before destiny
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As the sun set over Kanagawa, the village square burst with the excited chatter of children and adults alike. Tokubetsu stood among them, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. He felt both happy and scared; he knew that today was a major milestone in his life. No matter the outcome, the event that would happen today would determine the rest of his life.
The village head then walked into the middle of the stage and began to address the crowd. "Today is a day where we continue our age-old tradition. As you all know, we pick those who have the most exceptional dormant abilities to have a chance to become Chrono Humans!" said Taro Kinoshita.
The crowd cheered in jubilation at his words, instantly feeling a sense of respect and admiration anytime Taro spoke. "This tradition started as a partnership between my great-grandfather and the chief priest of that time. We wanted to give those of us born without privilege a fighting chance," Taro said, pausing to let his words sink in.
"Only those whose abilities are unique and have the best chance of being of high grade will be given this opportunity. That is why we conduct this test," he said. "Is it fair?" he asked the crowd. "I think not. Some are lucky and receive great powers while others have different destinies," Taro said as the crowd grew quiet. They all knew these things, but being told again didn't make it any less scary. Many people dreamed of becoming Chrono Humans, and many more dreamed of joining the Star Force.
Tokubetsu's mind wandered as Taro spoke, recalling a vivid memory from his childhood. He remembered sitting with his family, eyes glued to the old television set, watching a live broadcast of Star Force members fighting off a devastating alien invasion in a nearby city. The sheer bravery and skill they exhibited left a lasting impression on him, sparking a dream of one day joining their ranks. He thought they were the coolest people in the world and wanted to be like them. This memory only intensified his anticipation for the testing.
"To the 198 candidates who are not picked, don't feel sad. Do not cry, because the world is not over. There is more to life than being a Chrono Human," Taro said, attempting to soothe the hearts of the children. He knew their hearts and that their souls would be crushed. Many children became depressed or reclusive because of this event, some even taking their own lives. Many people never got over this disappointment, haunted by it throughout their lives.
Taro looked into the eyes of these children and sighed at how unfair and cruel the world could be. Other people awakened naturally or were born into families where buying cell stimulants was as cheap as a grain of sand to them. But this was what their fates held...
"Let me introduce Dr. Elena Vasquez to explain the testing process," said Taro in defeat.
Dr. Vasquez, a tall, composed woman of Spanish descent, stepped forward with a warm smile. "Thank you, Village Head Kinoshita. Good evening, everyone. Today, we will conduct a series of tests to determine the potential of each child's dormant abilities. The process will include a blood sample test, a frequency emission test, and finally, a machine scan for a more concise result. Each step is designed to ensure we identify the most promising abilities with the highest accuracy."
She paused, looking at the nervous faces of the children. "I understand this can be a stressful time, but please know we are here to support you. My team and I will guide you through each step, and we will answer any questions you might have."
The villagers listened intently, the atmosphere a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The significance of the day weighed heavily on everyone, but the hope of seeing their children rise to greatness kept their spirits high.
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