James stepped in front of the gate.
“A dome?” he muttered, noticing the faint shimmer of energy forming a dome around the perimeter of the void crack.
The gate opened. James stepped in.
A desolate field stretched out before him, filled with unfamiliar monsters—goblins and kobolds roamed freely, with the void crack lingering ominously behind them.
He drew his sword from its sheath and charged forward...
“I’ll finally awaken. It took me months of odd jobs to afford this, but it’ll all be worth it.”
—Jide, approaching the gate alongside Kola.
“What are you talking about? You wouldn’t last five minutes before pissing your pants. I hope you kept the receipt.” Kola scoffed.
Jide stepped into the dome first—but then froze in place, unmoving.
“What’s going on? Don’t tell me you’re already scared.” Kola pushed past him, but the moment he entered the dome, he too stood frozen.
“Kola…”
“Yeah?”
“How long has it been since that kid with the velvet blade entered?”
“Ten minutes, maybe?”
The sight before them defied logic.
Every single monster lay lifeless on the ground. Only one person stood, sword in hand.
A complete massacre.
“What’s the holdup?”
“Move already!”
The line behind them began to grumble.
Debola, noticing the delay, made his way to the front—and froze.
“What the hell happened?!” he shouted at James. “There’s only one major rule: don’t hog the monsters after awakening!”
“But I haven’t awakened yet,” James said, tilting his head.
“You’re kidding. There’s no way a kid did all this without awakening. His energy… it’s unchanged. Still feels like a regular human,” Debola thought, eyes narrowing.
Participants entering behind them stared in disbelief.
“Show-off.”
“It’s just better equipment, probably.”
Ignoring the crowd, Debola and James stepped out of the dome. Debola pulled Vanessa aside and whispered what had happened.
Vanessa’s lips curled into a smile.
“Now I see why Uncle’s so interested in you.”
James tensed.
“Were monsters always this weak? Their movements were sluggish… it felt like fighting toddlers,”
James thought, uneased.
“Are there other low-level City Breaks still accessible?” Vanessa asked.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Debola scrolled through his phone.
“There are five left. Energy readings have been confirmed—it should be safe for non-awakened,” he added.
“But… if you want immediate access, the price—”
Vanessa glared at him.
“…I'll prepare the entry permits,” Debola stammered, already making calls.
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Reporters huddled together, murmuring.
“The kid with the velvet blade cleared a void break without awakening,”
Tola whispered to Temi.
“We need an interview. This could be front-page stuff.”
They tried approaching.
“Please stay with the crowd,” an official ordered, holding them back.
James and Vanessa left in their car.
“They’re leaving already? Why?” Temi frowned.
“Get in the van. We’re following them,” she told Tola, rushing off.
At the next low-level void break, only a single official guarded the entrance. James entered. Cleared it. Came back out.
Same thing at the next. Then the next.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
By the fourth city void break, a crowd had gathered. Curious eyes followed James.
“What’s with all these people…? Never mind. I can feel it—I’m close to awakening.”
James focused as he stepped inside the dome.
He unleashed his blade. One by one, the monsters fell. When the last dropped, his body throbbed.
Something was calling him. No one else was there, but the feeling persisted.
He turned toward the void crack. The closer he got, the more… connected he felt.
“No. What am I thinking? I don’t even know what’s on the other side,”
he snapped out of it.
He stepped back and focused inward. His energy stirred. A pulse.
Suddenly, a second sword appeared in his hand.
“Duplication? Is that my ability? How’s that useful in combat?”
James pondered as he exited.
Reporters swarmed, but officials held them at bay.
“Did you finally awaken?” Vanessa asked by the gate.
“Yeah. But… I’m not sure how useful this is.” He showed her the replicated sword.
“Duplication? Or conjuration? I’ll let the Awakened Association figure it out,”
Vanessa mused.
“That’s enough fun for today,” she added, gesturing to the car
---
As they drove off:
“So… what now?” James asked.
