As headmaster Menarius took his place behind his lectern, the teachers took their positions, the students are in their seats, awaiting with bated breath.
“Its the time of the year.
This Ceremony, also known as The Eclipse of the Self, dates back to our first founding.
Nay, even during the time of the primordial elements of the first age.
Initially, when a teen in the fire nation goes through this ceremony, the talent awaken is mostly related to the fire aspect.
Some mutations may occur but generally it is within that boundary.
As time went on by, we of the dark faction collated many races from each of the elements and even our own races, each with their own talents.
This mix caused talents to change.
Various kinds of unknown magic has been seen these years.
This ceremony is not just about awakening your specific talent.
It opens up the body to the concept of magic.
Bodies before the age of 18 simply cannot handle the stress of magic in it.
When you were kids, you hoped to be able to use magic someday, some asking your parents to teach you but you all get turned down.
Racial abilities are the only exception to that.
Your bloodline already contained those powers and hence, you are able to do so.
For example, the transformation of the werebeasts like Prince Jyggawulf, or flight powers like those of the winged races.
With this awakening, there may be a chance that your body cannot handle the powers and implode.
Though, we have seen very rare cases of it.
However, if they can, the next part is to see what kind of talent you awaken.
Options will be offered to you.
Some of you may be drafted into the army, into statecraft, the rest will remain behind and learn basic magics.
For those drafted, do not worry, you will also get to learn while on the job.
Its faster, more practical ,albeit more risky way.
I wish you all the best.” He then stepped down and took his seat.
Another teacher came out, and started calling the first name.
The student went into the backroom.
After a few mins, even through closed doors, a light shone through the gaps in the door.
After that, the student came out, cheering, while the teacher outside calmed him down and ushered him out of the hall and into another room.
We head back to Prince Kenius and his friends, Reginald and Jayzee.
Prince Kenius: “What do you think you will awaken as your talent?” Reginald, with gusto, said: “My family line has always been blessed with offensive magic.
So, I expect the same.
My dad has rank 6 earthen magic, my mum has rank 5 fiery magic.
Its not like pure elemental magic like fire and earth, but it has given rise to Lava flow magic in my brother, and Carbonization magic in my sister.
I think it will be related to your family magical history.
Like genes.
Also, it may not be from parents but from your whole lineage.
Basically, its a lottery system.
The rank is the strength of that magic, but that can be trained and will increase.” Jayzee: “My family has a mix of offensive, defensive, tactical, strategic magic.
Its really like a melting pot.
I am just hoping for something de-decent will do.” Prince Kenius then thought.
His father, Prince John, has Rank 8 corruption magic of the dark aspect, while he is not sure of his mother’s magic, who has passed away.
As time passed, more and more students were done with their ceremony.
Some came out, unable to hide their joy, getting a good talent.
Some heaved a sigh of relief, at least getting a decent talent.
Then we saw it, our first person who came out dejected.
Reginald: “I wonder what kind of talent this person got for him to look so down?” At this moment, a familiar voice behind them spoke: “It could be the case of a dud.
Some families experiment with their bloodline thinking it will create more powerful magics, but it dilutes the essence of the magic and come up with something useless.
I have heard of people getting talents like axe chopping, or gardening.” The three of them turned their heads around.
“LEO!” Three of them exclaimed.
“You are here.
How are you feeling?” Leo, who was sitting behind them, just arrived from the hospital wing.
However, the right side of his face, along with his eye, is bandaged.
“I am fine.
A few more and then its our turn.” Leo replied.
“I am a little tired though.” Reginald spoke: “Yeah, I have no idea why they need to do this at night.” Leo spoke: “You must not have listened in class.
The conditions need to be right.
We are the dark faction after all.
It cannot be when its raining, the sun is strongest, etc.
It will affect or rather skew the results towards a particular element as its presence is the strongest.
Today, we are considered quite lucky.
A blood moon.
A true manifestation of darkness.
Of course, the teachers should have set up items to help boost the chances of getting a dark-aligned talent.
Can you imagine if someone awaken a holy talent in the dark faction.
What a scandal that will be.” As soon as Leo finished, the teacher called out the next student.
“Prince Jyggawulf.
Please head up.” The arrogant prince stood up and walked.
As he walked, he passes Prince Kenius and gang, gave a smirk and headed forward.
