Thousands gathered within and around the central tower of Dantang, the city of Jade, the capital of Azuma. Within its main sanctuary, many young men and women stood in wait for the ceremony that would change their lives. They stood in 8 sets of uniform lines. Separated by their respective sects.

  Atop a pedestal in the sanctuary stood a large pillar of carved sapphire with hundreds of golden scripts. The leaders of each of the 8 sects sat at their seats before the pillar.

  Hundreds of other spectators stood about the room in wait to witness such an event.

  In the middle of one of the 8 groups of junior sect members was Xai Faung. His light blue and white gi set nicely fitted on his slender body. He kept picking at strands of his black hair as his hazel eyes stuck forward at the sect leaders and the massive spire behind them.

  He flinched slightly when a hand touched his shoulder. "Calm down Xai. Don't embarrass yourself in front of everyone just yet."

  He spun around to see a familiar face. He stood several inches above Xai, his form was more built and his skin slightly darker. Contrary to Xai, he was completely bald with deep black eyes. He wore a similar uniform to the smaller man.

  "I won't embarrass myself, Liang," Xai stated, punching his friend lightly on the shoulder. Despite his words, he could feel his face grow warm.

  "Get back in form you two." A female voice spoke behind them.

  The two men turned to see a woman standing at attention. Her hair was a brilliant white. On the other hand, her crimson eyes glared at the two men. Her sect uniform was slightly different from the others. It was still the light blue and white garb. But it was slightly lighter and exchanged the pants for shorts instead.

  Liang rolled his eyes before walking back in line. "I was just trying to help Xai with the pre-initiation jitters. Plus, Toya, it's not like we are the only ones out of line... literally." The man gestured to another set of sect members. These however wore black and red colors. Most of their sect members were disorderly and talking amongst themselves.

  "He can get over himself. And don't worry about the business of other sects" Toya stated.

  A moment later, a booming voice echoed through the room, silencing all chatter. "I shall begin by thanking all citizens of Dangtang and beyond for attending this ceremony."

  The gazes of all within the chamber turned to face a figure that appeared in a flash of sparks and light. He wore robes made from the finest black and gold cloth. Atop his head sat the imperial crown of Emperor Hisui.

  The emperor's hands shifted towards the young men and woman before him. "And most of all the upcoming warriors of Azuma for their relentless training." He then turned to address the sect leaders behind him. "And for the mighty sect leaders for training them to where they are now."

  He gestured a hand to the seated man on the far left of the room. He wore red and orange robes. His hair and short beard were near pitch black and speckled with grey streaks.

  "Master Byo Ling, of the Burning Flower Sect."

  Hisui moved his hands to the next leader, a younger man draped in gold robes that matched his equally shimmering hair and eyes.

  "Master Caifu Ying, of the Golden Mountain Sect."

  He moved his hand again, this time to a woman where a somewhat revealing purple and silver outfit. While most of her more delicate bits were covered, the rest of her body was draped over with translucent purple fabric.

  "Lady Toph Kazucha, of the Dancing Lion Sect."

  His hand moved again to an elderly man whose eyes were so sunken into their sockets that they looked hardly there. Long grey hair drifted down to nearly reach the floor from where he sat. He wore long black and purple robes that seemed to accentuate his seemingly frail form.

  "Master Dushou, of the Silent Palm Sect."

  His hand moved once more, now to a man clad in armor made of layered metal. Resting against his chair was a large odachi, nearly the size of himself.

  "Master Koroshi Sanyai, of the Twin Horizon Sect."

  Again, his hand moved. Now to another woman in a much more modest outfit. Her hair was bright blue, as were her eyes and tight robes.

  "Lady, Saiuchi Nochi of the Soothing Waves Sect."

  Next, was a man in red and black robes. His hair was black, in contrast with his piercing red eyes. His skin was somewhat pale and his frame slim. Nonetheless, his presence was felt by nearly everyone in the room, even if only slightly.

  "Master Xue Ting, of the Crimson Moon Sect."

  At last, the Emperor's hand was cast toward Xai's master. His long grey hair was cast in a bun at the top of his head. He wore a fine silk blue and white robe with waves of mist across it.

  "And Master Youshan Wu, of the Silver Mist Sect. To each and every one of you, I commend your efforts."

  Applause erupted through the entire chamber. It quickly silenced as the Emperor spoke again. "But without waiting any longer, let's allow these youths to become the warriors they were born to be. As I call your name, approach the Ascension Stone," he gestured to the pillar of sapphire behind him. "And rest your hand upon it; be granted the System which will raise you to new heights beyond what mortals could hope to reach."

  Stolen story; please report.

  The Emperor then began listing off names. One by one, a junior member of one of the 8 sects stepped forward and set their hand on the floating stone. As they did so, the markings on it began to glow brighter before dimming. Afterward, the Junior returned to their place, looking around at the world with a new sense of wonder.

  Then finally.

  "Xai Faung."

  Xai quickly tried to calm his jitters and keep a hand away from his hair. As he passed the Emperor he stumbled as his body brushed passed something. It wasn't anything physical; just a strange feeling of energy washing through his body.

  Xai knew the energy, though he could not see it, he knew the feeling: Ki. An immense amount of pure Ki emanated from the Emperor. Even though Xai was several feet away, he knew the Emperor's ki was being heavily suppressed. If he wished, the Emperor could make everyone in this room kneel to him by the sheer pressure of his Ki.

