Lord's System: Twilight Sovereign Awakened

The cool, sterile air of the Awakening Center washed over Lysander as he stepped inside. The interior was a stark contrast to the grimy cityscape outside – smooth, polished surfaces gleamed under soft, diffused lighting, and hushed tones echoed through the spacious hall. Holographic displays flickered with images of radiant Lords and their magnificent territories, a stark juxtaposition to the reality of his own existence.

Ready or not, it's now or nothing, he thought, a surge of nervous energy tightening his chest. He had rehearsed this moment in his mind countless times, the words he would speak, the demeanor he would project. He couldn't afford to betray the desperation that gnawed at him. He needed to appear… decisive, a potential worthy of the gamble.

He approached the nearest counter, where an attendant with meticulously styled silver hair and an impassive expression stood behind a shimmering interface. The attendant's gaze flickered over Lysander's unique attire, a silent assessment.

Lysander met their gaze steadily, forcing a semblance of confidence he didn't entirely feel. "I wish to try my hand at Awakening," he stated, his voice a low, resonant baritone that carried a hint of underlying steel.

A flicker of something – perhaps resignation, perhaps a practiced indifference – crossed the attendant's features. "Indeed," they replied, their voice a smooth, synthesized tone. "Are you aware of the success rates, sir?"

"Perfectly," Lysander responded, a touch of sardonic humor lacing his words. "The odds of winning the grand cosmic lottery are likely higher. And even then," he continued, his thoughts darkening for a fleeting moment, even then, there's no guarantee of anything worthwhile. A useless skill, a pathetic unit affinity… it's all a roll of the dice. He pushed the negative thoughts aside, focusing on the sliver of possibility. "But as I said to myself just moments ago, it's undeniably better than the stagnant swamp my life has become."

He leaned slightly forward, his glacial eyes holding the attendant's gaze. "So, do you have any Awakening Crystals available for purchase?" He allowed a hint of impatience to color his tone. Time was precious, and the longer he lingered in this liminal space, the more the tendrils of doubt threatened to ensnare him. He needed to act, to commit to this desperate hope before it withered entirely. The attendant's reaction, the availability of the crystal – these were the first tangible steps on a path that could lead to either salvation or utter ruin. He waited, the silence in the hall amplifying the frantic beat of his own heart.