, he stepped back and gestured to the crowd of kids.
"Step into the circle one at a time. Place your hand on the Spirit Awakening Crystal."
The first child—a girl with missing front teeth—stepped forward timidly. Su Yuntao activated the array with a flick of spirit power. The crystal pulsed faintly as she reached for it.
Poof. A sickle appeared in her hand. Su Yuntao gave a neutral nod. "A farming tool. No innate spirit power."
The girl slumped and walked away.
One by one, the children stepped up. Some got random tools, others small animals. One lucky boy got a small flame bird and was revealed to have innate level 2 spirit power. The crowd murmured in excitement.
He stood in the center of the circle. The black stones faintly pulsed with spirit energy. The Spirit Awakening Crystal glowed as he placed his palm against it.
For a moment… nothing.
Then—BOOM.
A deep hum resonated across the array as a pulse of red light erupted from Ben's chest.
The crowd gasped. Su Yuntao's eyes widened.
From his chest emerged a gleaming red core—not just a vague shape, but a perfectly cut arrowhead-shaped crystal, glowing like molten fire. Metallic bracers unfolded around his forearms with fin-like protrusions curling back from his wrists, like living armor forged from light.
It wasn't a beast… nor a tool… nor a plant.
It was a Martial Soul no one had ever seen before.
Ben blinked at the crystal in his chest. "Well that's… not a spoon."