Chapter 2: New World
'In this new world I've been reincarnated into, it's unlike the Earth I used to know, but with significant changes that make it feel as though it isn't,' Axel Teras mused, taking in the strange yet familiar landscape around him.
Three hundred years ago, a cataclysmic event reshaped the destiny of humankind. A dangerous alien species descended from space with a singular purpose: to turn humans into food, or so some claimed. Others believed they intended to seize the planet for themselves. Regardless of their intentions, humanity faced an existential threat.
But in humanity's darkest hour, a miraculous phenomenon occurred. Every human above the age of thirteen began to awaken with mysterious powers. This phenomenon became a rite of passage, transforming ordinary children into potential warriors.
The process was simple yet profound. On the day a child turned thirteen, they would enter a mysterious space filled with countless statues. According to those who had experienced it, each child had to choose one statue. The chosen statue would bestow upon them an innate ability, which they would then nurture and train throughout their lives.
These newfound abilities allowed humans to repel the alien invaders, at least partially. The aliens, too, adapted and evolved, but humanity now had a fighting chance, a leverage they hadn't possessed before.
'I, Harry... no, I am Axel Teras now. Today, I will finally awaken,' Axel thought, slipping his hands into his pockets and surveying his surroundings. The anticipation was palpable. He was thirteen at last and on the verge of graduating alongside his class of sixteen students. The graduation ceremony hinged on their ability to awaken an innate power, and today was the day it would happen.
'It might sound hard to believe that everyone comes of age on the same day, but in this modern Earth, to avoid chaos, every child is born on the same day—March 20th,' Axel reflected, a small smile playing on his lips at the thought of the coordinated birthdates.
The headmaster, an imposing figure with a short white beard and a regal bearing, scanned the group of students. His eyes lingered on the promising ones, a mixture of hope and expectation in his gaze. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, tapping his ornate walking stick on the ground.
"Let me go over what you must do when you enter the Realm of Awakening, one last time," the headmaster announced, checking his pocket watch. "It's just a few minutes until noon, so we have very little time left before you all become proper Awakened ones, ready to contribute to the war effort."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "Once you enter that realm, time flows differently. An hour there is a minute here, a day is an hour. It's a strange system, but that's how it works. In that realm, you'll see a number of statues. The number you see correlates with the potential of your awakening. Three statues suggest an average awakening, while the highest number recorded is twenty. Choosing a statue should not be overly challenging, but remember, once you've made your choice, it's final. You'll return to your body here, and we'll conduct tests to determine your rank and type of ability. Reflect on this carefully."
With a final, reassuring nod, the headmaster walked away to confer with the professors. The weight of his words hung in the air, a palpable tension settling over the students.
Axel stood confidently amidst his classmates, many of whom fidgeted nervously. The stakes were high; a low-ranked power meant a lifetime of struggle and being treated as lesser. In this world, strength was everything, and the weak were often left behind, or worse, exploited.
A beefy, muscular boy approached Axel, his expression a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Man, Axel, I'm on edge," he confessed, running a hand through his short-cropped hair.
Axel nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. He was certain he would awaken a powerful ability. After all, he was the academy's prodigy, excelling in both mana practicals and written assessments. 'Being a top graduate won't go to waste,' he thought, a flicker of pride in his eyes.
"I'm sure Axel will awaken some kind of elemental SS-Rank ability," chimed in Sarah, a girl with a radiant white complexion, vibrant orange hair, and glowing irises. She was strikingly beautiful, with an air of quiet strength.
"I'm sure you'll do great too, Sarah," Axel replied, winking at her with a more-than-friendly gesture.
Sarah laughed, nudging him playfully. "Of course we will! Right, Williams? The genius aura of Axel rubs off on us, doesn't it?" she joked, glancing at a boy with a perpetually serious expression.
Williams grinned, his eyes fixed on his watch. He had set a timer for midnight, keenly monitoring the countdown. The seconds were ticking away, and soon, they would enter the Realm of Awakening.
As the final seconds approached, a hush fell over the room. The headmaster and professors watched with bated breath, their eyes flicking between the students and the large clock on the wall.
'Three...'
Axel braced himself, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation churning in his stomach.
'Two...'
The world seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with the weight of the moment.
'One...'
At that precise moment, a strange sensation washed over Axel. The world around him blurred and twisted, as if reality itself was being unraveled. He felt a tug, pulling him away from his physical form and into the unknown.