Chapter 162: Day of Awakening

The first light of morning had barely touched the horizon when a shrill cry echoed through the elegant hallways of the Stone Shield Inn.

"Lukaaaas! Mom! Wake up! Today is Lukas’s Awakening Day!"

Judite’s voice pierced through the bedroom walls like a trumpet, shattering the morning silence with an energy that seemed capable of waking even the dead.

The sound echoed through the corridors, causing several guests to stir restlessly in their rooms.

The bedroom door was thrown open without the slightest ceremony. The hinges protested briefly against the rough treatment, but Judite paid them no attention. Her eyes were fixed on a single objective, waking her brother.

Judite burst in like a true whirlwind, racing across the living room before leaping onto her brother’s bed. Her feet barely touched the floor as she crossed the room in quick strides. The mattress sank beneath her weight, its springs squeaking in protest.

"Lukas! Get up!" She began shaking him by the shoulders with all the strength a girl her age could muster. Her brown hair was completely disheveled, flying in every direction like a wild mane, but her eyes shone with such intense excitement that they looked like two tiny stars.

Lukas let out a muffled groan before slowly opening his violet eyes. The morning light streamed through the window, but his eyes were still clouded with sleep. He blinked several times, trying to focus on his sister’s excited face hovering above him.

Still drowsy, he stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, trying to understand what was happening. The wooden ceiling, the crystal chandeliers, the sound of birds outside, everything felt distant, muffled by the haze of sleep.

Even after waiting for this day for five whole years, his body still wanted to sleep a little longer. The struggle between anticipation and exhaustion was real.

"Judite..." he murmured in a sluggish voice, the words coming out slowly and heavily.

"The sun hasn’t even properly risen yet..."

"Exactly!" she replied without losing an ounce of enthusiasm, her voice rising another octave.

"We need to get there early! We can’t waste any time! Everyone else is going to be there!"

Before Lukas could complain again, Judite yanked the blankets away with a sharp tug. The fabric slid completely off the bed, revealing Lukas wrapped in his sleeping clothes.

The cold wind blowing through the open window swept across his body, sending an immediate shiver through him. The morning breeze was icy, carrying the scent of the city and the distant sounds of the day’s first movements.

"Brr..." Lukas hunched his shoulders reflexively, crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to preserve his warmth.

Perched on the windowsill, Astra let out an amused chirp, tilting her head as she watched the entire scene. Her eyes gleamed with an intelligence that seemed almost human, and a small sound of contentment escaped her throat.

Aurora appeared shortly afterward, already awake. She wore a light blue robe over her nightclothes, and although a trace of fatigue still lingered on her face, she smiled with her usual calmness.

"Judite, my dear..." Her voice was gentle but firm.

"Let your brother breathe for a moment."

The girl pouted but finally let go of Lukas. Her shoulders slumped in an exaggerated expression of defeat.

Aurora turned to her son, her eyes affectionately scanning his sleepy face.

"But she’s right. Today will be a very important day." Her voice was soft, filled with pride.

"The day you’ve been waiting for all this time."

Lukas took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs before finally sitting up in bed. The sheets gathered around him as he straightened himself.

His gaze automatically drifted toward the window. The sky was beginning to take on golden hues, the first colors of dawn spreading across the horizon like the brushstrokes of a divine artist.

Today was the day. After five years of waiting, five years of training, and five years of imagining what would come... the day had finally arrived.

A faint smile appeared on his face, small but genuine.

"Then let’s go."

A short while later, already dressed and ready, the three of them went downstairs to the inn’s main hall. The luxurious room was far quieter than it had been the night before. The great crystal chandeliers reflected the soft morning light streaming through the enormous windows, scattering tiny glimmers across the polished stone floor.

A few guests were having breakfast at distant tables, speaking in low voices. Servants walked carefully among them, carrying steaming trays, their footsteps silent against the stone floor.

Clavor was already waiting for them. Seated near one of the windows, he held a large cup of hot tea while chatting leisurely with Ronan. Steam rose from the cup in gentle spirals.

As soon as he noticed his family approaching, he broke into a smile, his face lighting up.

"Finally."

Judite immediately responded, pointing dramatically at her brother.

"It was Lukas’s fault!"

"Hey!" Lukas raised his hands in surrender.

"You woke me up before sunrise!"

"You were sleeping like a rock. I had to shake you several times."

Ronan burst into laughter, his belly shaking with the sound.

"That changes quickly. After the Awakening, it’s hard for anyone to sleep peacefully for a few days. Newly awakened mana tends to make people restless."

Lukas smiled politely, grateful for the information.

The table reserved for them was already completely prepared. Freshly baked bread still released thin spirals of steam, its aroma filling the air. Scrambled eggs mixed with aromatic herbs gave off a delicious fragrance.

Generous slices of white cheese shared the table with fresh fruit, red apples, purple grapes, and golden pears.

Small bowls of golden honey gleamed beneath the light. Creamy butter rested in porcelain dishes. A large pitcher of red fruit juice, its vibrant color promising freshness.

The aroma was irresistible, a combination of flavors that made their stomachs rumble with anticipation.

"Eat well," Clavor said as he placed an enormous portion onto Lukas’s plate.

"You’re going to need the energy."