Chapter 5: Awakening: Expectations
Years have passed since then. Oscar, at this point, could only cast the fire ability around his body, specifically his hands and legs. This did not deter him instead it motivated him into learning martial skills up to the expert level.
As a mage basic comprehension of martial arts was relevant but going further wasn't deemed compulsory because the stronger the mage was the less the need for hand to hand combat as high level mages were long range fighters casting spells and overpowering their opponents without closing the distance.
Knowing he would not awaken properly till that age, Oscar kept practicing and making preparations till the day of his awakening.
It was a bright day, the birds were humming pleasant sounds as the sky had a lighter hue of azure blue. Waking up with a bright smile on his face, Oscar felt a bit anxious, not knowing how things would go.
The day of his awakening was here. He could already use an element before awakening his mana core, what would happen? Would he awaken another element? Would his elemental power become stronger? He had no idea but he was very optimistic.
Before the inception of Knolls or the Vanderhal kingdom, mages awakened with the help of other magi. The knolls played an instrumental part in changing the method in which a mage could stir the mana core.
Currently, an awakening orb is required to help propel and stimulate the core of the human to awaken as a mage.
Oscar took his bath, dressed up, and made his way to the dining table where he met and greeted his father, mother, and pat his eight year old brother on the head as he sat down next to him.
His parents responded well to his greetings. His father bore a striking resemblance to his son, having jet-black hair, black eyes in contrast to his son's brown eyes with sharp facial features and a beard. His mother however had amber coloured eyes, an oval shaped face and fair skin. Oscar and his brother looked alike but had features that differed from the other, with Oscar taking most of his semblance from his father's side while his brother taking his from his mothers'.
"Good morning father, mother, little brother how are you." Patting his little brother's head.
"Big bro, today's the day!" Samuel said giddily, he was still a little boy but he knew today was a special day in the Lane family.
"Yeah, it is Sammy" replied Oscar.
"Stop shouting and eat your food, Samuel." Charles said lightly with a smile on his face. Duke Charles was happy.
His son was the first human to use an elemental power before awakening his mana core. 'Oh I remember that day like it was yesterday' Charles had a pondering look as he was reminiscing about the past.
"What caused the delay upstairs? You do know we shouldn't be late today. You're not the only person awakening but yours takes precedence over everyone else's."
"Don't worry Mom, we'll still get there on time."
"I didn't say on time, I said early."
"Alright Mom, I've heard you."
They ate the rest of their breakfast in silence, then they went to the venue of the awakening which was The Mage Hall.
The Mage Hall was located at the centre of the Vanderhal kingdom. This was where every child, both commoners and nobles go to awaken their magical powers.
On this day, the Mage Hall was filled with people, nobles and commoners alike with everyone all having similar expectations for their children. The hall was huge and a bit rectangular in shape, with seats positioned around a platform at the centre where a mage was present to measure the power awakened, the potential of the candidate tested, the result would then be announced publicly. The candidates were seated separately from their families at the front rows of the hall.
The Lane family arrived at the venue on time. All eyes were on them particularly on Oscar. He paid them no mind as he went to sit with his friends and initiated a conversation.
Paul and Joshua wore smiles on their faces but were anxious. Joshua himself couldn't stop fidgeting. Oscar was anxious too but when he saw the state of his friends he became calm and proceeded to give them words of encouragement to lessen their worries.
"Guys it's going to be okay."
"Easy for you to say, you already know the outcome of your test." Paul spoke up.
"Yeah, it's either you grow strong or stronger still. Ugh.." Joshua said with a defeat.
"It's not like that, believe it or not I'm a little anxious too."
"Bah! Anxious about what?" Joshua growled, feeling Oscar was making fun of him.
"What exactly are you anxious of?" Paul said, backing Joshua's statement.
"Well..uh.."
"You see? He doesn't even know what to say!" Joshua interjected.
"Alright, I know there's no reason for me to be anxious. I mean no offence when I say this but the pressure and expectations on my shoulders is at a higher degree compared to yours. Not only does my family want me to do well but the kingdom expects me to do extremely well. I wish I could just get everything over and done with. Haa..." Oscar explained while sighing afterwards.
What Oscar said wasn't far from the truth. The hall that was always at optimal capacity during every awakening period was filled to the brim today. Most people came to see the potential of the one proclaimed to be the prodigy of the kingdom.
A set of magi came onto the platform, one man seemingly having a look of someone in his mid-thirties while exuding the aura of confidence and experience followed by two younger mages male and female. The younger magi were there to set up the tools required for the awakening ceremony while the older mage handled everything else. After setting up the platform, the younger mages left while the older mage introduced himself as Jake Wellings, greeting the people present and making a short speech before carrying out the ceremony proper.
"The names of the candidates will be called in an alphabetic order, starting with those of noble bloodline."
Yes it was alphabetical but the candidates of noble bloodline took precedence because of their status and the fact that they were the future pillars of the kingdom. The probability of a commoner awakening a high grade elemental power was very low in contrast to nobles that awakened talented and skillful mages from their kin every year. This was why the 'treasured' ones came first.
Jake started by calling the first name, "Anya Vanderhal". A blonde girl with the complexion of a fairy moved towards the platform.
"Touch the scanner then place your hand on the orb" Jake gestured.
Anya with a solemn expression kept moving and passed through the scanner which detected her elemental affinity for light, this part of the test was just a formality for most noble houses, as they were already aware of the affinity their children should have. If the child didn't possess the same affinity as the parents, then the child could be considered illegitimate. This is because two water mages could never produce a fire or earth mage, it was illogical.
Anya proceeded to touch the orb to check her mana potential. The orb emitted a white light from her touch.
Jake Wellings immediately announced: Anya Vanderhal, light affinity, high grade. An applause accompanied the announcement. With murmurs from the crowd expecting this to be the typical result of someone of royal blood.She strode away, feeling satisfied with her result.
The orb had four different states, each of which represented the potential of the candidate.
A white glow from the orb means the candidates potential is high, the candidate has a high aptitude for mana, This is incredibly rare and the number of people with this potential could be counted with one's fingers.
A blue glow represented a middle grade aptitude, this is good, the mage has the ability to grow but the mage may never go past syne-five.
A yellow glow indicates a low talent level, the mage is only able to cast a few spells before tiring out from insufficient magical energy. This is common among people that are not of noble rank, the commoners.
A red glow from the orb indicates that the individual possesses no mana aptitude, this is also unbelievably rare even among commoners.
Jake continued to call the names, "Benjamin Ferell".
A young boy with black hair, blue eyes and a slender appearance came to the platform to go through the test.
"Benjamin Ferell, wind affinity, high grade." Jake announced which was accompanied also by an applause. The candidates were called and tested, one after the other in this manner.
"Gavin Jones, water affinity, mid-grade."
Some with acceptable results.
"Kane Wess, earth affinity, low grade."
Some with poor results.
"Karen Kinney, no affinity, non-mage"
And rare individuals being totally inept.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Neegan
Neegan Expectations: optimism, pessimism, realism.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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