Ahiro and Melvin sat at the cafeteria table, their bodies still tired from the rigorous physical training that would be now scheduled early in the morning moving forward.
Ahiro looked at the breakfast options in front of him. A plate of scrambled eggs, some whole-grain toast, and a small serving of fruit lay on his tray.
Melvin, on the other hand, didn't seem too pleased with his plate. He poked at his eggs and muttered under his breath, "Why do we have to wake up so early for this? And why is the food so... bland?"
Ahiro chuckled softly, understanding Melvin's frustration. "Well, Melvin, it's all part of our training. We need to keep our bodies in peak condition, and that means early morning exercises and a balanced diet. Besides, it's not about the taste; it's about the nutrition."
Melvin groaned and took a reluctant bite of his toast. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But couldn't they make it a bit more exciting? Like, I heard there are some fancy gadgets and food synthesizers in the academy. Why don't they use those to make something better?"
Ahiro smiled, realizing Melvin's love for food. "Well, that's that, but for now, let's focus on getting through our classes and training. "
Melvin continued. "Let's finish our breakfast and get ready for our classes."
Ahiro turned to Melvin as they finished their breakfast, "Melvin, do you have any idea about the next subject, Awakened Training? What are they going to teach us?"
Melvin took a moment to recall what he had heard. "Well, from what I know, they'll be teaching us how to properly utilize our own abilities, our Awakened powers."
They headed to their next class, Awakened Training. They entered the classroom and found their seats. As the teacher entered, all eyes turned toward her. She had a striking appearance that set her apart from the rest. Transparent wings adorned her back, glistening in the ambient light of the classroom. These wings seemed almost ethereal as if they were made of some otherworldly material.
Every student had thier eyes stuck on the teacher, she sure was the most beautiful woman Ahiro had ever seen, with her flowing golden hair she really looked like Fairy.
The teacher took her position behind the podium and looked at the faces of her students. "Good morning, everyone. My name is Gia Snow," she said, her voice finally waking up students from thier dreams "I will be your instructor for this Awakened Training class, where we'll delve into the intricacies of awakening and harnessing your awakened powers."
She continued, "In this class, you can expect a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and even some outdoor sessions to help you better understand your awakened abilities and how to use them effectively."
Gia then moved on. "Today, we will start with one of the most fundamental questions in our world: the reason behind awakening. I want each of you to think about and present your views "
One of the students sitting in the front row raised her hand gracefully and was acknowledged by Gia to share her thoughts.
"Myself Serphine vi Lute and I personally believe in the theory of evolution," Seraphina began, her voice carrying an air of confidence. "The theory shows how the next step of human evolution involves awakening dormant genes within us. It's a natural progression and the next step of genetic evolution."
Gia applauded Lady Seraphina's contribution. "That's an interesting perspective, Lady Seraphina, and it is a scientific theory proposed by Dr. Maria Hawthorne. However, it's worth noting that extensive research on human DNA has yet to reveal signs of such hidden potential genes. But here we are, awakened." she said unfolding her wings behind her showing her awakened self.
Several more students eagerly chimed in, each sharing their own theories on the origin of awakening. Some believed it was a divine gift, a testament to the power of faith. Others saw it as a cosmic event, a ripple through the fabric of the universe that bestowed extraordinary abilities upon humanity.
Miss Gia listened attentively to each theory, nodding at some and gently challenging others. It was clear that the topic had ignited a spark of curiosity and imagination within her students.
Gia applauded the students who had contributed to the discussion and then posed a thought-provoking question to the class.
"Now, does anyone know why we actually question awakening? We can see it; there are hundreds of awakened individuals right here in the academy. We could simply accept it as a natural occurrence and leave it at that. So, why do we question it? Does anyone have an answer?"
The classroom buzzed with murmurs and silent contemplation, but no one dared to speak up. It wasn't until Emily, sitting beside Ahiro, bravely raised her hand that the silence was broken.
Emily stood up, taking a deep breath to steady herself, and continued with conviction, "The age of Awakening spans multiple centuries, perhaps even predating the 'First records'. However, the era of awakening took a significant turn in recent times when humans finally breached the long-forbidden zone and unearthed the ruins dating back to the era before the last known records. This discovery ignited a spark of curiosity, prompting us to question the very essence and origin of awakening."
Ahiro and Melvin exchanged intrigued glances, shocked by the fact that the shy friend said all that without stuttering. The whole class was looking at Emily, it was only now that ahiro had noticed how she was holding onto Melvin's hands tightly for support.
But she didn't let fear overcome her taking a deep breath Emily continued "Because what we found in those ruins were records of a time when Midgard was inhabited by humanity at the top of the food chain, spread across the entire Midgard, unlike the present."
Ahiro had known only of the world inside the dome, inside the walls that had saved humanity from the wild, and he knew nothing beyond that. Each word that he had heard in today's class was a new concept to him. It had opened a world he had never known before.
Miss Gia applauded Emily's contribution. "That's absolutely correct, Miss Emily, you may sit" she exclaimed. "This is the very reason we question awakening. What and why the world is like this, what caused us to change, and what led to humanity's current status quo? And as an awakened individual, it is our duty to answer these questions, venture further into the wilderness, and extend our influence with the ultimate goal of regaining our place at the top once again."
Miss Gia's gaze swept across the classroom, her voice filled with hope and purpose. "This is why educational institutions like Valorious exist, to nurture the next generation of Seakers, Strikers, and Explorers who will continue this noble endeavor."