The Imperial capital of Azure Dragon was never so vibrant.
Nobles and common folk all flocked to the Heavenly Awakening Square.
It was the annual ceremony for awakening the talent for today.
All children aged 10+ would be assessed for their potential.
It was here that a person’s destiny was determined.
Every family could change their destiny if a top hand arrived in their hands.
There’s a legendary talent that could come along and shake an entire empire.
A large crystal pillar was located in the center of the square.
A large crystal pillar was situated in the middle of the square.
The Heavenly Origin Crystal was the name given to the stone.
It’s an old artifact made by the first emperor of the Azure Dragon Empire.
It could measure:
Cultivation talent
Bloodline strength
Elemental affinity
Special abilities
In all the participants one girl has attracted the most attention.
There was a young girl in a white dress next to the imperial children.
Her hair was silver and her eyes were bright blue.
Evelyn Ashbourne.
The youngest daughter of Duke Arthur Ashbourne and Lady Elena Moonveil.
The Ninth Princess of the empire stood next to her.
Princess Aria Drakon.
The two girls were very close friends.
“Are you nervous?” Aria asked.
Evelyn shook her head.
My brother said that I should not be concerned.
“Which brother?”
Evelyn smiled proudly.
“Andrew.”
Aria was turning her head.
“A cripple little prince?”
Her words left her feeling immediately embarrassed.
Evelyn’s face grew cold.
My brother is NOT a cripple.
Aria lowered her head to a new level.
“Sorry.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Everyone misunderstands him.”
He was standing next to his clone.
He was standing by his clone.
He was not known to anybody.
After all, the well-known crippled young master seldom came out.
“She has changed.”
Andrew smiled.
His small younger sister had grown.
The ceremony began.
Children took turns standing up.
“C-grade fire talent!”
“B-grade warrior talent!”
“A-grade Wind Mage talent!”
The crowd cheered.
Next, a noble child came on the platform.
The crystal was very bright.
“Congratulations!”
“SS-grade lightning warrior talent!
The entire square went bonkers.
Earning an SS-grade talent was very uncommon.
The parents of the child were right in the center of attention.
Then…
“Evelyn Ashbourne.”
The entire square became silent.
Everyone watched.
She calmly walked forward.
The instant her hand came to rest on the crystal—
BOOM!
There was a horrifying energy that spewed.
The sky changed.
There were an infinite number of ice crystals above the square.
A beam of golden light came out of the crystal pillar.
The examiner’s vocal chords shook.
“Impossible…”
“The Moonveil Bloodline…”
That’s the legendary awakening of Ice Phoenix!
The crystal displayed the following:
Talent: SS+
Bloodline: Ancient Ice Phoenix
Class Potential: Sword Saint / Healer Saint – Description
Silence.
Absolute silence.
After that, the entire square erupted!
“Oh, another genius from the House of Ashbourne!”
The Moonveil family really lives up to its reputation!
The royal family was surprised even.
Princess Aria evinced a proud smile.
I knew Evelyn was great.
Andrew was smiley, hidden amongst the crowds.
My little sister’s performance wasn’t bad.
Next to him there was a clone who suddenly spoke.
“There’s an issue.”
Andrew’s expression changed.
“What?”
“Someone tried to obstruct the awakening crystal.”
Andrew turned his face towards the people.
The killing intent that had been present for just a moment vanished.
“Interesting.”
One wanted Evelyn’s talent to be awakened to fail.
The competition to be the heir had already started.
That night…
In the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Alexander Drakon looked at the report.
An ice phoenix blooded…
He smiled.
The Ashbournes are still great surprises.
Next to him, the concealed past emperor Roland suddenly opened his eyes.
“Wait.”
Alexander looked confused.
“What happened?”
Roland frowned.
“The boy.”
“Which boy?”
“The guy with Evelyn.”
Alexander did a search of the image.
A young man wearing simple clothing.
“Andrew Ashbourne?”
“The cripple?”
Roland shook his head.
“No.”
I feel that I should go with my gut feeling.
That boy is not to be trusted.