From where Lucian stood, he could barely see the edges of the massive crowd anymore.
All he could see were endless rows of people with their faces filled with hope so desperate that it made his chest feel tight.
The cheers pressed down on him like a weight. It did not feel like praise to him. It felt like demand.
Beside him, Sara stood still, her fingers trembling faintly at her sides. Lucian noticed it even before she spoke. He had seen that same trembling many times before during difficult meetings with overbearing parents.
She wasn't good under pressure, yet she always tried her best.
Controlling her trembling, Sara took a slow breath.
"If someone has to go first," she said softly, her voice steady even though Lucian could hear the fear beneath it, "then it should be an adult."
Lucian turned sharply toward her. "Miss Sara, you don't have to do this. There is no guarantee it's gonna be safe. Why are we even trusting them anyway?"
Sara looked at him and smiled gently, the same smile she used in class when everyone was panicking before a surprise test. "I am still your teacher, Lucian. That has not changed. And this is the only option we have."
Mia reached out and held Sara's hand tightly. "Please be safe."
From the other side, Will grinned like he was watching a show he had been waiting for all his life. "You've got this, Miss. Make us proud."
Sara let out a small nervous laugh at his words. "I only know how to grade homework. But I will try my best."
Every eye in the capital followed her movement, and so did Lucian.
With every step, the distance between them felt larger, as if she were walking into a different world right in front of his eyes. Sunlight reflected off the crystal obelisk and shone against her face, making her look fragile and terrifyingly brave at the same time.
When she reached the altar, she stopped.
The high priest gave her a small smile and lifted his hand. "Please place your palm on the crystal. It will awaken your class. Rest assured, everything will be fine."
Sara hesitated for a heartbeat, but the priest's words did give her some confidence. Gently, she placed her palm on the altar.
For a moment, nothing happened as all the students watched their teacher with bright eyes. Then the crystal exploded with soft green light that covered the whole podium.
Wind rushed outward from the altar, tugging at the students' clothes and hair. Glowing particles filled the air like drifting fireflies.
Behind Sara, light gathered and slowly shaped itself into a tall, translucent figure made entirely of glowing energy.
It was a spirit!
Lucian heard the crowd gasp as one. His own heartbeat increased as words started appearing out of thin air above the altar.
"Spirit Channeler."
The spirit leaned forward and merged into Sara's body in a slow wave of light. The glow wrapped around her, then slowly faded away as Sara wavered.
Lucian moved without thinking and stepped forward. "Sara!"
She caught her balance and looked down at her hands. Her eyes were wide in disbelief.
"I feel warm," she whispered. "Like something is holding me from inside."
Lucian did not know why, but his throat felt tight as he watched her. Mia stood frozen beside him, staring at Sara with shining eyes. "You look amazing…"
Will let out a low whistle. "Wow, teach, you looked so beautiful over there. I might have fallen for you."
Sara gave a weak laugh as she turned back toward them. "I would rather read books than date."
While Sara was busy with students, the watchful crowd exploded.
Cheers rolled across the square like thunder. Some people fell to their knees in prayer, while others cried openly while reaching toward the altar.
"Spirit user!"
"A blessed support!"
"The gods have answered us!"
Lucian stood still in the middle of the chaos.
In front of him, a person he had known as an ordinary teacher had just awakened supernatural power under the eyes of the entire world.
And by the time Sara finished her awakening, the fear that once lingered in the air had almost completely vanished.
In its place, excitement had spread like wildfire among the students. The low whispers had turned into eager chatter.
"So this is real…"
"We really get powers."
"Classes like in games…"
Lucian noticed how his classmates' eyes had changed. The panic from earlier was gone. In its place burned anticipation, ambition, and hunger.
The crowd's cheers only fueled it.
"The next chosen shall step forward," the high priest announced.
Before his words had fully settled, Will had already taken a step out.
Lucian sighed quietly. "Of course, he would not wait."
Will glanced back with a confident grin. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I am not missing the front row."
The students laughed lightly behind them as no one looked scared now. They were just eager to get their powers.
Will strode toward the altar like a man walking onto a stage he had dreamt of for years. The crystal responded the instant his palm touched it.
Golden light burst forth from it.
The pressure that followed made several students gasp in awe rather than fear.
When the class "Sword Saint" was announced by the altar, the entire capital exploded with cheers.
Lucian watched his best friend stand tall beneath the sky bathed in gold. For a moment, even he felt his heart stir with excitement.
Will returned with eyes shining like a child who had just received his favorite toy.
"Well?" he said with a grin. "Was I cool?"
Mia giggled while she looked at him. "You looked like a main character."
Lucian shook his head, but a small smile escaped him. "Just do not let it get to your head."
Next, Mia's name was called.
Instead of freezing in fear, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.
Lucian stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. "Go on. You will be amazing."
She nodded. She was nervous but still smiling. Unlike Will's, her awakening was gentle and warm.
When "Divine Archer" echoed across the square, the students burst into applause for her, and Mia returned with a glowing face. It clearly radiated excitement and relief.
"I felt like light was hugging me," she said softly.
"You always were lucky," Will joked.
One by one, the students awakened their Classes.
Fire mage
Shadow Assassin
Thunder Lord
With every new announcement, the students grew louder and more energetic.
Some celebrated, while others boasted, while the rest stared at the altar with burning ambition.
Lucian alone remained quiet. Not because he was afraid. But because he noticed something the others did not.
The higher the excitement climbed, the more distant the crowd felt to him.
As if the students were no longer people to them. Only tools. A means for them to save their world. A tired smile formed on Lucian's face.
At last, it was Lucian's turn to awaken. The high priest turned as his gaze locked onto him.
"Lucian of Earth."
The chatter among the classmates died down. Lucian had always been one of the best guys around. Be it looks or academics, he lacked none. That's why even the school belle was his girlfriend!
Naturally, everyone had high expectations of him. The whole 3-A class looked at him with excitement, anticipation, and curiosity.
Mia squeezed his hand. "It is your turn."
Will, being the ever-so cocky bastard, grinned as he patted his best friend. "Do not embarrass us."
Lucian smirked at them and walked confidently towards the altar with broad shoulders.
For their sake, he would walk forward. For their sake, he would become strong.