When Jennie Queens was ten years old, everybody in the Kingdom of Seraiya was excited.

But not because of the festival.

Not because of the royal wedding.

Not because of the victory.

But due to something much older and much more significant.

Due to something sacred.

And something awaited by all the children of the kingdom.

It was called the Awakening Ceremony.

Ritual that was older than Seraiya.

Much older than kings and nobles.

Older than any records.

According to the Church of Miasa, the Goddess of Creation blessed the ceremony thousands of years ago.

Nobody knew if it was true.

Nobody could prove it.

But the ceremony existed for generations.

And every generation created heroes.

For this reason alone nobody questioned it.

The Awakening Ceremony was when the future of a person started.

It was when destiny gave its answer to the question.

---

Unlike other public events, it was private.

Only the immediate family members, church officials, and specially invited guests could be present.

No crowds.

No spectators.

No cheering nobles.

Just the child standing before destiny.

And destiny’s judgment.

---

The ceremony took place in the Grand Cathedral of Miasa – the largest church of the kingdom.

White stone towers soared towards the sky.

Colorful stained-glass windows displayed ancient heroes and saints.

Massive silver bells sounded gently in the morning breeze.

Jennie looked at the cathedral while the carriage approached.

Strange feelings appeared in her chest.

Nervousness.

The feeling which she hadn’t felt for a very long time.

Next to her sat the ten-year-old Princess Lilia KingHeart.

And for once...

She was silent.

Jennie looked at her.

"You look worried."

Lilia immediately denied.

"I’m not worried."

"You’ve been biting your fingernails for ten minutes."

"..."

"I’m watching."

"..."

"I’m very observant."

Lilia crossed her arms.

"I’m a princess."

"I don’t get nervous."

Jennie nodded.

"Sure."

Lilia frowned.

"You don’t believe me."

"Not really."

The princess sighed.

---

Soon the carriage stopped.

King Aldric, Queen Celestine, Prince Adrian, Arthur, Elena, and some church officials were waiting for them.

They were all there for this special day.

Including Lucas who came from the Royal Academy.

Being seventeen now, he looked much older than before.

Silver insignia on his chest meant that he earned high status in the academy because of his talents.

As soon as he saw Jennie, he smiled.

"Nervous?"

"A little."

Lucas laughed.

"I never thought I’d hear you saying this."

Jennie frowned.

"I can feel normal emotions."

"Debatable."

---

When they entered the cathedral, Lilia looked at Lucas.

"You already have your mark, right?"

Lucas nodded.

"Seven years ago."

"What mark did you have?"

"Pioneer Swordsman."

Lilia blinked.

Jennie was interested too.

Although she already knew.

In Seraiya, Divine Marks were ranked.

From Common.

To Rare.

To Epic.

Legendary.

And Mythical.

Most people had Common Mark.

Fewer people had Rare.

All the rest were considered exceptional.

And Lucas was among those rare ones.

He had awakened a Rare Mark.

Called Pioneer Swordsman.

Mark which increased the sword skill learning speed and physical growth.

That’s why he was advancing so fast.

"Did Father get one too?" Lilia asked.

Arthur smiled.

"Knight Commander."

"A Rare Mark."

Lilia’s eyes shone.

"That’s amazing."

Queen Celestine giggled.

"And your father wasn’t bad either."

King Aldric rubbed the back of his neck.

"Mine was Royal Guardian."

It was an Epic Mark.

Everybody in the kingdom knew about it.

One of the best defensive marks in the history of Seraiya.

Suddenly Lilia looked worried.

"What if I’ll get something boring?"

Jennie looked at her.

"What would you find boring?"

"Farming mark."

Jennie blinked.

"Farmers are important."

"I know."

"But I don’t want one."

There was nothing to say about this logic.

---

Soon a priest approached them.

He wore white ceremonial robe with silver threads on it.

"The ceremony is ready."

The cathedral fell silent.

Immediately.

The atmosphere changed.

Even Lilia stopped talking.

And it showed how important this moment was.

---

At the center of the cathedral stood ancient altar.

The huge circular platform made of white stone.

Runes covered the altar.

The golden light flowed through them like liquid sun.

Jennie sensed mana coming from the altar.

Ancient.

Strong.

Much older than the kingdom.

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Interesting."

Even during her previous life she had never understood origin of the altar.

---

Priest raised his staff.

"Today, two children shall stand before destiny."

"Jennie Queens."

"Princess Lilia KingHeart."

"Step forward."

The girls obeyed.

Their steps resounded throughout the cathedral.

Silent watchers around.

Parents.

Family.

Friends.

And it seemed that the future held its breath.

---

The priest started chanting.

The ancient words filled the cathedral.

Some long-forgotten language.

But understandable for the soul.

The golden light spread across the altar.

The runes started shining brighter.

Brighter.

And brighter.

Until the entire cathedral was illuminated.

Jennie felt something stirring inside her.

Not mana.

But something else.

Something which was connected with her very essence.

Beside her, Lilia’s eyes widened.

She could feel it too.

The process of awakening began.

---

Voice of the priest echoed through the hall.

"Before the Goddess."

"Before destiny."

"Before the path which waits."

"Reveal yourself."

The altar started shaking.

The golden light erupted towards the sky.

The cathedral shook.

Several priests looked at each other in surprise.

So much energy was unusual.

Very unusual.

Even King Aldric noticed it.

"What’s happening?"

Nobody could answer him.

Because nobody knew.

---

Jennie felt warmth spreading through her body.

The familiar warmth.

Almost like a hand which was touching her head gently.

Voice.

Soft.

Kind.

Ancient.

For a split second...

She heard whispers.

"Have you enjoyed your second life?"

Jennie’s eyes widened.

Impossible.

That voice...

Miasa.

The Goddess of Creation.

Then the feeling disappeared.

As if it never existed.

---

The light became even more intense.

The runes under girls were glowing brightly.

The priest looked in surprise.

His hands were trembling.

Such reaction he had never seen before.

Never.

Something extraordinary was about to happen.

Something which will be remembered in the kingdom for many generations.

And as the golden light completely swallowed both girls...

The Divine Marks were about to reveal themselves.