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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b59A5S9en
"A Codex of Myths. How... fortunate."
The word dripped with venom as his fingers rubbed the Broken Crown pendant hanging at his throat.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMOjOLNUb0
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocJcTdg8sp
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Whig4j3p
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKnVDTFOo1
"I am not so shallow-minded, boy. I understand your position. Take your time."
He leaned closer, his shadow swallowing me whole.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UamxeNVRE
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ilH3gJkHi
"Well?"
"I'm done with the awakening." I exhaled.
Ivy beamed.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnpzuNbEK4
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxPR7MSzqM
"Little Kael, keeping us waiting isn't very polite."
Nadine simply met my gaze.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i2kXOTBtI
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswE6FPlwl5
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwRR5ZdPJ4
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZuN4dJFoD
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSOD4vlLvW
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI3UHy8upf
"Hello? Future ImprintWeaver? Still with us?"
I blinked.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFCshe8P5b
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7YnJkhqg7
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
Her skin was cold to the touch.
She dusted herself off, nodding.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjQ06YtWsp
"Yeah, I should've been paying more attention too."
She glanced at us.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbONmvjgjJe
"I was in a rush."
She straightened, offering a small smile.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJsSRSCipp
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3J2LrfIhU
"Kaelus Kuon, but just Kael is fine. I turned sixteen today."
I gestured to my sisters.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGte306FOZ
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu09Kco6Vnw
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdtvPuzvAW
"ImprintWeavers are heroes—"
"Heroes starve like the rest of us."
Liora hoisted her silks, preparing to leave.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfkuRRPTIx
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTCSeBxWZo
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ycGIRgj4N
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaWF6WzFFL
"Where does she live? And her name? I might be able to help."
Mira leaned in, smirking.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBH5W5bBJ8
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAP7hEFKmh
"Oh? Someone sounds jealous."
Ivy tensed. Before she could argue, Liora cut in.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN8VSu28bf
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC4Fn2JATV
Katherine Eir.
Sister Kat. The caretaker of our orphanage.
Mira's jaw dropped.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DdRJaj2Ey
"What? No way! What are the odds?!"
Liora looked at us, confused.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyZu0Md9xV
"What? What's wrong?"
I exhaled.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw9PjIr3Jz
"Your aunt… is our caretaker."
Her eyes widened.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoZAGnCZSq
"Are you serious?! My aunt?!!"
"Dead serious," Nadine muttered. "This… is unexpected."
Liora's shock melted into excitement.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqiecU7H5Q
"Can you take me to her? I have a message from my mom."
Liora fell into step with us. She pointed at the silk.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXAlAMpddV
"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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y1FQuTmfp
"Let's go. Sister Kat is in for quite the surprise."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYWQgi8XUG
