That night, as he packed, his phone rang.
An unknown number was calling. Varen frowned. Normally, he would hang up, but considering he had just registered, it was normal for his information to leak.
He answered anyway. "Hello?"
"Varen Locke?" an older voice asked.
"Yes."
"My name is Elias Merrow," the man said. "I worked with your father long ago. Ronan Locke."
Varen stiffened. "My father?"
"I work in the logistics department at the SILVERHAVEN Awakened Council Branch," Elias continued. "I noticed the family name Locke. I was pretty shocked. Ronan never told me about anyone awakening in your family. I double-checked and verified it. You're indeed his son, so I called to check on you."
Varen didn't reply.
"You shouldn't rush decisions," Elias said carefully. "New Awakeners without backing are vulnerable. Some offers aren't what they seem. You wouldn't want to end up a test subject, would you? Ha ha."
"What are you saying?" Varen asked.
"I'm offering an alternative path," Elias replied. "I have contacts in the capital. I can secure an entrance exam spot in the top academy there."
"Y-you mean… that academy?" Varen's voice slipped in surprise.
"Yes. But this isn't the best time to talk. Meet me tomorrow at the Council Branch. We'll discuss it safely."
"…Fine. See you tomorrow."
Varen said little after that, reining in his excitement while increasing his vigilance. It could be a reverse psychology tactic, a trap meant to lure him in. Still, he wasn't overly worried. Tomorrow, he would find out the truth one way or another.
..
They met the next day at the AURELION AWAKENED COUNCIL, SILVERHAVEN BRANCH.
Elias was an old, gray-haired man. His eyes were sharp, carrying the presence of someone experienced. As Varen approached the entrance, Elias spotted him immediately and pulled him into a tight hug.
The man was tall. Taller than Varen. His shoulders were broad enough to look imposing. He didn't resemble a logistics worker at all.
Instantly, Varen's vigilance rose.
His perception warned him.
This person was not normal.
The mystic energy inside Elias was immense, concentrated in every muscle.
"Don't worry, kid," Elias said, stepping back. "I wouldn't dare cause trouble here. Come."
He turned and led Varen toward an open garden with public chairs, deliberately choosing an open space. He sat down and beckoned him.
"Come here, little Varen."
Varen stared at him. The energy he sensed was staggering.
"Oh?" Elias chuckled. "You can sense it already? Hold on."
A moment later, the pressure vanished.
All that energy disappeared from Varen's perception.
"Better?"
"Y-yeah," Varen said. "How did you do that?"
"You look like him," Elias said softly. "Your father."
"I know," Varen replied. "But answer me. How did you hide it?"
"Ha ha ha. Just a small trick. You can learn much more if you enroll in a good academy."
"Really?"
"Yep. So what do you think? Want to learn some real stuff?"
"I can help you enroll in the REGULUS POWER INSTITUTE," Elias said finally. "But you'll need to pass the entrance exam in three months. That's on you."
Varen stared at him. "That's… the top academy."
"Yes. Located in ASTRAEUS, capital of SILVERHAVEN."
"Why help me?"
Elias smiled faintly. "Because your parents would've done the same."
Varen frowned. "Then why now, and not sooner?"
"Let's just say it was for your own good," Elias replied. "Before, you weren't awakened. You lived quietly. If some of my… unsavory friends had noticed you back then, they might've ruined your life despite me."
"Then why—"
Varen stopped.
He already knew the answer.
He had awakened. With or without Elias, his life was now exposed.
He was lucky someone was watching over him. Otherwise, he might have disappeared under the guise of a job opportunity.
Varen and Elias talked for hours. About his parents. About the past. About his future. For the first time in years, Varen laughed.
When they parted, they exchanged contacts and agreed to meet again in three months, in the capital.
..
Three months later, Varen arrived at the edge of the sea.
LUMENHARBOR's ocean mist clung to the air as he stepped onto TIDEWARD TERMINAL, the largest offshore station in the country. The structure rose from the water like an immovable beast. Wide platforms of dark alloy rested on colossal pylons driven deep into the seabed. Waves rolled beneath transparent walkways, runic lines glowing faintly to stabilize the water.
The terminal belonged to NERTHIS TRANSIT CONSORTIUM, a name synonymous with absolute reliability.
Varen paused by the railing as the train approached.
It didn't ride tracks in the traditional sense. A reinforced pathway unfolded across the ocean's surface, solidifying beneath the train as it advanced. Plates of condensed energy locked into place, supported by awakened constructs hidden beneath the waves. The sea itself was forced into submission.
This was the Awakening Era.
Humans weren't the only ones who changed. Animals mutated. Some gained intelligence. Others became territorial horrors. Alongside them appeared miraculous materials infused with mystic energy.
Those discoveries reshaped technology.
That was why the train was armored like a moving fortress.
Layered alloy walls. Energy-absorption plating. Enchanted steel etched with containment arrays. Built to withstand claws, fangs, corrosive fluids, and hostile abilities. Awakened patrols stood along the platform, uniforms glowing faintly. The emblem of the ORDER OF CONTINENTAL DEFENSE rested on their shoulders.
Varen looked away.
He remembered the man who had delivered the news of his parents' deaths.
The train docked, and Varen boarded. Inside, the carriage was quieter than expected. The seats were molded from shock-dampening material. Transparent panels offered a filtered view of the ocean, layers of runes flickering softly whenever pressure or energy spiked outside.
Varen took a window seat. A few passengers were already inside.
Someone dropped into the seat beside him.
"Hi."
Varen turned to look.
The girl couldn't have been more than fifteen. Short brown hair tied messily behind her head. Bright green eyes that refused to stay still.
"I'm Lyra Kehl," she said. "First time on a Nerthis sea-line. Isn't this amazing? I heard the pressure seals alone cost more than an entire city district."
Varen nodded once. Noncommittal.
She didn't take the hint.
"I'm heading to ASTRAEUS. To Regulus Power Institute, obviously. You too, right? You look like my type ..." She winked boldly.
He glanced at her again, more carefully.
Mystic energy clung to her, slightly denser than his own.
She must have a strong ability, he thought.
"Yes," he said finally.
Lyra smiled wider. "Knew it."
More energy didn't always mean a better ability, but physically, she was likely stronger than him. Whether she'd win in a fight depended on what her ability was.
She had awakened at fifteen. Early, but not rare.
Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous of this chatterbox, Varen thought.
Her parents were both awakeners, working for the ACADEMY ALLIANCE BOARD as Artifact and Material Specialists.
"If you ever need enhanced gear," Lyra said proudly, "come find me. I'll give you a discount since we're from the same city."
Her goal was to study artifact research and follow in her parents' footsteps.
A goal, huh.
I wonder what I should strive for after graduation.
Varen turned toward the window. The ocean blurred into streaks of blue and silver as the train accelerated.
Lyra's chatter filled the carriage. Somehow, it eased the ache of leaving LUMENHARBOR behind. The city of his first eighteen years faded beyond the horizon.
ASTRAEUS PRIME awaited.
REGULUS POWER INSTITUTE… here I come.