Almighty Evolution

One

"Do you think this is a charity event for the genetically cursed?"

The voice sliced through the chatter of the Grand Hall like a blade. Kael didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

He could feel the burning stare digging into his back from one of the pre-awakened nobles.

Today was the Lunar Awakening Ceremony.

A sacred day when every child from the great families and bloodlines would awaken their beast and seal their fate in a world where the class of your beast decided your status, your power, and your worth.

Kael’s gaze met that of Lucian Voss — the arrogant heir to the powerful family that had once employed Kael’s parents as lowly servants. Standing beside Lucian was Selene, Kael’s ex-girlfriend, clinging tightly to his arm with a smug smile as if she had won the greatest prize in the empire.

“I didn’t realize it was a gathering for the spoiled and brainless either,” Kael replied with a casual shrug. “Yet here you stand.”

A wave of shocked gasps rippled through the crowd, stunned by his boldness.

Lucian’s face twisted into a vicious scowl. His fists clenched as he stepped forward, flanked by his usual group of wealthy lackeys. They moved like a pack of hungry wolves, ready to rip Kael apart. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Lucian had always treated Kael’s parents like filth, beating them at the slightest whim, and he treated Kael like something even lower.

“Looks like you’re eager to die before you even learn your pathetic fate,” Lucian snarled.

Before he could advance further, a stern guard stepped between them, pointing sharply at the rules engraved on the marble wall. “No violence of any kind is permitted within these sacred halls!”

Lucian backed off reluctantly, but his eyes burned with the promise of future pain. He raised his voice so the entire hall could hear him.

“Did your dirt-poor parents actually allow you to come here? How cruel of them. They know your cursed bloodline hasn’t awakened anything — not even a mole — for generations.”

“And you?” he sneered. “You couldn’t awaken a dead worm even if your worthless life depended on it.”

Laughter erupted across the hall in cruel waves. Kael’s hands tightened into fists. He could endure insults aimed at himself, but when they mocked his parents — people who had worked themselves to the bone just to survive — his blood boiled with rage.

Memories flooded his mind. He could still see his mother’s tear-streaked face clearly:

“Kael, you can’t go there. For three generations, our family has been the cursed bloodline. No one has ever awakened anything, let alone something decent!”

“That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try, Mom,” Kael had replied, forcing confidence into his voice.

His father’s broken tone still echoed in his ears:

“The shame will destroy you, son. Your great-granduncle tried… and the ones before him. They all ended up taking their own lives.”

Kael had been terrified too. A part of him wanted to give up and accept their fate. But he simply could not bear to live the same wretched life any longer. He had to try — even if he failed.

He was exhausted from watching his parents bow their heads and endure humiliation from people like Lucian. He needed to take this chance, no matter the outcome.

“You’re not meant for our world, Kael,” Lucian whispered, leaning in close with a mocking grin. “My family awakens legendary sea beasts every generation, and sky beasts too. The best you can hope for is to keep dreaming and wetting yourself at night.”

“Better to be a dreamer than a nightmare that makes everyone scream when they wake up,” Kael shot back.

“Besides, I heard you still need three servants just to bathe you properly. I used to help bathe you back when I worked there. Are you sure you can handle a powerful beast when you can’t even handle a simple bar of soap?”

“Whoa!” Echoes of surprise and amusement rang from the other participants.

Lucian’s face flushed crimson with rage. “You little—”

A deep, commanding voice suddenly cut through the tension. “Take your places!”

Darius Kane, one of the city’s most respected Beast Tamers, strode into the hall. His scarred face and icy gaze made it clear he had zero tolerance for childish squabbles.

Lucian growled under his breath. “This isn’t over. We’ll settle it after the ceremony.”

The Awakening Ceremony officially began. A massive glowing blue orb was revealed at the center of the stage, swirling with mysterious pulsing energy. One by one, the young nobles stepped forward to determine their lifelong destiny.

“Gerald Harrington!” Darius called out.

A nervous boy hurried up to the orb.

The moment his hand touched it, the orb flashed. Moments later, a spectral deer materialized above his head.

“Bronze-class Deer!” Darius announced. Polite applause followed. Bronze-class wasn’t remarkable, but it still meant a future.

More names were called. Most received Bronze or Silver-class beasts — wolves, hawks, bears. Respectable creatures that ensured entry into the academy.

“Selene Mogue!”

Kael watched as his ex-girlfriend walked confidently to the stage. She placed her hand on the orb with practiced ease. Bright light burst forth, and a sleek silver hawk appeared.

“Silver-class Steel Hawk!”

Selene smirked down at Kael as she descended the steps, her cold gaze sending a chill through him.

“Like owner, like beast,” Kael muttered under his breath.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

“Lucian Voss!”

The entire hall fell into reverent silence. Lucian strolled onto the stage as if he already owned the world, radiating unshakable confidence with every step.

He placed his hand on the orb without the slightest hesitation.

A blinding explosion of light erupted, forcing many to shield their eyes.

When the light finally faded, a majestic eagle with twenty-foot emerald crystal wings and blazing eyes soared above Lucian’s head.

“Emerald-class Storm Eagle!” Darius announced, genuine awe in his voice.

The hall exploded into thunderous applause that lasted far longer than for anyone else. Emerald-class was the mark of true nobility. Lucian was now set for life. He descended the stage with his chest puffed out proudly while Selene rushed to embrace him.

Most people watched him with admiration, others with bitter envy.

“We did it!” Selene exclaimed.

But Lucian casually shrugged her off. “Go prepare my bath. Being legendary is tiring work, you know.” Selene nodded obediently, like a loyal servant.

Lucian then walked straight over to where Kael stood and leaned in with a cruel smile.

“See the difference between a god and a worm? Don’t worry — when you awaken absolutely nothing, I’ll generously hire you as my beast’s waste cleaner.”

The announcer scanned his list, his expression souring with clear distaste. “And finally… one last participant.”

He paused, then announced with obvious irritation:

“Kael Thornwood.”

The name left his mouth like it left a bitter taste.

The hall went deathly quiet, but this silence was laced with mockery. Whispers and quiet giggles spread like poison.

“The cursed bloodline…”

“It would take a miracle from the gods for him to awaken even a chicken!”

“This is going to be pathetic.”

Their cruel words washed over Kael as he walked toward the stage, his resolve crumbling with every step.

He wanted to turn and run. His parents’ warnings echoed loudly in his mind.

But then the painful memories resurfaced — the beatings, the near-death humiliations, the endless insults he and his family had endured for years.

Kael was done being weak. Done being nothing. He deserved a chance at a real life, just like everyone else in this hall.

His nails dug painfully into his palms, but he barely felt it.

Taking the deepest breath of his life, he placed both hands firmly on the glowing orb.

“This is going to be legendary!” Lucian’s loud mocking voice cut through the giggles of the crowd.

Then it happened.

It began with a faint golden pulse from the orb.

The light grew brighter… hotter… unbearably intense. Everyone had to squint or turn away as the radiance became blinding.

Suddenly, the ancient orb — the sacred artifact that had guided their civilization for centuries — shattered violently right before their eye

s.

In the center of the broken fragments, something began to glow with a strange, pulsing light.

And the entire hall stared in stunned silence.