Announcements were everywhere—on television, social media, and even on the streets. The world was experiencing a phenomenon unlike any other—a pandemic of cognitive dissonance, a global crisis known as Neuro-Dissonance Syndrome (N.D.S.).
This mysterious neurological disorder rapidly spread, distorting the minds of those it infected. People began seeing alternate realities, experiencing intense hallucinations, and acting on erratic impulses. The effects were devastating, especially in urban centers where environmental stressors like pollution and overpopulation triggered the rapid spread of the disease. A cure was yet to be found, and research was still in its infancy.
As society struggled to cope, the economy, already fragile, crumbled under the weight of the crisis. In every corner of the globe, governments scrambled to contain the chaos.
In this chaos, Sebastian walked down a quiet street in Jakarta. He had been hearing about the outbreak for weeks, but his reality was different. While the world around him was gripped by N.D.S., he had begun experiencing something else entirely—a condition unlike any he had ever known.
Unlike the dissonance and confusion that plagued the masses, Sebastian had developed a strange cognitive phenomenon. He wasn't seeing alternate realities, nor was he experiencing hallucinations. Instead, his mind was expanding at an unprecedented rate. Ideas flowed faster than he could process, and his memory seemed to be operating on an entirely different level.
It was as if his brain was accelerating beyond the limits of ordinary human thought, processing vast amounts of information in mere seconds.
He first noticed it during a regular afternoon walk, when a sudden headache hit him. But unlike previous headaches, this one didn't cause pain—it sparked something different. As the intense sensation subsided, Sebastian found himself able to understand complex patterns in conversations, solve equations effortlessly, and even anticipate the next steps in interactions with others.
His ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas became almost prophetic. He could predict actions before they even occurred.
"Am I losing my mind?" Sebastian whispered to himself as the world around him continued to move at its usual pace.
But something else was happening, something more profound than just a sharp mind. Sebastian was experiencing a rapid Cognitive Surge, or as he later learned to call it, Neuro-Acceleration Syndrome (NAS).
—
Prof. Rhinno's Suspicions
The following day, Sebastian found himself walking into a private hospital after receiving an invitation for a job interview. The hospital was renowned for its cutting-edge research, particularly in neurology. It was the kind of place where the wealthy and influential sought treatment for the most bizarre of conditions.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Sebastian," a calm voice greeted him. A middle-aged man in a white coat appeared from behind a door. "Please, come in."
Professor Rhinno, the man who introduced himself, was a leading neurologist who had been studying N.A.S. in its early stages. As soon as he began speaking with Sebastian, he quickly surmised that something was different about him.
"I've read your file, and I've been following your case," said Prof. Rhinno. "I believe you might be experiencing what we're calling Cognitive Surge Syndrome."
Sebastian frowned, unsure of what to say. "Isn't this supposed to be a neurological disorder? I don't feel confused. If anything, my mind feels sharper than ever."
Prof. Rhinno smiled. "That's the key difference. N.A.S. isn't like the Neuro-Dissonance Syndrome that's plaguing the world. It's the opposite. While others are losing control of their minds, you're gaining almost supernatural control of yours. I've seen cases of people exhibiting similar abilities—excessive mental acceleration, enhanced cognitive functions."
—
As the conversation unfolded, Sebastian began to realize the implications of what Prof. Rhinno was saying. There was more to this condition than just strange symptoms. It wasn't just his mind accelerating—it was as if his body was on the verge of adapting to this new cognitive reality.
"You're a special case, Sebastian," Prof. Rhinno continued. "You're one of the very few who aren't just surviving this crisis, you're evolving with it."
The neurologist handed him a folder. "This is your new path. You will help us research Cognitive Surge Syndrome and find a solution for those who are suffering from Neuro-Dissonance Syndrome. Your abilities are too important to be left unchecked."
With this newfound knowledge, Sebastian began his journey into a world where his mind wasn't just an ordinary tool—it was the key to survival in a world on the brink of collapse.
—
The morning sun cast a gentle warmth through the windows, filling the modest home with a rare sense of peace and joy. For Tian and her two younger siblings, this day marked the beginning of something new. Their laughter echoed through the half-packed room as they helped their mother organize what little they owned: a few thin mattresses, a pile of clothes, and their one prized possession: a motorbike. Despite their meager belongings, the excitement of moving into a new place radiated through the air. It wasn't just a change of scenery—it was hope. A new apartment, a fresh start, and maybe, just maybe, the beginning of a better life.
