The world had changed overnight, but it wasn't the chaos Morgath expected. People had begun to settle into a strange, uncertain rhythm in the days following the Awakening. Mana was now a known force, a reality that had shifted the course of human history, and almost all of the spiritual stones had been collected. Those few that remained were hidden deep in nooks and crannies, waiting for someone lucky or persistent enough to find them.
The man who claimed the wish had become a global celebrity. His name was Li Wei, an unassuming office worker from Beijing who, by chance, stumbled upon the wish treasure. In his broadcasted interviews, he described how he had been drawn to a secluded mountaintop in western China, unsure of why he had felt compelled to go there. He had expected to find something extraordinary, but when he arrived, there was nothing. Disappointed, he simply muttered, "Why was I called here? There's nothing here."
That single thought was enough to trigger the wish. The mana that had saturated the area had interpreted his question as a request for answers. Suddenly, the mysteries of the new world flooded his mind—what the Awakening meant, the purpose of the spirit stones, the existence of other intelligent species, and the new cosmic rules Earth was now bound by. His wish granted him clarity, and in the days that followed, he chose to share much of that information with the public. Morgath, watching from the sidelines, believed that Li Wei had divulged nearly everything he learned. If there were secrets, they were likely minor compared to the vast knowledge already revealed.
Li Wei's revelation that Earth was now part of a much larger intergalactic system sent waves of excitement and fear across the globe. For the first time, humanity understood that they were not alone, and that there were other intelligent species out there. Worse, there's a possibility these species were far more advanced, likely possessing superior spacefaring technology. The real danger was not just from within—the newly awakened humans—but from the stars themselves. Morgath's prediction had been right; many people, fearing invasion or enslavement, began training in martial arts and weapon skills to prepare for an uncertain future. Traditional firearms, with their fixed power, had become a relic of a bygone era in the face of the growing potential of human strength and skill.
World leaders held an emergency summit to discuss the implications of this new reality. In a closed-door meeting, they faced grim facts: the global economy had nearly collapsed overnight, crime had skyrocketed in certain regions, and law enforcement agencies were struggling to maintain order. The Awakening had unleashed more than just mana; it had exposed the fragility of human society. Murders over spiritual stones and conflicts caused by their newfound abilities had become more common in areas where law and order had frayed. In a chilling consensus, the leaders agreed that drastic measures were necessary.
"We can't let this world spiral out of control," one of the leaders said, her voice firm but weary. "The economy is crumbling, and people are afraid. The old systems of governance won't be enough to maintain peace anymore."
The solution they arrived at was extreme, but they believed it was the only way forward. They proposed the creation of a new organization—a sect, modeled after the fantasy novels so many had read. Its purpose would be to maintain order, train the strongest and most loyal people, and serve as enforcers in this new world. The sect would be responsible for keeping the peace and distributing sentences to those who violated the new laws of mana society. To ensure that the sect had the necessary authority, they made a decision that weighed heavily on them: the death penalty would be reinstated, reserved for those who posed the greatest threat to the fragile peace.
"We need a united Earth," one of the leaders said, addressing the assembly. "If Li Wei is telling the truth, and everything points to the fact that he is, then we're not alone in this universe. We have to prepare for the possibility of invasion. A single, united government is the only way to ensure our survival."
And so, they laid the groundwork for the slow merging of all nations into one global state. The idea was simple: a united Earth would be stronger in the face of potential extraterrestrial threats. If alien species sought to enslave humanity and harvest the spiritual stones that would condense on Earth, a fractured human race would stand no chance. The united Earth initiative was a precaution, a bulwark against the unknown dangers that lurked beyond the stars.
The creation of the sect, which they named the "Guardians of Order," was announced shortly afterward. Its formation was met with both relief and excitement by the general population. Many viewed it as an opportunity to gain access to martial arts, weapon techniques, and the vast knowledge that the Guardians promised to teach. People flocked to enlist, eager to be admitted to an organization that held the promise of power and protection. Others, more cynical, saw it as the rise of a new militarized police force, one that would wield unchecked authority over the populace. But in the face of growing unrest, most people accepted the Guardians as a necessary evil.
Morgath watched the world's reaction with a measured calm. He wasn't surprised by the direction things were headed. It was inevitable that those in power would try to centralize control and enforce order. But for him, the focus remained personal. He had no interest in the politics of the Guardians or the merging nations. His goal was to continue his growth, to hone his skills and quietly prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead.
For the next few days, Morgath dedicated himself to training his dexterity. He chose swimming as his primary exercise, using the artificial lake on the outskirts of the city as his training ground. Each morning, he made the trek to the lake, stripped down, and plunged into the cool water. The resistance of the water offered a perfect medium for refining his movements, helping him build not only strength but also fluidity and control.
It didn't take long for people to notice him. While others were flocking to martial arts dojos or sparring with newly forged weapons, Morgath swam for hours, seemingly indifferent to the rush for combat skills. He received a few curious stares, even some outright confusion from passersby. To them, it seemed odd—everyone else was focused on learning how to fight, yet Morgath spent his time gliding through the water, his movements becoming more graceful with each passing day.
By the end of his first week, he could feel the difference. His body moved with a fluid precision that hadn't been there before, each stroke cutting through the water with newfound grace. His training wasn't flashy, but it was effective. The changes were subtle but undeniable—his movements were quicker, his reactions sharper, and his body more attuned to its surroundings.
During his free time, Morgath also continued to meditate on his repair spell, working to master its first tier. Each day, he chipped away at the spell's intricacies, feeling his understanding deepen as he practiced the incantation. The spell was close to completion, just a few weeks' worth of focus away from being fully mastered.
Three weeks passed in this quiet rhythm. Morgath swam every day, his dexterity reaching new heights, while the world outside continued to change in response to the Awakening. News of the Guardians of Order spread rapidly, and many saw the sect as a beacon of hope. People were eager to join, dreaming of the power and protection it promised. Meanwhile, the plans for a united Earth moved forward. Although there were those who resisted the idea, most people were willing to set aside their national identities in favor of the security that a united front against alien threats could offer.
The day after he finished dexterity training, Morgath decided to spend an entire day focused on his repair spell. It was nearly complete, only needing one final push to bring it to full mastery. He sat by the lake, the water lapping gently at the shore, and closed his eyes, entering a deep meditative state. Hours passed as he refined the spell, feeling its power solidify in his mind. And finally, as the sun began to set, Morgath felt the spell click into place.
"Redintegrare," he whispered, testing the incantation one last time.
A soft glow surrounded the concrete paving he was sitting on, the wear and tear dissapeared as the spell took effect. Morgath smiled to himself, satisfied. He had done it. The first tier of the repair spell was now fully mastered.
With his dexterity honed and his spell completed, Morgath stood at the edge of the lake, feeling a sense of quiet accomplishment. The world outside was changing rapidly, but for now, he had taken another step on his own path of growth.
[Status]
-[Name]: Morgath
-[Rank]: 1
--[Level]: 0
-[Stats]
--[Strength]: 0
--[Agility]: 1
--[Dexterity]: 5
--[Constitution]: 5
--[Perception]: 5
--[Health]: 10/10
--[Mana]: 10/10
-[Skills]
--[Swordmanship] {Dual-wielding} -59%
--[Vitalyth] {Tier 1} -100% {Tier 2} -17% (Spell of healing)
--[Redintegrare] {Tier 1} -100%