The Espers Association registration area was a study in efficient bureaucracy mixed with subtle displays of power. Twenty shelves expanded across the big hall, each occupied by well dressed employees whose demeanor couldn't cover the regular flash of energy that also marked them as Awakeners. Above each station, scanners buzz with loud frequencies that made Michael's teeth ache—technology created to read Mark of Origin signatures, to record and monitor every Esper in the Federation environment.
*Big Brother is watching,* Michael thought grimly, the reference lost on everyone in this world but understood perfectly by his transmigrated consciousness.
The line moved with surprising speed despite the thorough processing. Michael watched other Awakeners step up to their assigned counters, place their hands on glowing scanner plates, answer questions, and walk away looking dazed or excited depending on what they'd learned about their benefits packages.
"Next," a tired-looking clerk called from Counter Twelve.
Michael took a step forward, his hands were a little bit sweaty even after trying to stay calm . The clerk was a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and gray hair. Her nameplate read "Administrator Chen - Level 42 Scout."
Level 42. Still higher than Michael would probably reach for years, yet she worked a desk job. The power scaling in this world was dizzying.
"Palm on the scanner, please," Chen said, looking into a crystalline plate placed on her counter.
Michael obeyed, feeling a tickling sensation immediately his hand came in contact. The crystal vibrated with dark light—shadows circling inside it in response to his class affinity. Data began rolling down across holographic displays visible only to Administrator Chen, her eyes flashing back and forth as she read.
"Michael Norman, age eighteen, Shadow Summoner class, Rare grade," she recited mechanically. "Mark of Origin type: Gift classification. Initial level one, human race baseline with standard stat allocation plus class bonuses."
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied something on her private display. "Interesting. Your Mark shows a sub-classification I haven't seen before. Shadow Dominion variant?"
Michael's heart rate spiked. Could she see the system? The Infinite Shadow Extraction talent?
"I don't know what it means," he said , which was at least a bit true.
"Hmm." Chen made a notation. "It's likely just a unique designation for your specific summoner variant. Marks of Origin sometimes develop personalized aspects based on the user's class and potential. Nothing to worry about."
The tension in Michael's shoulders eased slightly. So the scanners could detect his Mark was unusual, but not the full extent of what the system provided. That was both relieving and concerning—it meant he had secrets the Federation couldn't easily access, but it also meant those secrets could potentially be discovered through other means.
"Now then," Chen continued, her fingers dancing across holographic interfaces with practiced efficiency, "as a registered Esper, you are entitled to certain benefits and subject to specific obligations under Federation law. First, the benefits."
She pulled up a new display, rotating it so Michael could see.
"Monthly stipend: fifteen thousand credits, conditional on maintaining adequate progression rates and attending mandatory training. Failure to level up within designated timeframes or poor performance evaluations will result in stipend reduction or suspension."
Michael's eyes widened. Fifteen thousand worth of credits. *Per month*. The original owner's memories supplied context—that was more than Mia made in three months of brutal work across multiple jobs. That was... that was life-changing money.
"Additionally," Chen went on, seemingly unaware of Michael's internal shock, "you receive access to the Espers Association online platform, which includes forums, marketplaces, mission boards, and educational resources restricted to registered Awakeners. Your academy will provide login credentials."
She tapped another interface. "You also receive one grade development technique for your class type, one basic combat technique, and a starter instrument voucher worth five thousand credits redeemable at Association-approved vendors."
Michael tried to keep a normal facial expression, but his heart was racing. This was incredible. This was beyond anything he'd hoped for when he'd first awakened. The Federation's investment in Espers was staggering.
"Now, the obligations," Chen's tone became notably more serious. "As a registered Esper, you are subject to Federation oversight and monitoring. Your Mark of Origin is now linked to the central database. Your location can be tracked within Federation territories. Unapproved travel outside appointed zones is forbidden and punishable by the law."
She looked at him in a serious way. "You are obligated to report all major class developments, skill acquisitions, and level milestones to the Association within seventy-two hours. Inability to do so means a violation of your registration agreement. You are banned from engaging in criminal activities, with penalties based on severity—Espers who commit serious crimes face Mark suppression or revocation."
