Divine Necromancer : Cultivating Life & Death

Ashton was still trying to shake off the strange sensation he felt when the silver-haired boy's gaze caught his. He had barely processed it when the murmurs around him grew louder, drawing his attention back to the center of the room.

The crowd parted, and a figure stepped forward.

Samael Flameheart.

His presence was like a force of nature—commanding and intimidating, as if the entire room subconsciously understood who he was. The air seemed to crackle around him, the blood of dragons practically pulsing in his veins. His crimson eyes burned with power, and his every step exuded confidence, making even the strongest of students hesitate in his presence.

The whispers started almost immediately.

"Is that Samael Flameheart?"

"The son of Draven Flameheart, the legendary warrior?! No way… he's here?"

"He's definitely going to awaken with SSS Rank talent."

Ashton turned to glance at Felix, but Felix wasn't paying attention. His eyes were fixed on Samael, clearly impressed.

Samael walked toward the Awakening pod, his eyes briefly scanning the crowd. They met Ashton's gaze for a split second, but Samael showed no reaction, his expression unreadable.

With a sudden flash of energy, the Awakening machine powered up, its lights flickering as it began its scan.

The screen projected:

Name: Samael Flameheart

Race: Dragon-Hybrid

Talent Grade: SSS Rank

The crowd gasped, but it was more of a realization than shock. Samael was already a legend. To have his talent verified as SSS was no surprise to anyone—but it solidified the expectations of everyone present.

Samael's lips curled into a small smirk, his eyes gleaming with pride as he stepped away from the machine. The room seemed to grow even quieter, the weight of his presence undeniable.

"SSS Rank talent…" Felix muttered in awe, eyes wide.

Ashton couldn't help but feel the intensity of Samael's aura, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside. He had other things to focus on. But his thoughts kept drifting back to that mysterious silver-haired boy. Why did he feel so… connected to him?

Ashton was still lost in his thoughts, his mind swirling with questions about Samael, his private ability, and the mysterious silver-haired boy. The room around him seemed to blur, the sounds muffled as he stayed lost in his own world.

Suddenly, a voice broke through his reverie.

"Ashton! Hey, Ashton!"

Felix's voice was loud enough to snap Ashton back to reality. He blinked a few times, shaking his head to clear the haze. When he turned, he saw Felix grinning widely, his eyes full of excitement.

Felix gave Ashton a playful nudge, his smile growing even wider. "Did you see that? I'm not that bad after all, huh? I got S Rank talent! Pretty impressive, right?"

Ashton raised an eyebrow, his expression flat. "Congrats, Felix," he said dryly, though he couldn't help but feel a small twinge of approval for his best friend.

Felix wasn't finished, though. He leaned in with a sly grin, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, and my abilities? They're so cool. You know what that means, right? All the pretty-looking teens are gonna flock to me. I'll be the center of attention here at Xerth Academy!"

Ashton couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friend's enthusiasm. "Keep dreaming, Felix," he said, though a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Don't get too cocky just yet."

Felix grinned wider, clearly undeterred. "Come on, Ashton! You've gotta admit, it's gonna be great. I'll have everyone begging for my attention. You'll be lucky if I even have time for you."

Ashton couldn't help but shake his head, feeling the warmth of their old friendship return, despite the lingering unease from earlier. "Alright, alright. Let's just get through your Awakening first."

Felix chuckled and slapped Ashton on the back. "Fine, fine. But seriously, I'm not that bad, right?"

Ashton chuckled softly under his breath. "Just don't let it get to your head."

Felix grinned again, his gaze drifting toward the Awakening pod. "I'll try. But you know, it's hard to stay humble when I'm this awesome."