END Initiated...

Kiel finished off his customary night training and laid down on his bed totally exhausted. The vague images of his father still flashing in his memories. The various emotions spanning his mind, as his eyes, slowly closed themselves on their own.

But his rest was not for long as unknowingly the gentle wake up call of the faraway sun in spring, beckoned onto him to leave his bed. And recalling the crucial event of the day, Kiel woke up his groggy self and got ready to freshen up, while thinking about the last-minute preparations.

Lately, a little doubt has been popping up in his mind. Nobody had any mana in their body before the Mana Ceremony and awakened after in blocking their meridians in the ceremony. 

But due to his regular chakra and breathing exercises, Kiel had the gentle life-energy within him. Although it varied from what he had come to know about mana energy, still he had to consider the fact that maybe it was some special type of mana, and could not ignore it fully. 

It may even have some consequences like those mentioned in most fantasy novels out there. And if it was exposed during the ceremony, he may even be forced into an interrogation or other identical stuff. But these still could be controlled by a natural genius label on himself, but what if it conflicted with his meridians awakening during the ceremony. It may leave some sequela behind, if minor. Kiel didn't even want to think about the worst-case scenarios. 

Maybe he was thinking too much about the issue, but Kiel never believed in popping candies in his mouth and transforming into a Lucky bastard. His years of research (previous life) had inbuilt in him the sense to consider every aspect of something before proceeding in it. So, he would rather prepare himself fully to face everything than let it depend on luck.

[A/N: lucky man reference. If you guys have seen that animation]

At first, he had to build up the life-energy himself while practising. So if he didn't practice, there would be no energy within him. But now after practising for such a long time, his body itself could produce this energy unconsciously albeit a very tiny quantity. So he just couldn't leave the matter alone. And so, after taking some considerations in this matter, Kiel finally came up with a solution. Or rather he already had it with him.

Freshening up, Kiel started his body training first as usual. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, then going onto free punches and finally his sword and archery practice. 

After feeling that his body has warmed up sufficiently, Kiel commenced his chakra training. Concentrating on his breaths and using the diaphragm as support to draw in the natural mana filled air into himself and taking advantage of the fact of his now elevated blood flow to start the Vitalization and Circulation exercises.

This was the usual procedure. Usually, Kiel would let this gentle and viscous energy flow along to nourish and strengthen his inwards throughout the day and let it fill up his Root Chakra at night to aid the blooming of the remaining petals. This was the new and optimized schedule Kiel had come up with to maintain a steady foundation.

But today, he tried something else. Unlike the usual, Kiel let his life energy flow through his bloodstream to his root chakra instead. And just as he expected, when the energy came in contact with his chakra, it s.u.c.k.e.d up everything to its last drop like tasting a sweet delicacy, leaving him with a vacant feeling. After all his life energy was drained away, Kiel opened his eyes.

"Yes. Preparations all done. Now time for breakfast."

Kiel would feel what a great decision he made today when he would later reminisce about these days. 

Or he would just consider it as his innate talent.

…

"Wow, this place is a lot more overcrowded than usual."

As Kiel neared the WMMW Centre, he was faced with the overflowing people. The rich and wealthy people maintaining their haughty attitude at the front, while the poor and less influential following their backs with servitude, like a group of cattle following their owners. 

"Sigh! No matter where you go! Even if you cross worlds, you can find these scenes everywhere. "

But it didn't look that bad. After all, this was all there was to the human nature. The so-called society. For a moment Kiel lost himself in his philosophy. Only when the people in the back urged him did he start moving.

Arriving at the front gate, Kiel presented his pass to the security guards and then he was allowed entry inside. Looking around Kiel saw a lot of kids his age all inside the facility. A lot more than the few days in which he attended the lecture. The security was also tight, as Kiel saw many magicians standing guard. Kiel could feel the imposing aura within them. 

"Hmm, the security is quite good too. I wonder if the WMMW contains internet? It would be great if they do. I can hack into the system to take the important data. Then the physical security would prove meaningless. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Hehe… But first I have to understand magic technology sigh."

Kiel spoke with some unknown determination, with a creepy grin on his cute face. If anyone could peer into his thoughts at the moment, they would only regard him as a mental patient. Not mentioning the highest security, the information and books were in; but the kids were only here to awaken themselves, not thinking about going into war. Unlike a crazy someone.

" Yup, I should definitely try it! What! You all thought that I would become some crazy dao fighters or what?? Hehe, you are all wrong then. I will become the crazy dao scientist instead and then dissect all these people who want to oppose me to see what's inside them… Oops, wrong thoughts… wrong thoughts… Peace is justice... Amitabha!"

What peace, when even crazier thoughts started spinning inside his head, as he walked to the big auditorium in the distance. The enormous dome-shaped structure in the distance presented a majesty of the current era,  which awed the kids entering inside.

Kiel also entered the auditorium and took a chair for himself at the back to keep a distance from any nuisances.

The Ceremony held great importance for all the Magic pursuing students. They were all taking their very first step into the new world. What kind of Elemental Magician each would become, their direction of pursuit, and their future achievements, everything would start today. Awakening, just as the name sounds, involved awakening the hidden powers within the body.

