Chapter 6: A New Banner Bearer
The Awakening Hall remained silent.
The emerald-green and black mana gradually faded. The violent pressure that had filled the chamber slowly disappeared. Yet, the shock remained. Countless eyes were still fixed upon Malrik.
No one understood what had just happened.
The Hidden Class itself wasn’t what had truly shocked them. Classes were divided into six grades:
Common -> Uncommon -> Rare -> Hidden -> Epic -> Legendary
Among them, Hidden Classes were already considered exceptionally rare.
They couldn’t compare to the mythical potential of Epic or Legendary Classes. Still, every Hidden Class possessed unique abilities. They were capable of changing its wielder’s fate.
Epic Classes were extraordinarily rare. As for Legendary Classes, their appearance was incredibly rare. Countless people lived and died without ever witnessing one.
Legendary Classes were considered little more than myths. For that reason alone, awakening a Hidden Class was enough to attract the attention of any major power.
However, that wasn’t what had left everyone speechless.
The true source of their confusion was the Awakening Stone itself. For centuries, the sacred relic of House Vesperion had awakened countless descendants. It had revealed Common Classes, Rare Classes, and Hidden Classes.
Yet never—not even once—had it reacted in such a violent manner.
The eruption of emerald-green mana. The surge of black energy. The ancient runes spreading across the crystal. Everything pointed toward something no one present could explain.
It was as though the Awakening Stone had sensed something more. Something beyond an ordinary Hidden Class.
Several Elders exchanged silent glances. The Grand Elders frowned.
Even Malrik’s six older brothers could no longer hide their surprise. They had remained calm throughout the ceremony until now.
Before today, most of them had expected very little. They expected Malrik to awaken, at best, a Rare Class. After all, every one of his six older brothers had awakened exceptional Classes worthy of House Vesperion.
Compared to their overwhelming talent, Malrik was different. He had always been considered the least gifted among the Duke’s children.
Yet, reality had completely overturned those expectations. No one had expected this result.
Malrik slowly calmed his breathing. The system window had already disappeared. Only one thought echoed inside his mind.
Infinite Evolution.
It had returned. His greatest regret. His greatest opportunity.
His second life had truly begun.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the hall gradually relaxed. The initial shock slowly gave way to quiet discussion.
Necromancer.
It was a difficult Hidden Class. It was one that demanded immense resources, patience, and years of preparation. All of this was needed before its true strength could be revealed.
To ordinary people, it was an impractical path. But to those who understood history, Necromancers had always possessed terrifying potential.
Given enough time, they could command armies. Armies that neither feared death nor knew exhaustion.
Their greatest weakness had never been talent. It was time, and it was resources.
Eventually, one of Malrik’s older brothers let out a light laugh. "So... a mage class."
The tension immediately eased. A few others smiled.
Another brother shook his head. "I honestly expected him to awaken a Rare Class."
"So did I."
"But a Hidden Class is still a Hidden Class."
For the first time since entering the hall, Malrik noticed something unexpected. There was no hostility. There was no jealousy or disappointment.
There was only curiosity. And perhaps, a little excitement.
The realization caught him off guard.
Back on Earth, nearly every story involving powerful noble families ended the same way. Scheming siblings, endless betrayal, and relentless competition.
Yet, House Vesperion was different. It was completely different.
His brothers were undoubtedly competitors. One of them would eventually inherit the position of Duke. One of them would one day become the next Patriarch.
Yet, none of them seemed interested in suppressing the others. Within House Vesperion, talent wasn’t feared. It was celebrated.
Every powerful descendant strengthened the family as a whole. Jealousy toward one’s own blood was seen as a sign of weakness.
A weak successor could never lead House Vesperion. A weak successor could never protect humanity.
And House Vesperion had never raised weaklings. They raised monsters. Monsters wearing human skin.
That was the true reason behind the family’s strength. Their unity, their discipline, and their unwavering belief. They believed that only the strongest could carry the family’s future.
One by one, the gathered members of House Vesperion began leaving the hall.
One by one, the hall emptied. The Elders left first, followed by the Grand Elders, while the knights silently returned to their duties. Even Malrik’s brothers gradually turned to leave.
Before departing, several of them gave him a brief nod. It was a simple gesture, yet one that acknowledged his talent.
Today, Malrik had taken his first step toward earning a place among them.
Soon, only a handful of people remained inside the Awakening Hall.
Far above the chamber, hidden behind a massive observation window overlooking the hall, a solitary figure stood in silence.
He had broad shoulders and a powerful frame. He possessed a presence capable of making even experts lower their heads instinctively.
Beside him rested a black sword. Its blade seemed to devour light itself. Darkness twisted around it, as though the weapon possessed a will of its own.
The man’s golden eyes remained fixed upon Malrik. More precisely, they were on the place where the Awakening Stone had erupted moments earlier.
For several long moments, he remained silent. Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"A necromancer... Interesting."
His gaze lingered on Malrik for a few seconds. Then, it shifted toward the Awakening Stone.
Duke Vaelzareth Vesperion. The Sky Devourer.
For the first time in many years, something had captured his interest.
Comments