A Frenzied World
As the teens who had failed the trial were shipped back to their homes across the United State, they returned to their lives as students. The only thing that truly changed for some of them were their newly awakened abilities. Be it in the form of a faint spark of pyrokinesis, a fleeting glimpse into the near future, and the subtle ability to mend a broken object.
And of course, the indelible experience of Aegis Academy and its brutal trial. They were bound by a magic NDA contract, that clamped down on any attempt to reveal the secrets of the island, academy, and trial. Yet, their powers, now a tangible part of them, spoke volumes. Demonstrations became ubiquitous: a startled parent witnessing their child levitate a car, a viral video of a teen demonstating their telekinesis, or a casual flick of the wrist sending a gust of wind to help a fallen friend. These displays, caught on cameras and amplified by social media, rapidly spiraled into a global phenomenon.
Late-night talk shows featured hushed segments, news channels ran endless analyses, and numerous interviews of these teens in attempt to dissect the new reality. A mania for psychic abilities swept not just the United States, but the entire world. Wealthy elites from every corner of the globe, from European industrialists to Middle Eastern magnates, scrambled to apply for US citizenship. They even purchased the now coveted Gold Card Visa for $5 million, a desperate fast-track in the fervent hope that their own children might awaken similar psychic abilities. This rush, however, came with a caveat; not all chose this route, wary of their offspring falling under the direct influence and stringent control of the US government's Paranormal Department. The sheer economic implications alone were staggering, as a new, highly desirable commodity – awakened human potential – suddenly fueled an unprecedented global migration.
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In a dimly lit, highly secure room nestled deep within Beijing, the Head of China's Intelligence Agency paced with barely contained frustration. The air hung heavy with the scent of stale tea and unspoken anxiety.
"Have our spies and hackers found anything about this yet?" the Head demanded, his voice cut through the silence.
His subordinate replied grimly, "No, sir. Ever since the Paranormal Department of the United States made itself known, most of our high-level spies across the United States were compromised and caught. Only low-level assets remain, operating under severe restrictions. Not only that, but their digital infrastructure is suddenly impenetrable. We can't breach any of their systems. The most we can glean are their financial statements, debt records, and other ordinary things – but nothing, absolutely nothing, about the paranormal. It's as if they operate in a completely separate dimension of information."
The Head slammed a fist softly on the lacquered table, the quiet thud echoing in the tense room. "What about our own supernatural creatures or phenomena? Japan is confirmed to have Yokai, ghosts, and demons terrorizing the place, not to mention a few confirmed supernatural exorcists and shrine maidens desperately trying to resolve those issues. Given our vast history, the ancient lore of our own land, there must be something!"
"Our agents have combed all across China, sir," the subordinate reported in a voice flat with resignation. "From the hidden temples of the mountains to the deepest, most remote villages. Nothing of note has been found."
"At this rate," the Head seethed, turning to stare out at the panoramic view of the Beijing skyline, "we will fall critically behind. Not just in terms of supernatural warfare, but economically. Our projections show that this economic boom for the United States, driven by a global influx of wealth and talent, will result in them having massive surpluses in their revenue, and the ability to pay off a significant portion of their national debt within years. A new American century, built on psychic power." He paused, rubbing his temples, a vein throbbing faintly. "What about Russia and surrounding countries? Do they have anything supernatural of note that our intelligence suggests?"
"I'm not sure, sir," the subordinate admitted, consulting a tablet. "However, our spies discovered a number of suspicious people, likely of US origin, hanging around a sparsely populated town in Russia, seemingly observing and documenting something on the outskirts."
The Head's eyes narrowed, a flicker of renewed interest in their depth. "Hmm, could it be something? Continue spying on them. We cannot afford to be blind."