For a world so divided, during moments of silence, it could be so beautiful, so breathtaking, especially the night sky. Mark often found himself lost in its vastness, a silent escape from the chaos of his reality.

  Mark blinked—or at least he hoped he blinked; it was all so surreal. “What is this? Where am I?” he groggily thought, his mind feeling just as heavy and lethargic as his body. He blinked again, this time certain he had done it.

  A groan escaped his lips, but when he tried to speak, his words were swallowed by a mouthful of a sweet, golden liquid. He looked around and realized he was encased in a strange cocoon, suspended in a thick, syrupy substance that made every movement feel like he was wading through honey. It was the final stage of the Profession Awakening process, and while he had heard stories, no one had described it like this.

  Earlier, the students had used their hard-earned points to purchase high-grade Mana Stones, infusing them with their own mana as part of the awakening ritual. For some, the infusion took mere minutes; for others, it stretched into hours. Mark had spent no less than twelve, his stone slowly transforming from the shimmering silver of a standard high-grade stone into a dark, foreboding purple. By the time he was done, his classmates had already moved on to the next phase.

  Annabeth, his closest friend, had tried to wait for him, but Professor M had swiftly dismissed her with a wave of his hand and a stern command: “I won’t tolerate such nonsense in my presence.”

  When Mark finally approached the final stage, Professor M ushered him into an ancient, rickety elevator that descended deep into the earth, the rattling of chains echoing in the cramped space. They stood side by side in silence, the only sound the hum of the machinery. Mark’s anxiety gnawed at him, unable to quell the nervous energy building in his chest.

  “Professor, where are we going?” Mark finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Professor M glanced at him, his eyes cold and distant. “Down,” he replied curtly, as though the question was beneath him. Mark sighed, knowing better than to press further. The professor’s responses were always an enigma, revealing nothing and leaving much to the imagination.

  The descent felt like it went on for hours, and Mark’s unease only grew. As the elevator finally ground to a halt, the doors creaked open, revealing a vast, underground chamber filled with Pro-Medics, scholars, and lecturers, all meticulously monitoring various devices. The air was thick with tension and the faint hum of magic.

  Professor M stepped forward, his cane tapping against the stone floor with each step. “Proceed to the tree at the center,” he instructed, pointing with his cane toward an enormous tree that dominated the chamber. Its trunk was wide enough to swallow a house, and its branches stretched impossibly far, glowing faintly with an ethereal light. “Push your Mana Stone into the tree. Do not resist whatever comes next. Rest assured, no harm will come to you,” he said, his tone firm yet oddly reassuring.

  Mark stared at the tree, its bark pulsing with a faint, rhythmic glow. He hesitated, feeling a strange pull toward it. He approached slowly, his heart racing. His hand shook as he pressed the dark purple Mana Stone against the trunk. Immediately, the stone began to sink into the bark, and before he could react, his hand was pulled in as well, followed by the rest of his body.

  For a fleeting moment, panic surged through him, but just as quickly, he heard Professor M’s voice cut through the haze: “Your father would be proud of the man you have become.”

  The words struck Mark like a bolt of lightning, shocking him to his core but also comforting him in an unexpected way. It was the first time anyone had spoken about his father in such a personal, almost tender manner. Before he could even process the words, he was swallowed whole by the tree.

  Now, suspended in the cocoon, Mark tried to calm his racing thoughts. The umbilical cord attached to his chest pulsed faintly, feeding him mana that felt warm and soothing. He closed his eyes, trying to center himself, but his mind kept drifting back to what Professor M had said.

  “Why would he say that?” Mark thought. His father had been a renowned mage, revered and feared, but he had died before Mark was old enough to truly know him. The remark filled him with a mix of pride and sorrow.

  Mark’s body twitched involuntarily as memories of his father—vague and half-formed—flashed before him. The scent of old books, the sound of spells crackling in the air, and a strong hand resting on his shoulder. But just as quickly as they came, the memories were gone, leaving Mark with a strange emptiness.

  His thoughts were interrupted as a sharp pain jolted through his chest, and he felt his mana surging, mixing with the liquid around him. He gasped, swallowing more of the golden fluid. The sensation was overwhelming, teetering between pain and pleasure. He clenched his fists, fighting to stay conscious as his mana flowed through the cord, circulating back into him in a powerful, rejuvenating loop.

  “It’s working,” Professor M’s voice echoed faintly in his mind. “You’re on the cusp, Mark. Remember this moment.”

