The Greatest Awakener: Ruler Of Time And Portals.

Chapter 3: The Baptism To Begin

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Nicolas walked towards the nearest teleportation station, his mind still consumed by the horrific vision he'd just had. The images lingered in his thoughts, pulling him into a spiral of uncertainty.

The teleportation station he was heading to was a special one, located in the heart of the town center. The space was always bustling, surrounded by the constant movement of people hurrying about their business. The steady hum of life filled the air, but there was something about the scene today that felt different. The noise of rushing feet, the blurring of faces—everything seemed to be magnified, as if the world was moving in fast forward while he was stuck in slow motion.

Unlike the usual calm composure he carried, Nicolas found himself absentminded, his focus far from the present. His mind was still racing with the unsettling thoughts from earlier, and he didn't even notice the person walking directly into his path.

He collided with them, and for a split second, it felt like his body was pressed against a soft, velvet-like surface. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

When his eyes finally focused, he was met with the most captivating pair of eyes—almost celestial in their clarity. They stared back at him, filled with a mixture of confusion and mild disbelief. He froze.

In front of him stood the girl who had been the cause of many sleepless nights, the girl who had somehow captivated his heart in a way no one ever had before.

"Uh! Nick, could you please get off my body?" came the voice, sweet and melodic, pulling him from his daze.

Her voice was like music to his ears, and it took him a few seconds to realize that he was still holding her. His hands slowly slipped away from her, his body reluctantly separating from the warmth that had felt like home.

"Nicolas! Seriously? There's an entire crowd here, and you're doing this?" a teasing voice cut through the moment. Alisha was standing nearby, shaking her head.

"Leave her alone, you simp! There's literally an ocean of people here," she added with a laugh, but there was a note of affection in her teasing tone.

Nicolas chuckled, but his gaze didn't leave the girl in front of him. "Alisha, it's been so long since I saw her. What's wrong with hugging the love of my life? As for the crowd, they have bigger things to worry about than watching us."

With a final sigh of reluctance, he let go of her completely, though the warmth of her presence still seemed to linger in the air.

"Hello, Suharita," he whispered softly, his eyes softening as he gazed at her.

She gave him a playful smile, the corners of her lips turning up in a mischievous curve. "Well, I was thinking of surprising you by visiting your room directly. But it seems that fate had its own plans for us." Her words carried a sense of excitement, mixed with a lighthearted tease.

Nicolas chuckled, stepping closer. "Well, I can't complain about fate today. The earlier I get to see you, the more time I have to spend with you. Seems like fate has a good sense of timing."

Suharita rolled her eyes playfully, but there was an undeniable warmth in her expression. "Stop being so flirtatious, Nick. What happened to the usual quiet and reserved Nicolas I know when you're with everyone else?"

Nicolas grinned, pulling her slightly closer. "Being with you, love, has a way of making any man gain confidence. You're my strength."

Suharita chuckled, shaking her head. "Stop being so cheesy, Nick. Come on, let's go surprise Draven. I'm dying to see his reaction."

The two of them walked hand in hand towards Draven's place, their laughter filling the air, their bond growing stronger with each step.

---

As they arrived at Draven's place, Nicolas opened the door, and in they came—Suharita and Alisha, walking in with their own brand of charm.

Draven, standing by the door, blinked in shock, completely speechless. His jaw dropped as he looked at the two girls entering.

"What… What is happening?" he stammered. His mind couldn't fully process the sight before him.

Alisha was the first to break the tension, walking over to Draven and planting a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you so much, Drave," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. The air around them seemed to shift with the intensity of their connection. Draven's hand instinctively slid around her waist, his breath hitching as he inhaled the familiar, comforting scent of her hair.

"Come on, now," Suharita teased, her voice cutting through the moment. "This isn't the place for all that."

Draven, still dazed, barely managed to greet Suharita. "Nice to meet you, Suharita." His voice was muffled, his attention still largely focused on the warmth of Alisha in his arms.

---

Later, as the night wore on, the topic of the upcoming baptism hunt was raised.

Suharita, her face filled with concern, turned to Nicolas. "Wait! You actually awakened? That's a relief. It'll make things easier. But keep in mind, Nicolas, one more instance of you taking a risk and getting hurt will have serious repercussions. Safety should be your priority during the baptism hunt."

Her gaze softened with care, and there was a palpable concern in her voice.

