The first rays of dawn had barely touched the Mystic Continent when Neel Jagger's phone began buzzing incessantly.
Notifications flooded in, bright, cheerful, and impossible to ignore. Today was no ordinary day—today marked his fifteenth birthday, a milestone that now carried far more weight than cake, candles, or presents.
The earliest message came from Bella Spark, glowing in bold letters on the screen:
Bella Spark:"Happy Birthday, Neel! Fifteen at last! Heard anything about the news last night? I swear, the world feels… different. Also, you awake yet?"
Neel smiled, rubbing sleep from his silver-white hair as he read her message. Her timing was impeccable, teasing and concerned all at once.
Soon, a flurry of messages from classmates and friends joined the cascade, each with its own quirky personality.
Zade Velton:"Bro! Fifteen! Finally old enough to wake your bloodline! Don't sleep too long, or you'll miss it!"
Others:"Happy Birthday, Neel! Hope the Cosmic System doesn't fry your brain before breakfast."
University Official Announcement (Group Chat):"Attention all students of Mystic Prodigy University: Today marks the beginning of the Bloodline Awakening. In honor of this historic event, all classes and academic activities are suspended. May all eligible students awaken safely and cultivate under optimal conditions."
Neel grinned, swiping through the messages. The university had declared a holiday—an unusual, unprecedented move that perfectly acknowledged the cosmic system activation.
Even in the lighthearted teasing from friends, there was a deep, underlying sense of awe: today, the world was transforming, and he was right at the center of it.
As he scrolled further, he noticed a separate chat with his parents, marked with urgency and warmth.
Mom (Laksha Jagger):"Neel, happy birthday. Today is extraordinary, not because of cake, but because of your awakening. Remember, this is a responsibility. Be careful and focused."
Dad (Subrao Jagger):"Fifteen years old today, and destiny calls. Eat breakfast, rest, and prepare. The world will not wait, and neither can you."
Neel typed back with a grin: "I know, Mom. I know, Dad. Don't worry—I'm ready. Also… thank you."
The messages concluded, but the sense of anticipation had only grown. His birthday felt almost ceremonial, marking the threshold of a new era in his life.
As the day progressed, Neel moved through the motions of breakfast and casual preparations. His parents watched closely, aware that today would not be ordinary.
Their conversation with Neel touched lightly on celebration, but with the undercurrent of caution:
"Fifteen, Neel," Subrao said, his dark eyes reflecting both pride and concern. "You are at the age where your bloodline can awaken. The cosmic system has chosen you, but remember—it is as dangerous as it is powerful. Treat it with respect."
Laksha placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "And your birthday is symbolic, Neel. Not just a day of celebration, but a reminder that you are stepping into a role no ordinary boy would understand. We are proud, but vigilant. You must control your power."
Neel nodded, a determined gleam in his silver eyes. "I understand. Today isn't just my birthday. It's the beginning of everything else."
Upon hearing this, both of his parents smiled slightly.
"We could have gathered a party for your birthday with our relatives and friends if it isn't for the awakening day. But our family must celebrate your birthday. Come on Neel!! Taste this. I have prepared your favourite chocolate cake and pastries with colourful flavours. Have a taste and tell me how it is!"
Laksha jagger said lovingly and put forth the items on platter.
"Sweet!! Excellent Mom!" said while tasting the items on the table at the couch.
After eating, they discussed about the awakening and decided to be on their respective rooms at the time of awakening.
The day wore on, shadows lengthening as evening approached. The countdown to midnight began to dominate every digital interface on the continent—holographic walls, personal wrist devices, news feeds, and broadcast channels—all synchronized to a single universal time.
23:59:10... 23:59:05... 23:59:02... 23:59:01...
Children were ushered indoors by nervous parents, and soldiers lined major strongholds, their formations precise and unwavering. Surveillance drones hovered silently, recording every moment.
The air was tense, charged with expectation.
In the Jagger estate, Neel stood before his bedroom window, watching twin moons align perfectly with Earth's core, their light casting a silver-blue hue across the room.
The alignment was unnatural, ritualistic, as if the cosmos itself were orchestrating this night in observance. He could feel the hum of energy even in the air, subtle vibrations resonating with his pulse.
