Aspect Sovereign

The Awakening Ceremony was in full swing. Leon sat with his family, watching as one by one, children approached the Awakening Orb. Each step forward felt like a gamble with destiny.

He had seen all kinds of Aspects emerge so far—some elemental, like fire and water; others physical, like weapons or tools. There were even beast Aspects, which always drew murmurs of awe from the audience. The reactions varied just as much as the Aspects themselves. Members of prestigious families sometimes awakened weaker Aspects, causing quiet disappointment among their clans. Yet, on occasion, someone from a humble background would shock everyone.

Leon's attention was drawn to one such moment. A boy from an ordinary family, his clothes worn and patched, approached the Awakening Orb. The room stilled as he placed his hand on its smooth, glowing surface.

The orb erupted with a blinding glow as the boy placed his hand on it. The swirling light began to coalesce into a massive figure—a tortoise with a towering shell, entwined with a serpent that slithered along its body. The creature exuded an ancient and dignified aura, its form radiating both power and balance.

The Aspect Master facilitating the ceremony stepped forward, his voice carrying across the room. "Black Turtle Snake Aspect… a rare and auspicious manifestation."

Gasps rippled through the audience as the image faded. Moments later, a representative from the Celestial Nexus Academy approached the boy, their intent clear. The boy nodded, still wide-eyed and trembling, as murmurs of awe and envy spread through the crowd.

Excitement rippled through the crowd, and before the boy could even process what had happened, a representative from the Celestial Nexus Academy stood and approached him. After a few words, the boy nodded hesitantly, still wide-eyed and trembling.

Leon watched the scene unfold, his thoughts churning. 'Aspects really do determine the trajectory of someone's life. A boy like him, coming from nothing, just had his life changed forever.' A faint smile touched his lips. 'There may be sadness for some today, but there are also stories like this.'

His gaze shifted to the line ahead, where a girl with long black hair and piercing ice-blue eyes stepped forward. Whispers spread among the crowd as she approached the orb, her calm demeanor radiating confidence. She was from the Lin Clan—one of the most prominent families in Karyth City.

The moment she touched the Awakening Orb, a chill swept through the auditorium, sharp and biting. It crept over the audience, causing a few people to shiver.

"What Aspect is this?" someone murmured from the crowd, their voice barely audible over the growing tension.

The frost grew stronger for a moment before it began to condense, the chill becoming sharper yet more contained. The light of the orb dimmed slightly, and then, an image started to take form above it. Wings of frost spread wide, intricate feathers gleaming like crystalline shards. The image of a majestic bird emerged, radiating an otherworldly cold.

The Aspect Master facilitating the ceremony stepped forward, his eyes widening. His voice, barely masking his astonishment, rang out: "Ice Phoenix Aspect…"

A stunned silence followed, broken only by the sound of a Lin Clan elder rising to his feet. He swept his gaze across the audience, his tone proud and triumphant. "A peerless genius has been born in the Lin Clan today. She will bring our family to new heights."

The girl stepped back, her expression steady, but there was a faint trace of satisfaction in her icy gaze. Applause erupted from the Lin Clan's side, and murmurs spread through the audience.

Leon's attention was pulled back as his mother, Meilin, leaned toward his father. "That's the Lin Clan for you," she said, her tone laced with grudging admiration. "The Ice Phoenix Aspect hasn't been seen in generations. The last Aspect Master to awaken one became a figure of unparalleled strength."

Leoric crossed his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on the stage. "It doesn't matter how strong of an Aspect one awakens, or how talented one is," he said, his voice calm but firm. "It always boils down to hard work in the end."

Leon caught the weight behind his father's words. He nodded slightly, taking them to heart.