Chapter 6: Volaris Unveiled
The city of Volaris pulsed like a storm of life.
Towering buildings stretched toward the heavens, their crystalline windows shimmering under the golden sun. Hovercars zipped through the air on magnetic railways, weaving between aerial lanes with glowing neon trails. Drones buzzed overhead like metallic dragonflies, while projection screens lit up the skies with vibrant holographic adverts, creating a world that constantly shifted and breathed.
Ever since the Arcotech Revolution, magic and technology had merged to shape a new world order. A world where ancient spellcraft was encoded into programs and mana fueled the economy.
At the city's lower levels, winding bridges and elevated walkways connected one towering structure to another. Crowds bustled in every direction—humans in enchanted streetwear, beastkins in tribal cloaks fused with digital runes, and Awakeners in long robes inscribed with floating symbols. Some drifted atop flying platforms, while others walked with magic-enhanced steps that left trails of light.
The smell of spices mixed with mana-infused incense. Street merchants shouted in multiple languages. Somewhere nearby, a massive screen played a broadcast of a high-tier Awakener battle, with cheers erupting from a nearby crowd.
Lei Feng walked through this chaos, his body calm but his heart beating fast.
"This place feels like something straight out of an anime…"
"It really is another world."
His black boots clicked on the glowing stone of a wide, floating sidewalk. The wind brushed past his coat, and he tilted his head back, gazing up at a floating fortress that hovered miles above.
He passed a massive building etched with glowing blue runes. Twin swords crossed behind a radiant crystal were engraved into the walls above the entrance.
> Volaris Awakener Guild – Main Branch
He could feel it—the dense pressure of mana radiating from within. Powerful Awakeners walked in and out, clad in armored cloaks and runed uniforms that shimmered with enchantments. Their mere presence made ordinary citizens step aside.
But Lei Feng kept moving.
He pulled out a sleek black card from his coat. At the corner, the word Ling glimmered faintly in silver.
He frowned slightly.
"If anyone finds out I'm using the Ling Family's card... it could cause trouble. Especially if the ones who ruined Ling Chen's life are still watching."
"No need to stir the waters too early."
He chuckled to himself.
"Ling Mei said I should open my own bank account before shopping. I guess that's the first thing I should do."
A few minutes later, he stood before a magnificent skyscraper shaped like a twisting helix of light and steel.
The massive double doors opened silently, revealing an arch engraved with a golden phoenix coiled around a floating vault orb. Twelve digital rings orbited it slowly, etched with ancient glyphs and floating numbers.
> Celestial Credit Union – Volaris Prime Branch
As he stepped in, cool, conditioned air washed over him. The interior was spacious and sleek, blending high-end luxury with futuristic tech. Soft blue lights pulsed under a translucent marble floor. Walls shimmered like waterfalls, flowing with data and spells. Floating terminals blinked beside each clerk's desk.
The scent of lavender—laced faintly with mana—filled the air.
Behind a front desk, a man with slicked-back hair and gleaming silver glasses sat typing lazily. His black suit bore a silver phoenix crest on the lapel.
Lei Feng smiled and approached. "Hey, cool glasses."
The man didn't even look up.
Suddenly, the glasses flashed bright green.
BEEP! BEEP!! BEEP!!!
Data streams projected from the lenses, scanning Lei Feng's body from head to toe.
Then, the man's voice changed—sharper, mechanical, laced with condescension.
> "Ling Chen. Former adopted son of the Ling Family. Taken in at age twelve. Deemed a failure. Unable to Level Up. Status: discarded. Current alias: Lei Feng."
Lei Feng's face hardened.
"What kind of scanner is this? It pulled everything in a second… This tech would wipe out identity fraud back on Earth."
The man finally looked up—eyes narrow with disdain.
"You really have no shame walking in here like this. Trash like you never deserved the Ling name. They were right to throw you out. You're a stain on their legacy."
Lei Feng blinked.
He hadn't done anything to this guy. He even tried to be polite.
"I'm just here to open an account."
"Leave, beggar," the man spat. "Or should I call security to toss you out like the rat you are?"
The air turned thick.
Mana rippled from the man like a rising tide, stifling and hot. A red aura began to glow around his body.
Lei Feng clenched his fists but smiled.
"Funny. I came here expecting a bank clerk. Not a stray dog barking behind a desk."
The man's eyes turned crimson.
With a low growl, he stood up.
Flames ignited around his hands.
> DING!
> [WARNING]
High-Level Threat Detected
Name: Kael Riven
Race: Human
Status: Awakener
Level: 30 (Magic Elite)
Class: Pyromancer
Threat Level: BOSS
Lei Feng's eyes widened.
"Level 30… and a Pyromancer. That's Boss-tier already…"
"Just my luck."
Heat shimmered in the air.
Kael raised a single hand, the mana swirling like a firestorm.
And then—
"Mr. Kael."
The voice was calm. Melodic. Cold.
It sliced through the tension like a blade of ice.
The heat vanished instantly.
Kael flinched.
Lei Feng turned toward the voice—and froze.
A woman walked toward them, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor. She wore a form-fitting black suit lined with silver thread, her long black hair cascading down her back like a river of ink.
Her face was flawless. Eyes like twin stars. Her expression unreadable—but her presence demanded respect.
Even Kael bowed slightly. "M-Miss Aurora... I was just joking, of course."
"Joking?" Her tone didn't change. She stopped in front of the desk and glanced at him.
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
Kael fell silent.
Aurora turned to Lei Feng with a faint smile.
"Apologies, Mr. Ling Chen. I'm Aurora Flynn, branch supervisor. How may I assist you today?"
"I go by Lei Feng now," he said firmly. "I've severed all ties with the Ling Family."
Her expression didn't shift. "Understood, Mr. Lei Feng. What can we help you with?"
He hesitated.
Her beauty was… distracting. But it wasn't just that. She had presence. Weight. Something more than human.
A screen appeared before him:
> Name: Aurora Flynn
Race: Half-Human, Half-Fey
Status: Awakener
Level: ???
Class: ???
He blinked.
"My system can't read her level or class…?"
She caught him staring.
"Hey—you're staring."
"S-Sorry ma'am! I just came to open a bank account."
She chuckled, the sound like a soft bell. "Don't call me ma'am, it makes me feel old."
Turning on her heel, she gestured for him to follow. "Come. I'll handle your registration personally."
He followed quietly, trying not to focus on the sway of her hips as they passed through the corridor.
Just before the door shut behind them, Lei Feng glanced back.
Kael Riven.
His name tag glowed red behind the glass.
Lei Feng's eyes narrowed.
"I'll remember that name."
The corridor closed.
And so, Lei Feng's first official step into the city of Volaris began—with fire, hostility… and a mysterious woman named Aurora.