SSS-RANKED Awakening: Supreme Fate-breaker System-Chapter 19: The Awakening Ceremony...

A ripple of excitement coursed through the students. The ceremony was a highly anticipated event, the threshold between their current selves and the potential that lay dormant within.

"I am pleased to announce," Seraphine continued, "that the Overlord of the Labyrinth, Gareth Drakethorne, will honor us with his presence during the ceremony. I expect each of you to conduct yourselves with the utmost decorum."

Her gaze subtly shifted toward Ethan and Selene, a silent reminder of the expectations placed upon them.

"Furthermore," she added, "those who awaken exceptional talents will have the opportunity to be personally selected by the Overlord to join his guild."

"Furthermore," she added, "those who awaken exceptional talents will have the opportunity to be personally selected by the Overlord to join his guild."

A wave of murmurs swept through the group. The prospect of joining the Overlord's guild was a coveted aspiration, promising not only prestige but also the privileges of first-class citizenship within the Labyrinth City.

Ethan couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort amidst the palpable excitement. The attention directed toward him was unmistakable; his peers' eager glances hinted at hopes of securing his favor, perhaps envisioning a recommendation to his father.

"Settle down," Seraphine's voice cut through the chatter, restoring order. "For those unfamiliar with the process, allow me to explain the Awakening Ceremony."

She paused, ensuring she had their full attention.

"Each of you will approach the Rune Stone of the dungeon. By offering a single drop of your blood, the stone will facilitate the awakening of your latent talent."

She allowed the information to sink in before continuing.

"Talents are categorized into grades, ranging from F to SSS. Hope for the best, expect the worst. An SSS-grade talent is legendary, not witnessed in over a millennium."

The gravity of her words settled over the students.

"The grade and nature of your awakened talent will confer permanent enhancements to your attributes, as reflected in the System that will become accessible to you."

She gestured toward the air, symbolizing the intangible interface.

"The System serves as a graphical representation of your statistics and talent. Beyond that, it holds no additional functions."

Seraphine's eyes swept across the assembly, ensuring comprehension.

"Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, your true journey begins."

With that, she dismissed the class, leaving them to contemplate the impending ceremony and the potential that awaited within each of them.

Instructor Seraphine's voice rang through the air one last time as she wrapped up the briefing.

"That will be all. You are dismissed. Rest well tonight, because by this time tomorrow, your lives will no longer be the same."

With those final words, she turned sharply on her heel and left the arena.

The moment she was gone, the tension that had settled over the class finally broke.

Murmurs and excited chatter erupted around Ethan as his classmates flocked toward him.

"Ethan, that fight was insane! That Liger was halfway awakened, and you took it down like it was nothing!"

"Man, if I had even half your talent, I wouldn't be worried about the Awakening Ceremony at all."

"So, Ethan... about the Overlord's Guild. You think you could, you know, put in a word for me?"

Ethan sighed internally. This was exactly what he expected. They all wanted something from him.

His fight against the Liger had only solidified his status, and now, everyone wanted to be in his good graces—not because of who he was, but because of who his father was.

His responses were casual but non-committal. "We'll see,"

or

"It's all about luck, right?"—just enough to keep them hopeful but not enough to promise anything.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

'Sigh- This is such a drag.'

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh inwardly, his gaze drifting out the window as the hover car glided smoothly through the illuminated cityscape.

In his past life, he had never known the luxury of admiration simply due to his lineage. He had never been born into greatness, never had a powerful father whose name alone could make people bow, nor a legacy that ensured his success before he even lifted a finger. He was an Orphan.

Back then, everything had been earned.

He had clawed his way up, rising from nothing to become one of Earth's top medical minds—a position not granted by blood but by sheer determination, sacrifice, and an extreme amount of luck.

And he remembered those days vividly.

The countless sleepless nights, buried in research. The crippling pressure of holding someone's life in his hands. The bitter sting of failure, the frustration of setbacks, the moments where he had questioned if it was all worth it.

But through it all, there had always been one wish that lingered in the back of his mind—one dream that never faded, no matter how much he accomplished.

To have a family.

Not just anyone, but parents who cared for him, who were proud of him, who stood beside him as he fought to carve out his place in the world.

And now?

Now, after dying and waking up in this new world, he had exactly that—a father who was an Overlord, a man who commanded respect across entire regions, a legend who had conquered not one, but two massive labyrinths.

He had wealth, power, recognition, and more importantly, a background that demanded admiration from those around him.

Yet...

He couldn't help but feel conflicted.

This wasn't what he had imagined.

Back on Earth, he had thought having a strong family would bring comfort, a sense of belonging, warmth, and security.

But reality was different.

Instead of feeling safe, he felt cornered. Instead of belonging, he felt watched.

Instead of comfort, he felt the suffocating weight of expectations.

The people around him weren't genuinely interested in him—they were interested in what his name could offer.

They saw the Overlord's son, not Ethan.

It was exhausting.

'Is this what I wanted back then?' He wondered bitterly.

If he had grown up with a family like this, if he had lived his entire life being revered just for existing, would he have still become the man he was proud of back on Earth?