Chapter 3 - The History Of Our World
In the silent room, a young man could be seen praying before an altar. The incense on the altar seemed to have been relighted, and 4 photos could be seen on it.
In one of the photos, a middle-aged man could be seen; he had short black hair that was messy in a stylish way, his dark brown eyes had a gentle kindness in them, and he was the type of person you felt you could rely on no matter what. He could be seen in a park, watching 2 little kids run about there.
In the second photo was a woman, her looks was otherwordly, her straight purple hair went down her back like a waterfall, it looked almost reflective. And her fierce, sharp purple eyes made one feel like prey before a predator. Like one's soul has been seen through entirely. She was staring down at a young boy who looked guilty, and next to them was a broken vase.
In the third photo, was 2 people this time. On the left side sat an old man, who had short grey hair and glasses on top of his nose, and he had a stiff look on his face. He radiated sterness but also subtle care. On his right side sat an equally old woman; her grey hair was tied in a bun, and she had a completely different vibe compared to the old man. She seemed extremely kind and calm, her small smile could melt anyone's heart, and could turn even the most angry person into a kind scholar.
The fourth photo was different; instead of an adult, there was a child, a young girl who looked no older than 10, who was there. Her look was no different from the young man who was praying. Jet black hair and amethyst eyes that seemed to glow. She stood in a garden full of flowers. She wore a white summer dress and a sunhat on her head. Her face held a wide smile; it still held the innocence of youth, and she seemed like a beautiful butterfly among the flowers.
"And right after that, Kai somehow managed to spill an entire milk carton on Mrs.Sullivan." Jinwoo was on his knees before the altar, recollecting the events that had happened today. It was sort of a ritual to always tell his family what happened that day and not hold anything back. Was it useless? Perhaps, but for him it meant everything.
Jinwoo kept talking and talking until the end of the school day came. He paused his storytelling, collecting himself before continuing. "Honestly, I'm kinda worried. I know explorers die en masse, but i cant help it. I need to become an explorer no matter what." He sighed before giving a helpless smile.
"If only you guys were here, Mother would slap some sense into me. For choosing to do something so stupid. While father would try to talk me out of it." He chuckled bitterly before standing up.
"I'll come visit you guys tomorrow before I head off, goodnight everyone." He said with a voice filled with warmth. Before turning around and heading out of the Altar room and walked across the living room to enter his bedroom. The room was not big, but it was not small either. At the far back wall was his bed, with a small nightstand to the left of it. To the right wall was a window, and right under it was his desk, where he studied most of the time. And to the left was his cupboard, with a small amount of clothing in it since he never saw a point in dressing fashionably anyway.
Jinwoo discarded his blazer on the floor before plopping onto the bed. He lay on his back staring up at his ceiling. His thoughts are unknown to anyone but him. A whole minute passed by like this before he sighed deeply and closed his eyes.
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Today was a good day. The sky was blue, and no clouds were in sight; the sun shone with a beaming light. It was as if the sun itself was enjoying this day.
The plaza was filled with people of varying ages, from toddlers sitting in their parents' laps to elder citizen in their twilight years conversing softly with one another. The stands were filled with people alike, leaving the middle open were a altar was. Ontop of the altar sat a small crystal ball, gleaming in the sunlight.
"When are they gonna start!?!"
In the corner of the stands sat 2 young men together. The green-haired man was clearly excited, from the way he was practically bouncing out of his seat. He wore a green-white letter jacket, his slightly ripped jeans were grey in color, and his green sneakers had seen better days.
"Calm down, you chipmunk. They are going to start any minute now."
The other young man, with a lazy black wolfcut that went to his shoulders, was the exact opposite. He wore a black t-shirt with an equally black jacket over it. His black cargo pants and black sneakers fit well with his style. Both of them were quite the curious sight. One was like a mouse on adrenaline, the other dressed like a funeral worker.
Curious sight indeed.
The chatter around the plaza lasted a while before a massive airstorm hit the middle of the plaza. Everyone was caught off guard, shielding their eyes. But curious enough, the air never reached them, and it dissipated as suddenly as it appeared.
But this time, the middle was not empty.
There in the middle of the plaza, on a small stage before the crystal ball. Standing a handsome middle-aged man dressed impeccably. He wore a crisp suit, and his brown hair was slicked back. The man stood there for a minute, letting the surprise of everyone calm down before speaking in a calm, even tone.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, Im michael Smith, and I have been chosen to be the overseer of this year's awakening ceremony." His voice was low, but it reached everyone present.
"Before we begin, we will explain how the procedure works for those who don't know how this ceremony takes place." His words were not needed, since basically everyone knew, but it was a rule that had been established since the first explorers founded the explorer association.
"You will be called by name, and you will come forward and put your hands on this orb." He gestured towards the crystal on the small altar. "Usually, when you're too young or too old, the crystal will not react, thus being utterly harmless to civilians." He didn't let those words sink in before continuing, his eyes scanning the youth that sat before him.
"But for those who are eligible to take this, those who are at the age of 18. The crystal will react. And when it connects with you, you will be connected to the {Akashic Records}, thus granting you a talent."
"Our grading of a talent's rank is similar to the way the Records does, ranging from the Lowest to the highest, we know F-SSS."
Everyone present more or less knew what the Akashic Records were when our world was first subjugated to the gates, portals that cross from one world to another. We were lost, monsters poured out of the gates like a flood, and humanity's weapons back then had no way of hurting the supernatural monsters back then. Around 80% of humanity was wiped out, and everyone almost gave up hope before the first explorer rose, becoming a shining light for those falling into the darkness. As he rose, multiple others did everywhere and became a last bastion for humanity.
Those who were chosen by the Akashic records were a step above being human. They could flatten buildings with one sweep, jump over mountains, or even wield supernatural powers themselves! And when asked how they achieved it, they told tales of them almost dying, or escaping with their lives before being chosen by a mystic entity called The Akashic Records, gifting them their powers. And with strength, humanity of the Blue Star fought back, eradicating most monsters on some continents, though some fell. They founded the Explorers Association for people like them, and after the discovery of the crystal, more and more people awakened, joining the Association.
With humanity's strength on the rise, they started even challenging gates, and those who succeeded brought back items beyond our comprehension, Further pushing humanity forward, making it into the world it is today.
Mr. Smith finished his speech before coughing slightly into his hand. "I will not bore you with details any longer. Now, let the awakening ceremony start!"