  As Xai got closer to the pillar, and passed the Emperor, the feeling gradually faded as he reached his hand out and, at last, set a hand upon the Ascension Stone.

  The script across the sapphire began to brighten. Xai felt a pulse of energy course through his body like a bolt of lightning.

  Xai quickly pulled his hand from the pillar, but the transfer was already complete. As he opened his eyes a small translucent scroll appeared before him before unrolling. The parchment was blank for a moment. But a few seconds later script began appearing across the long page.

  ~~~~

  [Name: Xai Faung]

  [Level: 1 (F)]

  [Vitality: 12]

  [Endurance: 10]

  [Strength: 8]

  [Dexterity: 14]

  [Intelligence: 12]

  [Willpower: 5]

  [Perception: 10]

  [Charm: 16]

  ~~~~

  As soon as Xai's eyes finished scanning over the script the scroll closed, and vanished in a near inaudible pop.

  Xai looked around himself, he expected to finally be able to see the Ki flowing through the air, or at least the remnant aura around some of the strong Ki-wielders in the room, such as the sect leaders and the Emperor. But there was nothing. Instead, he saw small writing above each of their heads, as well as a handful of the young sect members who had previously set their hand upon a stone. He couldn't quite read the numbers above their heads, but he could easily see the Emperor's: [Level: ??? (?)].

  Of course, it was too high to see. He didn't know what to expect from Emperor Hisui.

  Xai ultimately returned to his spot in line. Liang clasped his shoulder and shook him lightly. "How's it feel?"

  Xai looked down at his hands. "Apart from the numbers above everyone's head, I don't feel any different." He said glancing up above Liang's head.

  [Level: 1 (F)]

  He wasn't quite sure what he expected.

  "Toya Katrina."

  Behind the two new initiates of the system, Toya walked towards the Ascension Stone. "Back in line." She whispered to the two as she walked by.

  ***

  Over the next hour, as names continued to be called, Xai and Liang tested what the System could do.

  Like all other citizens of the realm, they knew of the System. While not everyone was permitted to awaken it by touching an Ascension Stone most knew generally what it did: it allowed whoever obtained the system to perform outstanding feats beyond mortal limits. Combine this with the cultivation of Ki within the bodies of the warriors of Azuma, and their power became neigh limitless over time. That being said, some of the strongest cultivators of Ki had spent several hundred years with both Ki and the System and hadn't ascended. Many speculated how long it generally took to ascend beyond the mortal realm with the help of Ki and the System, but most assumed at least a thousand years if not more. All beings, regardless of bloodline began as a level 1. Their species determined their starting rank, but humans began with F; the lowest. Followed by E, D, C, B, A, and S being the highest, just shy of true ascension. Most species could only evolve their rank one or two ranks at most. But humans were unique in the fact that, while starting at the lowest rank, could eventually evolve to the highest over time with enough determination. Evolving one's rank was slightly different for each species, but generally involved increasing your level close to 100 in a rank; having it reset to 1 after you rank up.

  Regardless, all the system seemed to do for Xai and Liang was display levels above the other junior's heads and open or close their status screen.

  Finally, the Emperor spoke once more to the crowd. "At last, that concludes this year's initiation ceremony. Please, leaders of the 8 great sects, take your juniors to your halls and celebrate. For much power and hard work is to be had for them in the days to come."

  With that Emperor Hisui vanished in the same show of sparks as he had entered.

  Applause erupted from the crowd around them as the sect leaders stood and began escorting their respective sect members away.

  ***

  It took several hours for the sect members of the Silver Mist Sect to venture across Dantang to the base of the mountain their sect rested upon.

  As they walked, Xai tried to catch a glimpse of the level above his master's head. He'd quickly walked to the front of the crowd a few times to get a glimpse, but all that appeared were question marks, just like the ones above the Emperor's head.

  Suddenly, Master Wu halted at the base of the mountain. The other sect members looked around in silence for a moment.

  "We still have another hour of walking around the mountain before getting to the path. Why did we stop?" Liang asked. He still stood next to Xai.

  Master Wu then turned to address the members of his sect.

  "Whilst I do congratulate each and every one of you on your hard work and training; tempering your bodies beyond many common men and woman. But now a new time has arisen. You are all now one with the System, just like I and all of your seniors at the Silver Mist Sect. With that comes great power. But great power must be earned. Your first test as wielders of the System is to reach the sect hall by nightfall without using the paved path." Youshan gestured a hand up the mountain. "Any who are seen on the path will be sent back to the mountain's base. Other than that, you may use any route you wish. Any who do not reach the sect hall by nightfall will be issued extra rounds of- apparently much-needed- training. Other than those restrictions, feel free to take any route you see fit. But one final message. There is a reason we paved a path to our sect. And it's not because it was convenient."

  With that, Youshan bowed to his students as his form became mist that quickly ascended the mountain before many of the juniors could even blink.

  For several seconds, everyone stood around in confusion.

  "What the hell is everyone waiting on? We only have until the sun sets!" Liang shouted as he ran forward toward the trees that blanketed the mountain.

  Several more followed his lead.

  "Of course, he runs in without a second thought," Toya muttered as she walked towards the forest. Her hand drifted to a long chain wrapped around her waist. She pulled it off and casually began wrapping it around one of her arms as she vanished into the foliage.

  Xai touched the hilt of his straight sword in the scabbard at his waist. He looked up to the summit of the mountain in the distance, then to the sun hanging high in the sky.

  He stepped forward into the forest alongside all the others.