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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE2tkhh9QK
"A Codex of Myths. How... fortunate."
The word dripped with venom as his fingers rubbed the Broken Crown pendant hanging at his throat.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TgSEh5Lqx
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytqOamDDbN
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tb5FSdxgD
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4r5yW8ZAb
"I am not so shallow-minded, boy. I understand your position. Take your time."
He leaned closer, his shadow swallowing me whole.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZa1LEZDCy
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXNXpXKUDB
"Well?"
"I'm done with the awakening." I exhaled.
Ivy beamed.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ52LQGSs5
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCewqTR8PY
"Little Kael, keeping us waiting isn't very polite."
Nadine simply met my gaze.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NDyphL7Kl
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrFp2aZSru
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqxyzKGahm
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRNhF7oeE1
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkHZBuSMsS
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxaGYE8iI2
"Hello? Future ImprintWeaver? Still with us?"
I blinked.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHvJhZJsio
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUESyBsIhEn
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
Her skin was cold to the touch.
She dusted herself off, nodding.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bnHyZGWE1
"Yeah, I should've been paying more attention too."
She glanced at us.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkF3Yjyrsd
"I was in a rush."
She straightened, offering a small smile.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TETbfATWX
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7b5TTHcgS
"Kaelus Kuon, but just Kael is fine. I turned sixteen today."
I gestured to my sisters.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5A7Mvd0I2
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJR6S4CM15
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXNxP9wXGl
"ImprintWeavers are heroes—"
"Heroes starve like the rest of us."
Liora hoisted her silks, preparing to leave.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjSQ8c5vCY
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtns3m6ANN
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c5vySmw6h
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2nlXDW0O0
"Where does she live? And her name? I might be able to help."
Mira leaned in, smirking.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AhsVBVtW9
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl0EH7HJSP
"Oh? Someone sounds jealous."
Ivy tensed. Before she could argue, Liora cut in.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iTiUKEpQt
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ7cEoRkH6
Katherine Eir.
Sister Kat. The caretaker of our orphanage.
Mira's jaw dropped.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWyNoGBvs4
"What? No way! What are the odds?!"
Liora looked at us, confused.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6k47u5BLz
"What? What's wrong?"
I exhaled.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXTFMqRPZ4
"Your aunt… is our caretaker."
Her eyes widened.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQQRmfMvhw
"Are you serious?! My aunt?!!"
"Dead serious," Nadine muttered. "This… is unexpected."
Liora's shock melted into excitement.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHw2zwXkml
"Can you take me to her? I have a message from my mom."
Liora fell into step with us. She pointed at the silk.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWor25Z2gE
"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.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeAcjypcrt
"Let's go. Sister Kat is in for quite the surprise."
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and then Add to home screen.