City N, a southern city in Huaguo, rarely saw snowfall even in winter – yet today, delicate flakes drifted through the air.
In Classroom 1 of Chongwu Junior High's ninth grade, a slender teenager leaned against the window, his listless gaze fixed on the scene outside. The fading sunset cast a warm glow on his delicate features, accentuating the faint melancholy in his eyes.
Down in the basketball court, snowflakes as thin as cicada wings clung to the collars of players before melting instantly. Though no snow accumulated on the ground, the biting cold prompted Ye Yun to tuck his hands deeper into his pockets.
"Octopus is really on a roll today," Ye Yun muttered with resigned amusement, shifting his attention to the lectern.
The "Octopus" in question was their history teacher Zhang Yu, whose animated lecture filled the classroom. "These exam points are crucial for the high school entrance exams," Zhang emphasized, slapping the blackboard for emphasis. "If you're not Awakeners by then, academic excellence remains your best path forward."
December 3, 2042
a black hole tore open the skies above New York City.
Unearthly roars echoed as monstrous beings – later named "Carlos," meaning "Irresistible Calamity" – poured through the rift.
Zhang paused to sip from his stainless-steel thermos before continuing. "The U.S. military paid dearly to repel them, even deploying nuclear weapons. Yet New York fell. That day... humanity witnessed a dragon straight from mythology circling the ruins."
Three days later, a global solar storm crippled Earth's electronic systems. Missiles froze in silos. Communication networks collapsed. The Carlos' primal aggression shattered ecosystems, plunging humanity into a desperate Dark Age.
"But the gods hadn't abandoned us," Zhang's voice softened with reverence. "Years later, in Huaguo's Kunlun Mountains, the first Awakener emerged."
Superhuman feats became reality – scaling walls like spiders, bending elements to will. More Awakeners followed, granting humanity fragile hope. Though still outmatched, civilization rebuilt itself around these extraordinary individuals.
The school bell's shrill cry interrupted the lecture. Zhang concluded reluctantly: "Whether you awaken gifts or not, remember – life's journey has just begun. Contribute to humanity's revival in your own way."
Ye Yun lingered as classmates filed out. "If I became an Awakener..." His knuckles whitened around his worn backpack's straps. "Could it really change anything?"
The thought dissolved into bitter realism. One in a thousand odds. He joined the exiting crowd, winter's breath stinging his face as he stepped into the twilight.
Ye Yun tightened the red scarf around his neck, which was knitted with crooked stitches by his younger sister, Ye Qingqing. Despite its roughness, he cherished it greatly.
He glanced at the mechanical watch on his left hand, which he had picked up from a second-hand market. It was almost six o'clock.
"Darn, I'm going to be late."
Ye Yun currently worked at Wang's Carlos Material Recycling Shop, two blocks away from his school. If he was late, Fatty Wang would surely dock his pay. Thinking of this, he quickened his pace, deciding to take a shortcut.
As soon as he turned into a rarely trodden alley, a sneering voice came from behind him.
Without needing to look back, Ye Yun knew who it was. He clenched his fists and turned his head expressionlessly.Walking towards him were five or six boys of similar age.
The one leading them had slicked-back hair, revealing a broad forehead, and was dressed in a complete set of high-end pre-apocalyptic clothing.
Sure enough, it was Liu Yang, the spoiled brat, along with his ever-present lackeys.
Liu Yang was the son of one of the board members of Chongwu Middle School. He often used his father's influence to throw his weight around the school, making him the biggest bully at Chongwu Middle School.
Ye Yun frowned, unsure why this group had targeted him.
"I heard that you, Ye Yun, work at a Carlos Material Recycling Shop. Tsk tsk, such a tough job, and you actually manage to stick with it."
One of Liu Yang's lackeys, Wang Meng, sneered as he spoke.
"Instead of working so hard at the Carlos Material Recycling Shop, why not come work for my family's company? Considering we're classmates, I'll make sure you're well taken care of."
Liu Yang said this, but Ye Yun could clearly see a hint of unmasked mockery in his eyes.
"Thanks, but no need. I'm quite satisfied with my current job."
Ye Yun decisively rejected the seemingly good offer. Since he had the ability to support himself, there was no need to live under someone else's thumb.
"Ye Yun, Brother Yang offering you a job is a sign of his regard for you. A mud-legged orphan like you getting into Chongwu Middle School was already a stroke of luck. Don't be ungrateful."
A sturdy, dark-skinned boy chimed in. His name was Ge Dawei, another one of Liu Yang's lackeys.
Ye Yun lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly, trying hard to hide his emotions. But it felt like a fire was burning hotter and hotter in his chest.
Although he wasn't afraid of them, with the entrance exams coming up, it was best not to cause trouble. He needed to stay calm, stay calm.
Seeing Ye Yun's silent, head-down demeanor, Liu Yang's sense of triumph grew even stronger."Yun, I'm not asking for anything in return, but if you really feel guilty, just bring your sister along and we'll all hang out together, have some fun," Liu Yang said with a warm smile.
"Brother Yang really has the heart of a bodhisattva. There aren't many kind-hearted people like him these days," Wang Meng added, offering a timely compliment.
"Exactly, exactly! Yun, don't you want to thank Brother Yang?" Ge Dawei and a few others immediately chimed in.
"Are you done?" Ye Yun spoke, his voice as cold as falling snow.