The process was over; the rush of bronze-golden energy rising from the floor, which was going into the participants' bodies, stopped, and the residual remnants of the power returned to the giant Dragon Horn in the middle.
The priest turned around, gazing at everyone equally, those who failed or those who succeeded; it didn't matter much to the horned man, but Kale could see a small hint of approval deep in his old eyes for those who did manage to awaken.
Kale was also pleasantly surprised that the twins in his village had both managed to awaken, but they were somewhat rattled and barely stayed conscious from the pain.
That brought a small smile to his lips. These punks held on; the elders of the village, even Darius and Selene, would be proud that only three came from the rural Dagan village, but all of them actually managed to awaken.
Though the bastard son of the viscount also managed to awaken, and Kale shot the kid a nasty glare before ignoring him.
Kale's eyes then went to the priest, whose gaze seemed to linger on him for a while. There was a glint in his eyes that Kale could not understand, but undoubtedly, Kale was the one who showed the greatest restraint against the overwhelming pain, the strongest will, and likely the most obvious talent.
Though the priest would still have to personally evaluate the nature of everyone's soul sigil and announce the result, as well as the innate talent possessed by everyone.
The priest first waved his hand, a powerful invisible force swept past everyone, and cleaned off all the blood that was lingering on all the kids' faces. He first proclaimed, "Those who have failed to awaken, leave."
Amongst the 25 in his group, 10 failed to awaken; their faces were filled with horror, a disappointment so great that they perhaps wanted to die. Tears fell from their faces, for many of them, awakening was their only lifeline to a better life, if their skinny and malnourished bodies said anything.
But in front of the brutal truth of reality, their helplessness and struggles were ultimately meaningless.
As for the 15 who did manage to awaken, their mood and posture were the exact opposite of those of the 10 who failed. In the end, someone's misfortune was another's fortune.
The priest stated, "Stand in a straight line. Upon the completion of your evaluation verdict. You will step down from the altar and stand to the side…"
All of them nodded obediently, all except for Kale. He purposefully stood at the far back; following his example, the twins also stood in the back, just to his front. The others looked at the three of them weirdly and sneered in their hearts.
They had already awakened. Now, what was the point of delaying the evaluation, not like it would change anything, which was true.
Yet Kale did not stand at the back for that reason, but to observe and gather information. In his desolate village, no one knew anything specific about what comes after one awakens.
So, he was fishing to learn everything he possibly could using this opportunity. But to Kale's surprise, the priest had a small explanation before starting, "I will speak your name, followed by your one of five awakened paths, then your pseudo affinities or talent grade."
The priest's eyes glowed in an ancient light as he looked at the soul sigil mark of the standing in front. And said,
"Wren, Elemental, four affinities."
The boy seemed somewhat disappointed when he heard that he had four affinities. Still, in the end, he was happy just to have awakened and stepped out of the Dragon altar and waited on the side so that when everyone in his group who had awakened was finished, they would walk out together.
The priest spoke to the next one, "Corbin, Martial, Lower Dantian."
Just like that, he spoke for the rest one by one,
"Nola, Elemental, three affinities."
"Pax, Psion, Will Infuser."
"Tessa, Psion, Beast Dominion."
"Orin, Tamer, Tyrant Grade talent."
"Bram, Martial, Middle Dantian."
"Torin, Artificer, Toolcraft."
"Elara, Tamer, Feral Grade."
"Jax, Tamer, Tyrant Grade."
The priest paused for a moment and said in a displeased tone to the next one, "Zev, Artificer, Fleshcraft."
The moment everyone heard the word fleshcraft, their eyes turned hostile. Meanwhile, Kale could only frown; he didn't know anything about it, nor did the twins who came with him, so they kept a neutral expression.
The kid was also terrified that he actually had an affinity with that forbidden path of fleshcraft.
The priest said through displeasure, "Boy, the only way you can progress in this dark path is if you manage to join permanently within the Artificers association. Otherwise, we will hunt you down. Or you can choose to study in Pillcraft or Toolcraft. Though you will not have much talent for it. It would still be a much better choice."
The boy named Zev could only shiver at that apparent threat of the priest and nod profusely; tears were already sliding down his cheeks, and it seemed like he was already doomed.
The priest then ignored the boy, focusing on the bastard son of the Viscount, and his gaze turned slightly softer.
The viscount was generous in his donations to the Dragon church; his children needed special care, especially this one, because the noble secretly loved this son of his more than the others. But could never show it.
The old priest examined the mark on Felix's head much more thoroughly than he did for the other kids. After he was done, he exclaimed with a trace of joy, "Haha, not bad, not bad. You actually have such good luck. Truly, the Dragons know whom to bless."
Felix was also overjoyed and asked hurriedly, "What have I awakened? Your Grace…"
The priest patted his head and spoke, "Elemental, two affinities, and it is fire and water."
The viscount's bastard son was overjoyed, as he knew of many more things than anyone else. The priest whispered in his ears, "You have awakened the best talent amongst all of your siblings."
Felix clenched his fists in glee, with a brightened expression, and he walked out of the altar, wearing a smug expression. His gaze shifted to Kale, who stood at the far back; Felix's eyes were filled with anger and contempt towards the one who had humiliated him so thoroughly. Already planning on how he will destroy Kale.