Chapter 4 Pearl

“Sorry about him. He’s a bit slow, you know?” Sola tried to calm the military student down. “You can still be slow and not be a rude bitch,” the angry student said. Yellow energy crept up from his hands to his forearms. “Stand down, Mark.” Rei closed her eyes, combing her white hair. “A slight on us is an attack on the king and the kingdom. He needs to be taught a lesson,” he growled. “They’re both unawakened, you oaf.” Rei opened her eyes, revealing two orbs of glowing red energy. Veins around her eyes bulged out on her skin like an arm muscle being flexed. The energy engulfed her eyes in a solid color, but it was clear that she looked at Mark. “You don’t want to shame your family, do you? What would they and the others think when they hear that you felt threatened by a Level 0 in some village they haven’t even heard about?” Her eyes got brighter. “All you have to fucking do is stand still for a couple of hours. You gain nothing from doing that or doing this,” her voice cold and emotionless. A stark contrast from the heat that her eyes gave off. Mark clicked his tongue. “Just go inside,” he didn’t bother helping Acero back up. Acero quickly went past him with his head down. “Thank you,” Sola bowed to Rei and followed Acero inside. Rei’s eyes went back to normal. She pinched the top of her nose and closed her eyes again. “Do you want to know why they sent us out here?” She sighed. “It’s for us to learn the same lesson. Patience,” she looked at him with stern eyes. “Hah,” he avoided her gaze. “For you to learn how to wait and stay still until instructed otherwise,” she moved her gaze back to the cobbled street. “And for me to learn how to not lash out when a subordinate fails a task,” her voice and her stare were empty. “Thank you for showing me the Hakai Family’s merciful ways,” he scoffed. “Did I stutter?” Her white eyebrows furrowed. Mark didn’t say or do anything else after that. “Did you hear her voice? She was so hot,” Sola swooned. “Are we just going to brush over the fact that I got attacked twice for nothing today? Come on, it hasn’t been two hours since I woke up,” he complained. “Three. I was the first one,” she grinned. “Maybe all this bad luck is happening because you’re about to gain an almighty Concept. You know, take over the world type of power,” she raised her arms. “Aren’t the base Concepts genetic or hereditary? Besides, it only levels up and grows based on the Leveler's wants and needs. It won’t grow past maturity if I get power like that. I don’t think I want to take over the world.” “That theory hasn’t been proven yet. I like to believe in the Destiny Theory, or was it the Foresight Theory? Whichever one says that the Concepts are given based on what your future is,” she rubbed her chin and tried to remember if what she said was correct. “Ugh, I don’t want to discuss this right now. I’ll just believe the genetic one since most people follow that one.” “Well, we are both children of prostitutes. What Concept we get would still be a surprise, whether the theories are correct or not.” In the middle of the tent was a large area made to accommodate several hundred people. The space in the middle was mostly empty, there were more fingers on a human than there were teens lined up for the Awakening process. There were seats on the side, a variety of people from the village, parents, and bored individuals who treated the Awakening process like a show. Above them was a giant hole in the tent. Using the light from the sun, it formed a natural spotlight that highlighted the people involved. The Awakening stone was in the middle of it all, guarded by two Awakeners. It was impossible to tell what they looked like under the several layers of fabric they wore. A pair of goggles with dark-tinted lenses even covered their eyes. The stone itself was a rare and valuable asset to any faction. Though a person could awaken their Concept once they reach the age of 15, it could take months or even years to do it naturally. Awakening it with the stone was a great boost for a faction as their people would have access to their Concepts and develop them much sooner than a faction that doesn’t have one. The Whelm Kingdom had created a group dedicated to this Awakening process. Because there are chances for a child to go rogue with their new powers, the Awakeners had to be equipped and trained to assist them through it. Some Awakeners also have Concepts that are related to the mind, they’re the ones responsible to operate and maintain the stone. It was quite an expensive operation because of everyone involved. For the people residing in Timik Village, it was a miracle for them to have this opportunity once a year. Though most of the Levelers produced in the village are usually related to farming and other trades. Concepts that were suitable for combat were rare in those parts. Even the offspring of retired fighters usually get sent to bigger towns or cities before they turn 15, as they wouldn’t get any experience if they stayed. The teens lined up in the middle, with Acero being the last one in line. After waiting for 30 minutes, no one else showed up. The Awakeners started the process and powered up the stone. On top of a red cushion with golden tassels was the stone itself. Circular and white, when they powered it up, it shone ever so slightly. It looked like a giant pearl, making it look more expensive than magical. Most had seen the process multiple times, with it being the only exciting thing that happened in the town for the whole year. The teens would touch the stone, and it would give them a taste of several ideas, nothing too detailed to fry their brains. This would trigger their Concept and push it to the next Level. After that, the teen would accidentally use their new powers, which would determine what kind they got. Acero was about to tell a joke to Sola, but he withdrew after seeing the look on her face. She almost looked sad, almost the saddest he had ever seen her. “Now, we shall start the Awakening process,” the leader of the Awakeners said. It was safe to assume that they were the leader because of the different color palette his robes had. “Come, child. It is now time for you to join the world of the Levelers and serve the kingdom.” The girl was nervous to be first. She was one of the cattle farmer’s many kids. They took her hand and guided her to the stone. With great hesitation, she slowly tried to touch the stone. A bright flash flooded the entire tent for less than a second. Then, it was over. She stood there confused, for her, it didn’t feel like anything. Looking at the Awakeners for an explanation, they simply pointed at the ground. A single flower bloomed from under her. Everyone in the tent clapped. “Next!” Shouted the Awakener. It was a boy this time, almost as tall as Acero and Sola. He was bulkier than both of them combined, though. He was the son of a miner. They didn’t live in the village, but they were still citizens of the Whelm Kingdom and had the right to use the Awakening stone. After touching the stone, the same thing happened. He crouched down and inserted his hands into the ground with the flower on top of it. Almost the size of a small boulder, he lifted a good chunk of dirt and stone above his head. Some worms stuck out and wiggled. A wave of “Ooos” and “Ahhs, came from the crowd. He smiled and returned it to its original spot like nothing had happened. “Figures,” he said. The Awakening process continued. There were three more plant-based Levelers and one that was able to communicate with animals. “Next! Two more left,” the head Awakener announced. It was Sola’s turn; she stared at the ground and spaced out. Acero smacked the back of her head lightly. “Hey, hurry up. I want to go back home and sleep,” he whispered to her. “Oh, sorry,” she briskly walked towards the stone.