  “Professor M,” Mark called out, his voice muffled by the cocoon. He wasn’t sure if he was speaking aloud or if his thoughts were projecting. “What’s expected of me after this? What happens when I wake up?”

  There was a brief pause, and then Professor M’s voice returned, calm and steady. “When you awaken, you will be more than just a student. You will bear the weight of your new profession, and with it, responsibilities that will challenge you in ways you cannot yet understand. You will be expected to lead, to make decisions that could shape the very fabric of our world.”

  Mark felt a chill run down his spine. “Lead? I’m not a leader.”

  “You are more than you think,” Professor M replied. “Your father wasn’t ready either, but he rose to the occasion. You have that same fire in you, Mark. It’s why the tree accepted you.”

  Mark swallowed, unsure of how to respond. He had never seen himself as anything other than ordinary, a boy lost in the shadows of far greater individuals. The idea of leadership, of bearing the same responsibilities as his father, seemed daunting. But there was also a flicker of excitement, a small ember of hope that maybe, just maybe, he was capable of more than he had ever imagined.

  “Will I still be... me?” Mark asked, his voice trembling.

  “You will be you, but better,” Professor M answered. “Stronger. Wiser. You’ll have to let go of who you were to embrace who you are becoming.”

  Mark closed his eyes, letting the words sink in. He didn’t fully understand them, but there was a truth to them that resonated deep within him. As the golden liquid continued to flow, Mark felt his consciousness drifting, surrendering to the tree’s magic.

  Professor M’s final words echoed softly in the cocoon. “Your father would be proud, Mark. And so am I.”

  With that, Mark allowed himself to be fully immersed, comforted by the knowledge that, whatever awaited him on the other side, he would face it.

  Suddenly, the cocoon-like capsule holding Mark burst open with a violent force, flinging him onto the cold, unforgiving floor. He landed with a heavy thud, the viscous liquid that had encased his body cushioning the impact. Mark groaned as the shock of his fall rippled through him. His senses were overwhelmed—everything around him felt unbearably sharp, too bright for his foggy mind to process.

  Before he could orient himself, he felt strong arms lift him off the ground. He instinctively reached out and touched what enveloped him—a blanket, warm and soft. His body was still trembling from the abrupt awakening, and the comforting warmth helped soothe the tremors that wracked his limbs.

  “Get him to the cleansing bath, now!” a sharp, authoritative voice rang out. The sound of it seemed to reverberate inside his skull. “He’s been in there too long! Mana poisoning will set in if we don’t act fast!”

  Mark winced at the booming command, his head pounding in protest. Everything felt jumbled—he barely registered the urgency of the situation as he was whisked down a corridor, his feet never quite touching the ground. Before he knew it, he was being tossed, almost unceremoniously, into a bath of steaming water. The liquid around him was a peculiar shade of light green, and the scent of herbs hit his nose, sharp and medicinal.

  The bath had a curious effect on him. Slowly, the water changed color, turning from green to a shimmering purple. It felt as though the water was pulling something out of him, something that had been lying dormant. As the minutes passed, the fog in his mind cleared, and a sense of clarity washed over him.

  Mark emerged from the bath with a gasping breath, water dripping from his skin. He stood on shaky legs, struggling to keep his balance. The cold air hit him, but oddly, he didn’t feel chilled. Instead, a peculiar warmth radiated from deep within him. He looked around, his vision finally sharpening, and was startled to see several people watching him—faculty members, from the looks of it. Some appeared visibly relieved, while others beamed with a sense of accomplishment, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

  “They were worried about me,” Mark realized, blinking in confusion. His gaze wandered to a member of the medical staff who approached with a towel. Gratefully, he took it and wrapped it around himself, the softness of the fabric offering some comfort amidst the strangeness of the moment.

  Stepping out of the bath, Mark nearly stumbled. His legs felt unfamiliar, as though they didn’t belong to him. “Careful,” a voice warned. He turned his head to see Professor M watching him closely. “Your body has undergone some changes—height, muscle, even your skeletal structure. Take it slow. One step at a time.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Mark looked down at himself in disbelief. He felt...different, yet oddly the same. There was a strange duality to the sensation, as though the changes had always been a part of him, waiting to emerge. It was hard to describe. Taking a tentative step forward, he was guided to a nearby chair. Around him, the others were dressed for the cold, yet despite the biting air, Mark felt a consistent warmth spreading through his body.

  Professor Grimwolf, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal, suddenly stepped forward. Her eyes, glowing with an odd orange hue, locked onto his. Mark’s breath hitched—there was something intense, almost wild, in her gaze. Grimwolf was rarely still for long, and her entire frame buzzed with energy.

