A boy with a red hair bun and purple eyes wearing a dark-colored half trench coat over a cream turtleneck sat inside a sleek black hovercar gliding smoothly above the road. The car was a hovercraft that could only be described as a blend of luxury and technology.
He gazed at the city, enjoying the morning view. The skyline was filled with technology so advanced it looked like a freshly cut scene from a science fiction movie. Hovercars and towering skyscrapers gleamed under the golden rays of the Sun. This was one of the largest cities on the continent of Deltaheim, located on the planet Vaeltris.
The boy's name was Kaios Grimwold. He was the adopted son of two Tier 7 Awakeners. On a planet where even the Magister's strength peaked at Low Tier 6 Ascender, the couple were considered bigshots. As a result, Kaios had lived a carefree, privileged life.
But today was different. It was transfusion day — the day he would undergo the nano transfusion and shed his mortal skin to become an Awakener.
Every child on Vaeltris received NMT on their seventeenth birthday, either privately or through the government.
Yesterday, Sunday, 19th Feb 2500 PAE, had been Kaios's birthday. He had turned seventeen, and now he had to begin the process within the week without complications.
Kaios turned from the window to the left and met a pair of bright blue eyes. They belonged to a beautiful woman in her late thirties, with bright orange hair and a formal outfit. She was his mother, one of the few Tier 7 Awakeners on the planet, though still in the early realm. She was also head commander of an elite raid group in their family guild, Echo Legion. She was here to take him to the NMT center for his awakening.
Kaios shifted his gaze back to the window and asked, "Mom, what do you think of today's awakening session?"
His mother, Lyra Griswold, smiled gracefully. "Don't worry, honey. Everything is going to be alright. Your awakening will be great and safe."
"What kind of power do you think I'll awaken?" Kaios pressed.
"That will depend on your nano material compatibility," she replied, still smiling. "But don't worry. All abilities are valuable — you just have to use yours efficiently. And remember, you're our son after all."
Kaios glanced at her smug expression and shook his head at her carefree attitude.
The two talked for a while, until the hovercar slowed and stopped near a building. Both stepped out and faced the NMT center.
It was a four-story structure, like something out of an architect's dream. Inside the ground hall, Kaios marveled at the technological grandiose of the facility.
Lyra walked to the reception desk and said, "Could you check the appointment booked under Lyra Griswold?"
"Sure…" the receptionist began, but soon her expression froze. The same look spread across the hall as people recognized who stood before them.
Collecting herself, the woman said, "Ma'am, your appointment is on the second floor, room 120."
Lyra nodded and headed for the escalator with Kaios, ignoring the whispers that followed them.
"Is she really Lyra Grimwold?"
"Yeah, look at her — beautiful and commanding."
"That must be her son."
"Yes, I think they're here for the NMT."
"Damn, an awakening ceremony from that family? This is big…"
As the chatter continued, Lyra and Kaios reached the door of the NMT Operation Room, where Kaios would receive his transfusion. Inside, they were greeted by a man with wavy black hair, glasses, and a lab coat. His name was Dr. Karl, a renowned researcher across the continent for his work on NMT compatibility theories. He had come at Lyra's request to oversee Kaios's procedure.
"Nice to see you again, Lyra," Karl said, extending a hand.
"Same here, Karl," Lyra replied, shaking it.
They chatted briefly, reminiscing about old days and commenting on their hectic schedules. Lyra and Karl had crossed paths many times before through work and business, so they knew each other well.
Karl adjusted his glasses and smirked. "So, how's Dante these days?"
Lyra sighed. "Busy with guild matters, as always. Hardly home."
Dante Griswold — a Peak Stage 9 Awakener, unlike Lyra, who was Early Stage 8, and Guild Master of Echo Legion. He was one of the strongest figures outside the Magisters, with vast authority and influence across Deltaheim.
Kaios rolled his eyes. "Figures. A father too busy to see his son awaken."
Karl chuckled and looked at Kaios. "Well then, let's make sure your awakening is worth his attention."
When the conversation ended, Karl led Kaios to the operation chamber, while Lyra sat in the viewing area behind a one-way glass wall.
Inside, Kaios stared at the cutting-edge equipment. Some of the tubes looked like they belonged in a super-soldier experiment.
Karl caught his expression. "Feeling nervous?"
"A little," Kaios admitted, clenching his fist to steady himself.
Karl patted his back. "That's normal. Becoming an Awakener is no small thing."
"I just didn't think it would feel so… intense," Kaios said.
"You'll be fine. Now get ready, we'll begin," Karl assured him, checking the instruments.
Kaios changed into the lab attire and returned. He stepped toward a large metallic tube.
"Lie down," Karl instructed, as the lid opened with a hiss of gas, momentarily blinding him.
Kaios obeyed, sinking into the device. The lid closed, and a blue liquid rose, submerging him to the neck.
Karl's fingers glided across a holographic panel. "Ready?"
Kaios swallowed, fighting the pounding of his heart. "Yeah."
Outside, Lyra watched, her face unreadable, though her clenched fists betrayed her tension.
In the chamber, Karl initiated the device.
A mechanical voice echoed: [NANO MATERIAL TRANSFUSION INITIATING].
Mechanical arms unfolded, their needles lowering into the blue fluid toward Kaios.
[TRANSFERRING NANO MATERIALS].
A sharp hiss. Cold sting.
Then came — pain.
It was as if his body was plunged into molten lava, burning every corner of his flesh. Millions of ants seemed to tear at his muscles, feasting on him alive.
The agony overloaded his mind, and with a sudden flicker his consciousness slipped away, leaving only—
Darkness.