Looking ahead Kiel saw all the best seats were occupied by the rich and wealthy kids from influential and noble families. And beside him were mainly the poor ones.

It seemed that not all the students had turned up yet and it would take some more time before the awakening ceremony started. So Kiel closed his eyes and started meditating to improve his concentration and calm himself down.

From time to time, some rich and influential family kids with haughty attitudes would also arrive. The whole auditorium would then quieten down, and discuss how great these kids are, which would in turn fuel their egos. 

A blonde girl with a frosty attitude, a little arrogant brunette boy in half pants, a boy with heterochromia eyes, and many other peculiar kids entered inside.

Kiel was also a spectator of all this. And after spending what seemed to be the longest waiting time of his life, a burly old man with white hairs came upstage to commence the ceremony.

"Silence!"

The imposing voice of the old man sounded in every corner of the auditorium, quietening down everyone. As if satisfied with the outcome, the old man continued on.

"Kids, welcome to the 109th Mana ceremony of Midnight Province. Let me introduce myself! I'm Guman Matrusashi. The Chief Executive of the Infinite Magic Academy, one of the five Imperial Academies, as many of you may know. We are responsible for the Awakening ceremony in your province this year. Presumably, all of you have been waiting eagerly for today, but before that, there are some things I need to say to everyone."

"Brats, do you know what it means to become a Mage?"

Pausing for a bit and ascertaining that he had all the gazes on him, the old man continued.

"No matter what kind of Mage you turn out to be, do not forget that we magicians exist to further allow humanity to grow. We protect the most important mission of humanity. Do not forget that outside of this safe haven, there are countless Magical Beasts and other races watching us like a tiger watches his prey..."

Watching the enthusiastic faces of the little kids, Guman knew his speech had succeeded.

"Alright, I won't take your time much. Let me explain the proceedings for today. Like every year, this year too we will provide Mana Awekeners for all the students where experienced professors will guide you with your meridians unblocking and a rich and pure supply of man will be provided for the first mana intake in your body. How much you can intake will be taken note of, and will ascertain your innate mana affinity and comprehension. So try your best to hold on there as much as you can. "

"And with your awakening will come your elemental affinity. After your meridians unblocking, you will all find that the mana rich environment is very active in the elemental activity. The elements there will proactively seek their affinity. If you have an affinity to any element, it will enclose you in its power in there causing mana phenomena, determining your innate talent. So concentrate and try to communicate with the elements the best you can. Your results now will be added to your performance when you apply for an Academy. And if anyone of you happens to awaken something special, we will directly take you into our academy if you want."

"Little brats! I wish you luck. Best you all awaken the fire element. That will allow you to hold an advantage over other Magic students. Although the other elements are quite alright, among the Inceptor-level Magicians, the Fire element is almost the best when it comes to attacks. Oh, the Earth element isn't bad either… nor is Wind element… Even if you all awaken the Water Element… don't lose hope. Remember every element has its own uniqueness." the Chief Supervisor

Elements like water are present in abundance near large water bodies or rains and only around these places could their real might be established. However, around other places, these elements are rather scarce. And although there are water element present in the atmosphere, a high mastery is still needed to detect and manipulate these elements. And even if one could manipulate these elements a lot more mana would be spent in the process. Hence, these elements were rather impractical for regular combat unless practised to a higher level. But it doesn't mean that they don't have an edge to them. In the case of rainfall, water element magicians would have their own power amplifier.

Similarly, the light element could mostly be used to lighten dark spaces in the initial stages and even at higher levels most effective on the dark element. Hence, not applicable for all-purpose. So people mostly had a low view of them, although even if they are rare in nature. 

It's not like everything that is rare is special. But elements like Healing element are all fawned upon, even though they have low combat effectiveness. 

[A/N: element speciality would be discussed in detail later. Kindly wait patiently. But any queries will be accommodated.]

Kiel nodded in understanding. It seems that when the Old Man starts talking, there's no stopping him.

The truth however was, Kiel was way too impatient now. His feet were continuously tapping on the ground, which showed his impatience. To him, the awakening today wasn't just a change of fate for him, but also an unprecedented attempt. In his original world, things like Magic simply did not exist. However, today he would finally be able to grasp this experience. 

And for a 'want to dissect everything kinda fellow' this was a whole new level of curiosity. 

So his little heart was leaping and frisking about.

As the Headmaster's speech came to an end, he finally came to the part everyone was looking forward to most.

"Alright, you will now begin the awakening ceremony today. I hope you will become rising stars in the future world of magic!"

As the Old Headmaster's words were said, the students on the grounds could no longer hold back the joy in their hearts.

Who doesn't want to wield flaming fires that brim with the power to destroy your enemies? Who doesn't want to wield ice and freeze the world over? Who doesn't want to dominate and gallop across the world with arrogance? Who doesn't want to wield the power of the earth and resist invaders?

Within innumerable stories and dramas, there are many heroes who are worshipped. Furthermore, this motivates these students to become a certain kind of Magician. Today is their first step into that journey to become a Mage who roams the various unexplored territories filled with treasures and opportunities, outside of the city; or rule the city of Magic with their paramount powers.   

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