Lightning ripped through the sky over Murrchel Academy, close enough to singe your hair. Thunder shook the place up, sending rain flying off the roofs. I jumped. Ice water. My heart hammered. That voice—the echo of the first beast I ever tamed—rattled around inside my skull. The pact. I remembered it.
Rain turned the courtyard into a Water slide. Students face-planted left and right. Their magic muttered. I took a breath, trying to chill. Felt like I was stuck in a body that didn't fit, already starting to miss my old body but my mind? Sharp.
Then, a weird flash. My system chimed in:
[Strength: 4 / 10]
[Agility: 5 / 10]
[Mana: 3 / 10]
[Awakening Progress: 0 / ???]
A little buzz. Felt like I was sitting on a hidden stash of power. Not much, but enough to cause some trouble. I gripped my fists. Time to see what this young body of mine could do.
Across the way, this girl knelt on the wet stones. Red-gold hair plastered to her face, but those eyes? Like lasers. Her hands danced around a ball of water she held like it was a toy. Power rolled off her.
"No I don't remember in my past like someone. Indeed it is different world"
Out of nowhere, shadows start to stretched along the surface. A snarl. A shadow spirit showed up, all smoke and lies. Its eyes scanned the students like they were snacks.
Heads up! Rogue Entity Incoming
[Level: ???]
Screams cut through the air. Kids ate dirt. Total panic. Heart went boom-boom—focus, not freak out. The system buzzed again. Attack? Dodge? Save someone? My body felt like it wanted to quit, but I knew the play.
Her water bubble grew, shielding herself and a bunch of other students. Her voice sliced through the chaos.
Everyone, back now! Don't let it touch you!
I sucked the air with total concentration, coaxing the mana in my chest to grow high inside my heart. Held out my hand, and a flame sparked to life. It vibrated like a bad drunk at first, then steadied up. The system ringed:
[Hit: Minor]
[Mana Cost: 2 / 3]
[Awakening Progress: +5]
The shadow spirit cringed away from the flame, screeching like a tea kettle. I felt a jolt, like a little victory dance, but knew this was just warm-up. Jennifer looked my way. A nod. She got it.
The spirit lunged. I moved on instinct, flicking fire at its smoky arm as Jennifer slashed with her water. The thing stumbled, its form swirling, trying to bail. My hands trembled, but my head was clear, timing on point.
Gotta reign this in, I thought. Make it count.
I glanced at Jennifer. Her moves were smooth. Her shield held strong, keeping the kids safe as the shadow spirit readied another attack. Not bad at all.
The system beeped:
[Mana Low: 1 / 3]
[Awakening Progress: +10]
I gritted my teeth. Focused, pulling mana. Heat rushed from my hand, slamming into the shadow spirit's chest. The thing screamed, staggered.
That girl water orb followed right behind, nailing the spirit where the flame had already burned. Steam puffed out. Rain turned to mist. I felt the Awakening Progress spike.
So this is it, I thought, smirking. The Awakening…
The shadow spirit dissolved, leaving the courtyard quiet as a tomb. Students breathed again, eyes wide. I dropped my hands, flame snuffed.
That girl stepped closer. Rain dripped from her hair, but she was okay.
That fire… you're good, she said.
I smirked, wiping rain from my face. And that water? Half these kids can't even make it float.
She tilted her head, smiling. " I'm Jennifer. Jennifer Valence." She stuck out her hand.
I shook it." Abraham. Abraham Benjin."
Quiet. We understood each other. Storm, mess, spirit—we'd found something.
You fight good, Jennifer said, her voice softer. Seems like we'll be seeing a lot of each other.
Seems like it, I replied, smirking. Bring it on.
The system flickered. My Awakening Progress glowed. The test was done—the start was just beginning.
I remembered the shadow in the mirror, the first beast, the pact. That bond was there. The Awakening Trial had tested my body and magic, but it had also reminded me what of what I'd lost and needed to reclaim.
Jennifer looked at me. I saw determination, skill, curiosity. We'd faced the test together. Together, we'd face the academy, and whatever came after.
I grinned. This is only round one. The Awakening is real.
[Quest Updated: The First Awakening Has Begun.]