Mattheus and Sylvia von Parseval were sitting on two chairs in a semi dark room. Sweat was dropping from Mattheuses head and Sylvia was biting her nails. In front of them was the von Parseval Crystal. Even though it had cracks in it and had weakened over time, the room was still dimly filled with its light. Mattheus put his arm around his wife's shoulder and pulled her slightly towards him.

  When Thimoeuss heard steps coming up to hallway, he lifted the spell which was hiding this room.

  "Johan, come in. The ceremony is about to begin."

  Johan walked into to the room, looking around with a stern expression. Not only did he witness a wall disappearing in front of his eyes but also was there a floating crystal in the middle of the room.

  "Sit down.", the patriarch ordered.

  There were around ten people in the room, according to what Johan could observe. The birthday people and their parents, the patriarch and he himself. Other than Adrian, who he had met earlier, he could see another boy with a slouched composure and a girl who was standing next to her mother, further down the room. He couldn't make out her appearance at all since she was wearing a gown but her eyes were glowing.

  'It's like her eyes are burning. They remind me of rubies, my father sells at his jewelleries.', Johan thought to himself.

  "As it seems, everybody has arrived for the awakening ceremony. Himmelstein and I will now help each of the upcoming Rankers to open up their blood streams so the chances of you getting better stats is ging to be higher."

  Suddenly, a rift appeared and a person walked out of it. The parents didn't react, but Johan and the newbies almost jumped up.

  "Don't worry, this is Himmelstein, our newbie guide. He has been working here for almost a hundred years now."

  "Pleased to meet everybody. Mattheus, it's been a while. You too, Helmut. How long has it been, already?"

  Helmut, Trimur's father just nodded and looked away.

  "It's been three years already.", Mattheus responded with a little disdain on his face, having to remember that it was his oldest sons ceremony three years ago.

  "I'm sorry I forgot. Well, setting these things aside, Adrian, Johan, Trimur and Hwaa."

  He looked at everyone and then called Adrian to the crystal. Playing with his fingers, Adrian was standing in front of the family crystal. Sweat pearls were dropping down his head. Taking a deep breath he put on a smile.

  "Now touch the crystal and close your eyes."

  A couple of seconds later, the crystal started to shine brightly and little sparks started to appear around Adrian's body. He started to flow in the air lightly, keeping his eyes closed. After a couple of minutes, the glow started to disappear and he opened his eyes again.

  "Wow!" Adrian looked refreshed. His body seemed a little bigger and his skin shined like he put on olive oil on it. His hair had gotten longer as well.

  "Congratulations, Adrian! You've now officially become a Ranker."

  Adrian shook the guides hand and went to his mothers side.

  "Happy?", his mother asked him with a smile.

  "Absolutely!" Adrain had gained a D Rank which was quite decent for a beginner.

  "Next, Trimur."

  Trimur stood up with clear nervousness visible on his face. He almost stumbled over his own foot but managed to grab the guide's robes.

  "No need to be so nervous, young man. Only positive is awaiting you from now on."

  Trimur knew that that was not the case. Depending on which side of the family one was, a lower Rank could mean endless work for the first couple of years. HIs father was also a problem. When he turned around his head slightly, he saw an angry expression on his father's face. Immidiatley he turned back and closd his eyes. When he put his hand onto the crystal, similarly to Adrian it shonw brightly.

  After a while Trimur also came down and shoook Himmerstein's hand. "Congratulations!"

  Trimur seemed somewhat releaved. His Rank was D+ just a little above Adrian. It was just a little bit lower than a C- but nevertheless still somewhat satisfying. Going back he told his parents his Rank and they seemed releaved as well.

  Now it was Johan's turn. He stood up and went straight to the crystal. When he arrived there he grabbed the black crystal in his pocket and thought about what he had read earlier. Knowing that something could go wrong he pondered for awhile. Clenching his teeth he pulled out the crystal and held it tightly in one hand. When the guide gave him permission, he touched the crystal.

  The surface of the crystal was cold, but the energy coming from it had a certain warmth to it. It filled his body up with energy.

  'It's like my body is brimming with vigour. I could probably slash the world in half if I wanted to.'

  After a while he felt something in his hand. It was the black crystal that his brother left for him. It was getting hotter over time.

  All of a sudden something blinked up.

  Johan started to tense up.

  'What's the meaning of this? Cancelled? I won't get a system?'

  The light started to fade away and Johan slowly landed on the ground.

  The system rebooted. This time the crystal shone s brightly and waves of energy started to flow out. Chairs fell down and almost everybody grabbed something to hold themselves.

  'What in the heavens?' The patriarch was surprised as something like this had never occurred before.

  Johan was floating in the air and his hair stood up like he was being electrified.

  The room had calmed down. Everybody was sitting their seats. Shining golden now, the crystal continued to give out energy.

  To everybody's surprise, this was taking longer than expected. Both of the earlier contestants needed around 7-8 minutes to complete their awakening. Johan was there 20 minutes already.

  To everybody's surprise, this was taking longer than expected. Both of the earlier contestants needed around 7-8 minutes to complete their awakening. Johan was there 20 minutes already.

  Johan almost opened his eyes when he heard a deep voice out of nowhere.

  'I see. To be honest, I don't really get what is going on but it seems that there is no time to waste on that. Do you know what these systems are? Are you a system as well?'

  'How do you know about my brother?', Johan asked surprised.

  Slowly, Johan descended to the ground. When he opened his eyes, he could see everybody looking at him with surprise written in their face. Sweat was dripping down his face and could barely walk.

  "Are you alright, Johan?" Himmelstein asked with a concerned voice.

  "Yeah,... I guess so. Just a little exhausted."

  Johan's mother ran over and grabbed him by his shoulders.

  "Johan!"

  "I'm alright mom. Just need a little bit of rest."

  Johan and his mother went back to their places.

  "Last but not least... Hwaa, it's your turn."

  The girl came forward. She was wearing a black robe with little musters on it. Her eyes were still glowing like fire. Going ahead she touched the crystal. Immediately a bright light started to shine. This time though, a slight red tone could be perceived. Strong energy started to make waves again and her hood slid of her head. Black hair was flowing through the waves. For a second her hair turned red and looked like it was on fire.

  'Wow, that's beautiful.' Johan saw her red hair and immediately thought of a phoenix.

  When Hwaa came down she fell down to the floor with her hands around her head. Blood flowed out of her nose and Himmelstein helped her up right away. Soon enough the ceremony was over and everybody left the room except for Johan and his parents. The patriarch sat down and started to explain everything, from family over system to his brothers death, to him.