"Chuckie, taste this dango. Here..."
"Chuckie, buy me that carp bread"
"Chuckie, I want to play that game"
"Chuckie, carry me. I'm tired from walking"
"Chuckie, take me for a spin in the sky" "Yay"
"Chuckie, look at that... look at that... wow, those fireworks are amazing..."
5-year-old Little Affy (Affea Crescent Garcia) spent the whole evening with her dear Chuckie (Azzy), knowing very well that it would be a while before she gest to meet her brother again. Azzy had to oblige her request and gave his time to her, leaving his parents to celebrate with other relatives.
By midnight past 2 when all celebrations ended, they returned home. Little Affy was tired and asleep. After placing her on her bed and asking the servants to look after her, he left her room and made his way to one of the gardens of the palace, where he saw his father lying down on the grass and staring at the moon in silence.
Azzy walked to him and sat beside him, "Dad, what are you doing here alone?" He couldn't help but ask.
In response, Vesyrn lets out a sigh while fixing his gaze to the sky, "Nothing, son. I was just thinking about that incident."
"You mean that assassination attempt from Velez?" Azzy raised his eyebrow in displeasure. Remembering that man's face made him momentarily destroyed his mood.
"Sigh"
Vesyrn sighed once again as he nodded, "Yeah. That day, Velez accidentally revealed that he was ordered to kill Elder Pierre. I didn't reveal it to the clan because they don't even know that the clan has a hidden guardian. It has been weighing on my mind quite a lot, among other things. If not for the fact that I used an activated skill card given by Great-grandfather Qridus, I would have been dead.
The announcement echoed three times in a row, instantly alerting every civilian, Arcana master, official, and the leader of the sub-clans whether they were sleeping or having a party with their friends.
It goes without saying that the sub-clans were forced to set up meetings with their respective elders to discuss who needed to be sent. After all, Vesyrn also baited them by throwing more funds into the rewards and a clan treasure as the ultimate prize.
By dawn, the news passed to every villager.
Several hours later;
Red pavilion, Death Clan village;
It was the time of New Year again and the arena filled with thousands of clan members as usual for the awakening ceremony, followed by challenge rounds.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, 18-year-old Azzy casually entered the arena with the elven assistant, and the entire place suddenly erupted with loud cheers; it was so high that other pavilion masters and sub-clan leaders were forced to close their ears for a moment while Vesyrn and Izora looked all happy, meaningfully staring at the pair.
Meanwhile, the representatives from all the hidden clans were busy observing the stadium, checking how many experts were in their vicinity.
As the Elven princess in servitude stayed behind him in silence, Azzy addressed the crowd as the host while taking out a list, "Welcome to another year of Awakening Ceremony. This year, we have five children who will go through their first awakening and eight Arcana masters who will attempt their second awakening. After the ceremony, the clan tournament will be started right away.
Hence, the selected participants are required to stay in the waiting area, until then.
Before we proceed with the ceremony, I would like to remind everyone that the clan will be under strict lockdown during this event in order to prevent thefts and trivial crimes. Hence, if you leave in the middle of the event, you either have to stay inside your homes or on the premises of Pavilions.
All other places, including the stores, agricultural fields, and clan institutions are closed down today.
There is a banquet area arranged nearby for everyone. You can have lunch and dinner there. Without further ado, let's give a round of applause as the upcoming generation checks their potential."
Amid claps from the audience, kids below 12 years old enter the arena and get separated into two groups, standing with their competitors.