Chapter 5: Divine Awakening

The black void shimmered faintly as the crystal Riven had touched slowly faded from existence. His body floated, unconscious, glowing with divine light. Faint trails of radiant energy danced across his skin like ancient sigils, etching themselves deep into his bones.

A system screen hovered above him.
[Awakening Completed]
[Talent Acquired: Path of God]
[Rank Tier: ???]

Another message followed.
[Vessel Met Condition for Multi-Talent Integration]
[Secondary Awakening Process Initiating…]

Riven remained unaware, lost in unconsciousness. Behind him, a hidden light began to glow—divine in nature—and without his knowledge, his body absorbed it completely.

Within the Dream Realm

Clouds swirled beneath Riven’s feet as he stood—no longer in the void, but in a realm of divine mist. A colossal castle loomed ahead, floating among the clouds. He stepped inside, drawn by instinct.

Ten grand thrones lined the chamber, each carved from divine crystal, magnificent and regal. Seated upon them were vague silhouettes—ancient and mighty, yet blurred and ethereal. Their forms were unknowable, their voices clear.

“The planet remains unclaimed. No god has laid a rightful claim.”
“Only mid-tier gods or natives born of divinity can claim dominion.”
“We’re ridiculed by the mid-tier gods… dismissed by the high ones.”
“Still… if we rise, if we gain enough strength, perhaps we can challenge the order.”

Riven remained unseen. They weren’t speaking to him. They hadn’t even noticed his presence.
He was not their vessel. Not their pawn.
And yet… he was there. Watching.

Suddenly, the dream realm trembled.
[Connection Terminated. Candidate Rejected from Divine Realm.]

Riven was forcibly ejected. Light swallowed him as his real body began to absorb the divine energy fully.

Back on the Awakening Platform

Dozens of students stood near the glowing Registration Stone, where their Awakening Tiers and Talents were being revealed.

The proctor, a white-bearded old man in ceremonial robes, called names one by one. A blue glow would rise from the stone, followed by a projection of rank and talent.

“Zane Velros”
Tier: Low-A
Talent: Iron Hide

“Drace Malen”
Tier: Mid-B
Talent: Flame Grip

“Mira Fenwick”
Tier: Mid-B
Talent: Shadow Claw

“Kael Torin”
Tier: Mid-B
Talent: Steel Bones

“Lena Orwyn”
Tier: Low-A
Talent: Wind Veil

These were the students who had mocked and bullied Riven. Their names lit up modestly on the provincial leaderboards.

“Silas Renfield”
Tier: Mid-A
Talent: Thunder King’s Arm

“Arin Lysse”
Tier: High-A
Talent: Lunar Mind

“Kai Nareth”
Tier: High-A
Talent: Flame Tempest

“Velra Dain”
Tier: Low-S
Talent: Spirit Pulse

“Eryk Hollow”
Tier: Low-S
Talent: Bone Surge

“Lyra Valtros”
Tier: Low-SS
Talent: Celestial Chain

As Lyra’s name appeared, murmurs rippled across the crowd. The daughter of Draven Valtros—one of the country’s strongest Awakened—had lived up to expectations.

Guild Markings

Observers from powerful guilds stood at a distance, taking notes. Though they couldn’t recruit today due to government restrictions, names were marked for follow-up. Ranks SS and S were hot commodities.

One figure stood atop a tall building far from the crowd, draped in white and gold robes. A woman with a veiled face narrowed her eyes.

“That boy’s name… it disappeared strangely,” she murmured.

She belonged to one of the two strongest guilds in the nation—and unlike others, she had noticed the anomaly when Riven’s name vanished from the timer.

Back at the Platform

The energy surging from the mirror realm burst briefly. Most couldn’t sense it.
But those with power—S-tier and above—felt it.
A few looked toward the mirror platform with narrowed eyes. Something had changed.

Inside the Void

The radiant energy that had swirled within the black space now surged into Riven’s unconscious form. The sigils on his skin burned brighter, searing into him.

The system flickered before his half-conscious mind.
[Condition Met]
[God Body: Acquired]
[God Mentality: Acquired]
[Awakening Ascension Process Complete]

Divine symbols spiraled from his back to his chest—glowing, intricate designs, ancient and powerful. Like inscriptions from an era long forgotten.

[You have awakened the Talent: Path of God]
[Additional Talents: +2 Slot Unlocked]

Riven stirred.
His eyelids fluttered open. His body no longer ached—but felt… alive. Renewed. Overflowing with energy.

He stared at the system screen hovering before him, stunned.

“Path of… God…?” he whispered.
Then his eyes widened even further.

“Two more talents? I can add… two more?!”

He broke into laughter—mad, euphoric laughter that echoed in the darkness.

“HAHAHAHA—FINALLY! FINALLY!”

He roared into the void like a madman reborn, clutching at the air with trembling fists.

The weakling was gone.
What rose from the ashes… was a god in the making.

End of Chapter 5