Chapters 32: The Four-Year Timeskip
Four years passed quietly in Sujin Village. To outsiders, it remained an unremarkable rural settlement. But inside, beneath the surface of simplicity, a slow-burning transformation was underway.
The children who once played in muddy fields were now adolescents, hardened by daily training. The girls continued to hone their skills in swordsmanship and weaponry, while the boys, though still without a hint of power, devoted themselves to mental fortitude. They practiced meditation, read advanced texts, and followed strict dietary routines to discipline their bodies and minds.
Yet despite these efforts, none of them awakened.
Only the newborns did. Every child born in Sujin Village during the past four years emerged into the world with 3 to 4 awakened abilities. It wasn't a coincidence. It was consistent.
And it wasn't just Sujin.
Unbeknownst to the world, a handful of other small, isolated villages scattered across the planet were experiencing the same phenomenon. Their children too were born gifted.
But outside these blessed enclaves, awakening was much more erratic. Over 30 million people across the globe had awakened during this four-year window. Some had one ability, others two. A rare few had three. These rare individuals were treated like prodigies and, in some cases, deities.
The news constantly reported on them: flame-wielders in Brazil,
teleporters in South Korea,
mind-readers in Germany.
But alongside the miracles came mayhem.
Some awakeners began abusing their gifts. Armed with destructive abilities, they robbed banks, razed entire blocks, and attacked defenseless citizens. The authorities couldn't contain the chaos.
So the governments acted.
In response, a global initiative was launched. Each country established five primary Guilds—elite organizations meant to monitor, manage, and regulate powered individuals. Smaller branch guilds spread out like veins from these central hubs. Membership was mandatory for all awakened above a certain power level.
But trouble wasn't only human.
Over the years, strange reports began to pile up. Animals in the wild were mutating, growing larger and more aggressive. Packs of giant wolves, electrified birds, and even subterranean creatures had started to surface and attack humans. These beasts were being called "Feral Awakened."
To protect the next generation, countries constructed special academies: Awakening Schools for the Gifted. These elite institutions offered dorms, training facilities, and advanced coursework. Each teacher was a powerful awakener vetted by global authorities.
The reason? Too many awakened students had started bullying, harassing, and even injuring normal teachers in public schools. The Awakening Schools were built as a protective measure—to both train and isolate the strong.
Back in Sujin, however, things remained quiet.
Aside from the miraculous twins, Li Wei and Zhao Xun, and the original five men who awakened years ago, no new awakeners emerged among the villagers.
Hope slowly faded.
Some stopped training altogether. Others went through the motions, but their hearts weren't in it. Even the most disciplined boys began to question whether their efforts were in vain. And yet, they continued out of habit, out of duty, and out of quiet, stubborn faith.
The twins were now four years old. Li Wei could control his charm ability effortlessly, calming even the rowdiest child with a blink. He flew around the village like a mischievous pixie, occasionally using his mind control to play harmless pranks.
Zhao Xun was different. Fierce, focused, and intense, she trained with the older girls despite being half their age. She sparred with wooden weapons, lifted heavy stones with her strength, and blurred across the fields with her speed. Her lightning powers crackled in the air whenever she got too excited.
Villagers whispered about them constantly. Some in awe. Others with fear.
And always, the same question remained in their hearts:
Why only the newborns?
No one had answers. And as the world outside burned brighter and darker with each passing day, Sujin Village held its breath, waiting for the next great change to come.