Under the bright sunlight, a young man wearing a casual outfit looked at his phone with a troubled expression.
On the screen, a GPS map marked his current location.
[Leonia City Hall.]
He zoomed out his location, revealing a small region with less than a hundred states, the name plainly etched on the center:
"... Elumia."
Even now, Jin couldn't shake the feeling that he had underestimated the changes in this parallel world.
He had thought the Miras and abilities were the end of all surprises, but this one was just as unbelievable, but in hindsight… it made absolute sense.
He currently lived in a city called Leonia (which he only found out this morning).
Jin pinched his temple, feeling mixed emotions.
Leonia was located in Elumia, a country that had never existed in his previous life.
When the Secret Realms emerged, the landscape and geopolitical situation on Earth changed tremendously.
Back then, some unlucky nations directly faced multiple Secret Realms.
Cities were swallowed whole, and people died like bugs under the onslaught of innumerable monsters.
Nations with bright futures fell overnight, while the lands they once lived on became a breeding ground for monsters.
Only a few nations managed to survive through this era of extinction, and these nations became the current known powers on the planet.
Among these powers were the three great powers: America, Russia, and China.
Led by the Three Great Powers, the surviving nations later on united under a global alliance known as the World Federation.
Under the World Federation's efforts, humanity made a comeback, and went on to establish new settlements on the lands that were previously destroyed by the monsters.
One of such countries was Elumia, a nation formed in the height of humanity's resurgence.
But for Elumia to be created, that…
"Does this mean my country was destroyed?"
Jin muttered out softly, feeling slightly shaken. While he wasn't a patriot by any means, he had grown to appreciate his own motherland despite its flaws.
Hearing it being ravaged by monsters in history, when he was still living on it yesterday, felt surreal.
Shaking his head, he put away his sentiments for the moment.
Thankfully, even though everything had changed, most of the people in his memories were still the same.
Despite how unbelievable it sounded, Jin didn't want to question it for now. He was just happy there was a semblance of familiarity in this unfamiliar place.
"Let's just hurry."
He pursed his lips, entering the City Hall building.
***
In a certain office, Jin looked through the mirror, deep in thought.
A moment later, the door opened, and a tall bronze-skinned man entered the room.
"Mr. Jin, I presume? My name is Dawn Heralds, the assistant director of Mira Nurturing Department."
Upon seeing Jin, a small smile broke out from Dawn's neutral expression.
Reigning in his surprise, Jin bowed his head slightly.
"Hello, Mr. Dawn. I came here to pick my starter Mira."
'Does getting a Mira starter really require the presence of such a big shot…?'
Introducing himself as the "assistant director", clearly, the man in front of him was an important person.
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Dawn put his hands behind his back and smiled.
"Surprised? This is a special case… one might say part of the special privilege granted to you, an ability awakener."
"Then, I'm definitely honored."
Jin's reply was quick, surprising even Dawn.
"Hoho, is that so? Regardless, I've heard about your purpose from my subordinate. Follow me,"
Dawn simply chuckled.
Not wanting to waste each other's time, both of them quickly went outside the office, taking the elevator near the stairs.
Ding!
While waiting inside the elevator, Dawn spoke gently.
"I've heard that you initially delayed your starter grant because of financial difficulties. Why? If I may ask. You are aware that the Department would provide you the money you need for the duration of the observance period, right?"
Jin was taken aback by the question. After some thought, he replied: "Yes, I read about that. But to me… being a Mira Trainer doesn't just need money, but also time and dedication. Even with the Department's allowance, I wouldn't be able to properly train my Mira since I'm busy with part-time jobs."
"You could've used some of the allowance for yourself and quit your part-time jobs," Dawn raised his brows.
Jin paused, looking at Dawn with a strange expression.
'Should the assistant director really be saying that?'
Thinking it would be offensive to voice it outloud, he simply coughed, and added to his answer:
"My grandpa used to tell me this. If I'm going to do something, then I better give my all. I've followed that saying my whole life, and it never failed me."
Dawn was surprised. "The wise come from the old, indeed."
"The wisest one I ever knew,"
Jin couldn't help but nod.
Ding!
At that moment, a ding rang out once more.
As the elevator doors slid open, Dawn nodded.
"To be honest, that's truly respectable."
"Thank you for your praise, director."
Jin smiled slightly.
Pleased by his character, Dawn continued with a smile as they walked: "As you know, our mission and purpose is to provide these newly born or found Miras a new home, where they can find a family,"
"But not everyone is qualified, so official Mira starter grants are only given to the top 100 of the best high school graduates in the city. Despite this, some students tend to be impatient and choose their starters ahead of time despite not having enough foundation to train them,"
"In the end, when these students fail their observance period, the Mira gets returned to our department, developing a negative impression on other trainers due to their experience..."
Dawn paused.
"... The fact that you managed to restrain yourself despite your situation is remarkable. And it became a great decision in the end, as you awakened your ability, giving you more options to choose from."
"I appreciate the praise, sir."
"Mhm. My eyes are never wrong about people. You will be a great trainer, that's what my heart is telling me,"
Dawn grinned, tapping his chest lightly.
"I'll try my best."
Jin gave a wry smile. All the constant praising was just feeding his ego… if Dawn wasn't the assistant director of the department, he would've thought that the man was simply flattering him.
After that, Dawn stopped asking questions and hurried his steps.
Pacing along, Jin looked around, seeing countless researchers going back and forth.
When they saw Dawn, they immediately stopped to greet him before continuing on what they were doing.
The man was certainly a very respectable person.
Besides that, Jin was attracted to all kinds of Mira's roaming around in the floor.
Water, fire, grass, steel…
While following Dawn, he felt like his horizons had been broadened.
There was even a beautiful Nine-tailed fox.
Seeing his awed expression, Dawn smiled, as if expecting it.
"What do you think? Aren't Miras beautiful? All of them are little wonders of nature. As of now, there's 1,026 discovered Miras, including evolution paths, but studies and expedition results suggest that there are many more waiting to be discovered."
"That many?"
Jin couldn't help but let out a low whistle.
Dawn nodded, chuckling slightly.
Soon they arrived in a large laboratory room, where countless Mira eggs were lined up and preserved.
A researcher walked along, holding a large, green scaled egg with both hands.
When Jin laid eyes on the egg, he was stunned.
[Mysterious Egg]
[Species: Serperance…]
[Potential: A-rank]