Chapter 3: Awakening

The moment Ethan placed his hand on the awakening crystal, a strange sensation flooded his body. It was exactly as his father had described—thousands of hands crawling over his skin, pressing into every inch of his being.

He grimaced. That’s disgusting.

But before he could pull away, the crystal reacted.

A blinding light erupted from it, swallowing the entire room in a golden radiance. The glow was not just bright—it was pure, overwhelming, almost divine. The air shifted, thick with energy, and an indescribable warmth spread through the space.

Everyone instinctively took a step back.

The golden hue wasn’t just an indicator of a high-ranking talent—it carried an unshakable presence. It demanded attention, exuding an authority beyond mortal comprehension. It was the kind of light that made people instinctively kneel, as though witnessing something beyond human understanding.

Iris, Ethan’s mother, was the first to break the silence. Her lips curled into a wide, knowing smile.

“This level of radiance ... It’s at least an S-rank,” she murmured, her voice filled with confidence.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with pride as she turned toward her husband, arms crossed with an almost smug expression. “I told you my baby isn’t inferior to Lucas and Eva. You were too busy trying to force him into things he doesn’t like to see it for yourself.”

Lionnel, ever the stern and composed man, remained quiet. He simply watched the golden light with an unreadable expression.

For a brief second, the corner of his eye twitched. He was tempted to smack the self-satisfaction off his wife’s face—but he knew better. He might be the head of the household, but Iris was his equal in every way. Not only was her intellect frightening, but her magic prowess was something he didn’t dare provoke unnecessarily.

So, he did the next best thing—he ignored her and focused on his son’s awakening.