"Hurry, Mom, the test is going to start soon."
A boy, Kerry, was twelve years old, but his manner was already calm and knowing, far beyond his age. He tugged gently on his mother's hand as they rushed down the dusty road. His hair alone was enough to draw attention, split dramatically into stark white on one side and deep red on the other, making him conspicuous even in a dense crowd.
This was a world defined by raw power and the Systems that granted it. In the northern city of Frostveil, a child's entire life hinged on one moment: their twelfth birthday. That was when they stood before the Testing Altar, hoping to awaken their personal System.
The Elementary System was the most common path and the easiest to awaken; those blessed with it were known as Elementalists. Every year, this test was held to find new Awakeners. Those who succeeded earned a coveted spot at the esteemed System Academies, located far away in the Wetlands.
DONG—DONG—DONG.
The heavy chime of the bell resonated through every street, a sound that shook the city, echoing like the frantic heartbeat preceding a momentous event. It was time.
"The test is about to begin! Where are my kids?!"
A man's voice cut through the throng as he scrambled through the crowd, frantically searching for his twelve-year-old twins.
DONG—DONG—DONG.
The bell tolled again, clear and weighty. People began to converge, carrying folding stools and wicker baskets, all eager to witness the annual ceremony.
Every person was born with a seed of potential. Some awakened the Elementary System. Others might become Mages. But two systems had been lost to history for millennia: the Necromancer and the Voidmancer. Once revered and terrifying, they had vanished after the great war of old.
The only supposed way to gain either of these two ancient systems was through a powerful bloodline, spiritual ascension, or a unique curse. Even then, the possibility was whispered to be nonexistent.
"Mom, faster. We're almost there."
Kerry, the boy with the bi-colored hair, finally reached the massive entrance. The registration lines snaked and stretched far down the street.
The testing grounds were alive with activity: anxious children, parents beaming with pride, and a buzzing audience of curious onlookers. For every twelve-year-old here, this day was the undisputed gateway to their future.
About twenty participants were waiting to take part. It was unusual for the number to ever exceed twenty in a given year. As the line steadily progressed and registration continued, the city elders and Academy Representatives took their seats, their expressions calm and deeply concentrated. The audience settled around them, a soft, expectant hum rising from the stands.
At the very center of the grounds stood the ancient Altar. When their turn came, each participant had to place their hand on its surface, then wait for fate to reveal their path.
One by one, the line shortened until Kerry was the only one left to register.
"How may I help you, ma'am?"
The man behind the desk adjusted his spectacles and glanced up from the register.
"Oh, please, isn't this the registration block? Why on earth would you ask a thing like that?" Diana's voice was sharp, and she pointed a decisive index finger at him.
"S-sorry, ma'am, sorry. Let's just get this done quickly," the man mumbled, ducking his head low to scribble Kerry's details into the ledger.
Name: Kerry Fireborn
Age: 12
Affiliation: Mr. And Mrs Fireborn
Once they finished the formalities, Kerry and his mother stepped inside and found seats on the right side of the wooden stands, waiting quietly.
As the ceremony neared its start, the elders and academy representatives rose together, a silent show of unity, before resuming their seats.
"It is time!" one of the elders called out, his voice ringing clearly.
The testing officially began when the Senior Elder announced the names of the participants.
"Thomas Vale!" the elder shouted, calling the very first name.
The entire place erupted in noise—cheers, shouts, and the excited clamor of parents. Everyone wanted to see if this year's first candidate would awaken something rare.
A skinny boy with a sharp face stepped onto the Altar platform, his small hands clenched tight at his sides. The fear of failure made his heart pound faster than a drum.
"Place your hand upon the Altar," the elder instructed.
Thomas slowly stretched out his arm and pressed his palm against the Altar's cold stone. The entire crowd fell silent. Every eye, including those of the elders, fixed intently on the structure.
The stone began to vibrate faintly. A gentle luminescence formed beneath the boy's hand, then shot straight upward, turning into a brilliant column of bright blue light.
"Not bad," one of the seniors murmured, his gaze locked on the glowing column.
He rose fluidly, floated toward the Altar, and addressed the waiting crowd.
"This young man has successfully awakened the Elementary System—Water Element."
Within the Elementary System, the color of the light denoted the element: blue for water, red for fire, white for air, and pale blue for ice. Though many elementalists could manipulate water to form ice, that state was secondary—merely shaped, condensed, or cooled water.
