Chapter 7: Elijah Stoneheart
While Noah Weaverheart underwent his awakening, so did another.
Across the city, within the vast Stoneheart domain, an important ceremony was unfolding.
The Awakening Chamber.
A grand hall bathed in soft golden light, filled with rows of children—twelve-year-olds from the Stoneheart Clan, one of the Four Great Families.
Unlike other noble houses, the Stonehearts were many.
Their patriarch had multiple wives, many children, and even more branch families. Their numbers were overwhelming, making them the most populated among the Four Families.
And here, in this sacred space, the future of their lineage would be determined.
The chamber buzzed with excitement, but beneath the thrill, fear festered.
Because the Stonehearts had only one rule.
Strength is everything.
If you awakened a powerful talent, they would embrace you as kin.
If you awakened trash, even beggars in the streets would be worth more than you.
And so, whispers filled the hall.
"I bet Lord Aiden will awaken a powerful talent, just like the Patriarch." A girl whispered, eyes shining with admiration.
All eyes drifted toward Aiden Stoneheart—a boy of golden hair and piercing blue eyes.
He stood at the center, exuding arrogance, his very presence commanding attention.
Around him, children and sycophants swarmed like flies to a flame.
"Yes! Lord Aiden will surely be exceptional." Another voice chimed in. "And Lady Patricia too."
Their gazes flickered to a girl standing at a distance—Patricia Stoneheart.
Her golden hair shimmered under the chamber's light, yet unlike Aiden, she stood in perfect silence, uninterested in the chatter around her.
Then, someone scoffed.
"But what about that bastard?"
Mocking laughter followed.
"Elijah Stoneheart? Hah! Let's see what garbage talent he awakens."
"Probably E-rank trash, just like how worthless he is."
The ridicule continued, but one boy remained silent.
A boy with golden hair, dirtied from neglect. His once-bright clothes now tattered. His hands clenched into trembling fists.
Elijah Stoneheart.
The bastard son of Oliver Stoneheart.
He had heard their whispers for years. He had felt their scorn since birth.
Yet he never reacted.
Not because he was weak—which he was actually.
Because he had learned—reacting was pointless.
But today… today was different.
Today, everything would change.
His mother had begged on her knees, groveling for hours just so he could be included in this ceremony.
He would not waste it.
And he would never forget the humiliation.
'Just a good talent,' Elijah prayed, his fingers tightening. 'Just an A-rank. Please, Goddess…'
Then—
BOOM!
The chamber doors swung open.
A tall woman entered, her golden gown flowing like liquid sunlight.
Iris Stoneheart.
The one overseeing the ceremony.
Stepping onto the central platform, she addressed the room.
"Welcome." Her voice was clear and commanding.
"I am here to supervise your awakenings."
Her gaze swept across the children.
"When I call your name, step forward. Place your hand on the crystal. Awaken."
Silence fell.
"Let's not waste time. Julie Stoneheart, step forth."
And so, the ceremony began.
…
Hours passed.
Dozens of names were called, one after another.
But none of them were exceptional.
At best, a handful had B-rank talents.
Most were C or D.
Now, only three remained.
The heirs—Aiden, Patricia.
And the bastard—Elijah.
"Aiden Stoneheart, step forth."
Aiden walked forward, his every step brimming with arrogance.
He placed his palm onto the crystal.
Silence.
Then—
Heat.
An oppressive wave of fire erupted, flooding the chamber.
The temperature soared. Sweat dripped from foreheads. Some children stumbled back, gasping.
Aiden stood engulfed in crimson flames. The air around him burned, seems like standing in a middle of erupted volcano.
When the fire finally dimmed, Elder Iris nodded approvingly.
"Aiden Stoneheart," she announced.
"SS-rank talent—Fire of Destruction."
Gasps echoed.
"I knew it!" someone cheered.
"Lord Aiden is amazing!"
Aiden smirked, basking in their praise.
But Elijah barely heard them.
His heart pounded.
It's my turn soon.
"Patricia Stoneheart, step forth."
Patricia moved forward with elegant indifference.
When her hand touched the crystal, holy fire burst forth.
A fire not just hot—but divine. The fire seemed to burn impurities in the air making the space around Patricia pure.
When it faded, the verdict was clear.
"Patricia Stoneheart," Iris declared.
"SS-rank talent—Holy Fire."
More cheers. More admiration.
Aiden glanced at his sister, a flicker of irritation in his eyes.
But Patricia simply stepped back—unbothered.
Now, only one name remained.
The bastard's name.
"Elijah Stoneheart, step forth."
Elijah walked forward.
Not timidly.
Not hunched.
But straight-backed.
Resolved.
He ignored the glares. The snickers.
Without waiting for instruction, he placed his hand on the crystal.
Instantly—
The world erupted.
FWOOM!
Flames roared, engulfing the entire chamber.
But this was no ordinary fire.
It was different.
Hotter. Wilder. Uncontrollable.
The very air distorted, as if reality itself warped around him.
And then—
The crystal melted.
Not cracked.
Melted into molten slag.
The chamber descended into chaos.
Children collapsed, gasping for breath. Some fell unconscious.
Even Aiden staggered, his arrogance vanishing into wide-eyed shock.
Patricia's usual calm shattered.
Because Elijah wasn't just engulfed in fire.
He was bathed in light.
And space itself… trembled.
Three affinities.
Fire. Light. Space.
Then, a golden light descended from the sky.
The moment it touched Elijah, his filthy clothes disintegrated, now a white robe with golden inscription embracing him.
His golden hair shone, cleansed of dirt. His eyes gleamed—bright, fierce, divine.
He stood there, radiant.
And then—
{Congratulations, Elijah Stoneheart.}
{You are now connected to the Akashic Records.}
Three messages flashed before him.
{You have awakened three talents:}
• Phoenix's Fire (SSS-rank)
• Light Holder (S-rank)
• Teleportation (A-rank)
{Assessing your existence…}
{Ding! Ding! Ding!}
{FANTASTIC!.}
{You have obtained two titles:}
• The Blessed One.
• The Monstrous Genius.
{Your existence has been greatly enhanced.}
Elijah barely had time to process this before—
[Ding! You have awakened your system.]
[The Champion's System has been activated.]
[Welcome, Host.]
'So this is whys true power feels like.'
A smile spread across Elijah's lips.
Not just any smile.
An smile on would give when finally obtained the very thing they wished for — no even better.
He turned, meeting the eyes of those who had mocked him.
Their faces were pale.
Their expressions—horrified.
Elder Iris stepped forward, her voice trembling.
"Elijah Stoneheart…" she declared.
"SSS-rank talent of unknown name… and two other talents in Space and Light."
The moment those words fell—
A single thought echoed in the minds of almost everyone present.
'We are fucked.'
And they were.
—End of Chapter 7—
A/N:
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