November 10, 2024, the entire world witnessed a bluish-green light cutting through the sky and exploding. At that moment, all works of fiction disappeared from the world. A few hours after the disappearance of fictional works, some people began awakening powers based on manga, manhwas, movies, books, etc. But along with these powers, the world also came face-to-face with creatures only known from mythology.
With the awakening of some, the world started to turn upside down. The economic, political, military, philosophical, and religious structures that held the world as we knew it ceased to exist. Since there were no longer any fictional works left, the people who awakened powers had to learn to use them based on their own memories. This reshaped what we called the elite: it used to be the very wealthy or those from traditional families, but now the so-called elite of the world are the otakus, geeks, and nerds.
With otakus having the greatest ability to wield skills more powerfully, it marked the beginning of what ordinary people dubbed "The Great Era of the Weirdos."
A bell rings.
- Thank you for the reading, Maziero. Class, before you leave, remember, tomorrow is the ceremony for your possible awakening. Sleep well, don't be anxious, see you tomorrow. Oh, and don't be late.
At the end of the day, walking slowly as usual and always distracted by the scenery, Maziero feels something on his shoulder
- Dude, I finally found you, where have you been?
- I was just walking around, thinking about life.
- Typical. You don't even seem excited about tomorrow's ceremony.
- Well, Paulo, there's no guarantee we'll awaken any powers.
- Come on, you could be more excited. We've already activated the system, and I'm sure we'll awaken some power tomorrow. Well, I gotta go, see you tomorrow.
Continuing on his path, Maziero opened the system and looked at his own data, thinking, "Hmm, the system is a mechanism that appears for people who have gone through a pre-awakening, a good sign, but it doesn't guarantee anything.
Ceremony Day.
- Maziero, good morning!
- Good morning, Paulo, you seem excited.
- I am, I can't wait to discover my powers.
- Right, right, but let's listen to Principal Rita now.
The principal enters the stage slowly due to her older age and taps the microphone to get the students' attention.
- Students, your attention please. We'll begin your ceremony as soon as we finish the first division's. Meanwhile, I'd like to say a few words. First, congratulations on your recent 15th birthday; second, don't worry too much about the ceremony, because even if you don't awaken a power, you can still work as a consultant or as a monitor. Great, now that the first division is done, please head to Courtyard 2.
Maziero and Paulo walked toward Courtyard 2.
- Maziero, which federation do you want to join? I want to go to the Great Eagle Division, one of the 3 stars of the West.
Looking at his friend, Maziero begins to reflect on the question. "A lot has changed in these 10 years. With the awakening, the United States and England dominated and unified the West thanks to the powers of the 'King of the Sky' and the 'King of the Jungle.' Going to one of the 3 stars would be good, but..."
- Maziero! Are you listening to me?
- Oh, hi.
- I asked you a question.
- I don't know where to go, I don't think I fit anywhere in this country, or in any other.
- Then let's go to the Eagle Division, I'm sure that black uniform will look great with my brown skin, the color of sin, hahahah.
- Pfff – a voice in the distance tries to hold back a laugh – oh, I wish I had half of your self-esteem, Paulo.
- Here comes the fun-killer, what do you want, Isabela?
- I don't want anything. But if you're aiming to look good in the uniforms, I suggest you don't worry, you'll look bad in anything you wear. You, on the other hand, Maziero, I think with your brown hair and yellow eyes, you'd look great in a black uniform.
- Don't be like that, Isabela – says another voice approaching.
- Hello, Albuquerque – says Maziero, looking away from Isabela and Paulo to his friend.
- We just left the ceremony and I wanted to wish you good luck.
- Thanks, we're heading out too.
- Seriously, I don't know how you guys are friends – says Paulo, scratching his head.
- We've been friends since childhood, and we're cousins too. Didn't you notice the similarity in our hair and eye color? He's just a little taller than me.
- A little? You're 1.75m and he's over 1.90m, not to mention the muscles and
- Okay, okay – says Maziero, interrupting his friend – you go first, good luck.
As the students passed through the ceremony, it was possible to hear both sounds of celebration and frustration. When it was Paulo's turn, he stepped up on stage, placed his hand on the tool that detects the awakening, and as usual, a colorful energy appeared, alternating between red, blue, and green, finally stabilizing in yellow. Applause and cheers followed, and his special ability was granted: Great Man.
The next to be called was Maziero. Just like Paulo, he stepped up on stage and placed his hand on the detection mechanism, but at that moment, silence overwhelmed the entire environment, and a black-and-white energy surrounded the area before returning to Maziero. No one in the place could do anything but look at Maziero with disdain. Special ability granted: Chūnibyō (Eighth Grade Syndrome).