Eighty years ago, the sky turned silver.
Nobody knew why. Not the scientists, not the generals, not the desperate world leaders watching their satellites fail. But the air changed that day dense, heavy, humming like a living thing. Within a month, plants started growing teeth. Wolves began to fly. And humans… woke up different.
The world called it The Genesis Gene.
Now, every living thing breathes power. People rank it like grades on a report card F to SSS but the truth is simpler: the stronger you are, the longer you live. The weak become prey.
Eight years ago…
Jackson Null was just a boy hiding under his bed.
The house shook like it was being punched by a god. Glass shattered in the hallway. His mother's voice screamed his name, followed by something inhuman — a deep, wet growl that rattled the walls.
The thing hunting them wasn't human.
A Genesis Beast the size of a tank crashed through their yard, its jagged fur sparking with electricity. It was an S-rank predator, rare this deep into the city, and Jackson's family wasn't ready. Not for this.
"Jackson, stay hidden!" his mother yelled. He heard the crack of her power — gravity waves slamming furniture aside. The sound of impact followed, a heavy CRUNCH that made his stomach twist.
He gripped the baseball bat in his hands tighter. He was only eight, but he wasn't stupid. His family was special. His grandfather was a legendary Awakened warrior. His mother was an S-rank combatant, feared in three nations. His father… gone. Killed by another family long before Jackson could remember his face.
But Jackson had nothing. No powers. Not yet.
Another crash. This one closer.
A claw ripped through the wall like it was paper. The beast's head pushed through, saliva dripping onto the carpet, glowing yellow eyes locking on him.
"Found you," it rumbled in a voice that wasn't human.
Jackson froze. He couldn't scream. Couldn't move.
Then something snapped inside him.
The world went… silent.
The Genesis Beast lunged, claws raised. Jackson should've died. Instead, his vision warped, the room stretched, and for a split second, he saw nothing.
Not black. Not darkness. Just… void.
His body moved before his brain caught up. He was no longer under the bed. He was behind the beast. His bat clanged uselessly against its spine, but the creature roared in confusion — it didn't know how he'd moved.
Neither did Jackson.
Another ripple surged through him. Space folded, twisted, and the next time the beast swung, it hit air. Jackson blinked and was five feet away. Another blink, and he was on the ceiling. Another blink, and—
"JACKSON!"
His mother's voice snapped him back. Gravity folded in the room, slamming the beast to the floor. Furniture flew like missiles, crushing it against the ground. She burst into view, blood dripping down her arm, eyes glowing silver.
Jackson didn't realize he was crying until she was holding him, whispering, "It's okay. It's okay, baby. You're safe."
But he wasn't listening. Because for a moment, he thought he saw something inside the void he'd stepped through. A silhouette. Watching him.
Present Day
Eight years later, Jackson Null stood on a floating train heading for Celestial Spire High, his face unreadable as the city below blurred past.
He'd grown taller, stronger, sharper. Silver streaks in his black hair glimmered under the cabin lights, a side effect of breathing in the void too many times. A combat uniform black and fitted with armored seams clung to his lean frame. On his wrist blinked a simple band: Rank 5.
Five. Out of thousands of Awakened students worldwide.
He looked out the window as skyscrapers gave way to floating platforms, massive aerial highways, and finally… The Spire.
It wasn't a building. It was a continent-sized tower piercing the clouds, a city built vertically into the sky. Airships circled its midsections, and students in combat gear flew on jetboards or rode tamed Genesis Beasts to class.
Celestial Spire High. The most prestigious academy for Awakened elites in the world.
Jackson's reflection in the window was calm, but his stomach tightened. For years, his goal was simple: make it here, climb the rankings, become Rank 1. But this wasn't a game. At the top were monsters.
Especially one.
Ash Wei.
Jackson clenched his fist at the name. The heir of the Wei clan. Rank 2. The boy who'd beaten him once in a duel so brutal Jackson still had scars. And he hadn't even seen Ash's power. Not once.
The Wei clan and the Null clan had been at war for generations. His father's death was part of that feud. Jackson's presence at this school wasn't just ambition it was a declaration.
The train hissed to a stop at a platform floating a mile above the clouds. Jackson grabbed his duffel bag and stepped out.
The courtyard was chaos. Students from all over the world streamed through floating gates, flashing ranks on their wristbands. Some flew, some teleported, some simply walked but every single one radiated power.
A group of Rank 20s sparred in midair, explosions echoing. A Rank 15 girl summoned a flaming serpent just to carry her luggage. Even the weakest here were stronger than most adult Awakened outside the academy.
"Yo, Rank 5!"
Jackson turned. A tall boy with messy silver hair and glasses jogged over, waving lazily. Ryo Tanaka. Telepath. Tactical genius. Jackson had met him at last year's Youth Awakened Tournament.
"Didn't think you'd show up early," Ryo said, grinning. "I thought you'd make a dramatic entrance, y'know, teleport in surrounded by black holes or something."
"Not my style," Jackson said.
"Right. You're the 'quiet badass' type." Ryo adjusted his glasses. "Hey, rumor is Wei's already here. Cracked the arrival platform in half just by landing."
Jackson's jaw tightened. "Of course he did."
"Man, I do not envy you," Ryo chuckled. "Rank 2 and Rank 5 in the same year? People are already betting on which one of you dies first."
"Good to know."
They walked toward the entrance gates. Students stared Jackson was used to it. Being Rank 5 came with a reputation, and Void Walker wasn't exactly subtle. His presence made the air feel… heavier.
A girl stepped into their path. She was slender, with golden hair tied in a high ponytail, teal eyes glowing faintly. Her white-and-blue uniform shimmered like sunlight.
"Jackson Null," she said softly. "I'm Lyra Vale. Rank 8."
Jackson raised an eyebrow. "We've met?"
"Not yet," she said with a smile. "But I've heard of you. Everyone has."
Ryo elbowed him. "Dude. She's the healer who wiped out an entire A-rank Genesis Beast pack solo."
Lyra laughed lightly. "Exaggeration. I had help." She extended her hand. "You'll need allies here, Jackson. Especially with Ash Wei waiting."
Jackson shook her hand, studying her. There was something calm about her, like sunlight cutting through a storm.
Before he could reply, a BOOM echoed through the courtyard. The ground trembled.
Heads turned. Students backed away from the main gate as a tall figure stepped through, wearing black gauntlets and a faint smirk.
Ash Wei.
He was taller than Jackson remembered, his golden eyes glowing faintly, crimson-streaked hair tied back. His presence was suffocating — raw, crushing power radiated from him. He didn't even glance at the crowd; his gaze locked on Jackson immediately.
"Null," he said. His voice was calm. Deadly calm.
Jackson's hand twitched near his side, the faint hum of Void Walker pulsing through his veins.
"Wei," Jackson replied.
Ash's smirk widened just slightly. "Try not to die this year."
He walked past, the crowd parting like water.
Ryo whistled. "Oh yeah. This is gonna be fun."
Lyra glanced at Jackson. "You two really hate each other, huh?"
Jackson's eyes followed Ash. "Hate isn't the word."
He turned away, feeling the void stir inside him, a whisper only he could hear. Something in that other dimension was watching. Waiting.
This year wouldn't just be about rankings. Something bigger was coming.
And Jackson Null was ready to walk the void again.