Downstairs, Subrao and Laksha monitored the energy fluctuations projected by Alliance sensors. Every spike, every ripple, every shift was analyzed in real-time.
They did not speak much; the quiet was almost sacred, a reverence for the unknown events to come.
00:00:00
As the last second fell away, a profound resonance shook the world. A low, vibrating hum coursed through the ground, like the planet itself was awakening.
Light bloomed across every continent, iridescent and unclassifiable. Citizens of all ages—nobles, beggars, children, elders—felt a strange warmth and energy suffuse their bodies.
A blue glyph-like mark appeared on every chest, projecting a holographic status screen:
[Cosmic System Online]
[Initiating Bloodline Resonance Protocol...]
[Scanning genetic blueprint...]
[Compatibility check: Complete]
[Awakening Window Active: 7 Days (Individuals Age 15+)]
Neel's pulse quickened. The glowing screen hovered in the air like a divine manifestation.
[Ding!!]
[Scanning host...]
[Host compatible]
[Age requirement fulfilled]
[Detecting cosmic force]
[Mutated cosmic stone detected]
[Cosmic Force: 30%]
[Primary Cosmic Force Cultivation Technique granted up to Level 50]
Neel's eyes widened. The cosmic system had detected a mutated cosmic stone integrated into his body—one he hadn't knowingly possessed. Immediately, he recalled the asteroid necklace his parents had gifted him as a gift on his 13th birthday, now broken. Somehow, the stone had transformed, merged with him, and begun feeding his innate potential.
With focus and determination, Neel initiated the Primary Cosmic Force Cultivation Technique. Cross-legged, eyes closed, he felt the stone pulse with a resonance that synchronized with the technique.
The energy coursed into him, subtle at first, then overwhelming, cascading through every fiber of his being. Light flickered in his room, a spectrum of cosmic hues reflecting the intensity of his cultivation.
Hours passed. Eight in total. Each second was stretched, each breath purposeful, as he poured himself entirely into the technique. Sweat glistened across his skin, but he persisted. Every fiber, every cell of his being thrummed with energy.
Golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the tall, arched windows of the Jagger estate, brushing across the polished marble floors and spilling over the ornate furniture. Neel Jagger slowly opened his eyes, feeling the warmth of the light on his face.
His morning meditation had ended, and he had checked his status panel one final time before rising.
The holographic screen shimmered faintly above the desk, listing the latest updates:
[Ding!! The host stopped the activation of Primary Cosmic Force Cultivation Technique]
[Ding!! The host increased his Cosmic Force level to 55%]
[Ding!! Update – The host can maximum cultivate the Primary Cosmic Force Cultivation Technique for up to 12 hours per day]
Neel leaned back slightly, blinking in disbelief at the numbers before him. The increase from thirty percent to fifty-five percent in just eight hours of cultivation was unprecedented in his personal experience.
Even after considering the extraordinary nature of the cosmic system, this result seemed almost miraculous.
He scanned the panel's notifications in the top right corner, marked conspicuously with "N," along with smaller icons "SS" and "SCN" in grey.
Every detail mirrored the messages from the previous day, but something new caught his eye: the once-perfect blue necklace, a birthday gift from his parents on his thirteenth birthday, now lay shattered into tiny white crystal fragments.
Neel picked up the shards with care, turning them over in his palm. A faint luminescence glimmered from the crystals, each one pulsing as if alive.
A realization struck him—the comet crystal embedded in the center of the necklace had been actively channeling energy into him throughout the cultivation. This was the primary reason for his remarkable surge in Cosmic Force.
With a mix of excitement and curiosity, he descended to the dining room, where the aroma of freshly roasted bread and butter mingled with the scent of morning vegetables.
At the head of the table sat Subrao Jagger, tall, commanding, and composed as always. To his right, Laksha Jagger radiated quiet warmth, her almond eyes observing Neel with a mixture of pride and curiosity.
"Good morning, Son," Laksha began, her voice calm but carrying a hint of anticipation. "How did the awakening process go yesterday? Was everything proceeding smoothly?"
Neel paused, gathering his thoughts, and finally spoke, his voice steady with the gravity of his revelation. "Yes, Mom. It went very well. After yesterday's cultivation, my Cosmic Force increased from thirty percent to fifty-five percent in just eight hours."