In this world, there are three known paths to awakening.
The first is Natural Awakening—a gradual and harmonious process where an individual's mana core passively absorbs ambient mana from external sources. Once saturated, it releases this energy in a surge that breaks the first of seven power seals, marking the beginning of their awakened state.
The second method is known as Catalyst Awakening. In this artificial and invasive process, the mana core is surgically extracted from the body and placed within a concentrated mana environment. There, detached from its host, it is forcefully ignited. Though effective, this technique carries immense risk and is often reserved for those who show no signs of awakening through natural means.
The final and most brutal method is called Deathcall Awakening. Used only in the direst of cases, it involves subjecting the individual to an extreme life-or-death situation. The sheer surge of fear and adrenaline triggers a survival response so intense that the mana core awakens instinctively in order to protect its host. It is a dangerous gamble—one that either results in awakening… or death.
"Sir, the catalyst awakening failed," Felix said as he looked at Blake's mana core, which he had put inside a glass basin full of purified water. The purified water had a high concentration of mana.
"It failed...what do you mean it failed..... aren't you supposed to be good at what you do here," Rollo said sternly, glaring at Felix.
"UH yes sir...but... I've never seen anything like this. This is so bizarre. You see-" Felix was interrupted by Rollo.
"I don't care why it's so bizarre. Just make it work," Rollo said, his tone sharp with warning. "You better not disappoint me." With that, he pushed open the door, pausing just long enough to shoot a cold glance back at Felix before leaving the ward.
"I'll be back in three days," he said sternly, his voice as deep as buried thunder."I expect results," Rollo then left the bureau.
For the next few days, Felix poured every ounce of his focus into awakening Blake's core. He tried every known catalyst, every method at his disposal, but his efforts yielded nothing. Despair gnawed at him, and a cold fear settled in his chest. The duke's wrath was a fate he dared not imagine.
Rollo ruled his province with unyielding cruelty, his grip was as tight as iron. He tolerated no failure, no incompetence. Those who fell short of his expectations were met with ruthless punishment. The people of the province whispered of his iron-fisted rule, but their words meant nothing. Rollo cared not for their demands or pleas—his word was law, and any who defied it were swiftly crushed beneath his unforgiving boot.
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Three days had passed since Rollo left the bureau, and Felix had made no progress. Blake's mana core remained stubbornly inert, mocking his every attempt. No matter what he did, it refused to awaken.
"Why won't you just awaken?!" Felix screamed, his voice cracking with raw anger and frustration. "Damned core!" He kicked the bucket of water, sending it crashing to the ground, its contents spilling out like his last hope draining away. His fists clenched as his vision blurred. "I'm dead... I'm dead... He's going to kill me. For sure."
"Who's going to kill you?" a cold voice whispered from behind Felix. He froze. It was Rollo, back to check on the progress of Blake's mana core. Felix's body tensed in terror, his heart pounding in his chest.
Rollo stood there, his gaze sharp and unyielding as he stared down at Felix, who trembled under the weight of that stare. He was dressed in a black silk shirt and white pants, an almost unsettling contrast to the storm brewing in Felix's mind. His blonde hair gleamed, flawless as ever, a perfect, radiant crown that only served to highlight the darkness in his eyes.
"Report the progress, Felix," Rollo said, his voice sharp and unforgiving.
"Uh… s-sir, I… you see—" Felix stammered, his whole body trembling.
"No, I don't see," Rollo snapped. "I see nothing. What exactly have you been doing for the past three days?"
"The catalyst method failed, i think it's time we move on to the next method,"
"Very well...once the boy wakes up meet me in the agreed location," Rollo said as he walked out of the room.
"Understood sir,"
Felix removed Blake's core from the basin and carefully inserted it back into his chest. With practiced hands, he stitched the incision shut, then slumped into the chair by his desk, eyes fixed on Blake's still form.
Hours passed.
Blake stirred.
His eyelids fluttered open, and his vision was a blur of light and shadow. He stared at the ceiling, his breath shallow, as consciousness slowly returned.
Where am I?Oh—right. I was with my dad… and Dr. Felix.I'm starving.Why am I so hungry?And cold. It's freezing in here.
The thoughts came slowly, like flickers in a fog. Blake's vision cleared, shapes sharpening into focus. He blinked up at the ceiling, then turned his head slightly, his eyes landing on Felix.
He stared at him in silence for a moment, gathering the strength to speak.
"What happened?" Blake asked, his voice dry and uncertain. "Why do I feel so dizzy?"
He looked down—and froze.
There, carved into the center of his chest, was a thick, jagged scar. His breath caught. The skin around it was red and raw, the wound recent. Horror rooted him in place.
Felix didn't look up right away. He sat motionless at his desk, eyes fixed on something Blake couldn't see. When he finally turned, his expression was carefully composed—neutral, practiced.
"You were slipping," he said. "The core wasn't stabilizing. I had to intervene—finish the process."
Blake blinked slowly. "Process?"
Felix stood and approached the table, stopping just short of Blake's reach. "We were trying to awaken your core. But your body began rejecting it. I had no choice but to act fast."
Blake's gaze dropped to the ugly scar carved into his chest. "You said it would be seamless. Controlled."
Felix nodded once. "That was the plan."
Blake sat up, every movement sluggish and strange. "And now? Did it work?"
A pause.
Felix's eyes didn't flinch. "Too early to tell."
But it wasn't. Felix already knew.
He'd run the diagnostics. The readings were flat. The core hadn't stirred, hadn't resonated, hadn't responded at all. Blake's awakening had failed. And Felix hadn't told him.
Felix lingered for a moment, eyes scanning Blake's face. Then he offered the faintest smile—reassuring, practiced.
"You'll awaken soon," he said. "The signs just haven't shown yet. It takes time for some."
Blake's eyes lit up, the fear in them melting into wonder. "So… I'll really be able to use magic?"
Felix nodded, lying through his teeth. "Yes. You will."
Blake sank back against the pillows, a small, breathless laugh escaping him. "Finally. After all this time…"
Felix didn't answer. He crossed the room in silence and returned with a folded set of clothes and a tray of food—nothing special, just warm and filling.
"Eat," he said, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Get dressed when you're ready. We've got somewhere to be."
"Where?" Blake asked between mouthfuls, barely able to contain his excitement.
Felix glanced at him, expression unreadable. "Somewhere important."
Felix turned away before Blake could see the flicker of guilt in his eyes.
You'll awaken soon.
The words echoed hollowly in his head. A lie, clean and practiced—but it still sat like lead on his tongue.
He walked to the sink in the corner of the room, running water over his hands just for something to do. The soft trickle masked the quiet sounds of Blake eating behind him. Felix stared into the basin, jaw tight.
He deserved the truth.But the truth would break him.And right now, he needs hope more than honesty.
The core hadn't responded. Not a flicker, not a hum. It was inert—just like the others who hadn't been compatible. But Blake had something they didn't: potential. Not magical, maybe, but something else. Something important.
Felix dried his hands, then rested them on the counter, bracing himself.
He's not ready for what comes next. And if he knew… he wouldn't come at all.
He took a breath, forcing the weight back into the cage he kept it in. Then he turned, the mask back in place.
"Finish eating," he said calmly. "We leave soon."