When I came to, I was in the exact same position as before. No time had seemingly passed. The crystal before me pulsed with golden light.
His reaction was immediate—shock, awe, and a flicker of fear. It was well hidden, buried beneath his composed facade, but it was there. His fingers clawed at the Broken Crown pendant like it might anchor him.
The priest forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH46R7lf175
"A Codex of Myths. How... fortunate."
The word dripped with venom as his fingers rubbed the Broken Crown pendant hanging at his throat.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpRY4Q2hwi
"The Church could use a young man of your... potential."
His confidence was understandable—he was a priest of the Holy Broken Church, the largest religious order in the kingdom, even if he was of the lower ranks.
I forced a grin in return.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6lVMwDowH
"I'll need time to decide, Father. The Church raised me—I wouldn't betray their kindness."
The lie tasted like rusted iron.
I didn't like his entitled way of acting nor his so-called 'religion', but I had to play my part, easing any suspicion.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrJpWS4JEF
"Don't worry, sir, you have the best chance. The Holy Church of the Broken has cared for me for as long as I can remember, and I don't forget kindness. I will repay it."
I softened my tone, adding respect to my words.
The priest studied me for a moment, then nodded.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwsg7T4jml
"I am not so shallow-minded, boy. I understand your position. Take your time."
He leaned closer, his shadow swallowing me whole.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kgJRpLa7X
"My name is Priest Lir. If you need guidance during your enrollment, seek me out."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the cathedral's inner chambers. Taking it as my cue to leave, I pushed open the doors and stepped into the hall.
Nadine, Mira, and Ivy were waiting. They leaned against a cracked marble pillar, their postures tense, with Ivy chewing her thumbnail raw. As soon as they saw me, they waved me over.
Mira tapped her foot.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmTyKmGT6J
"Well?"
"I'm done with the awakening." I exhaled.
Ivy beamed.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKedI3V1qX
"What did you awaken, Kael? I'm really curious! But don't worry, even if it's not strong, we'll still support you."
Mira smirked.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewgCoo9nfe
"Little Kael, keeping us waiting isn't very polite."
Nadine simply met my gaze.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sn1s2ptzS
"So? What was it?"
I hesitated. Should I tell them the truth? Not here. Not yet.
"Codex of Myths," I finally said. "The priest also tried recruiting me into the Church."
Surprise flickered across their faces. Excitement. Hope.
Mira recovered first and whistled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7n7uI1r0z
"Would you look at that? I expected something like a Codex of Tales, maybe something a little higher, but this? You're full of surprises, little Kael."
"Sister Kat will be thrilled!" Ivy clapped her hands. "Let's tell her right away!"
We all nodded, ready to leave—until we were interrupted.
A girl with shoulder-length black hair and piercing blue eyes approached us. She wore the uniform of Tower De Sanctum.
"Pardon the interruption," she said, her tone crisp but polite. "I am Vera Ellar, from the Tower's recruitment department. May I have a moment of your time?"
She handed me a small card with her details—like a business card but marked with the Tower's emblem.
I studied her carefully.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzsszZff0P
"Is something wrong?"
"Not at all." She smiled. "I am here to extend an invitation. The Tower would love to have someone of your potential among our next batch of students. You will receive a letter in the coming days to confirm your interest. There will be no pressure—we do not force or persuade, only offer opportunity."
I nodded.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmxdbCjiyU
"I appreciate the Tower reaching out. I'll look forward to the letter."
Vera shook my hand, then turned and left with her group.
Mira chuckled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSg8os8m7B
"Well, well. That was unexpected."
"Yeah… I didn't think I'd be this lucky," I admitted.
As we walked back home, the bustling Stel City Market came into view. The market swallowed us whole—a cacophony of haggling vendors and clattering carts. Cinnamon and clove bit the air, undercut by rot.
Mira flicked my ear.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksdE5BDK02
"Hello? Future ImprintWeaver? Still with us?"
I blinked.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAUK8HkIuJ
"Sorry, got distracted."
"No worries!" Ivy grinned. "We promised to take you exploring after your awakening, remember? Think of it as a celebration."
They each took a hand and pulled me into the market.