“Take a break,” Vanessa replied.
“You’ll register as an official awakened tomorrow.”
“I… don’t really have a place to stay,” James admitted.
“I know. You’ll stay in one of my houses. I’ve got other business, so you’ll be on your own.”
The car rolled into a vast compound. A maid opened the door.
“Welcome, Master James,” she bowed.
The house was luxurious. Inside, even more so.
He was shown around, then to his room—king-sized bed, a massive TV.
“This privilege… isn’t bad,” James thought.
“Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes, Master James. Please take your bath,” the maid said.
“I don’t get why I’m being treated like royalty… but I’ll embrace it.”
He showered and headed down. The dinning table was filled with food.
The taste? Exquisite. But one thing stood out—the meat.
“What is this? Every time I eat it, I feel energy rushing in…”
James turned to the maid who stood beside him.
“What meat is this?”
“It’s processed monster meat from void breaks, Master James. Approved by AUN. It replenishes energy—it’s quite popular among awakeners.”
“But… I haven’t used that much energy. Why does mine keep rising?”
James wondered.
When dinner was done, he went to bed.
---
The next morning.
“Good morning, Master James,” the maid greeted him beside his bed.
“Miss Vanessa said she’ll be here in an hour. Breakfast is ready.”
“An hour? Why’s she coming?”
After freshening up, he descended the stairs.
“I hope there’s more of that meat.”
“Enjoying yourself?” a voice said from the sofa.
James froze.
“You’re early. The maid said you wouldn’t be here for another hour.”
“I had free time. Let’s get your registration over with.” Vanessa stood up.
“But I haven’t had breakfast…”
“You can eat later.” She turned and walked out.
“But I wanted more of that meat…”
he muttered, following her.
They arrived at a tall building—five stories, the letters AA boldly inscribed at the top.
As they stepped out, they were swarmed by the press.
“Excuse me, Velvet Blade Vanessa! What’s your relationship with the new awakened?”
“Is it true the chairman of the Genesis Center is interested in him?”
“Did he really clear four void breaks before awakening?”
Officials stepped in to push the crowd back.
Among them—Debola.
Vanessa turned. “How did the press find out so fast?”
“I am sorry miss they just showed up this early this morning waiting”. He replied
They entered the awakened association. It was pristine white with a lot of normal citizens on a cue or sitting in a waiting area. immediately two officials started patrolling along with them.
They got to a room where there was only one person in a lab coat.
“I have already prepared the highest quality ERM (energy rating machine ). David the individual with a Lab coat stated.
“It's a pleasure to meet you Mr . Cornor” . David said shaking his hands.
“You know who I am?” James replied
“Who doesn't, The kid speculated to have the highest energy reserve in all of history”.
“The what?”
“It may be unfamiliar to you but Awakening is triggered when you body energy reaches a certain threshold, most people reach that threshold after killing about 5 low ranked monsters but never has it been heard of that it took clearing 4 void breaks before Awakening.”
“Is that meant to be a good thing?” James asked
“How is it not? The harder it is to awaken the higher your potential is. You may even step into the level of a national awakener”
“That's enough David,” Vanessa interrupted.
“Oh yes, pardon me. Shall we get your level calculated”. David went to the computer by the side and started calibrating it.
“Level” James stated.
“Please place your hand on the globe”. David gestured towards the Big globe that was at the center of the room.
James walked over and placed his hands on the globe.
After sometime, David looked panicked
“Please step back,” David stated.
And he started calibrating the computer again.
“Can you place your hand again”. David said nervously.
James went ahead and touched the globe.
Before Vanessa interrupted.
“What is taking so long, just read his energy and clarify him as an awakened”.
David's expression froze. Before he finally spoke out. “Miss Vanessa there seems to be a problem”. David muttered
“What problem now?” Vanessa stated furiously.
“James kelechi cornor is a one cup Awakener”. David muttered, staring at the screen.
“WHAT!” Vanessa stated.
“I don't like where this is going” James thought to himself.
