Aurelia - City B, District 4
05:00 AM
The sun had barely risen when Ron finished his morning jog. The cool air still clung to the streets, refreshing and quiet. After a short break, inside his room he transitioned into his workout routine—stretches, push-ups, pike push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and more.
Focusing on strength, control, flexibility, and speed, he continued.
06:30 AM
By now, his routine was done. He paused, catching his breath. He could feel the weight in his arms, the tightness in his chest, and the rush of energy coursing through him. It was hard, but it was rewarding. Every muscle ached, but it was the kind of pain that made him feel alive.
Sweat dripped from his forehead. He wiped it off and sat down, taking a drink and enjoying the peaceful morning. His dark brown hair was damp, violet eyes glinting in the soft light. His lean and toned body radiated quiet strength.
"Nice. This should do for today," he said with a smirk.
Taking a towel, he stepped out of his room. The wooden floor was cool beneath his feet. The hallway was still—soft white walls faintly touched by the morning light filtering through tall windows.
As he moved downstairs, silence settled deeper—broken only by the distant hum of the refrigerator and the faint chirping of birds outside. The living room opened up before him, clean and calm.
Without a glance, he headed for the bathroom tucked in the corner. Stepping inside, he flipped on the light and turned on the shower, letting the cold water run before stepping in.
No words. No thoughts. Just the quiet rush of water and the rhythm of his breath.
A few minutes later, the water stopped. He stepped out of the bathroom in his boxers, a towel draped over his neck.
"Haah... that feels better," he muttered, walking back to his room.
On the way, he stopped by the kitchen. Inside, his father William was preparing coffee—a fit man with a kind face. A normal single father.
"Morning, Dad," Ron said, standing at the entrance.
Turning around, William replied with a soft smile, "Hey, good morning, son."
He poured coffee into a cup. "Want one too?" he asked.
"As usual," Ron nodded.
Scratching the back of his head, he added, "Just leave it on the table for me. I'll get dressed first."
"Alright, but be quick. You wouldn't want it cold," William said, sipping his cup and moving on to breakfast.
Ron headed back to his room. From the closet, he took out his uniform. A glance at the clock: 7:00 AM. Still plenty of time.
Downstairs, William watched his son leave. A soft chuckle escaped him. "Heh... kids really do grow up fast," he muttered, flipping the toast.
Done cooking, he sat down and turned on his tablet. A news channel played on the screen.
"Yesterday at City D around 2:30 PM, a dimension rift suddenly opened in District 1, releasing a horde of Interdimensional Hostiles—threat levels 1 through 4. The sudden outbreak had resulted in numerous casualties…"
Footage rolled. Buildings, shops, and cars lay in ruins. Bloodied bodies were scattered. Creatures tore through civilians, hunting them one-by-one. A larger creature appeared briefly before the drone's footage went dark. It was a disturbing sight to look at.
The lady's voice grew somber as the footage faded.
"As seen in the video, the casualties were devastating—countless lives lost in mere moments. Under normal circumstances, the Vanguard Agencies remain on standby, ready to respond before a rift fully opens. But this time... the rift emerged before the Rift Alert System, or R.A.S., could even register it. A failure without precedent."
She paused briefly, as if the words weighed on her.
"Though the Vanguard Agency 'Horizon' responded swiftly and managed to contain the threat, the damage was already done. The suddenness of the attack and the system's failure have sparked fear and uncertainty across the continent. The World Alliance has also launched a full investigation, as similar unregistered rift incidents have begun surfacing in other allied nations."
Her expression softened, eyes cast down.
"In remembrance of those lost, a memorial stone now stands at the Peace Garden in City D—engraved with the names of the victims. It is a place for mourning… and a solemn reminder of the fragile line between our world and the unknown."
She lowered her head slightly.
"Let us take a moment of silence… for the souls we've lost."
The newsroom fell still.
On screen, a grey image emerged—the memorial shrouded in quiet dusk, candles flickering in the wind. Fresh flowers lay gently at its base. The names carved into the stone gleamed faintly, each one a life that had been.
The screen showed a candle-lit image of the stone memorial, names glowing under soft light.
William closed the news and sighed quietly, absorbing the weight of the incident.
---
Upstairs, Ron buttoned his uniform for the last time. Today was his final day at Aspire High School.
Staring at the mirror, he thought back on his school days—quiet, maybe, but full of meaningful memories.
Straightening his tie, he sighed. "Can't believe this is it," he muttered, then walked out the door.
The hallway held other rooms, unused and quiet. He descended the stairs, heading toward the kitchen.
Hearing the footsteps, William set the table—toast, omelet, and hot coffee.
Ron entered. The scent of fresh eggs and toast filled the air. He sat down, looking at his plate. Simple, yet always something he appreciated from his dad, who raised him alone after his mother passed away when he was still an infant.
"Thanks for the breakfast," Ron said sincerely.
William smiled. After a moment, he asked the question he already knew the answer to. "So... what's the plan after graduation?"
Ron swallowed his bite and calmly replied, "I've told you, Dad. I want to join an Awakened academy."
William looked out the window and sighed. "So you've really decided, huh…" A smile crept onto his face. "If that's what you want, I won't stop you. Just know that you've got my support."
"Thanks, Dad. I'll keep that in mind." Ron smirked and pointed at his dad's plate. "Though you better finish your breakfast before it gets cold—or I'll have it myself."
They both chuckled. For a moment, the world felt simple and peaceful.
---
Here in Aetheris. A world where every living being carries a spark of inner energy—Aether.
For most, it lies dormant, barely enough to enhance basic senses or strength. But in rare individuals, Aether awakens, granting superhuman abilities unique to them. These people are called Awakened—those who break past human limits.
When awakened, a personal System manifests. It grants no missions or rewards—just an interface that quietly tracks growth: abilities, stats, and potential. A tool to be understood, not relied upon.
Even those without a system aren't helpless. Some awaken fragments of Aether, granting minor enhancements—speed, endurance, reflexes. Not enough to rival the Awakened, but still something beyond ordinary humans.
Unlike his father, Ron was one of the Awakened.
Special military-based academies existed to train such individuals—teaching them combat, ability control, coordination, and more. From there, many joined elite forces known as Vanguard Agencies, official groups recognized by the World Alliance to respond to rift-related threats.
Not everyone chose the same path. Some became mercenaries. Some, researchers or doctors. Others went into business. The world was large—and it was their choice to make.
---