(A.N: To anyone that has read Chapter 1 before July 11th, 11p.m. EST, please go back and re-read the latter half. Heavy edits were made. Thank you.)
'Of course they bring her up.'
Altair rolled his eyes, choosing to listen in on Roland's speech.
"It is good to see you all here, standing before me, on this beautiful day."
Roland was dressed quite well, his suit somewhat tight around his muscles.
'You can tell he isn't a low rank. Man is massive compared to us.'
Roland smiled, his teeth shining beneath his bushy beard.
"Our group will be the second to ascend the stage. We will be going by who arrived first, so Eliza will be our first."
At the head of the line was a slender girl with thick bifocals. Hearing her name, she attempted to hide within herself. It didn't work.
"We will go along the line from there!"
Altair blinked awkwardly, realizing he was at the end of the line.
"Katie, how the hell-"
Katie shoved her rear end towards him, smacking it against his thigh. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled slyly.
"Gotta save the best for last."
With a light sigh, Altair began to smile. To his dismay, a bright light and a massive camera suddenly appeared before him.
"There he is everyone! The son of Lady LAW, himself!"
Duke had a smug grin on his face as the cameras were shoved further into his face. Before Altair could react, the usual burst of questions were barreled at him.
"What were Lady LAW's last words?"
"Do you regret being there when she died?"
"Can you describe how you're feeling?"
"Why is your hair white?"
"Are you really Lady LAW's son?"
Altair turned away, blocking the flashing cameras and massive lights. When he went to turn back, a shadow loomed over him.
"Do you all have no shame?! These disgusting questions, on the day the boy is to awaken? Do you truly wish to stress him to no end?!"
Roland was blocked the press, while Yara began to shoo them away. The looks on their faces were filled with rage.
"Get lost before you figure out why I'm not retired at my age."
Roland's threat smashed the voices of the complainers. He turned around, placing a massive hand on Altair's shoulders.
"Don't worry. Those worms will be begging for a proper interview from you one of these days."
Altair laughed at those words. His laughter eased the tension in the older man's face. Roland then addressed his students.
"To all of you. I know great things will come. They may not all be a grand adventure or something equal to it, but they will be great nonetheless."
The announcers voice blared once more, turning heads.
"Alright everyone, give it up for Rosethorn Academy! Don't let the simple name fool you. They have many monsters in the making, as well as a recent graduate from last year! The Mystic Brawler herself, Beatrice Munmer!"
Katie gripped Altair hand a little tighter. Her eyes had lit up like a wildfire.
"Once today is over, it's no holds barred. Hehe."
Her tiny laugh at the end made Altair worry, but he just shrugged it off as the group was beginning to file closer to the ramp that lead to the platform above. As they drew closer, Altair's eyes fell upon the Awakening Crystal. It was a creation left behind by his mother, many years prior.
"Altair, it's so pretty!"
Katie practically squealed, drawing eyes from a few nearby.
'Good thing she's well liked.'
"Alright. Everyone be ready, as well as careful. Your new powers and abilities might come as a shock the first time around."
A few murmurs of worry began to spread, but some students stood out. Confidence practically oozed from them as they prepared to be called forward.
"Eliza, if you would."
The group quieted down, though Altair hardly paid any attention to them. His eyes rested on the crystal.
"Worry not, my Little Star. Trust in me."
The voice was a soft whisper, but Altair heeded the words without a doubt.
'Thank you, Mom.'
Altair was suddenly pulled from his trance as Katie pinched his arm. When his gaze fell on her, she was already walking up towards the crystal.
"Good morning, Principal Roland."
Roland gave a soft smile, almost like a doting grandfather.
"Good morning, Katie. You know the drill, go ahead and touch the crystal, but don't forget to breathe."
There was a laugh amongst the students, but Altair was left confused. He tilted his head slightly as Katie's hand was placed on the shimmering crystal.
"Oh. It's warm..."
Katie was quiet, while the crystal wasn't. A sudden burst of wind erupted from the crystal, knocking off the hood Katie still wore. Her hair was flowing wildly as something began to take shape within the crystal.
"That's an Enigma!"
Someone shouted loudly as the shadow began to emerge. Thin pale fingers led into a hand, then arm, that seemed almost too fragile. A second hand, completely missing skin sprouted out, pulling a thin body from within the crystal. Once it fully emerged, many gazed in admiration and horror at the pale woman floating above Katie.
"She's beautiful."
Katie reached upward, her hand suddenly held by the normal hand from the woman. She descended, practically holding Katie from behind before slowly vanishing into nothing. As she faded away, Katie took in a deep breath. It almost seemed forced as she let it out just as quick.
"Altair, I feel... so weird."
Altair was quick to dash to her side, catching her before Roland could extend his hand.
"Someone grab a medic team! Katie is a confirmed A-Rank, S plausible!"
Altair held Katie as she trembled slightly. He attempted to push her hair out of her face, stopping as his eyes caught the new dark strands.
"I'm a Reaper, Altair. Guess I'm pretty badass."
Altair laughed softly, slowly releasing her as a couple of woman in medical attire raced to their side. He began to stand, using his hand to support himself.
"Get well-"
His words caught as he saw where his hand rested. Pressed firmly against the crystal.
A strange pressure began to push him down, yet seemed to be pushing outward from within his body. Following Roland's words, he took in a breath, only to find his body unable to move.
"So you are the Invoker?"
A soft voice whispered in his ear, while another laughed from a distance.
"Fret not, we aren't monsters."
A wholly different voice chimed in. Altair found his voice, allowing a quick question.
"Who?"
The first voice whispered in his ear once again.
"Friends. Of yours, of Lilja. Asked to help you, so take control of your new power."
The pressure began to diminish, allowing Altair to move again. He looked up as the crystal emitted a brilliant light, shooting an almost starlike object out. The ball of light zipped through the air before hurtling directly towards Altair. As it collide with him, he was sent backwards. His feet never left the ground as he slid further back, nearly over the edge of the platform.
---
Welcome, Invoker.
---
Before his eyes, a thin screen had appeared.
"Altair?"
Yara's nervous voice broke into his thoughts. He glanced between her and the panel.
"Well... I didn't think my mother's creation would look so... well, like this. Heh."