Within the borders of Delta State—one of the nine provinces of the empire—stood countless academies, each striving for glory. Among them, the Rising Dragon Academy held a prestigious place.
Steeped in centuries of culture and tradition, the academy had long been a haven for cultivators, scholars, forgers, and alchemists alike. Today marked another turning point—Awakening and Recruitment Day.
In this world, humans awaken an entity within themselves known as the Ascension Spirit, granting them the ability to cultivate and wield martial power. Only through this awakening can they commune with heaven and earth, absorb spiritual mana, and walk the path of transcendence.
At Rising Dragon Academy, talents were ranked from lowest to highest: Worm, Snake, Python, Drake, and Dragon—each divided further into nine sub-levels. With cultivation, these ranks could be evolved, refining a weak spirit into a powerful force.
At the foot of a majestic mountain, surrounded by endless ridges and greenery, Travis Momoa stood tall. The wind teased his hair as he stared at the towering peak ahead, his chest swelling with anticipation. A sense of awe and fear mingled within him as he stepped into a building bustling with new students.
Voices filled the air as students chattered and laughed, their excitement contagious. Yet, Travis remained focused. Amidst the clamor, a shout cut through the room like a blade.
"Silence!" boomed a middle-aged man in plain green robes. His presence silenced the room instantly.
"I am Daoist Rofort, your guide for today."
His calm authority commanded respect, drawing everyone's attention—including Travis's. There was something about Rofort's gaze that hinted at deep experience and power.
Names began to be called, and one by one, students stepped forward to awaken their Ascension Spirits.
A petite girl named Rita, no older than sixteen, approached the podium. Daoist Rofort handed her a black pot filled with Worldly Essence—a rare natural elixir said to stir the spirit slumbering within.
She drank.
Her small frame trembled with energy, and a few seconds later, a flash of pink light burst out. Hovering beside her was a pink pig, snorting proudly.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Daoist Rofort inspected it. "Earth Attribute. Hill-Sleeping Pig. Snake Grade, Level One. When refined to Dragon Grade, it may evolve into a Mountain-Guiding Pig."
The crowd murmured in amazement.
"That's practically a mountain deity," one student whispered.
"Only if she manages to cultivate that far," another replied.
"It's just high defense, low attack. Thick skin, weak bite," someone else scoffed.
Next came Mark Luther, who awakened a shining Spiritual Rune. Daoist Rofort examined it carefully.
"A rare talent. You're suited to become an Inscription Master. Python Grade, Level One."
One after another, students awakened beasts, tools, and symbols—each revealing a path forward.
Then, it was Travis's turn.
He approached the stage calmly. Daoist Rofort handed him the pot. Without hesitation, Travis drank.
For a moment, warmth spread through his veins—an overwhelming tide of energy and excitement. But then—nothing.
It was as though something inside him absorbed everything and... vanished. No burst of light. No summoned spirit.
Just silence.
The crowd stared, waiting.
Seconds passed.
Then whispers turned into laughter.
"Is that it? Nothing at all?"
"He didn't awaken anything! What a waste."
"Even my Worm-grade spirit is better than this!"
"Shame. All that handsome face and nothing to show for it."
Travis kept his eyes closed. He felt something. A presence, a force—but it had slipped through his grasp. He didn't understand what had gone wrong, but deep down, he knew something was there.
A female student sneered, "Stop standing there like a statue. You're wasting everyone's time."
Travis opened his eyes, ignoring the mockery. With quiet dignity, he stepped down.
The crowd parted as he walked through them. The sting of their ridicule didn't pierce him—he had faced worse in life.
A well-dressed girl pointed at him, her tone sharp. "Hey! Do you know who I am?!"
Travis gave her a calm look and smirked. "Of course I do. But does it matter?"
He turned and walked away, unfazed.
Even though he hadn't awakened a spirit, he didn't feel inferior. There was a power sleeping within him—he could feel it. He just hadn't unlocked it yet.
And when he did, the world would see.