Nicolas met her eyes, the weight of her words sinking deep into him. "As you say, love," he murmured, his hand brushing against hers in a gentle, reassuring gesture.

Before they could continue, a voice rang out from the hallway, disrupting the tender moment.

"Sorry to interrupt your lovebird session," came the playful voice, "but get ready for the banquet! We've got to leave in about an hour."

"Got it! Give us half an hour," they both replied in unison, their voices intertwining.

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A short while later, the group stood outside, ready to attend the grand banquet.

It felt as if they were preparing to embark on an ethereal journey, their spirits aligned and radiating an aura that could rival the most divine of beings. Nicolas glanced at Suharita, their hands brushing together once more, sending a spark through him.

"Finally! We're here!" Alisha exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Ahead of them stood the grand banquet hall, bathed in vibrant hues, reminiscent of a Victorian ballroom. Every inch of the venue had been meticulously designed, with an elegance that took everyone's breath away. The scent of wisteria lingered in the air, making the place feel almost otherworldly.

As they entered the hall, the atmosphere was electric. The music filled their ears, setting the mood for an evening of celebration. Nicolas and Suharita, along with Draven and Alisha, found themselves swept up in the magic of the night.

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The ball had begun, and the couples found themselves caught in a dance that felt timeless.

In each other's arms, they moved gracefully across the floor, every step synchronized as though they were dancing not only for the night, but for eternity. The music swirled around them, creating an enchanting backdrop to the magic unfolding between them.

For a moment, nothing else mattered. There was no world outside their embrace, no responsibilities, no looming danger—just the presence of the one person who made everything feel right.

Suharita's head rested against Nicolas's chest, the steady beat of his heart soothing her. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"You know," she whispered, her lips almost brushing against his ear, "I could stay like this forever."

Nicolas smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "So could I, love. So could I."

---

As the evening wore on, the chief guest of the banquet made her grand entrance.

Emilia Sterling, the daughter of the dean of Aethercrest Academy, stood before the gathered crowd, exuding an air of regal composure. Her birthday speech was both mature and precocious, leaving everyone in awe of her presence.

After finishing her speech, she made her way to the central table where Nicolas and the others were seated.

"Happy birthday, bestie!" Nicolas greeted her, standing to give her a warm hug. "Alisha and Suharita, this is Emilia, my best friend."

Alisha greeted her enthusiastically. "I've heard so much about you. Happy birthday, Emilia!"

Suharita followed with a smile. "Thank you for the lovely evening. Many birthday wishes, Emilia."

Emilia, ever charming, replied with a teasing smile. "Oh, so this is the beauty you've been raving about, Nick. She really is a heartthrob."

Nicolas's face flushed at the remark, but before he could respond, the grand double doors at the far end of the hall swung open, drawing everyone's attention.

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The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.

Two figures stood at the entrance, their smiles tender. Nicolas's heart leapt in his chest. There, standing before him, were the two people he cared the most for.

His father, Adrian, exuded calm wisdom, while his mother, Lila, radiated warmth and love. They looked at him, and in their eyes, he saw the pride they had in him.

"Surprise!" Suharita whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Nicolas!" his mother cried, rushing forward to embrace him. "We wouldn't miss this for the world."

His father stepped forward, placing a hand on Nicolas's shoulder. "You've grown, son. We're proud of you."

The reunion was heartfelt, and for the first time in a while, Nicolas felt complete—everyone he cared for was here with him.

---

The night drew to a close, and as the banquet ended, Adrian and Lila prepared to leave.

Before they disappeared into the night, Adrian offered some final words of wisdom. "Remember, Nicolas, the baptism hunt is not just a challenge—it's the path to your mission. Perform well, but above all, stay safe."

Lila smiled and added, "We're always just a teleportation away if you need us!"

As they disappeared, Nicolas stood in silence for a moment, his heart filled with warmth and resolve.

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The Next Morning

The sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Nicolas awoke to the gentle touch of lips against his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, and there, standing above him, was Suharita, her smile bright and full of love.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she teased, her voice a melody in his ears.

Nicolas smiled, feeling the last remnants of sleep slip away. "Morning already?"

"Time to get ready," she said, pulling him from the bed. "The baptism hunt awaits, and I'm not letting you slack off."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Nicolas prepared for the day. He knew the path ahead would be challenging, but with Suharita by his side, he felt ready for whatever lay ahead.