As the children stepped forward, Clark paused.
"Eidran Master? Eidra Energy? Avatars? Isn't this what father told me..."
He glanced once more at the statue.
"So this is real... everything Father said was real."
He took a breath and stepped inside.
The hall was vast. Pillars lined its edge, and in the center was a circular platform etched with ancient runes. The light filtered through stained glass, casting colorful patterns across the floor.
The Eidran Master stood by the altar. He looked at each child with a careful eye.
"Stand in a circle," he ordered.
The children obeyed.
"This ceremony will awaken the power sleeping within your Eidra Core," he continued. "Some of you may awaken Avatars. Some may not. Fate will decide."
He raised his hand.
A soft pulse of light spread from his palm, flowing like wind across the children. Clark closed his eyes, feeling the energy coil around his chest.
Then, the Awakening began.
Inside the tall marble-pillared Awakening Hall, a dim, reverent silence blanketed the space as dozens of children stood in line. Their eyes shimmered with anticipation, nerves, and hope, illuminated by the silver chandelier above and the faint blue glow of the Eidran crystal sphere on Pablo Escobar's hand.
The air was electric.
Pablo Escobar, the Eidran Master conducting the ceremony, stepped forward. With a proud voice and a subtle growl in his throat, he introduced himself.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Pablo Escobar. My Avatar is a Wolf. Level 28, Expert Stage."
He raised his right hand, and with a snap of his fingers, his form flickered. A silver-white aura enveloped his body, his face growing sharper, hair thickening and trailing into fur, while his pupils became slit. His ears elongated, twitching. Behind him, the Avatar emerged: a semi-phantasmal lupine figure with frost curling from its fur.
Two rings glowed under his feet—one white, the other yellow—rotating slowly.
"Today, I will awaken your Avatars. Please form a straight line. One by one, I'll call you."
Clark stood silently in line, observing. He clenched his fists unconsciously as his red eyes scanned the wolf Avatar. Thoughts flooded his mind.
"Is this what they call an Avatar? Fascinating. He looks like a real wolf. And those rings… I wonder where I can get mine."
One by one, the children lined up. Pablo began with the boy at the front.
"You," he said gently, pointing. "Be calm. I will now begin your awakening. Clear your thoughts."
He released small glowing awakening orbs that floated around the child like will-o'-the-wisps. The boy stood nervously.
"Master, what should I do?"
"Close your eyes and feel deep within yourself. Feel your Avatar. Let it come out and form in your hand."
The boy obeyed, closing his eyes.
Suddenly, a gust of spiritual force erupted. A shadow formed in the boy's right hand, and a katana materialized—its blade wrapped in an ancient-looking sheath. It hummed with a black aura, ominous and almost hungry. The floor cracked slightly beneath the child's feet.
Clark's red demon eyes flared lightly as he observed. A chill shot down his spine. Even Pablo Escobar staggered back slightly, visibly shaken but impressed.
"W-What... A Katana? A powerful martial spirit…"
He quickly took out the Eidran Crystal and motioned to the boy.
"Place your hand on the crystal," he commanded.
The boy did. The crystal instantly exploded with radiant light, illuminating the entire hall. Gasps echoed through the children. Clark raised an eyebrow. Elizabeth crossed her arms and tilted her head, while Lucien squinted slightly, saying nothing.
Pablo stared, speechless for a second.
"Innate Full Eidra Energy!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
"What's your name?" Pablo asked, eyes still wide.
The boy bowed respectfully. "Zorro Velazques."
Pablo's face lit up. "Zorro, with a martial spirit like that and full Eidra Energy… You could join the Martial Ascendancy Hall. It would be an honor to—"
Zorro bowed again. "I'm sorry, Master Pablo. I do not wish to join any force… for now."
Pablo was surprised but didn't press. Zorro returned to the line.
The next children followed, but none matched Zorro's moment. A few awakened tools—daggers, hoes, plants, fish—and one even awakened a flaming chili, which made everyone chuckle. But one after another, none triggered a reaction in the crystal.
Then, it was Clark's turn.
The room became quiet again.
He stepped forward with slow confidence, his presence oddly mature for a six-year-old. His crimson pupils flickered slightly with the faint glow of his internal Red Demon Eyes.
"Close your eyes and feel your Avatar," Pablo instructed again, but with more interest this time.
Clark didn't respond. He simply nodded and closed his eyes. A breeze swept the room.
A moment later, darkness gathered in his palm. His fingers tightened, and a sudden crackle echoed through the floor. From his right hand, a dark ethereal sword slowly emerged.
Its blade shimmered in void-like hues—black, violet, and obsidian. It didn't reflect light. It consumed it. The sword had an ancient air about it, humming with a low, eerie frequency as if whispering from a forgotten time.
Clark opened his eyes and calmly stared at Pablo.
But before Pablo could even speak, Clark's left hand twitched.
Another pulse.
A second Avatar threatened to emerge. His instincts screamed against it, and with a quick mental command, Clark forced it back.
'Not now. They're not ready to see that one.'
Pablo Escobar stumbled back, visibly sweating.
"W-What kind of aura is this?! It's so… suffocating! K-Kid, quickly! Place your hand on the crystal!"
Clark touched the sphere. And instantly—
BOOM!
A blinding light erupted from the crystal. Children shielded their eyes. The light lasted longer than with Zorro. It pulsed, like a heartbeat, refusing to fade.
Pablo Escobar couldn't hide his awe.
Chapter Ends.