The bell rang five times, each toll louder than the last. With every chime, my heart beat a little faster, not from excitement, but from dread. Today was the Awakening Ceremony. Everyone else was thrilled. But I just wanted it to be over.
I walked behind my family as we made our way to the Grand Plaza. They didn't speak to me. My mother led the way, her sapphire-enchanted robe gliding behind her like she floated instead of walking. My brother Kael walked beside her, wearing his crimson mage cloak like a badge of honour. He didn't turn to look at me. He didn't need to. I already knew what he thought.
"Try not to embarrass us more than you already have," Kael muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.
I didn't respond. What was the point? My hand tightened around the hem of my faded tunic. It used to be his. Like everything else I owned.
I was sixteen years old, and today was my final chance to awaken my magic. Everyone else in my family had done it years ago. Kael with fire. Varya with lightning. Even little Sylen had stirred the winds before she turned ten. But me? I was the empty one. The fluke and the disappointment that no one wanted to claim.
We reached the Grand Plaza, which gleamed under the early sun and ancient enchantments. The Awakening Crystal stood tall at the centre, an obelisk of raw mana that pulsed like it was alive. Dozens of families had gathered, all dressed in their finest, eyes sparkling with pride and hope. Parents whispered blessings. Children bounced on their feet, eager to touch the crystal.
I stood still, trying not to shake.
One by one, names were called. The chosen walked forward, touched the crystal, and watched it light up in colours, red for fire, blue for water, green for earth, white for wind, gold for lightning. Each glow brought cheers from the crowd. Every success felt like another nail in the coffin waiting for me.
Then, finally, my name echoed across.
"Arin Thorne. Step forward."
My feet moved, but everything else inside me screamed to turn and run. I climbed the steps toward the crystal. The crowd quieted. I could feel their eyes on me. I could practically hear their thoughts.
That's the Thorne boy? The one who still hasn't awakened? Poor thing. It must be a mistake of bloodline.
I placed my hand on the crystal. It was cool. I closed my eyes and waited.
Nothing happened.
I counted in my head. One. Two. Five. Ten.
Still nothing.
I pressed harder, as if I could force something to happen. I thought about every emotion I had ever bottled up: anger, shame, longing, fear. I thought about my mother's silence, my brother's disgust, my face in the mirror.
The crystal didn't even flicker.
Laughter rippled from the back. Whispers turned sharp.
"Still nothing?"
"Maybe he was adopted."
"House Thorne's shame."
I lowered my hand. My legs moved on their own as I stepped back from the platform.
The Archmage didn't even try to comfort me. He just called the next name.
I looked toward my family. My mother's expression didn't change. She had expected this. She had prepared for it.
"Leave your crest," she said coldly. "You are no longer part of this house."
I stepped back slowly, my hand trembling at my side.
Her expression didn't change. She didn't flinch. It was as if she had already decided what to do with me.
I stared at her. For a moment, I thought I had misheard. "What?"
"You failed," Kael said bluntly. "Again. You have no place in House Thorne."
"You're sending me away, mum?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"Before sundown," she said. "You will be escorted to the Outlands. Do not return."
My breath caught in my chest. "But—"
"There is no 'but,'" she said. "You are not one of us. And you never were."
Kael didn't look smug. He didn't even look angry. He looked bored. As if this entire scene was just another chore in his schedule. Varya and Sylen—my sisters—stood further back. Neither of them looked at me.
None of them said goodbye.
A guard stepped beside me. "You're being taken to the Outlands. You leave now."
I didn't argue. I didn't beg. I just let them take me.
They rode for hours before they stopped at the edge of a thick, ancient forest. The trees here looked older than anything I had ever seen. Gnarled roots twisted out of the ground. The air felt heavier, like it didn't want me there.
"This is as far as we go," one guard said. "There's an old hunter's hut somewhere down that trail. Or what's left of it."
He tossed me a satchel. Inside was a piece of bread, a half-empty canteen, and a worn wool blanket.
Then they turned their horses around and left.
Just like that, I was alone.
The forest swallowed the light as I walked. Every branch creaked like it was watching me. I followed what looked like a path, though it was barely more than broken leaves and claw marks.
My legs ached, and my stomach growled. The satchel felt too light, and the sky was already darkening.
I found the hut just as the sun slipped behind the trees. It was worse than I expected, half-collapsed, the door hanging off its hinges, moss crawling up the walls like it wanted to finish the job.
Still, it was shelter. I dropped my bag, stepped inside, and collapsed onto the floor.
I didn't even have the strength to cry.
Then I heard a sound.
A branch snapped outside.
I sat up.
Another crack. Closer this time.
I reached for the nearest thing that looked sharp—a broken plank of wood—and inched toward the doorway.
The trees rustled.
I stepped outside, my heart pounding, and that's when I saw it.
A lizard.
Not the kind that sunbathed on rocks.
This one was the size of a horse. Its scales shimmered with a sickly green hue, its eyes gleamed yellow in the dark, and saliva dripped from its jagged mouth. Its tongue flicked toward me like it had already picked me as its meal.
I didn't scream. I couldn't. My throat locked up.
The lizard hissed and lunged.
I swung the plank wildly. It shattered against the thing's shoulder like dry bark.
Its claws slashed the air inches from my chest.
I fell backwards. My hands scrambled across the dirt. I thought that was it.
And then everything went white.
A voice echoed in my mind.
[System Detected. Life Energy Compatible. Initializing…]
[Welcome, Host. The Life System has been successfully bonded.]
My vision returned in a rush of green light. The lizard stood frozen mid-pounce, glowing faintly. Not from some external force, but from within. I could see its heartbeat. I could feel its breath. I sensed every pulse of life inside its massive body.
I scrambled away, panting, my hands shaking. "What… what is this?"
[Congratulations. You have awakened your Life Affinity.]
[Skill Acquired: Pulse Sense – You can now perceive the life energy of living beings.]
[Skill Acquired: Vital Thread – Establish basic energy links with flora or fauna.]
[Survival Tip #1: Screaming less improves survival rate.]