Two years later
Tonny stirred from his slumber as the shrill sound of his alarm pierced the morning silence. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he reluctantly dragged himself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. With each step, he fought against the heaviness of sleep that still clung to him. As he stood before the mirror, toothbrush in hand, he gazed at his reflection, the remnants of sleep still evident in his eyes. Yet, beneath the tiredness, there was a flicker of determination. Over the past two years, he had learned to push through moments like these. With a sigh, he began to brush his teeth, the rhythmic motion helping to shake off the last remnants of drowsiness. The transformation over the past two years was evident—no longer the frail kid, he now boasted finely toned muscles. Every morning, without fail, he dedicated himself to rigorous workouts, preparing for this day: the day of his Awakening. Today, a Saturday, held special significance as he geared up for his routine. Brushing his teeth quickly, he slipped on his Jordan shoes and hoodie, feeling a surge of anticipation. With his headphones in place and his mom still asleep, he silently left the house, eager to begin his jog.
Today was no ordinary day—it was the culmination of years of dedication and preparation, it was the day he would transcend his former self and embrace the extraordinary.
He was a late bloomer, born on December 30th, which explained why most of his friends had already awakened their Sparks. Tyler, awakened in the middle of the year, though he lacked the prestigious lineage of his peers he awakened a unique Spark—telekinesis. Unfortunately, he used it to turn his friends into moving targets, even pelting unsuspecting bystanders and teachers with rsndom objects. The extent of his power remained a mystery, as he never disclosed his star count, but given Tyler's nature, he likely awakened either starless or with a considerable number.
Evelyn's Awakening came in mid-August, granting her access to the basics of Mind abilities. As close friends, she confided in him about her three-star status as a Mind reader, mastering powers up to telepathy. Tonny couldn't help but admire her impressive skill set—a super processor, mind reading, and telepathy combined. However, it was disappointing that she didn't awaken a fourth star, which would have granted her control over people.
Other classmates of his also awakened. Thomas, one of Tyler's lackeys, manifested a peculiar yet promising ability—he could morph any of his limbs into a weapon, be it a gun, sword, or missile launcher, boasting a rare four-star Spark. His potential seemed boundless, although he had to navigate through it without the guidance enjoyed by the seven main families, who already had their paths mapped out. Rumors circulated about one of these influential families considering Thomas for their ranks, likely intending to mold him into a retainer once he signed a soul contract—a privilege granted by a five-star mind reader. Ben, another classmate, awakened a seemingly mundane Spark, able to change the color of his skin, albeit with no star rating. Brenda, on the other hand, manifested a sonic ability, earning her a modest one-star rating.
As more students awakened, the classroom population dwindled until he found himself alone. The teachers, weary of his persistent presence, had reached their breaking point. Even those without awakened abilities had dropped out in search of other opportunities. No one held out hope for his awakening, not even he, although a lingering feeling from the pendant he received from his father, managed to keep his hopes alive. And besides, his birthday hadn't even arrived yet. On the continent of Thria, there were three prestigious Spark Academies, Valorium Institute, Nexus Academy, and Arcane Citadel. Each stood as a bastion of power and knowledge, but Nexus Academy reigned supreme among them, known for producing the most formidable Sparks. And with the continent's test looming, every aspiring Spark wielder had abandoned their studies to prepare for the rigorous selection process that would determine their fate.
Back to reality, Tonny's jogging brought him to the library, his rhythmic steps accompanied by the beat of his music. As he continued his run, the burning sensation in his chest intensified, prompting him to seek respite by the statue of Mark Minde, the patriarch of Thria. Hoping to alleviate the discomfort, he reached for his water bottle, but the pain only grew more unbearable. Falling to his knees, he clenched his fists in agony.
"What's happening to me?" he pondered, his mind racing with thoughts. "Is this the awakening". Then, as if in confirmation, a sharp ding resonated in his head, and before his eyes materialized:
[ WELCOME TIME WEAVER]