Mark revocation. Michael suppressed a shudder. Having your class stripped away, reverting to a normal human after tasting power—that would be a fate worse than death for many.
"Upon completing your academy education," Chen continued, "you will enter mandatory Federation service for a minimum of five years, with service assignments determined by your class, level, and demonstrated aptitudes. Refusal of service assignments results in benefit suspension and potential criminal charges."
She paused, seeing if he was paying attention. "Do you understand and accept these terms?"
"I understand and accept," Michael said, keeping his voice calm and composed . What choice did he have? These weren't negotiable terms—they were the price to pay for the survival of this cruel world.
"Excellent." Chen's demeanor softened marginally. "Now, I need to set up your financial account for stipend deposits. Do you have existing banking credentials, or do you require a new Federation-backed account?"
"I have a basic account," Michael said, pulling out his academy identification card which doubled as a financial access card for lower-district residents. The balance on it was probably less than a hundred credits—barely enough for a week's food.
Chen scanned the card, linked it to his new Esper profile, and nodded. "Account linked. Your first stipend payment will be deposited within twenty-four hours. Subsequent payments occur on the first of each month, provided you meet minimum requirements."
She handed him a small crystalline chip. "This contains your digital credentials for the Espers Association platform. Insert it into any academy terminal to access restricted resources. Do not lose it—replacement fees are substantial."
Michael carefully pocketed the chip, treating it like the treasure it was.
"One final item," Chen said, pulling up what looked like a lengthy document. "Your cultivation and combat techniques. Given your Shadow Summoner class, I'm assigning you 'Midnight Breathing Method' for cultivation and 'Phantom Step Combat Technique' for physical training. Both are standard-grade but well-suited to your class type."
Two more crystalline chips appeared from a dispensing slot in her desk. She handed them over with slightly more care than the credential chip.
"The techniques are encoded," she explained. "Your Mark of Origin will automatically decode them when you attempt to study. They cannot be copied or transferred, trying to do so will corrupt the data and indicate your account for inspection."
"Understood," Michael said, adding these chips to his growing collection of priceless items.
Chen typed a few final notes, then looked up with something approaching warmth in her expression. "Congratulations, Mr. Norman. You are now officially registered as an Esper in the Federation database. Welcome to a very exclusive club."
She actually gave a real smile, not the professional face she gave all through the procedures . "I know Shadow Summoner has a history for being difficult, but I've seen a few succeed over the years. If you're smart and careful, you'll succeed. The class awards intelligence, and the fact that you're in the Super Class implies that someone sees potential in you."
The unexpected encouragement made Michael's throat tighten. "Thank you. I won't waste this opportunity."
"See that you don't." Chen waved him away. "Next!"
Michael stepped aside, his hands full of crystalline data chips and his mind full of possibilities. He moved toward the designated waiting area where other processed Awakeners gathered, but his attention was drawn to his academy device as it chimed.
Looking down at the screen, Michael's breath caught.
**ACCOUNT DEPOSIT: +15,000 Ç**
**NEW BALANCE: 15,087 Ç**
They deposited the stipend immediately. Not in twenty-four hours—*now*. As if the Federation wanted them to know how much their lives had changed, to feel the weight of financial security for the first time.
Michael gazed at the number, his eyes became blurry slightly. Fifteen thousand worth of credits. More money than the original Michael Norman had ever seen in one place. More than enough to transform Mia's life, to move them out of the lower districts, to stop worrying about rent and food and basic survival.
"Is it not impressive?"
Michael raised his head up to find Lilian Stone beside him, with a smile on her face. She gestured to her own device. "I just checked mine too. I can't believe this is happening ."
"It's..." Michael didn't know what exactly to say. "It's incredible."
"My parents have been factory workers their whole lives," Lilian said silently, her eyes distant. "They've never seen this much money either. I'm going to send them half of it. Let them go on a vacation, maybe repair the climate control in our apartment that's been spoilt for three years."
Michael nodded, understanding completely. "My guardian raised me alone, and she worked in three places. I'm going to—" He stopped, emotion overflowing to his words. "I'm going to make sure she doesn't work like that again."
Lilian's smile became genuine. "We're lucky, you know. Even more lucky than we deserve. All those people who failed today—they were just as deserving, just as desperate. We just happened to have met the right requirement and potential."
