Chapter 164: Hall of the Eternal Crystal (2)

The conversations stirred an inevitable thought in Lukas’s mind. He already possessed... or at least believed he possessed... three abilities.

The strength inherited from Tilbo, which allowed him to lift weights impossible for someone his age. Prata’s resilient web, which granted him mobility no other child possessed. Astra’s extraordinary vision, which allowed him to see details from hundreds of meters away.

But were they truly abilities? Or were they merely effects of his mysterious capability to share the talents of his beasts? Would the Crystal be able to see them? Or would it reveal something completely different?

Perhaps... there were hidden abilities that even he himself didn’t know about. The thought made his heart race.

Clavor crossed his arms as he watched the line advance slowly. His eyes remained fixed on his son, observing every expression, every movement. There was pride in his gaze, but also anticipation. And a small, hidden anxiety that he did not show.

Deep down, he hoped Lukas would awaken a talent similar to his own and Asmon’s. An ability focused on close combat, on the sword. But whatever the outcome... he would train his son the same way. Because strength could be built. Talent merely determined the path.

After about half an hour of waiting, the enormous wooden gates began to open slowly. The hinges let out a deep creak that echoed throughout the entire square, an ancient sound that seemed to come from another era.

Shortly afterward, a familiar figure appeared. It was the same woman who had overseen Judite’s Awakening years before. Her face bore a few more wrinkles, but her posture remained unchanged, straight, confident, and imposing.

She wore an immaculate white robe, without a single fold out of place. Draped over her shoulders rested a light-blue cloak, its edges embroidered with silver threads that shimmered beneath the light. Her gray hair was tied into a firm bun, not a single strand out of place.

Her green eyes calmly swept over every family present, assessing, calculating, recognizing.

"Welcome to the Eternal Crystal Hall." Her voice was firm. Calm. It carried the authority of someone who had conducted this ceremony for decades.

"Please enter calmly."

"The children who will undergo the Awakening must wait until they are called." She discreetly pointed to a red line painted across the floor, gleaming beneath the light.

"The family members must remain behind this mark throughout the entire procedure."

The families began to enter. Their footsteps echoed against the stone floor, creating a solemn rhythm. Some children were quiet, while others chatted excitedly.

Lukas slowly crossed the enormous wooden doorway. His eyes adjusted to the dim interior, much darker than the bright morning light outside.

The moment he crossed the threshold, his eyes widened. Even though he vaguely remembered the place, the sight was still astonishing.

The hall seemed even larger up close. The light streaming down from the openings in the ceiling created a soft glow that illuminated the entire space. The polished white stone walls gently reflected that light, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

Gigantic columns rose like petrified trees, supporting the entire structure. Each one was carved with stories, battles, discoveries, and heroes that stretched from the floor to the ceiling.

The silence was almost sacred. The families’ voices seemed muffled, as though the hall itself absorbed sound. Even footsteps became softer, more respectful.

At the center of the hall, atop a circular platform raised by three broad steps, stood the altar. It was made of white marble, polished until it gleamed, with golden runes running across its entire surface.

And above it... the Eternal Crystal.

A transparent stone the size of two human heads, hovering above the altar as though floating. Its shape was irregular, yet perfect, as if every facet had been sculpted by nature itself.

Its interior emitted a soft, pulsing light that seemed to come from the very center of the stone. The light moved, flowed, as though the crystal were alive. As though it breathed. As though it possessed a heart of its own.

Lukas felt his heart pounding so hard that he could hear it inside his chest. At last... the moment he had waited for over the past several months was about to arrive.

The woman in the white robe took her place beside the altar, her green eyes sweeping over the gathered families.

"I will call one child at a time," she said, her voice echoing gently throughout the hall.

"When your name is called, approach the altar and place your hand upon the Crystal. Do not be afraid. The Crystal cannot harm anyone."

Lukas took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the pulsing stone. He was ready. After everything he had experienced, everything he had learned, everything he had prepared for... he was ready to discover who he truly was.

The woman in the white robe opened a small dark-blue book. Its yellowed pages revealed dozens of names carefully written by hand.

The names had been submitted days earlier.

The hall fell into absolute silence.

Not even the most restless children dared to speak at that moment. Every gaze remained fixed upon the altar and, above all, upon the Eternal Crystal, whose light continued to pulse gently like a sleeping heart.

The woman ran her finger down the list before raising her eyes.

"We shall begin."

Her voice echoed throughout the hall.

"The first will be... Arthur."

A little brown-haired boy immediately widened his eyes.

"M-me?"

His mother knelt in front of him, gently straightening his robe.

"Everything will be fine," she whispered with an encouraging smile.

"Just place your hand on the Crystal."

The boy took a deep breath, nodded, and began to walk. His steps were small and hesitant, echoing through the vast stone hall. Every step up the platform seemed to demand an enormous effort of courage.

Upon reaching the altar, Arthur stopped before the gigantic transparent Crystal. The light reflected in his eyes, making him hold his breath for a moment.

The woman made a calm gesture.

"Do not be afraid."

"Slowly... place your hand upon the Eternal Crystal."

Arthur swallowed hard.

Then, he extended his trembling hand toward the Crystal.

The very instant his fingers were about to touch the translucent surface, the light within the stone pulsed with far greater intensity.

Everyone held their breath. The Awakening of every child present had finally begun.