Chapter 1 – The Day of Awakening
The morning in Neon City was as hazy as ever. Like other big cities, it had plenty of shine—but none of it was natural. Neon lights, energy towers, and massive digital billboards were everywhere.
Day or night, Neon City was never truly dark.
When Shiven opened his window today, the air felt… different.
He had just turned 16.
In Neon City, turning 16 wasn't just a birthday.
It meant one thing — Awakening Day.
On this day, both boys and girls underwent the Bond Test. This test determined whether their Soul Mark had activated, and whether they had the potential to form a bond in the future.
The house Shiven lived in wasn't his real home, but it had been his whole world since childhood.
It was called — the Roy Family.
Three people lived there: Shiven, Mira Roy, who was 17, and her mother, Devika Roy.
Devika Roy was an ordinary office worker. She worked at Neon City's Data Office.
Every morning, she left early and returned in the evening, exhausted—but still managed all the household responsibilities.
Mira Roy was one year older than Shiven.
She was beautiful, confident, and always teasing him.
Her Bond Test had taken place last year.
Her mark had activated, but she still hadn't found a bond partner.
That wasn't unusual in Neon City—but people definitely joked about it.
"Shiven! Are you awake, or are you going to miss your test today too?"
Mira's voice echoed upstairs.
Shiven opened the door.
"If I miss it, you'll be happy, won't you?"
Mira smiled.
"Yeah, then you'll spend your whole life doing chores for the Roy Family."
Downstairs, Devika quickly served breakfast.
"I have to go to the office, and you have your test too—hurry up," she said.
Shiven sat down.
"Do girls have the test today too?" he asked.
Mira rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, it happens every year. Mine was last year. My mark appeared… but I still don't have a bond."
Shiven looked at her.
"Does it stress you out?"
Mira shrugged.
"A little. But everyone gets one… sooner or later."
Devika glanced at Shiven's hand.
For a moment, her gaze froze.
That faint mark on his wrist—the one that had been appearing and disappearing for the past few days—was visible again.
Shiven quickly pulled his hand back.
Devika said nothing, only spoke softly—
"Focus on the test. Whatever the result is… accept it."
Shiven nodded, but inside, he felt uneasy.
The training hall was located in the center of Neon City.
Today, both boys and girls were gathered there.
Everyone was about to take their Awakening Test.
Kiro was already there.
"You made it," Kiro said.
"You look ready," Shiven replied.
"Not ready… just hopeful," Kiro laughed.
In the center of the hall stood a massive stone pillar — the Soul Stone.
Each person would touch it, and if they possessed bond energy, their mark would activate.
The line moved slowly.
A girl stepped forward.
The stone glowed.
A faint mark appeared on her hand.
"Awakened."
Another girl went.
Nothing happened.
"Normal."
Then it was Kiro's turn.
He touched the stone…
Paused for a few seconds…
Then a blue mark lit up on his hand.
"Yes!" Kiro shouted.
Shiven smiled.
Now it was his turn.
"Next… Shiven."
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Shiven stepped forward.
He looked at the Soul Stone.
For some reason, it felt like the stone… recognized him.
He extended his hand.
The moment he touched it…
Nothing happened at first.
Then the stone's color began to change.
Not blue.
Not red.
Black.
The entire hall turned cold.
A sharp burning sensation shot through Shiven's hand.
One mark appeared.
Then another.
Then a third.
It felt like a voice was echoing inside his mind—
Bond… unlocked… Limit… broken…
Shiven dropped to his knees.
A guard shouted—
"Step back!"
The stone returned to normal.
Silence filled the hall.
An officer stepped forward.
He looked at Shiven's hand.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then he spoke—
"Record it… Low level."
Shiven was stunned.
He looked at his hand.
All the marks were gone.
As if nothing had happened.
After the test, when Shiven returned home, Mira was standing at the door.
"So? The result?" she asked.
Shiven shrugged.
"Low level."
Mira laughed.
"That's good. At least it's safe."
Inside, Devika stood quietly.
It seemed she had just returned from work.
"Did everything go well?" she asked.
Shiven replied,
"Yeah… everything was normal."
Shiven went to his room.
Closed the door.
Looked at his hand.
The mark on his wrist glowed again…
This time with three distinct lines.
Shiven whispered—
"This… is not normal…"