And then I bumped into someone.
She stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. I immediately reached out to steady her.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OBdyFLVaG
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
Her skin was cold to the touch.
She dusted herself off, nodding.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2hZuOMGGc
"Yeah, I should've been paying more attention too."
She glanced at us.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDwsMleV5m
"I was in a rush."
She straightened, offering a small smile.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T2zxh6gCg
"Let me start off with introductions. My name is Liora Lamt. I'm a merchant visiting Stel City for the awakening ceremonies. I'm seventeen, and you look like you are in my age group, so we're probably around the same age. No need for formalities. I am a bit of an opportunist, which is the main reason I came to Stel City during the awakening ceremony time where the Market is at its best to find some opportunities and ways to make a profit, and an occasional disaster."
"Kindred spirit," Nadine said, directing it at Mira, who snorted.
I nodded.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAwQ5zrjCE
"Kaelus Kuon, but just Kael is fine. I turned sixteen today."
I gestured to my sisters.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Grgu4w4p
"They took me to my awakening ceremony and are now taking me to explore the market since I haven't ecplored it before."
Liora chuckled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6Q4hDqcZn
"Congratulations on your awakening! A small piece of advice—don't put too much weight on your result. Being an ImprintWeaver is great, but it's not the only path. Look at me. I'm a merchant. It may not put me at the top, but it keeps me fed, clothed, and well-connected. Profit opens doors, and sometimes, coins open more doors than magic."
Ivy stepped forward, fists clenched.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfrciDkMdb
"ImprintWeavers are heroes—"
"Heroes starve like the rest of us."
Liora hoisted her silks, preparing to leave.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos5v0O11KJ
"Just a thought. They can be praised, but they can still get hungry."
She was quite philosophical for her age and gave great advice, but I really didn't need it. She assumed I'd failed, that my sisters were trying to cheer me up. The advice was to help me see the good side of other options. I decided to correct her to reduce her embarrassment.
"Actually, my awakening went pretty well. I even got recruited."
Liora stiffened.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ZmZAVkGn
"Oh. Well… that's embarrassing." She rubbed her neck. "Forget my unsolicited wisdom."
"It was good advice." I smiled. "And I owe you a favor for it. So, what's the rush about?"
She hesitated.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlRIYLI7su
"I'm looking for my aunt. My mother told me she lives in Stel City. I thought this would be my chance to find her."
Something in me stirred.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAapWhSCDLC
"Where does she live? And her name? I might be able to help."
Mira leaned in, smirking.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xJfQZNOgx
"Oh? Flirting already, Kael? I didn't know you had it in you."
"It's not like that," I muttered.
"Yeah, he's not flirting," Ivy said, her usual cheerfulness absent.
Mira raised an eyebrow.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Bte6Fg3h
"Oh? Someone sounds jealous."
Ivy tensed. Before she could argue, Liora cut in.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JRTOmqCwQ
"It's fine. No need to stress over me."
"Actually," Mira mused, "this could be fun. A little side adventure."
Liora sighed, then rummaged through her bag. A folded cloth slipped from her bag. Sister Kat's name stared up at me in frayed embroidery.
I read the name stitched onto it—and froze.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT1dotrrSf
Katherine Eir.
Sister Kat. The caretaker of our orphanage.
Mira's jaw dropped.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4m4y2Ldy0
"What? No way! What are the odds?!"
Liora looked at us, confused.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyDyj7dnFo
"What? What's wrong?"
I exhaled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPn3Ol6cu4
"Your aunt… is our caretaker."
Her eyes widened.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiPGcwxHLO
"Are you serious?! My aunt?!!"
"Dead serious," Nadine muttered. "This… is unexpected."
Liora's shock melted into excitement.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhBg8bGHXZ
"Can you take me to her? I have a message from my mom."
Liora fell into step with us. She pointed at the silk.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiNV1euC0d
"It's a shawl. My mom made it for her, back when they were kids."
"We'll give it back." Ivy grinned. "She'll love it."
Nadine took the lead.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1rDfJtbGY
"Let's go. Sister Kat is in for quite the surprise."
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHCQq6c4Fk
and then Add to home screen.