The high mountain breeze blew from all angles, its intensity unlike anything man expected to see on earth. Rean was on a journey; he travelled the high mountains hoping he'd be seen as fit and worthy to awaken. The mountains were steep, the aforementioned wind aggressive. This didn't seem like a mere test, no, it was suicide.
"This will all be worth it," Rean let out, after looking back and around him, seeing others make the climb as well.
The journey was something most saw as a fable. It was known to be very real, but seeing and experiencing it was a whole different thing from just hearing of its tales.
"One more step," he let out. "I have made it," after he exclaimed, his eyes were greeted with the immersive temple of the source. The wind blew differently up here, and now he was finally ready to take that next step.
A couple hours ago.
"You know you don't have to do this just cause I did," Tylan said.
"Yuh, and I know I don't, bro," Rean replied.
"And pls don't make it out to be that am doing this for you, I have my reasons and you know that," Rean answered.
"Yeah I do, I just don't want you getting hurt," Tylan replied. "I support your thinking but this decision is always the riskier option. I know you're willing to take the risk and all, you know increase your chances of being a high ranker and stuff, but like with all risky things, don't forget the other side, the consequences," Tylan said.
"Yes if I don't awaken as high as I want, that's fine, I'll just level up somehow," Rean responded with a cheeky smile across his face.
"Ok it seems you've made your decision, into the car then, I'll take you to the airport."
After awhile the plane departed from the port, landing in a near desert, dry location, known as the FIRST BASE. It was hours away from the country. This was the location of the SOURCE TEMPLE.
Tylan brought out his phone and decided to pass the time. He headed over to the Hub, a TV channel covering and discussing everything HUNTSMAN.
"And now back to our regular program," the host continued. "It seems an unprecedented number of young people opted to awaken via the source this year. Let me catch you guys up, we know casual viewers only tune in to this channel once in a year or whatever, so let's lay the ground work. As we all know, the world of the huntsmen is a thing straight out of fairy tale that happened to become our reality. Prospective huntsmen get awakened either by the potential unlock, that is the use of a crystal orb or the source's touch. Why two methods, you may be thinking, well I'll tell you dear viewer, did you know there's only one method capable of producing S ranks. Oh that's a bit ahead in the script, wasn't supposed to go that far, yet. The usual process usually yields awakeners of C and B rank without fail. Regardless of talent or bloodline, the usual process has the seemingly fortunate probability of producing good ranks. But like you noticed I used seemingly, those who attain this ranks via this safe route are limited, for one they cannot be of stage S, the pinnacle of Huntsman in this society. On the other hand, those who awaken via the source, tend to have their ranks based on their actual potential, this means most people as results have proven time and time again, awaken to the lowest of ranks, there's almost no hope of getting a rank C or above upon awakening. However this is the only known way of becoming Stage S."
"This shit is actually crap, I don't like the host today, his takes on the lore and stuff are pretty basic," Tylan said while putting off his phone.
"The truth is most people take the source awakening route because of the very important incentive, the cheat, all of us that awakened this way can level up, endlessly. I hope things work out for you little bro," Tylan let out, looking at the car ceiling, seemingly worried as if there's something he knows he isn't putting to words.
Rean traced the path through the rocky steps, he had finally made it.
"Was this really all there was to the test, nothing more than just easy climbing," he said.
As if attempting to remind him, his mind immediately flashed backwards to the many times he almost fell just minutes ago.
"Ok, ok let me find one of the monk keepers, I think that's the only way to know how to proceed," Rean said, already moving towards a figure.
"Hey," Rean said, extending his hands to greet the fellow.
"Hey," he responded, however he declined the handshake.
"My name's Rean I just got here and also just realized we don't know a whole lot about this whole process, like what are we to do now," Rean said.
"I guess youre one of those guys who don't do their research," the other fellow said. "Well we are waiting for others to gather, it's customary they feed us before we actually begin the task we set out to accomplish."
'Wow, he seems really knowledgeable,' Rean said to himself.
"And how did you know—" he cut himself short. "Well thanks."
"Hmmm," the other fellow smiled. "My name is Norman, nice to meet you Rean."
"Well nice to meet you too, Norman."
The wait was finally over, all candidates were called to the dining hall. After they had their fill of the meal and were instructed to wait in line, it was finally selection time.
Mere minutes after, it finally came Rean's turn. He entered the sacred chamber, this was where his life trajectory changed forever.
"Place your hand in the stream"—the stream was an ever glowing pool, not a stream of water but of air. It was hot, but didn't burn.
"Ok let's do this," Rean replied the monk.
Rean touched the source.
A voice out of nowhere let out with a neutral tone,
[Candidate Failed to Awaken.]
[Evaluation Type: Rerouted.]
"What?" Rean said with his thoughts running wild.