However, the pure, raw Ice Element was a primary element in its own right, not derived from water, making it far more potent and stable. These were the common elements, whereas metal and lightening was considered a truly rare one.
In this city, Elementalists usually possessed only a single element. Having more than one was practically unheard of.
The crowd exploded in cheers. A woman sprang up from the stands, tears sparkling in her eyes. "That's my boy!" she shrieked, overcome with pride.
The senior elder guided Thomas to the front, where the academy representatives were waiting to select which school would claim him.
The representative from Ironvale Academy stood up from his chair and lifted his hand, signaling his choice. Thomas had officially been selected.
"Thomas Vale has been chosen to join the Ironvale Academy," the senior elder announced, his voice clear and formal.
Once a representative made their choice, meeting with the parents afterward was a strict tradition. The chosen participant would depart for the academy shortly after the year's testing concluded.
The ceremony continued.
"Elementalist..."
"Elementalist..."
"Elementary System."
The announcements echoed across the grounds, one after another, confirming the results. Out of the twenty participants, seventeen had awakened the Elementary System, their names called and their paths set. Only three now remained: Kerry Fireborn, Lina Ashcroft, and Darius Wren.
The crowd's attention sharpened noticeably. These final moments always brought a different kind of nervous tension.
The last three participants were instructed to wait to the side with their parents for a brief consultation.
Darius Wren, however, had no family waiting for him. He had come from the orphanage, and today, he stood here for one singular, desperate reason: to awaken.
During the short break, whispers flitted through the crowd. It had been three long years since anyone had awakened a truly rare system or become a multi-elementalist. The entire city seemed to be holding its collective breath.
When the pause ended, the field grew utterly silent. All eyes were instantly locked back onto the Altar.
The senior elder called out, "Lina Ashcroft!"
A girl with soft yellow hair walked forward. Her steps were steady, her gaze resolute. She raised her hand and pressed it firmly against the Altar. In the very next moment, the ground beneath her feet trembled violently. A burst of light shot upward in two distinct colors, ash-gray and vivid green, swirling together in a brilliant display.
Sharp gasps echoed across the stands.
The senior elder rushed over, momentarily stumbling before regaining his balance. His voice cut through the silence, carrying the weight of the moment: "After three years... finally, a Metal Elementalist."
The elders exchanged stunned glances. A rare, genuine smile crept onto their faces as they nodded approvingly at Lina. She was special; she would be granted the privilege of choosing her academy herself.
The test proceeded.
Darius Wren's turn arrived. The boy walked toward the Altar without the slightest hesitation. His silver hair shimmered under the light, and not a trace of fear showed in his eyes. For someone who had absolutely nothing, he carried himself with quiet, formidable strength.
He pressed his hand onto the Altar.
The ground cracked—not enough to shatter the stone, but enough to draw sharp intakes of breath from the audience. Curiosity spread through the stands like a newly struck spark. Then, without a moment's warning, four colors burst out at once: blue, red, white, and pale blue, piercing the sky with raw, shocking power.
Everyone froze. Representatives shot to their feet in disbelief.
"Impossible..."
The senior elder sprinted to the Altar, landing beside Darius, and began examining the area closely. His voice, when he spoke, was thick with pure excitement. "An extremely rare system... This boy has awakened a Multi-Elementary System—every common element at once!"
The crowd utterly erupted. Darius was guided to the side of the Altar to wait. He, too, would choose his academy after the very last test.
Murmurs swept through the stands, louder than before.
"I've truly never seen anything like that before."
"He's the one from the orphanage, isn't he?"
"Silence!"
One of the seniors raised his voice sharply, instantly quieting the restless crowd.
"And now, our final participant of the year, Kerry Fireborn!"
Kerry's name hung in the air. His heart clenched painfully at the sound. His hands suddenly felt cold and numb.
"Relax, my son. You'll be just fine," Diana whispered beside him, forcing a calm smile she didn't feel.
Kerry desperately didn't want to let her down. He drew a deep breath and stepped forward, each stride feeling impossibly heavier than the last.
The chances of him awakening should be high... He carries his father's blood, Diana thought, a proud and anxious knot twisting inside her chest.
The senior elder addressed him with unusual gentleness. "Young man, place your hand on the Altar."
Kerry's mind felt distant and hazy, but he obeyed. His palm made contact with the cold, unyielding surface.
Seconds dragged by. Nothing happened. The silence grew sharp and suffocating.
Then, without warning, the Altar shuddered violently. This time, it wasn't just the Altar; the Altar and the earth beneath it began to rumble with an unseen, powerful force.