'Let's not make them worry any longer.' Adam thought, a smile as warm as sunshine on his face.
"Don't worry, I awakened."
His parents froze, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hiss of Adelaide's pan. Then Clark let out a breath that sounded half like a laugh.
"That's great, dear," she said, the words trembling with both relief and fear. "But did it go how you hoped?"
"Yeah."
"Then what did you awaken, son?"
At his father's question, Adam's smile faltered.
"A common carp." He muttered, the words falling out like an admission of defeat.
The silence stretched. Then his father chuckled, trying to fill it. "Could be worse. I've heard of kids awakening worms."
Adam smiled faintly. "Then I'll just make it the strongest fish alive."
His father's grin widened, proud. "That's my boy."
"Guys! Dinner's ready!" Adelaide's voice broke them out of their discussion.
The clatter of dishes filled the small kitchen. The food smelled the same as every other night, but tonight it tasted - lighter somehow, as if relief had a flavor.
"Mom, Dad, I'm going to sleep, tomorrow I gotta wake up early." Adam rose from his chair.
"Good luck tomorrow, dear."
"Yeah... thanks, Mom." Adam smiled and went to his room.
He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling - a common carp - Not the worst, sure, but he was still somewhat disappointed.
He exhaled slowly. "Still… I did it." Saying it out loud made it sound more real.
"Hey, think you can simply forget about me?" Eve's voice echoed in his mind, teasing. "What's the point of that fish when you've got me?" She didn't show it, but she wanted to ease Adam's anxiety.
He smiled faintly. "You're not helping."
"Maybe I am."
Sleep didn't come easily. When it finally did, it felt more like sinking than resting. The alarm dragged him back too soon-
BEEP... BEEP... BEEP...
Morning came too soon. Alarm blaring, and Adam's first thought wasn't about breakfast or school - it was about fish, water, and failure.
He shook it off. No point dwelling on what couldn't change. Today, he'd prove that even a carp could swim upstream.
The trains were always on time - one of the few things in this world that still worked as promised. Adam appreciated that.
Exiting the station, he picked up a small newspaper containing various information, like the weather and military achievements.
"With the combined efforts of the 7th and..."
Skimming through military feats, he gave a glance at the weather. 'Great, it's gonna be sunny all day'
Being a fan of powerful awakened, he knew that if they did something important, it would make the first page, so when he saw that it wasn't the case, he instead quickly went through it to check the weather.
He turned the corner - and the world jolted.
One second the path was clear, the next, a shadow slammed into him and vanished around another building.
Adam, on the ground, froze. His pulse still racing, he glanced down the empty street. Maybe this world wasn't done surprising him yet.
Standing up and cleaning his pants, he decided to ask his personal security camera for answers. "Eve, what happened?"
She remained silent for a moment, distressed. "The guy. He just... appeared out of thin air after bumping into you. Was that his ability?"
"No, if that was an ability, he could have disappeared right after and wouldn't have reappeared after bumping into me. Only artifacts have such restrictions."
"You're really analyzing this, huh?" Eve said softly. "You sound like a detective, maybe that's the right career for you."
"Unfortunately, I'm not interested in detective work.
Getting back on track, he continued towards FM's training grounds.
'I'll just ask the principal about this guy later.'
The FM complex towered above him, a forest of concrete and glass whose roots ran deep into the earth. It felt like humanity's will made solid.
Everywhere, transparent sky bridges and underground tunnels interlinked the buildings, with road signs clearly indicating the purpose of each structure.
Among them, one structure stood out.
A comparatively small two-story building stood out among these metal giants, the road sign labeling it as "training center".
This building did not develop towards the sun like the others.
It instead spread its chambers like roots across the ground, going deeper than one could fathom.
Such was the place that Adam and many other students his age were directed towards.
Surprisingly, for the number of people directed there, no line was forming.
He entered the building and was greeted by a space filled with waiting seats, some vending machines, and even a small bar!
In a spot near the bar stood a small stand where two employees were handing out small, rectangular boxes.
Adam went to them, knowing what they were most likely giving out.
"Hello... ehhh," He quickly read the employee's nameplate. "Johnson, are you handing out FM watches?"
Exhausted by the number of students, the employee seemed like a robot rehearsing pre-recorded lines. "Yes, just put it on and connect it with your ID." He gave one of the boxes to Adam and continued to the next student.
Inside was a sleek white watch - light, cold, and humming faintly with stored ether. Rumor said it could take a Rank-2 hit and survive unscathed.
Apart from combat power, the FM watch could even be considered a tier 1 artifact.
Of course, these watches were exclusively handed out to the awakened.
He wore it on his left wrist and connected his ID with it. As he did so, he felt a small tug from within, like something was leaving him.
At the same time, a screen appeared in front of Adam, one that others couldn't see, not that they would be interested, as they had one of their own.
[Connecting...]
[Connection successful]
[Name: Adam
Surname: -
Citizen ID: 9-18706
Citizen status: 2 - FM student
Soul rank: common - 1]
[Unusual fluctuations detected in the user's ether, please contact a healer.]
[Want to contact the campus's healer]
'I think I know why that is, one more thing to ask her I guess'
"No"
[User caution is advised]
[Reminder. Appointment in 5 minutes - Training room 0]
Adam went down the stairs in the waiting room leading to the first underground floor, the elevator's floor.
One where corridors formed a tight net, with many elevators leading to the training rooms, all distanced from one another.
He entered the first open one and swiped his watch on a small display on the elevator's wall.
A loading sign appeared, followed by a green check mark.
The elevator started descending, moving not only downwards but also horizontally.
After about a minute, it slowed down and stopped.
The elevator opened onto silence.
The principal was already there, her expression unreadable - as if she'd known the exact second he'd arrive.
"Take these." She said, tossing him two books.
He caught the books. "Basics of ether for mages" and "Basic undead incantations"
Each cover was simple, practical. But somehow... they felt more valuable than anything else he ever held.