❄️ Elemental Rebirth: Aokiji's Awakening
Chapter 1: The Frost Awakening Ceremony
The winter sun barely peeked over the mountains, casting a pale silver glow on Lanxian City. Frost coated rooftops, and a sharp wind swept through the streets like a whispering ghost. Within the towering stone walls of Lanxian Magic Academy, hundreds of students gathered in the central plaza, their breaths fogging the cold morning air.
Today was Awakening Day — the most important day in a young mage's life.
Among the crowd, a lone boy stood still and silent.
Aokiji Linfeng, dressed in a worn, sky-blue coat, kept his hands in his pockets as excited voices surrounded him. He was tall for his age, with pale skin, white-blue hair that looked almost frozen, and deep, distant eyes like a snowstorm waiting to fall.
He didn't speak.
He never did — not unless necessary.
"Hey, look, it's that mute orphan again."
"He probably won't awaken anything. Waste of space."
A group of students from noble families smirked as they passed. Aokiji didn't even look at them.
He wasn't here to make friends.
He was here for answers.
Aokiji's grandfather had vanished three years ago, leaving behind only a strange silver pendant etched with ancient runes. Since then, strange dreams had plagued him — flames in the dark, lightning ripping through skies, and frost devouring mountains.
🌀 The Awakening Hall
Within the Awakening Hall, students lined up one by one to place their hand on the Elemental Crystal Pillar — a towering monolith of pure mana that shimmered with flowing energy. It reacted to the soul, revealing the elemental affinity of the student.
Most students awakened one element. A rare few awakened two. Three? That was a myth.
"Next: Aokiji Linfeng."
A silence fell over the hall. Even the examiners looked skeptical.
Aokiji stepped forward.
His palm touched the crystal.
At first, nothing happened.
Then — the crystal flared.
BOOM.
A blast of cold wind erupted, slamming into the walls. A glowing blue symbol pulsed within the pillar — Ice Element.
But before the examiners could speak, two more lights sparked from the base.
A red flame curled around his feet.
A golden arc of lightning snapped across the ceiling.
"W-What the…?!"
"That's— That's impossible!"
The crystal pulsed wildly. All three elements—Ice, Lightning, and Fire—reacted simultaneously, causing the tower to emit a deafening hum. The floor cracked beneath Aokiji's feet.
He didn't move.
His pendant glowed faintly at his neck.
Then—
Darkness.
A barrier of white light flashed across the crystal as a cloaked examiner slammed his staff to the ground. The magic was instantly suppressed. The energies vanished.
"Seal the results," the examiner growled. "Record Ice only. Nothing more."
Aokiji looked at him quietly. He knew.
He had awakened three elements.
They were hiding it.
🧊 Outside the Hall
Snow began to fall softly as students discussed their results. Some celebrated, some cried, some complained. Aokiji stood at the academy gates, his hands still cold.
The pendant pulsed against his chest.
And in his mind... a voice spoke:
"The Frost has awakened. The Storm waits. The Flame remembers."
Aokiji didn't smile.
He simply turned his back on the academy, and began walking.
The world had just changed — and he could feel it.