  "By the gods, you did it!" she exclaimed, her voice bursting with excitement. "You've Awoken to an S-class Profession!" She threw her hands in the air, a wide grin plastered across her face. “S-class! Do you know how rare that is?!” She laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber, her excitement palpable.

  Mark blinked, trying to comprehend her words. S-class? That couldn’t be right—those were practically myths.

  Grimwolf took a step closer, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “An S-class Profession, Mark. One that gives you an absurd capacity to absorb and store Mana. You’ve achieved something extraordinary! You’ve earned it, every bit of it. You’ve always had potential, but this...this is something else entirely.”

  Her excitement was infectious, and Mark couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. He had no idea what the full implications of this were, but the way Grimwolf spoke made it sound like he’d just joined an elite group. She reached out, clasping his shoulders in her hands, her grip firm. “Remember my advice, Mark. Stick to it, and you’ll be fine. This power—this gift—can be a blessing or a curse. It’s up to you.”

  Mark nodded, still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened. A medic handed him a cup of hot tea, and he sipped it gratefully, the warmth spreading through him as he tried to steady his racing thoughts. But one question nagged at him, something that had lingered in the back of his mind for weeks.

  “If they were in my shoes...would they try to save me?” he murmured, the words escaping before he could stop them. His eyes flicked to Grimwolf, searching for her reaction.

  She paused for a moment, then smiled—a genuine, almost proud smile. “You remembered,” she said softly. “Good. Very good.”

  As the warmth of the tea settled in his chest, Mark leaned back, letting his mind race. S-class. The road ahead would be long, perhaps perilous, but for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt fulfilled, He had Awoken, and nothing would ever be the same again.

  Mark sat uncomfortably on the examination table, his mind swirling with questions. The sterile white room, with its glaring lights and quiet hum of medical equipment, should have felt familiar, but nothing about this situation was ordinary. His body had undergone changes—changes he couldn't fully understand—and now he was about to undergo a series of tests involving techniques that delved far beyond the ordinary realm of medicine.

  The doctors in this facility weren’t just medics—they were Mana users, skilled in manipulating Mana to perform more advanced diagnostics and healing. That fact alone made Mark uneasy. He still didn’t fully understand Mana, much less how it now coursed through his body after his Awakening. As he sat there, waiting, a flicker of nervous energy rippled through him.

  Professor M stood to the side, watching silently. His presence was grounding, though Mark couldn’t shake the feeling of being observed like a specimen.

  "Let’s begin," the lead doctor said, her voice calm but focused. She was a tall, slender woman with sharp eyes and an aura of quiet authority. "We’re going to use some basic Mana techniques to get more accurate readings on your condition. This will allow us to monitor your internal flow and ensure there’s no instability. It’s perfectly safe."

  Mark nodded, though he wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. Mana techniques—advanced methods used by skilled practitioners—were still largely foreign to him. He understood the basics of Mana, its presence in the world, and the way it influenced everything from technology to human potential, but beyond that, his knowledge was limited.

  The doctor raised her hand, her fingers glowing faintly as a soft, bluish light enveloped her palm. Mark felt a subtle pull in the air, as if the room itself had shifted to accommodate the sudden influx of Mana. She pressed her hand gently against his chest, and a ripple of energy washed over him. It wasn’t painful, but it felt strange, as though something deeper than his physical body was being examined.

  "Take a deep breath," she instructed, her eyes never leaving him.

  Mark inhaled deeply, and as he did, he could feel the Mana moving through him, guided by the doctor’s touch. It flowed through his veins like a stream of warmth, spreading from his chest to his limbs, to his very fingertips. It felt as though his entire body was being mapped, every cell illuminated and analyzed by the Mana coursing through him.

  The doctor’s brow furrowed slightly as she concentrated, her other hand tracing intricate symbols in the air. The glow around her fingers grew brighter, and Mark could feel a tingling sensation deep within his core, as though the Mana itself was probing the very essence of his being.

  "Everything seems stable so far," she said after a moment, glancing at one of the other doctors, who nodded in agreement.

  Mark exhaled, relieved to hear that, but he couldn’t help but ask, "What exactly are you looking for?"

  "We’re checking the flow of Mana through your system," she explained, her voice gentle but precise. "After an Awakening like yours, there’s often a period of instability. The body has to adjust to the sudden influx of power, and sometimes that can lead to dangerous imbalances. By using Mana techniques, we can detect those imbalances early and prevent any complications."

