Chapter 47: The Awakening of All
A deep silence wrapped Sujin Village as the blinding holy light gradually faded away. The villagers, both locals and visitors who had returned for the festival, rubbed their eyes, blinking rapidly as their vision returned. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd.
"Did you see that?"
"What was that light?!"
"I couldn't see a thing!"
People were checking on each other, parents hugging their children, elders steadying themselves, and kids clinging to their friends. The once cheerful post-birthday atmosphere had shifted into confusion and awe. And then it happened.
A man near the village square, an elder known for his grumpy nature and bad knees, suddenly began to levitate. Gasps echoed around him.
"Grandpa Zhou! You're floating!" one of the kids shouted.
"I-I don't know how! My back doesn't even hurt anymore!" he cried, twirling in the air like an awkward bird. Light shimmered around him like a divine aura.
Before anyone could recover from that, a loud *whoosh* echoed from behind the village toilet.
"H-help! I was just peeing—WAAAHHH!"
A middle-aged man flew out from the outhouse and landed in the middle of the square, dazed and glowing with blue magic runes.
"What in the goddess's name?!"
Then the impossible happened.
One by one, adults began to glow—soft hues of magic light erupting from within. Shouts of surprise, laughter, and disbelief rang out across the village. Women cried as they felt surges of power flow through their limbs. Men stood dumbfounded as they felt lighter, clearer—connected to something deeper.
"I can hear birds talking!"
"I can *heal*! My hands are glowing!"
"Look! Look! I can see through the hut walls!"
Yue's mother stood tall as her body surged with newfound strength, arcs of electricity sparking around her fingertips. "Strength, lightning, flight... and invisibility," she whispered, stunned.
Yue's father gasped as his own magic unfurled—gentle, beautiful charm magic sparkled around him like perfume made visible. A healing glow pulsed from his palms, and his feet lifted slightly off the ground. "I feel... beautiful. I mean, more than usual," he chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling.
Yue stood, her heart pounding. She flexed her fingers, unsure. Then she shot up three meters in the air before landing perfectly like a feather. Her feet crackled with energy.
"Flight, speed... and strength," she breathed. Her gang surrounded her, their expressions full of awe.
Mei Qui clutched her chest. "I-I can fly too! And I feel something... something strange. I think I can manipulate gravity."
Shu Fen grinned. "I can slow down time around me! Not by much, but enough to dodge Tao Lin's smacks now."
"HEY!" Tao Lin shouted, her eyes glowing softly. "I awakened super strength and some kind of earth-bending. I just punched the ground, and it cracked!"
Lian focused, then lifted her hand—and a shimmering shield appeared around them. "Mine's defense-based... maybe barrier magic."
Chika held her hands out, and sparks danced between her fingers. "Electric control. Oh, this is going to be *fun*."
Then came Kael, their city friend. He had been standing off to the side, speechless, trying to make sense of everything.
"Kael? Are you okay?" Yue asked, walking over.
He looked up at her with wide eyes. "Yue... I think—I think I can read minds."
"Really?"
"Yes! I just heard Tao Lin think about punching me if I get smug!"
Tao Lin crossed her arms. "I *was* thinking that."
Everyone laughed, the atmosphere turning from tense to lively again.
Kael continued, "I also teleported earlier when I panicked... and I think I can charm people a bit."
Yue smiled. "Looks like you're just like my dad—support magic king."
Kael blushed, rubbing his neck. "Guess I'm still useful, even if I can't throw fireballs."
Yue threw her arm around his shoulder. "More than useful. We're finally the same. All of us. No more watching the new generation from the sidelines."
The villagers were celebrating, dancing, flying, crying, and experimenting with their powers. Some adults wept openly, having believed they'd missed their chance.
"We thought the goddess abandoned us," one woman sobbed.
"We trained, fasted, and meditated so hard, just hoping... and now—" another man added, voice shaking.
Yue's mother stood on a stone platform, clapping for attention. "Everyone! Listen! This is not just a gift. It's a responsibility. We were given time to prepare ourselves. The goddess waited until we were worthy. Strong. United."
Everyone cheered.
Then the gang formed a small circle again, hugging.
"This... this changes everything," Shu Fen whispered.
"Now we can fight, protect, do more than just watch," Jia added.
Yue nodded slowly. "We'll grow even stronger. But right now—let's just enjoy this moment."
Above them, the sun shined gently over Sujin Village—a land no longer ordinary, no longer behind. Chosen. Awakened. And ready for the future.