The world had never been the same since the Fracture.
Where once sprawling cities stood, now only broken zones remained — wild lands ruled by elemental beasts and corrupted relics. To survive, humanity clung to scattered academies and fortified zones. Among them was Nova Academia, the last beacon for those born after the cataclysm — children who awakened mysterious powers known simply as Wills.
Kael Renji stood at the edge of the academy's courtyard, hands shoved into his pockets. Around him, students wielding fire, stone, and light trained tirelessly, their laughter and shouts filling the air.
He watched them all from a distance, his heart heavy.
Everyone else had awakened their Will. Some as young as twelve. Some with powers bright and wild. Others with strength subtle and deadly.
Everyone but him.
"Yo, Kael!"
Kael turned as Tetsu Akiyama jogged up, grinning wide. His short dark hair was messy as usual, and his uniform shirt was half-untucked, but the confidence in his step was impossible to ignore.
"You spacing out again?" Tetsu asked, bumping Kael's shoulder. "C'mon, man. They posted practice match schedules. We're up after lunch."
Kael offered a half-smile. "You sure it's worth it? I'm still...nothing."
Tetsu snorted. "So what? We keep training. Will or no Will, you're still gonna kick ass."
Kael wanted to believe him. He really did.
But deep inside, doubt gnawed at him like a hungry beast.
They started walking toward the training fields together, the buzz of battle exercises growing louder. Kael stole one last glance over his shoulder at the looming silhouette of the academy behind them — the towering spires, the ancient banners fluttering in the breeze.
Somewhere beyond those walls, secrets older than the Fracture stirred.
Waiting.
Watching.
Kael didn't know it yet, but today would be the last normal day he ever lived.
And the first step toward awakening had already begun.