Kranos stood frozen in shock, staring blankly at the glowing text before him. He couldn't understand what it meant—until his eyes widened. Wait… Time? Is it that… time?
Memories from his past life surged through his mind, especially the final moments—him clutching the antique clockwatch. Even though he was hoping to control time in his next life, he hadn't truly believed it was possible.
After all, he thought, nothing unusual had happened to me since my reincarnation.
Well, maybe some things were odd—retaining the memories of his past life, his stark white hair, and those silvery eyes—but still… Could I really control time?
Kranos took a deep breath. He didn't dare think too much about it, this was a big secret, the ability to control time! If such news got out, he couldn't imagine the horrifying battle that would ensue.
He exhaled slowly and decided to ignore the system prompt. Just then, the elder suddenly spoke from the side, breaking Kranos's thoughts.
"Place your hand on the marble again, Fourth Young Master," the elder repeated, noting Kranos's dazed expression.
With a sigh, Kranos stepped forward and placed his hand on the marble once again. This time, a different message appeared in front of his eyes.
[Do you wish to display your affinity and aptitude?]
[Y/N]
Kranos was stunned but without hesitation he replied a solemn, "No."
"What?" the elder questioned.
"It's nothing," Kranos replied calmly.
The marble pulsed faintly, as though it were about to reveal something—then dimmed the next moment and returned to calmness. Everyone was stunned. It was finally confirmed. The Fourth Young Master, Kranos, didn't have an elemental affinity or a cultivation aptitude!
It was truly shocking, to think that the first of the young masters to be called up would be without an aptitude. They could hardly believe it. Normally, children born of parents with strong elemental or cultivation backgrounds would at least possess one or the other. Even those without an affinity often had decent aptitude. Kranos' case could be considered an extremely rare and unfortunate one.
"You have no elemental affinity or cultivation aptitude—mortal," the elder announced coldly. The way the others looked at Kranos instantly changed. As he walked back to his place, they subtly stepped away from him.
After all, they were on entirely different paths now. While they would strive for immortality, Kranos was destined to remain mortal—likely dying before reaching a hundred years of age. It was a difference between a mortal and an immortal. A difference that was always meant to be…
…
Time passed, and the awakening ceremony continued. Kranos had already been forgotten as a side character, after all, he was just a mortal… right?
…
After several more children were called, the second young master was called, he stepped forward. Among the three young masters that were participating in the awakening today, he was the second to be called up after Kranos.
Also eight years old, he was older than Kranos by nine months. He had dark brown hair and a pair of sharp black eyes.
After placing his hand on the marble, it gleamed for a moment before the information was displayed bith inside the mystic realm and in his mind
…
[Name: Javil]
[Cultivation Aptitude: A-grade]
[Elemental Affinity: Ice]
…
Shock!
Everyone looked at Javil in shock. An A-grade aptitude! Javil's lips curled into a faint smile, a faint aura of pride surfaced around his body, and at the same time a condescending look appeared in his eyes.
The children nearby felt a chilling pressure that stemmed from Jevil falling on them, they unconsciously took a step back. Though Kranos felt nothing, he mimicked the others and took two steps back, playing the role of a powerless 'trash' mortal.
Was that too much? Kranos chuckled inwardly. Still, he had seen enough to understand his cousin's nature—Javil was the type who looked down on others. He won't get far on the path of cultivation with an ego like that. Even though kranos didn't know much about cultivation, he could guess this much
…
Time flowed on, and it was soon time for the third young noble to be tested. As for Kranos's first cousin, she had already awakened the previous year.
…
Kranos' third cousin's stats was as follows…
[Name: Amomo]
[Cultivation Aptitude: A-grade]
[Elemental Affinity: Wind]
…
Another round of shocked gasps resounded in the awakening realm. To think not just one but two people awakened an A-grade talent! Two A-grade talents in one ceremony? The crowd could hardly believe it. The level of talent this year was unprecedented.
By the end of the ceremony, over a hundred children had been tested. Among them, three had awakened A-grade talents, four had B-grade, and the rest were C-grade or lower. Naturally, there were more than twenty who, like Kranos, were declared mortals.
…
As the ceremony concluded, the elder dismissed the group, and the children exited the secret realm. Their status, however, had shifted visibly. Now they walked in a new order—ranked by talent. The three A-grade talents walked in the lead, while the so-called mortals were left at the back… Kranos among them.
Whoosh!
…
As soon as they emerged from the portal, the children were met by the gazes of gathered elders, princes, and even the king himself. Most of them behind were nervous, after all, they awakened low-grade talents. Those in front were, of course, much more confident than the others, but in front of the gazes of the king and the others, they couldn't help but feel slight nervousness.
"You did well, children," the king said with a warm smile. The princes and elders behind him nodded in approval. This year's results were above average—perhaps the best in recent years. The only unfortunate person was the Fourth Young Master, who turned out to be a mortal. Thinking so, their gazes landed on kranos, they couldn't help but shake their heads in pity.
"You all should go and rest, those that awakened will begin their training tomorrow." The king announced, seeing the tired expressions on the faces of the children. As for the mortals, he wasn't concerned about them at all, of course, that was except for one of them.
"Kranos, come with me," the king said, and before Kranos could react, the two of them vanished—disappearing into thin air.