The sun rose lazily over the broken skyline of New Terra City, a place rebuilt over the ashes of old civilization. Towering walls of reinforced mana-steel protected the city from the beasts that still roamed the wastelands beyond. Life had found a way to persist—barely.
Inside a small apartment in the outer sector, a boy jolted awake.
"Today's the day!" Max shouted, throwing off his ragged blanket.
His heart pounded with excitement. Awakening Day. The moment every teenager waited for. The day they placed their hand on the elemental orb and discovered their talent rank and elemental affinity. It would decide everything—what kind of academy he'd go to, what jobs he could get, how society would treat him.
Max quickly got dressed in a worn school uniform and grabbed a small piece of toast. As always, the only thing that remained close to his heart was the strange necklace he wore, a dull, crystalline gem set in silver. It was the only thing his parents left him when he was dropped at the government orphanage as a baby.
He had never met them. Not even a photograph.
Max sprinted through the crowded streets, dodging food vendors and beast-skin traders, finally reaching the towering glass building of Sector 7's Awakening Center.
The front lawn was packed with students, teachers, and armored examiners. Max recognized a few classmates and shrank away. Most ignored him, a few sneered. Being an orphan with no background meant you were already considered trash in the social hierarchy.
"Alright, everyone!" the lead examiner barked. "Line up! We will begin the testing shortly. Remember, colors denote your talent rank—Green, Yellow, Red, Purple, Blue, and Gold. Basic elements are Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. Advanced elements are Ice, Lightning, Plant, Metal, Space, Light, and Darkness. Those who awaken higher-tier talents and elements will be prioritized for elite academies. Now—step forward when your name is called!"
The first name echoed through the plaza.
"Jack Frost!"
Murmurs spread instantly. Max turned his head as a tall boy walked confidently toward the podium. His silver-blue hair shimmered in the light. Jack Frost—the heir of the Frost Family. They were part of the Elemental Board, the same group that fought in the Calamity Era.
Jack placed his hand on the orb.
It glowed—bright blue, then surged with light.
"Blue Talent! Elements: Ice, Water, and Earth!"
Gasps. Cheers. Even the examiners looked impressed.
Next came Celia Rugpt, a girl with long crimson hair and a calm, intelligent gaze. She stepped forward, and the orb again glowed blue.
"Blue Talent! Elements: Fire and Plant!"
Another prodigy.
Max felt his stomach twist. He didn't expect much, but a part of him hoped—hoped that maybe he could awaken something.
Then came the moment.
"Max… No known family name."
He swallowed. Whispers immediately started. "The orphan." "Waste of a spot."
Max stepped forward. His hand trembled as he placed it on the orb.
The crystal flickered green—dull, almost lifeless.
Then… nothing.
The examiner looked confused. "Green Talent… no elemental affinity."
Silence.
Then came the laughter. Cruel. Sharp.
"He's talentless!"
"Even the orb gave up on him."
"What's he gonna fight with, his fists?"
Max didn't say anything. He couldn't. His mouth was dry, his chest tight. He stepped down silently and returned to his spot.
Max limped home later that evening, covered in bruises from another run-in with bullies. He held his necklace tightly, tears stinging his eyes.
"Why... why did you even leave me this?" he whispered. "You left me behind in this world... for this?"
That night, Max walked to the edge of the outer wall. The wind was cold. He stood atop the cliff, staring down at the wasteland below. A single step and it would be over.
But he couldn't do it.
Shaking, angry, and scared, he turned around and walked home.
As he entered his tiny apartment, a soft ding echoed in his ears.
A glowing screen hovered in the air.
> [SYSTEM LINK DETECTED]
[HOST FOUND — SYNCHRONIZING…]
Max blinked. "What the hell…?"
He dismissed it and collapsed into bed, too tired to care.
But as sleep took him, his necklace began to shine—brighter than ever before.