The void.
"The origin of time and space is never meant to be here," the first said. His gaze traced the emptiness, as if searching for something.
"It might be stored in #$#$#$s items, after his death, it should've drifted here later " the second replied. He paused, jaw tightening. "But the items are gone. Which means some lucky guy benefited—without even realizing what they touched."
"Lucky guyS ,I am certain that its two people"
"Divided huh? " The second's tone shifted—subtle. "Did each part fuse with a different person? sigh, atleast it got divided, if a single person got both I cant even imagine what KA he'll awaken. Fuck, after all our time got wasted, only to find items gone ,is there any way to track them then??"
"No," the first answered without hesitation. "Most likely, two different people died, and their souls fused with different origin items ."He paused, considering another possibility. "Or the items latched onto their souls through coincidence. Either way, once fusion occurred, their traces are erased."
"So unless they die again," the second muttered.
"Or unless I inspect them closely unknowingly," the first finished. "They may not be found."
Silence settled.
"…A dead end," the second said.
"For now," the first replied.
....
Zhang Family.
Awakening Hall.
"Ka are born from people, "The instructor's voice echoed through the Awakening Hall, calm and firm, carrying easily across the stone floor.
Dozens of fifteen-year-olds stood in neat lines, branch and main family members alike. No separation could be seen. In the Zhang family, blood distance decided only inheritance—not people's dignity, at least on the surface .
The instructor Zhang Qian continued. "Or more accurately, awakened from within you. At the age of fifteen, your body and soul finally stabilize enough to withstand that process. Then with the help of the awakening stone you can awaken your nascent spaces and your own ka "
He turned slightly, gesturing toward the translucent pillar at the center of the hall.
"Some of you may awaken a weak Ka. Some will awaken rare ones. " His gaze hardened. "That will not determine your worth or potential ."A faint murmur ran through the crowd.
"The Zhang family governs the southwestern region not because of talent," the instructor said, voice steady, "but because of discipline and continuity, All the family members are trained, protected, and rewarded according to contribution. Awakening is just a beginning—It doesn't decide your worth, so don't make any trouble even if you awaken a week ka. "He tried encouraging them.
A boy near the front shifted—Zhang Minghao, a main-family descendant, not usually seen by others as he is mostly known because of his background. Beside him stood Zhang Rui, a branch-family prodigy whose eyes burned with barely concealed hunger for strength.
"At fifteen," Zhang Qian said, gesturing toward the translucent pillar behind him, "your soul stabilizes enough to awaken. That is why awakening happens now—not earlier or later."
From the branch-family line, Zhang Tianwen listened quietly.
He stood slightly behind his friend or brother, Zhang Yan.
Zhang tianwen listened calmly without reacting.
Fifteen years.
That was how long he had lived in this world.
His parents in this life had died when he was two years old. The family hadn't abandoned him—they had placed him where branch children belonged. A small house near the outer compound.
That was where he had grown up.
He shared that house with another boy, Zhang Yan ,a roommate assigned by the family because they are of same age. Over time they grew a lot closer almost like a family calling each other brothers. He didn't dislike the boy and even somewhat accepted him as a family by now. As for the reason, maybe because he saw him from a young age, or simply because he did not have anyone else in the clan who he can trust ,Zhang Yan is the only one he trusted in the whole family till now.
"Ka reflect what you are," Zhang Qian went on. "Not what you wanted them to be. So just because you want something it will not happen, don't cause any trouble if you don't get whatever ka you want. "
A soft scoff came from Zhang Rui. Lin Yue, standing nearby, shot him a sideways glance. "shut up, don't cause any trouble here"
Zhang Rui didn't reply.
Zhang Tianwen noted the exchange and dismissed it.
His life for the past fifteen years had been totally uneventful.
Exercise .Train. Read.
He is waiting for this event which decides his future path for a long time, so for now he patiently listened to the instructor without any further thoughts.
"When your name is called, step forward. Place your hand on the Pillar and complete the awakening silently. "
Names began to echo through the Awakening Hall.
One by one, youths stepped forward when called, placed a hand on the Pillar, stood still for a few breaths, then stepped back into line. Most awakenings passed quietly, acknowledged only by the instructor's brief nod before he called the next name.
Zhang Tianwen watched closely.
Some returned with faint changes—slightly steadier breathing, a subtle change in posture. Others looked exactly the same as before. Awakening was a private matter. Ka were not announced ,at least not to everyone. After the awakening everyone has to list their ka, name and ability with the family. Based on one's ka they are assigned to different divisions, mastering either of single combat, strategic combat, group combat or even logistics and only after learning for a year they are further assigned to different areas.
"Zhang Minghao."
The main-family youth stepped forward. He placed his palm against the Pillar, eyes closed, expression neutral. A few moments later, he stepped back, expression unchanged on the surface.
Zhang Qian made a small mark on the register.
Next
"Zhang Rui."
The branch-family prodigy walked forward with barely contained impatience. He lingered a second longer than necessary, jaw tight, before stepping away.
Lin Yue was called soon after. Her process was also the same, quiet to the point of being forgettable. She returned to her place without looking at anyone.
The hall remained orderly.
Tianwen's breathing stayed even. His thoughts stayed clear. Everything he needed had already been done over the past fifteen years. Whatever happened now should not be influenced by his impatience.
Finally—
"Zhang Tianwen."