CHAPTER 1
PRESENT DAY!
A medium sized house stood quietly near the edge of a small town, its structure unremarkable yet clearly lived in.
From within the house, sounds echoed outward, clear signs that people were moving about inside.
The noise was loud enough that it could almost be heard from the street outside.
Inside the living room, a television blared with ongoing news coverage.
The broadcast continued endlessly.
— The war with the Abberants had reached a standstill, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage after years of relentless conflict.
— Recently, it appeared that the Abberants had taken a step back.
— It had been five full years since the last large scale attack struck humanity, an uneasy calm that left many unsettled.
The medium sized television continued to speak as a little girl sat cross legged on the couch, eyes glued to the screen, listening intently to every word.
"Hey, Amy! Are you hard of hearing? Turn down the TV. It's distracting."
The girl heard the voice clearly but chose to ignore it, her gaze locked firmly on the television as if nothing else existed.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway leading into the living room.
Moments later, a young boy stepped into view, walking toward Amy with measured strides.
He looked no older than fifteen.
His frame was lean and wiry, not muscular, yet filled with athletic potential.
He stood around five foot six, deep black hair falling loosely to his shoulder blades.
A few strands of silver streaked through the right side of his hair, standing out sharply against the darker color.
Steel gray eyes fixed themselves on the young girl seated on the couch, who looked no more than six years old.
"...Can't you hear me? You annoying girl."
With a slight frown, Amy finally tilted her head, slowly acknowledging her brother's presence.
"Why are you disturbing my peace, Ray?"
Ray's brow twitched.
"Disturbing your peace? Tsk!" he scoffed loudly.
"It's more like you're disturbing not only the whole house, but the entire neighborhood's peace."
Amy puffed her cheeks and pointed toward the television.
"But I was listening to the news."
Ray tilted his head, glancing at the broadcast still playing across the screen.
For the past week, the same reports had aired repeatedly, hammering home the same warning again and again.
— It seems the Abberants are cooking up something. Five years of relative peace is scary. War is inevitable. All humans need to be prepared else we go…
With a scowl, Ray snatched the remote and shut the television off.
The screen went black instantly.
He turned back toward Amy, who now glared up at him angrily.
"...No one said you can't watch TV. Just remember that other people live in this house too, not only you."
Amy's lips trembled as her eyes grew glossy, tears threatening to spill as she clenched her fists.
"Mum! Brother Ray is bullying me here."
Ray froze.
His mouth fell open in disbelief, shock flashing across his face at the accusation thrown so casually at him.
"Ray…"
A beautiful feminine voice rang out from the kitchen, carrying a clear warning tone.
Moments later, a middle aged woman stepped into the living room, wiping her hands on her apron. Her deep blue eyes landed on Ray as a slight frown formed on her face.
"...Why are you bullying my little girl?"
Ray waved his hands frantically, staring at her in disbelief.
"Me? Bully her? She's clearly framing me, mum."
The woman crossed her arms lightly, gaze still fixed on him.
"But I heard you scolding her a while ago."
"That's because she was blasting the TV so loudly."
She shrugged calmly.
"It's her house too. She can do whatever she wants."
Ray opened his mouth, ready to argue, but no words came out.
He simply stared at his mother, stunned into silence.
Amy stifled a quiet chuckle, sticking her tongue out mockingly at her older brother.
Ray shot her a deadly glare in response, but she remained completely unfazed, clicking her tongue smugly as she leaned back into the couch.
'...Parents and being partial to their youngest children.' Ray scoffed inwardly as he turned and stomped toward the door.
"And where are you headed, young man?"
"...To see Van. It's clear I'm not loved in this house."
Twisting the doorknob, he stepped outside, leaving his mother blinking at the empty space in mild confusion.
After a tired sigh, she turned back and headed into the kitchen, while Amy leapt from the couch and sprinted after her mum with light, quick steps.
***
Outside, Ray leaned his back against the wall, eyes drifting toward the bustling streets ahead.
People moved in and out of the road, heading toward shops, stalls, and various businesses scattered across town.
Voices blended with footsteps, creating a constant hum of activity.
He let out a deep breath and glanced down at his wristwatch.
Contrary to what most people expected, it was not displaying the time.
Instead, a single number glowed clearly.
'4000'
That was the total amount of credits Ray possessed.
Credits served as the world's primary currency, used for purchases, services, and daily living.
This sum had not come from his mother.
He earned it himself through grit and hard work.
There was something he needed to obtain, and he refused to burden his mum with it.
That was why he had taken up menial jobs over the past three years.
Odd jobs here and there, working whenever possible, always getting paid modestly.
All of it hidden beneath the excuse of constantly going to meet Van, his childhood best friend.
Today, he had told the same lie once again.
This time, however, he was not heading toward work.
He was finally ready to get what he had always wanted.
An ability book.
A satisfied grin tugged at his lips as he pushed himself off the wall and started walking away from the house.
A light skip crept into his steps, his heart thumping softly with anticipation as thoughts of purchasing an ability book filled his mind.
Learn it.
Awaken an ability.
Become a meta human.
Then maybe he could secure a decent job, one that paid enough so his sick mother would not have to work overtime just to keep food on the table.
As he moved through the streets, Ray offered occasional greetings to familiar faces.
Each was returned with a smile or a nod.
After all, who did not know the cheerful Ray?
Yet something felt off.
He could not explain why, but a strange tension lingered in the air.
Suddenly, his left eye twitched uncontrollably, forcing him to stop in the middle of the street.
His hand shot up, steadying his eye as his gaze dropped toward the ground.
'Dust? Or is something about to happen?' he wondered silently, shoulders stiffening.
Slowly, he lifted his head and looked around.
The world felt different.
Not unfamiliar, but subtly wrong.
This was the super continent, Alcatraz, the place humanity called home.
Still, something about it unsettled him.
He turned, his eyes landing on the transparent dome arching over massive, reinforced walls that surrounded the city like a protective shell.
Exhaling sharply, he lowered his hand as the twitch gradually faded.
'...I've told mum about this eye thing before, but she says it's probably an allergy and that I shouldn't worry. Then why do I feel so uneasy?'
He glanced back in the direction of his house, hesitation creeping in as the thought of returning crossed his mind.
For a brief moment, he considered it.
Then he shook his head firmly, dismissing the idea.
With a tired sigh, he chose to continue forward, steps slowing as caution settled in his movements when—
"...Ohoy~ Ray, where are you rushing off to? And why are you skipping like an excited young girl going to see her crush?"
An eager, calm, almost girlish voice called out, causing Ray to halt mid step.
He turned around.
Standing before him was a boy around his age, wearing a familiar grin.
"Van."