  Mark nodded slowly, though the explanation only served to heighten his awareness of the strangeness of the situation. He wasn’t just any patient undergoing medical tests—he was someone who had Awoken to something extraordinary, something potentially dangerous. The thought made his pulse quicken.

  Another doctor stepped forward, his hands glowing a pale green as he focused his Mana. "We’ll be running a deeper scan now," he said, his voice low. "This will take a bit longer, but it’s important we get a complete picture."

  Mark braced himself as the doctor’s hands hovered just above his skin, and suddenly, he felt an odd pulling sensation, as though the Mana in his body was being drawn out, examined, and then returned. His vision blurred for a moment, and a faint ringing filled his ears, but he remained still, trusting that the doctors knew what they were doing.

  "How are my friends?" Mark asked suddenly, the question bursting from him before he could stop himself. His mind had been so focused on the unfamiliar sensations, but now, all he could think about was Maya, Alex, and the others. Were they going through something similar? Were they even awake yet?

  Professor M, who had been standing silently by the wall, finally spoke. "Mark, now isn’t the time to concern yourself with others," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "You need to focus on your own recovery and adjustment."

  Mark’s frustration flared, but he bit back a retort. How could he not be concerned? His friends had been with him before everything went dark. They’d gone into this together, and now he had no idea where they were or what had happened to them.

  The doctor performing the scan finished his work and stepped back, the glow around his hands fading. "Everything looks stable," he said, glancing at his colleagues for confirmation. "No Mana disruptions, no imbalances. His system has adapted well, process is not complete yet but he will be fine."

  Professor M nodded in approval but kept his eyes on Mark. "This is good news. You’ve handled the Awakening process better than most."

  Mark remained quiet, his mind still spinning with thoughts of his friends. He wanted to argue, to press for answers, but he knew it wouldn’t get him anywhere—not now, at least.

  Another doctor approached, her hands glowing with a soft white light. "We’ll be running one final test," she said, her tone soothing. "This will help us determine if your body has developed any unique Mana channels or pathways."

  "Unique pathways?" Mark asked, confused.

  "Yes," she replied. "Sometimes, after a Profession Awakening, the body undergoes more than just physical changes. Mana can begin to flow in new patterns, creating pathways that didn’t exist before. These pathways can enhance certain abilities, but they can also be unpredictable, sometimes if they are not properly created we may have to step in"

  Mark tensed at the thought of something so intricate happening inside him without his control. The doctor placed her glowing hands on either side of his head, and for a moment, he felt an intense pressure—like his skull was being squeezed—but it passed quickly.

  The glow intensified, and Mark felt as though something deep within him had shifted, like a puzzle piece falling into place. His vision blurred again, and for a moment, he thought he saw flashes of something—images? Memories? It was hard to tell.

  The doctor pulled her hands back and smiled. "It’s faint, but there’s definitely a new pathway forming. It’ll take time for it to fully manifest, but it’s there."

  Mark blinked, trying to wrap his head around what that meant. "Is that...normal?"

  "It’s not uncommon," she replied. "But every case is unique."

  Professor M stepped forward, his gaze intent. "That will be enough for now. Mark, you’ve done well. You’re adjusting quicker than we anticipated."

  Mark opened his mouth to speak, to ask more questions about the pathways, about his friends, but Professor M raised a hand, silencing him.

  "Rest now," Professor M said. "There will be time for answers later."

  Mark frowned but complied, standing slowly from the examination table. His legs still felt shaky, his muscles still unfamiliar, but he could feel that same warmth radiating from deep within him—his new reality. He had changed, in ways he couldn’t fully understand yet, and he could feel the weight of that realization settling over him.

  As they exited the medical room, Professor M led him down a series of dimly lit corridors. The facility was quiet, the only sounds coming from the soft hum of machinery and the occasional murmur of voices in the distance. Mark’s thoughts were still with his friends, but he forced himself to stay focused, knowing that pressing the issue now would get him nowhere.

  Finally, they reached a set of heavy doors at the end of the hall. Professor M paused, turning to look at Mark with an unreadable expression.

  "Inside," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

  Mark hesitated for only a moment before stepping through the doors. They closed behind him with a soft click, leaving him alone in the room beyond.

  The air was still, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the floor. At the center of the room was a single chair, positioned beneath a faint overhead light. It was simple, almost unremarkable, but something about it felt significant, as if this moment was the beginning of something much larger.

