The warmth of the sun’s rays hitting the open window woke up Aston in his slumber. The world outside was already bustling. Aston yawned and groaned until he remembered what today is. Excitedly, he went to shower and donned on his garments he prepared the night before.

  His polo shirt a bit loose, and his trousers hung too long, Aston folded them to adjust for his short stature. He inserted his polo shirt inside his trousers and fastened it with a belt to hide the looseness of the shirt. He combed his wavy hair and slipped on his pair of shoes. It was a good thing that the shoes came with a comfy fit. He checked the time on his old and outdated smartphone. It was nearly 9AM. He could not sleep yesterday due to excitement and had overslept a bit. Good thing the ceremony starts at 12NN, so he had some time to spare.

  Upon reaching the city square, Aston found himself amongst a sea of people. It is to be noted that the mass awakening ceremony is treated as a holiday within Shale City. Most families will want to watch the ceremony while encouraging their children. Some watch for fun, others stay at home to rest and relax.

  While the ceremony has not started yet, as it is still a bit early, Aston found some hawkers selling food outside the square. As he had not had his breakfast, he bought some food to alleviate his hunger. His breakfast cost around five copper. This is a bit more expensive due to the holidays as well as buying it in the bustle of the city. An average meal would cost around four copper. Ten copper coins can be exchanged to one silver coin, and ten silver coins to one gold. One hundred gold coins translate to one dragon gold.

  “There sure are a lot of people here.”

  “Corsages, brocades, bouquets!”

  “Dear, sir! How about a spirit bracelet for your newly awakened kid?”

  “My cousin awakened to a green potential two years ago. He is already being scouted by three sects!”

  Hawkers in the streets advertising their wares are heard by Aston whilst eating. If I awaken as an orange potential, I’ll have a future. If it is red… no it won’t be red.

  Spirit potential determines the ability of a person to form contracts with spirit beasts. The higher the potential, the more powerful spirit beasts they can tame and command. Spirit potential known today can be subdivided into: clear, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and black, where clear potential is either unawakened or minimal awakening, while black is a once-in-a-generation awakening, capable of contracting beasts of myths and legends.

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  It is to be noted that one’s potential often dictates one’s social stature. People with little to no potential are often looked down by those with potentials, and have difficulties in securing well paid jobs. Oftentimes, they are relegated to farming or manual labor, if there are no spirit beasts available that can do those.

  Red potentials, while having the lowest potential aside from the clears, can at least create contracts with low-ranking beasts like messenger birds, livestock beasts, and other miscellaneous ones.

  Orange potentials are the backbone of society. They are capable of contracting with beasts capable of hunting, guarding, and combat. As a requirement, most towns and cities require guards to have at least an orange potential in order to hire them. The oranges have the most common awakening among all potential ranks.

  Yellow potentials have higher potentials than oranges and reds, where they are sought out to be mercenaries and elite guards. This is also the bare minimum that academies accept as students.

  Green potentials are often sought out by varying sects and establishments. They are able to tame rare spirit beasts - enhancing their survival and combat prowess.

  Blue potentials are sought by royalties to become their retainers. Having blue potential means elevating your status equal to that of a noble. Leadership roles within sects, cities, and academies, often have blue potential.

  Indigo potentials are extremely rare and highly respected. Their ability to tame near-mythical beasts grant them immense and powerful combat prowess, equating them to generals, rulers, and sect leaders.

  Violet potentials are like a speck of diamond dust over a beach. They can call the winds and waves and turn the tide of a war. They can bond with dragons and phoenixes of the myths - capable of being a one-man army. It is so celebrated that when the second prince of the empire awakened to a violet potential, he was immediately bestowed the title of crown prince by the emperor.

  Black potentials are once-in-a-generation people who are so rare that there may be or may not be one in the current generation. They are revered to be gods with their god-like prowess and spirit beasts. History has recorded that the first emperor of the empire, the Red Moon Emperor, had a black potential. When the empire was founded, there were none who would defy and would make an opponent of the empire.

  But that was the stuff of legends - far removed from the life of an orphan standing by the edge of the bustling square, clutching a half-eaten meal in his hand. Aston swallowed the last bite of his meal, wiping his hands on his trousers, as he gazed towards the display screen beside the platform. The crowd thickened, voices rising in excitement as more children neared the platform. He tossed the food wrapper by the trash bin and went to register his name by the registration booth.