Rise Of The Lesser-Blood

The Grand halls of Blackspear Academy were filled with a lot of people, and one of those people was Thomas. He had no last name, that privilege belonged to the High-bloods. Those of lesser-blood like himself were treated less than people. But today it did not matter whether he was lesser-blood or not all that mattered was his luck, It was his luck that was going to determine his place in the world.

For a lesser-blood like him to awaken a good talent meant being able to live comfortably and gaining a spot in the outskirts of the Holy city until the day he died, everybody wanted to live a comfortable live that is why High-bloods ruled with an iron fist. The rules and doctrines were set in a way that the lesser-bloods like him would stay disadvantaged no matter what although they were very few lesser-bloods who were so powerful that the rules set by the High-bloods were nothing to them

Looking at the rare scenery where lesser and High-blood actually mixed Tom wondered if such a sight would one day become a common thing. But then he knew that it was not possible not now at least, he could only focus on himself and start worrying about his own future.

If he received a bad talent his life would be over, he was going to be stuck in his small village until he died and that was a cruel and terrible fate. His parents and both of his older siblings failed to awaken good talents so he was the only one left in his family that could still turn things around for them.

”The Awakening Ceremony will start 5 minutes, everyone should be seated by then!”

Hearing that he quickly made his way to the Crimson arena which was located at the top of the academy tower. He arrived and quickly took a seat among the many other applicants who had came to awaken their talents and get the opportunity to attend Blackspear academy.

At the centre of the arena was a giant crystal that protruded out of the ground, rumour said that the academy was built around the crystal and that it was rooted deep underground. No one knew the crystal’s origins, all that was known was that it awakened the dormant mana within one’s soul thus helping them unlock their talent.

Talents were divided into three categories, Combat, Utility and support and the grade of said talent was going to determine whether he was going to remain in the village or earn a place in the outskirts of the Holy city and attend Blackspear academy.

The noise in the arena died down in an instant, the atmosphere turned heavy and the sky darkened. Unanimously everybody raise their heads. Up above the arena a woman wearing ebony plate armour with an emerald cloak dancing in the wind, slowly descending from the sky. He could not make out her face since it was always hidden behind a helm but he knew who she was, it was the The Midnight Valkyrie, Cecilia Of House Carter. She was a year older than him, with a special grade talent one of the very few in the entire world. No one outside of academy students and high ranking High-bloods knew what she looked like.

She descended down the arena like a goddess under the gaze of mortals, landing softly on the ground she stood with he back facing the crystal. For a few seconds, the arena was silent. No one breathed. No one moved.

Then-

Cheers erupted. Raw, loud, deafening.

The heaviness in the atmosphere lifted. The darkness receded and light returned to the sky. The atmosphere was normal again as if nothing had happened. And amidst their cheers no one noticed the four other people who appeared next to Cecilia.

The first was a bald young man with markings all over his face and deep blue eyes wearing taoist robes, prayer beads hung loose from his wrist. He was the infamous monk Drunken Fist, Edward of house Pandora.

Next to him stood a knight, in heavy and scarred armour. His great helm was tucked under one arm, revealing a face that was all hard line. With eyes the color of ebony, he was the infamous Knight In scarred Armour, Bron Of House Payne.

The third was unlike the others , he wore a long, dark trench coat, it’s collar pulled high. A mana rifle was strapped across his back its barrel etched with glowing crimson runes. His face was hidden behind a devil mask, only his grey eyes could be seen from the mask. He was the infamous Ghost Of Samra, Peter no family name just like Thomas he was a lesser-blood.

And last was a girl so small, she barely reached the knight’s waist. With wings that fluttered like broken glass catching the sun, and dust that fell like starlight faintly every time she moved. She was beautiful, with a pair of frighteningly beautiful crimson eyes and short messy blond hair. She was the infamous Blood Fairy, Sabrina of House Caldun.

These four along with Cecilia were the Kingdom’s brightest talent, the Four Horsemen Of Calamity and their leader Cecilia. Everyone in the kingdom knew them. Thomas looked up to them, praised them even especially The Ghost Of Samra. He was one of the rare lesser-bloods who managed to awaken a very powerful talent. He was a hero to every lesser-blood.

”Silence,” Cecilia commanded, and the whole arena went quiet.

”Today’s awakening ceremony will be hosted by us at the headmaster’s behest, I believe we do not need introductions. Now, may the awakening ceremony commence!”

The first one went on to the stage and placed his hand on the crystal, for a few moments nothing happened then the crystal glowed with a bright violet light.

”Simon Hale, Grade B Combat talent.” Cecilia’s voice resounded throughout the arena.

People cheered and the boy walked back to where he was sitting with a satisfied smile on his face, the ceremony proceed for two more hours before it was finally his turn. He was the last person up and he could not stop his legs from shaking as he approached the crystal.

Seeing it up close the crystal towered above him like an executioner’s axe, ready to cut him down.

He took one last breath and placed his hand on the crystal.