  Mark took a deep breath, his heart racing as he approached the white stool. He felt the tension in the air, uncertainty gnawing at him. Whatever was about to happen, it had already changed his life—he could feel it deep in his bones. There was no turning back now.

  "Sit," Professor M instructed, his voice firm but calm. Mark hesitated for a moment, then sat, trying to settle his nerves.

  The room around them was small and bare, just large enough for a bed and a door that presumably led to a bathroom. The space felt sterile, almost clinical. His ears picked up the sound of water rushing through the pipes hidden in the walls. The sound grew louder as Mark’s senses heightened, his attention drifting from the conversation.

  “What is this place?” Mark asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, though his focus remained on the pipes. He could trace them in his mind, follow their path through the walls, out of the room. His perception was far beyond anything he had ever experienced before.

  Professor M shifted in his seat, eyeing Mark closely. “We’re here to figure out what you’ve become,” he said, his words laced with a hint of caution.

  Mark’s attention was slipping. He couldn’t shake the overwhelming clarity of his surroundings—every noise, every sensation felt amplified. The snap of Professor M’s fingers jolted him back.

  "Focus!" Professor M snapped, his tone sharper. “I know it’s overwhelming, but you must learn to control it.”

  Mark blinked, trying to steady himself. “Control it? I don’t even know what ‘it’ is yet.”

  Professor M nodded slowly, folding his hands together. "That's why you're here. You’ve been awakened, Mark. But until we understand what your Profession is, and what abilities come with it, you must be careful. Reckless use of any power before proper training could be dangerous.”

  The mention of awakening sent a shiver down Mark’s spine. He had heard of some students awakening Some but never about anyone having difficulties controlling the ability they gained, perhaps it was a well kept secret or maybe it was not information they needed to be aware of.

  “What exactly happened to me?” Mark’s voice was barely a whisper. He felt the hum of energy under his skin, an unsettling restlessness that wouldn’t subside as Mana pathways continued to form. His thoughts were fragmented, as though his mind was running at a speed he couldn’t keep up with.

  Professor M sighed, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve undergone a significant transformation. The mana surge you experienced—well, it’s altered you. In a way that is still unclear, even to me. We’ve classified you as an S-rank Profession user, which means you possess a rare and extremely powerful ability. But we need to figure out what that is, and how to harness it.”

  Mark stared at the floor, trying to make sense of it all, he looked up determination in his eyes.’’ What do I need to do, how do I harness it”

  Professor M’s gaze softened. “That’s why I’m here—to help you. But you need to trust me, and more importantly, trust yourself. This awakening process, it can be chaotic, even dangerous, if not managed properly. The surge of mana is likely overwhelming your senses. That’s why you’re feeling this... heightened awareness. You’re seeing, hearing, and feeling things on a much deeper level than before.”

  Mark nodded, though the words felt distant. His mind was still racing, replaying the last few hours —the rush of power, the disorienting flood of sensations. Everything had shifted in an instant.

  “I can handle this,’’ He spoke out loud more or less trying to convince himself and steel his resolve. The weight of it all was beginning to press down on him.

  “You can,” Professor M said with conviction. “But you must take it one step at a time. We need to categorize your abilities. Figure out your Profession. Once we know what we’re dealing with, we can begin training.”

  Mark’s head snapped up. “What if my profession cant be properly controlled?”

  Professor M met his gaze, unflinching. “That’s a possibility. But it’s also possible that they are incredibly valuable. Power, no matter how great, can be controlled with the right guidance. We’ll work through this, but you need to be patient.”

  Mark exhaled slowly, the tension in his chest easing just a bit. The room felt too small, too confining, but there was a comfort in knowing he wasn’t alone in this.

  “So what’s the next step?” Mark asked.

  Professor M smiled faintly, pleased with the question. “First, we need to run some final tests, the chair you are sitting on is already doing that. Once we have a clearer picture, we can start crafting a plan. But, Mark, you need to be fully aware of the responsibility that comes with power like yours. S-rank Professions are rare. Very rare. That means you’re not just dealing with heightened physical abilities; you’re dealing with something far beyond that. We’re talking about abilities that can change the world around you, for better or worse.”

  “I don’t feel ready,” Mark confessed, the vulnerability in his voice surprising even him.

  Professor M stood, placing a reassuring hand on Mark’s shoulder. “No one ever feels ready. But readiness isn’t what’s important. What matters is that you take control of your abilities before they take control of you, as a confirmed S rank professional you have that responsibility.”

  Mark looked up at him, the professor’s words settling deep within him. He didn’t have all the answers, not yet, but he will and soon.