Awakening[1]

Two Years Later…

Two years. 730 days of waiting.

Artic had grown stronger, but the isolation had taken its toll.

Every day felt like a loop. Training, eating, sleeping. Repeat.

At first, he trained like a maniac. Pushed himself harder than anyone else.

But no matter how much he ran, how many weights he lifted, or how many techniques he practiced—his power never came.

Every day, he watched others awaken, one by one.

Some could summon fire with a flick of their wrist. Some could bend metal with a thought. Some could fly.

Artic?

Nothing.

The dormitory halls became emptier and emptier.

More people left for the academy.

He had spent so much time alone that the silence became deafening.

At night, he found himself staring at the ceiling, his thoughts spiraling.

"What if I never awaken?"

"What if I was never meant to have powers?"

"What if my parents… really are dead?"

But he kept going.

Training.

Pushing.

Hoping.

Then—on his 17th birthday—everything changed.

The Invitation to the Academy

The morning he turned 17, Artic woke up to a notification.

He groggily reached for his device, blinking at the screen.

[New Message: Academy Admission Notice]

His heart skipped a beat.

He tapped it.

"Artic, you are scheduled to leave for the academy in 7 days."

He sat up straight, eyes wide.

It was finally happening.

He read further.

"Awakening is unpredictable. You may gain your ability before arrival, or it may take longer. This process varies for each individual."

His grip tightened on the device.

"So I might still not awaken before leaving?"

He exhaled.

A mix of nervousness and excitement filled his chest.

This was it.

His chance to finally be something more.

But a part of him feared…

What if he still had nothing by the time he arrived?

That thought haunted him for days.

And then—on the fifth night—it happened.

The Dream

Artic found himself standing in a white void.

There was no sky. No ground.

Just endless emptiness.

Then—a golden light appeared.

A figure descended from above.

An angel.

They were neither male nor female.

Their skin glowed like molten gold.

Their wings stretched wide, feathers shimmering with an otherworldly radiance.

Their eyes were like twin suns—blinding yet mesmerizing.

And when they spoke, their voice echoed in every direction.

"My master… you have finally called me."

Artic felt his throat dry up.

"Master?"

The angel knelt before him.

"I am yours to command. I exist only for you. Your will is my purpose."

Artic stared, unable to move.

The angel raised their head, a faint, knowing smile on their lips.

"Call my name, and I shall come. If danger threatens you, I will protect you. You have bound me to your soul. I am your power."

Everything flashed white.

Artic jolted awake, drenched in sweat.

He gasped for breath, gripping the sheets.

His heart pounded violently.

"What the hell was that…?"

The dream had felt too real.

But when he tried to remember the angel's name…

Nothing.

It was gone.

Like a fleeting whisper in the wind.

"Was it just a dream?"

The doubt gnawed at him.

But something deep inside told him—it wasn't.

---

The Encounter

That evening, Artic stepped outside to clear his head.

He walked aimlessly, his mind still foggy from the dream.

The stars above twinkled faintly, but the air was thick with tension.

Before he knew it, he was lost.

Then—he heard footsteps.

A soft, padded sound.

His body tensed.

Out of the shadows, a dog stepped forward.

At least, he thought it was a dog.

Until it lifted its second head.

Artic's breath hitched.

Its two sets of glowing red eyes locked onto him.

Then—it lunged.

Time slowed.

His body froze.

A part of him screamed, Move! Dodge! Run!

But just as its claws swung down toward him—

Something flashed.

A single, golden blade cut through the air.

The beast froze mid-attack.

Then—it fell apart.

Shredded into a thousand pieces.

A soft breeze blew, scattering the remains like dust.

Artic's eyes widened.

And standing in front of him—

Was the angel.

Their golden skin glowed softly under the moonlight.

Their two massive wings fluttered slightly, dispersing a faint golden dust into the air.

Their piercing eyes locked onto him.

And then, with a gentle smile, they spoke.

"Hello, my master."

Final Day Before the Academy

The last few days blurred by in a rush.

Artic finally understood.

His ability wasn't just some elemental power.

He controlled a divine being.

And like every awakened individual, he had something new.

A system.

A holographic blue screen appeared in front of him whenever he called it.

He read through the stats.

———

[SYSTEM INTERFACE]

Name: Artic

Rank: G

Strength: G

Agility: G

Intelligence: G

Senses: G

Endurance: G

Mana: G

Luck: G

Combat Proficiency: G

Charisma: G

Perception: G

———

His stomach dropped.

"All G-rank?!"

He scrolled to his ability section.

———

[ABILITY: HEAVEN'S CONTRACT]

A divine pact that binds a celestial being to the wielder. The contracted angel will protect and serve.

Artic leaned back, still processing it all.

He had a literal angel as his ability.

But… his stats were garbage.

"Does this mean I'm weak?"

Before he could think further—

A knock sounded at his door.

A chill ran down his spine.

Slowly, he stood up and walked toward it.

He placed his hand on the handle.

Then, he opened it.

And standing on the other side—

Was a professor 

His piercing red eyes met Artic's.

Then, with a serious tone he said—

"It's time."