Chapter 2:

Eden woke up with a jolt, his breath shallow and his heart hammering against his ribs. His fingers clutched the bedsheets, damp with sweat. A dream—no, a nightmare. But what was it about?

He grasped for the memories, but they slipped through his fingers like sand. All that remained were emotions—terror, despair, and something else… something cold and unyielding. He felt different, as though something inside him had changed. His emotions had dulled, his thoughts felt distant, but deep in his chest, something burned. A fire. A hunger. A desperate, unshakable need.

I have to get stronger. Strong enough that I'll never lose again

The thought came unbidden, like an instinct rather than a conscious realization. But why? Lose… again? The words surfaced in his mind, but he had no recollection of losing anything important. He shook his head, pushing the uneasy feeling aside.

Today was too important to dwell on things he didn't understand.

Today was his 16th birthday.

The day of his Awakening.

If he awakened a strong ability, he could become powerful—powerful enough to provide for his father, the only family he had left. Powerful enough to fight back against the mana gates, the endless tide of monsters threatening humanity. Powerful enough to save the world.

'Save the world..?' Like before the thought felt alien, like it wasn't his own. As far as Eden was concerned, while the situation was indeed dire, humanity had fought hard. The world was not in need of saving. 'As long as we humans fight together we will persevere.' 

Shoving the strange thoughts aside, Eden climbed out of bed and dressed quickly. His hands trembled slightly as he buttoned his shirt—not out of fear, but anticipation.

Downstairs, the scent of eggs and toast greeted him. His father sat at the small kitchen table, flipping through the news on a tablet, his brow furrowed.

"Morning," Eden greeted as he sat down.

His father's eyes flicked up, searching his face for a moment before nodding. "Morning, son." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying weight to it. He tapped the screen and turned it toward Eden.

The display showed a live news report—footage of a massive mana gate hovering ominously above a city skyline. Unlike the lower-tier ones Eden had seen before, this one was different. Tier 4.

Armed soldiers surrounded the gate's perimeter, their weapons trained on its swirling vortex of darkness. Even through the screen, the sheer menace of it was palpable.

Eden frowned. "Tier 4s are appearing already?"

His father exhaled slowly. "They're increasing. Faster than we ever predicted. This is the fourth one this month." He set the tablet down and looked Eden in the eye. "The world's changing, son. And today… you change with it."

Eden nodded but said nothing.

His father leaned back, crossing his arms. "I know you, Eden. You're going to get stronger, and I believe in you. But strength isn't everything. You might feel invincible after today, but I need you to understand—" his voice dropped lower, "—there's a much bigger world out there than the one you've known. And it doesn't care about how strong you think you are."

The words hung in the air between them.

Eden swallowed, the weight of his father's concern settling in his chest. "I get it, Dad."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his father's mouth, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You never have." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Your mother… she was just like you. Always chasing after something bigger, pushing herself beyond her limits." His voice softened. "It's what made her incredible. And it's what took her from us."

Eden's throat tightened. His mother had died before he was old enough to remember her. His father never spoke about it much.

A hand landed on his shoulder, firm but warm.

"I just don't want to lose you too," his father admitted.

For a moment, Eden didn't know what to say. Instead, he placed his own hand over his father's. A silent promise.

His father let out a breath and stood up, ruffling Eden's hair before turning back to the stove. "Now eat your breakfast before you go and change the world."

After eating, Eden left the house in a hurry, practically vibrating with excitement.

The walk to the Awakening Agency felt both endless and far too short. Each step carried the weight of anticipation, his mind racing with possibilities. Would his ability be something extraordinary? Would it change his life in an instant?

The Governmental Awakening Agency was a massive facility, sleek and futuristic. Inside, the lobby bustled with teenagers waiting for their turn to awaken. Some chatted excitedly, others sat in silence, either meditating or mentally preparing.

Eden checked in and sat down, tapping his foot impatiently. Minutes dragged on, stretching unbearably long. The air buzzed with nervous energy—murmurs of anticipation, hushed whispers about people hoping for strong abilities.

Across the room, a girl clutched her hands together, knuckles white. A boy near Eden was visibly sweating. Despite his own eagerness, Eden felt oddly detached from their anxiety. I already know I'll be strong. I have to be.

A voice crackled over the intercom. "Eden de Sylvain, please report to Room 3 for awakening."

Eden exhaled sharply and stood, making his way toward the room.

Inside, a worker in a gray uniform gestured to a raised platform where a transparent orb pulsed with faint blue energy. "Place your hands on the mana orb," they instructed. "The process will take approximately ten minutes. You may feel some discomfort."

Eden did as instructed, his palms pressing against the cool surface.

The moment his hands made contact, a rush of energy surged through him. It was like liquid fire, threading through his veins, coiling into his core. His body heated, his breath hitched. His fingers twitched, but he held still.

The mana pooled deep in his torso, gathering into a singular point—the mana pool.

The pressure built. His heart pounded. His vision blurred. And then—

A screen appeared before him.

Eden de Sylvain

Age: 16

Grade 1 Awakened

Strength: E

Agility: E+

Stamina: E-

Mana Control: F

Mana Pool: F

Awakened Ability: S-Time Sight (Divine)

Flaw: You lose your eyesight

Legacy: Martial Art – Sword of the Mind and Body(SSS)

Eden's breath caught. Divine rank? That's impossible. The highest publicly known rank was Sacred. A divine ability had never been officially recorded.

And yet, he had one.

Then his eyes fell on his flaw.

His heart skipped.

His vision darkened.

At first, it was subtle—like a shadow passing over his eyes. Then the darkness swallowed everything.

Panic surged. His breaths turned ragged. He blinked. Nothing. He rubbed his eyes, reached out instinctively—his hands met only empty air.

Blind.

A chill crawled down his spine.

He should have been terrified. He should have been gasping for help. But instead… he felt calm. Cold, distant calm. The same eerie feeling he had woken up with.

"The greater the ability, the harsher the flaw," he muttered, recalling the old saying.

His breathing evened. His hands curled into fists. He could handle this. He had to.

A voice hesitated beside him. "Eden… are you okay?"

He turned toward the worker, forcing his lips into a small, almost amused smirk. "Well… I could use a little help finding my way out."

They didn't respond immediately. When they finally did, their voice was quieter. "Of course. Right this way."

The proctor gently guided him, but Eden could hear the hushed whispers in the background. People were talking. Staring.

Divine ability. SSS-rank legacy. Blind yet unbroken, Eden took his first steps as an awakened.

His future had just begun. And it was already a battlefield.