"Survivor's guilt?" Michael asked.
"Maybe." She said. "Or just awareness that this whole thing could have gone differently. That we need to make the most of this opportunity because many others didn't get one."
Before Michael could respond, Instructor Kane's voice echoed across the area. "All processed Awakeners, gather up! We're moving to Super Class dormitory assignments next. Stay together and keep up!"
The group of twenty special candidates—the ones Principal Bill had personally addressed—formed up quickly. Michael noticed Carlos Ben near the front, already chatting confidently with a couple of other Awakeners who seemed drawn to his natural charisma. The Blazing Serpent user carried himself like nobility, like someone who'd always expected to succeed.
*Different worlds,* Michael thought. *He probably never knew real poverty, never understood what it meant to go hungry. This stipend is probably a pocket change to him.*
They were led through another series of corridors, these ones clearly marked for Super Class access only. The architecture continued to improve—richer materials, better lighting, automated climate control that actually worked. They passed training halls where Michael glimpsed advanced equipment: combat simulators, cultivation chambers, even what looked like miniature dungeon environments for controlled practice.
"The Super Class facility," Kane explained as they walked, "houses approximately two hundred students across four year levels. First years like yourselves occupy the East Wing. As you grow and prove yourselves worthy, you will gain access to better accommodations and resources."
They approached a large area that wouldn't have looked out of place in a luxury hotel. Comfortable seating placements, high-quality holographic displays, even a small cafeteria section where fresh food was being served rather than the nutrient paste in lower-district areas.
"Your assignments are individual rooms rather than shared barracks," Kane continued, generating envious whispers from students who'd spent the last months in an overpopulated academy housing. "Each room includes a personal terminal with Espers Association platform access, basic training instrument, and a cultivation mat."
He began calling out names and room numbers. Michael patiently waited , checking his new classmates. Most seemed to come from middle-district families—not wealthy by any means, but more stable than lower-district . A few, like Carlos, clearly had money and connections. Only a handful, like himself and apparently Lilian, bore the telltale signs of real hardship: too-thin frames, worn-out academy uniforms, that particular wariness that came from never quite having enough.
"Michael Norman, Room 347," Kane called out.
Michael collected the key card—a physical card rather than just a digital code, another small luxury—and followed the corridor markers to the East Wing elevator. His room was on the third floor, in a corner that offered privacy.
The door opens with a soft hiss, showing a space that made Michael catch his breath .
It wasn't all big, but compared to the congested lower-district apartment he'd shared with Mia, it was spacious. A real bed with actual bed covers. A desk with an integrated terminal. A small bathroom with a shower. A corner with a mat and lighting created for cultivation purposes.
*This is mine,* Michael thought, still unable to fully process it. *All mine. No sharing, no overcrowding, no broken fixtures or faulty climate control.*
He set down his data chips on the desk and sat on the chair, his legs suddenly tired . The events of the day hit him all of a sudden —the awakening ceremony, the failures he'd seen, his own success, the meeting with Principal Bill, the registration, the monthly stipend, and now this room.
His new life was beginning. Really, truly beginning.
Michael brought out his device and opened a new message to Mia. His fingers were all over the keyboard for a while before he started typing:
*"Mia, I just finished registration. They deposited my stipend immediately—15,000 credits. I'm transferring you 5,000 right now. Use it for rent, food, whatever you need. Get something nice for yourself too. You've earned it after everything you've sacrificed for me.*
*I'm in the Super Class now. I have my own room, my own training resources, everything I need to succeed. The principal even said he'd personally advise me on developing my class.*
*I'm going to make you proud. I'm going to make all of this worth it.*
*I promise.*
*I love you."*
He hit send before he could second-guess himself, then immediately initiated a credit transfer for five thousand. The balance dropping from 15,087 to 10,087 should have hurt, but instead it felt right. Mia had given him everything. Five thousand credits was the least he could offer in return.
Michael leaned back in his chair and finally allowed himself to pull up the system interface fully, studying it properly for the first time since awakening.
His new life was just beginning.
And tomorrow, he would start learning exactly what it meant to be a Shadow Summoner.