But for Sebastian, it was also the beginning of something far more profound. This wasn't just a move for a better life; it was the start of a journey that would change him and the world forever.
The knock at the door interrupted their morning buzz. Mother opened it cautiously, revealing two men in black uniforms, their faces formal but respectful. They spoke of a move, a relocation, and a sense of urgency in the air. The reality of the letter from the night before started to settle in as Sebastian, alongside his family, was swiftly moved to a new apartment. A furnished home, all provided by Sebastian's mysterious new company.
Yet the apartment symbolized more than just a new chapter for the family—it also symbolized separation, a goodbye. Soon, Sebastian would be bound by the responsibilities of his contract.
That evening, after settling into their new home, Mother shared something that would forever change Sebastian's understanding of the world and his place within it. She presented him with a ring, which he placed on his finger. As soon as it touched his skin, an unnatural chill spread through his body. His senses sharpened, his vision clearer, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a golden glow around his mother.
"You're ready, Sebastian," she said firmly. "Now sleep. Let fate answer the questions you haven't yet asked."
He obeyed, and as sleep overtook him, his mind raced.
The next morning, he arrived at the hospital, expecting a simple briefing, but instead, Professor Rhinno himself greeted him. Without much ceremony, the professor led him through a series of back corridors to a secured room for neurotherapy. A half-face helmet sat on a pedestal in the center.
"Put this on, Sebastian."
Hesitant but obedient, Sebastian donned the helmet. As soon as it activated, his mind exploded with vivid memories of the previous night. His conversation with his mother. The ring. The glow. Her words. They replayed like a high-definition movie, one scene blending into the next.
"Stay calm, Sebastian. Focus. What color do you see now?" Prof. Rhinno asked.
Sebastian blinked. "Green, Professor."
The room shimmered with a range of colors as the professor nodded. "That's enough. Remove the device."
Confused and overwhelmed, Sebastian turned to the professor. "What just happened?"
With a cryptic smile, Prof. Rhinno replied, "You're one of the chosen. Some call it indigo children, psychics, or gifted—but I prefer to call it Bio-Evolution."
The professor continued, revealing that Sebastian's senses weren't merely heightened—they were beyond normal limits. All five of his senses were functioning at extraordinary levels. "You're special, Sebastian. Tomorrow, I'll teach you how to use it. Your first lesson begins now."
Days passed, and Sebastian found himself struggling to process the flood of information. He was given tasks, led to specific locations, and guided by Prof. Rhinno to explore his newfound abilities. One task took him to the southern buffer zone of the capital, Depok, where Rhinno had given him a lead on other evolved individuals, though many were unaware of their powers.
As Sebastian pondered how to recognize the "Green Sniper", fate intervened when a strange vision struck him. A battle—right in the middle of an old cemetery, yet no one else seemed to notice. Drawn by some unseen force, Sebastian approached.
An old man stood at the center, his presence commanding but kind. He introduced himself as Sanim, the gravekeeper and head of the Mahesadewa school. "You have a rare aura, boy," he said, leading Sebastian to the center of a duel between two young fighters. Their weapons—glowing sickles and curved rice blades—materialized from their palms, glowing with a fierce, ethereal light.
"Calm down, son," Sanim assured, turning to Sebastian. "It's only training. They are my students."
The intensity of the battle stunned Sebastian. The warriors fought fiercely, their auras creating glowing tigers around them. Yet, as Sanim raised a hand, the fight ceased.
"I brought you here to see if you might join us," Sanim offered.
"I've just started a new job," Sebastian declined politely. "I want to focus on my work."
"Very well," Sanim smiled. "You are always welcome."
Back at his apartment, Sebastian sat quietly, reviewing the task given to him by Prof. Rhinno. The green aura, the vision—who was this person he was meant to find? What was his role in all this?
As he sat there, his mind began to race again. His first lesson was one of vision, but Cognitive Surge Syndrome (C.S.S.) was still evolving within him, opening up new layers of his mind. He was no longer merely a witness to the world's transformation—he was an active part of it. What had begun as a gift had quickly become a responsibility. And the deeper he dove, the more he sensed that there was something much larger, much darker, at work behind the scenes of this Bio-Evolution.
The journey had only just begun, and Sebastian knew that the truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered. But with it, a great danger loomed. The line between friend and foe was blurring, and Sebastian had to decide whether to embrace his powers or let them consume him.