CHAPTER 2 — "THE AWAKENING CEREMONY"
Morning sunlight spilled across the sprawling courtyard of Ravenwood High, illuminating banners embroidered with dragons and ancient runes. It was Awakening Day, the moment when every seventeen-year-old tested their Talent Sigil.
Families crowded the viewing stands. Guild representatives watched with sharp eyes. Even minor Long Clan elders attended—not to support Long Hao, but to witness his humiliation.
Whispers started the moment he entered.
"That's Long Hao, right?""The one from the declining branch family?""I heard even the Murong Clan regrets arranging the engagement.""Of course they do. He has zero dragon resonance!"
Long Hao walked past them without lowering his gaze.His footsteps were calm.His posture straight.
If anything, the faint red gleam in his eyes made him look more dangerous than nervous.
Then a familiar voice cut sharply through the noise.
"Long Hao."
He turned.
A beautiful girl stood in a white-and-blue clan robe, elegant and refined. Her features were delicate, her long black hair tied with a jade clasp, her presence icy like a frost lotus.
Murong Yuer .Daughter of the Murong Clan.One of the elite awakening families.And his arranged fiancée.
She looked at him with thinly veiled contempt.
"You actually showed up," she said, voice cold enough to freeze stone. "I thought you had enough shame not to stand here."
Long Hao smiled lightly. "Good morning to you too."
Some nearby students stifled laughs. Others watched with interest—this drama was better than the ceremony itself.
Murong Yuer stepped closer, lowering her voice."The engagement ends today. After the ceremony, don't come anywhere near me. The Murong Clan doesn't marry failures."
Long Hao tilted his head slightly."Oh? Saves me paperwork."
She blinked—caught off guard."How dare you—"
But the announcer's voice boomed across the courtyard.
"Participant: Murong Yuer. Step forward."
She tore her glare away and walked toward the center platform, her long robe flowing behind her.
The Awakening Stone—an ancient artifact left behind by an awakened dragon—shone with dormant energy. Students held their breath as Murong Yuer placed her palm against it.
A brilliant silver light erupted.
"Silver-Tier Talent: Frost Vein Spirit!"
The crowd buzzed with admiration.
"As expected of the Murong heir!""So beautiful and talented!""She'll get recruited by a major guild immediately!"
Murong Yuer's lips curved with quiet pride as she stepped aside.
Then—
"Participant: Long Hao. Step forward."
This time, laughter rolled through the crowd before he even moved.
"Does he even have a talent?""Maybe it'll show negative numbers.""If the Murong Clan dumps him after this, I won't be surprised."
Long Hao walked to the stone, his expression unreadable.
Hands in pockets.Posture relaxed.Eyes calm.
He pressed his palm to the Awakening Stone.
…........…
Nothing.
Not a spark.
The stone remained completely dark.
A student coughed deliberately.Another snickered.Someone whispered loudly, "Maybe he needs to hit puberty first."
Murong Yuer folded her arms, eyes cold with satisfaction.
An official cleared his throat, voice stiff:
"Result: No detectable talent. Long Hao… talentless."
The courtyard erupted in mockery.
"Trash!""Even a stray dog might awaken something!""Murong Yuer really dodged a disaster!"
Murong Yuer stepped forward, pulling a jade ring from her finger. Her voice rang clear and sharp:
"I, Murong Yuer, hereby annul the engagement with Long Hao. The Murong Clan does not tolerate weakness or shame."
Gasps echoed.
Even the Long Clan elders stiffened—this announcement would spread across major families by evening.
But Long Hao?
He didn't flinch.Didn't tremble.Didn't even blink.
Instead, he smirked slightly.
And said, loud enough for thousands to hear:
"If the stone can't read me, that's the stone's problem."
Silence.
Utter silence.
A wave of outrage exploded instantly.
"This brat—!""How arrogant!""Is he mocking the ancient artifact?!"
Murong Yuer's face twisted in fury.
"Long Hao! Do you even understand your status? You have none! You dare walk around with such arrogance?!"
Long Hao turned away."Status? You can keep yours."
That infuriated her even more.
A Long Clan elder stepped forward, face red with anger."Long Hao, for your disrespect and your disgraceful performance, the clan hereby strips you of all internal privileges!"
Another added, "You are officially removed from the Long Clan's talent registry!"
Long Hao looked back at them once, his expression colder than the morning breeze.
"Done?"
The elders froze.
He walked away slowly, each step calm and confident, as though the thousands of mocking voices didn't exist.
But beneath his shirt—right over his heart—a black-and-white dragon sigil flickered.
[Eclipse Bloodline Resonance: 2%][Suppression: Active][Visibility: Hidden]
Long Hao's lips curved faintly.
Let them believe he's trash.Let them think he's talentless.Let them strip him of everything.
Soon…
they would understand who they had mocked.
He stepped outside the ceremony square as sunlight touched his face.
A new life.A forbidden talent.A dragon reborn.
"The fun," he whispered,"starts now."
[CHAPTER ENDS]