The teacher ushered him into the room.
“What kind of talent you think he will awaken?” Prince Kenius asked.
“Something beast related.
Their bloodline is so strong and pure in that sense.
Something like blood frenzy magic, or heightened senses magic.
In the war with the other elements, his father, Prince Ryggatigris, has a speed enhancing talent that make him super fast in the battlefield.
However, it made him super fast when he ran away as well.” The light shone through the door and a few minutes later, Prince Jyggawulf is out.
He walked out triumphantly, cheering and beating his chest.
His entourage cheered as the teacher ushered him out.
Next, it was Reginald’s turn.
“Good luck guys, we are going to need it.” He went off into the room.
After a while, he came out smiling.
He should have gotten what he wanted.
Similarly, Jayzee went in and came out looking relieved.
Leo was summoned next, and he came out looking good as well.
He signaled a thumbs up to Prince Kenius and walked out.
There were barely less than 30 students left in the hall.
Most of them has awakened and gone on to the next phase.
A teacher came out and say: “Prince Kenius.
Please come up.” Prince Kenius stood up and walked forward, sword in his hip.
Before he went in, he saw headmaster Mensarius in his seat.
Mensarius gave him a nod and the teacher ushered him in.
As the prince walked through the door, he was greeted by 4 more teachers inside.
A rock on a pedestal in the center.
A window showing the brightness of the blood moon shone into the room.
One of the teacher spoke.
“Please step forward, Your Highness.
Place one hand on the stone and concentrate.” The prince did as he was told.
His right hand touched the stone.
He closed his eyes and concentrate.
The 4 teachers lifted their hands and started chanting.
Magical circles started activating.
The stone in the center glowed.
The prince started to concentrate, in his subconsciousness, awaken to see pitch darkness.
“What is this sorcery?!” As he spoke, a black phantasmal force appeared in front of him.
“You….
Are you worthy?
Of the power that will be placed in you?” “What do you mean worthy?!
Its my power.
Just give me and be done with it!” The black phantasmal force floated up, chuckling with menacing laughter all the way.
“You think you can contain me?” it spoke, as a claw is raised into the air, threatening to swing down at any moment.
“Do not think you can taunt me and suffer no consequences!
I am Prince Kenius of the Human Race of the Dark Faction.
You will bind to me this instant!” And he pulled his sword out and slash towards the claw, both materials locked in a clash.
“Let…Darkness…CONSUME YOU” The black phantasmal force open its jaws wide and bites down hard into the prince.
In the real world, sweat begins to form, veins started to bulge.
The prince was in pain, and it was highly unlikely in this ceremony.
The teachers looked at each other with discomfort, could he be imploding?
Next thing, a blood vessel in the right hand burst.
Blood spewed out for the wound, along with black mana vapors.
The prince started to scream out in pain, eyes rolled back and blood started to drip from his tear ducts.
“STOP THE RITUAL NOW!” As the teachers stop their magic, the stone at the pedestal shattered into many tiny fragments.
Prince Kenius fell on a knee.
Back in his subconsciousness, Prince Kenius, though bitten by this force, was using the sword and his limbs to hold the maw open.
He stabbed the roof of the mouth with his blade and the creature writhe in pain.
It opened its mouth and released the Prince.
“Pain, I have not felt that in a long time.” “I will dwell in you and see if you are truly worthy of my powers” The black phantasm flew back and Prince Kenius saw it.
A giant silhouette of a bat, flapping its wings.
It then flew and pierce through the Prince’s body.
In the real world, the prince is on a knee, with the bleeding arm grasping the floor.
He spat out another pool of blood at the moment of the piercing, and his consciousness is brought back to the real world.
The 4 teachers rushed to him, tending to his wounds with first aid magics.
“I got my talent, tell me what it is” The prince said.
One of the teacher took a board and ask him to hold it and channel his newfound magic in.
The prince held it and channel it.
Black mana flowed into it.
Then, it appeared.
[ Dark Magic – Rank 3] The teachers who saw it were shocked.
The commotion has caused the headmaster and some teachers to rush in to check what is going on.
All of them saw the scene.
Stone fragments, blood, an injured prince surrounded by the teachers.
Then, they saw the board.
Some gasp in shock, some look completely dumbfounded.
The prince looked at his uncle and just went: “I got my talent now hehe” and then passed out.