The Cosmic Awakening
Michael had been unconscious for the past six hours, his mind a whirlwind of incomprehensible concepts tied to advanced technologies. These ideas, far beyond human understanding, raced through his brain like a torrent, overwhelming his capacity to process them. At that moment, his mind was grappling with technologies not just from a Type III civilization but from civilizations far more advanced—entities so evolved that their knowledge could fill a staggering 10^21 terabytes of memory. This colossal volume of information swirled relentlessly in Michael's head, pushing his brain to the brink of collapse. His neural pathways were on the verge of rupturing under the strain, unable to handle the sheer magnitude of data.
But then, as if by some miracle, a shift occurred. The overwhelming flood of information that threatened to shatter Michael's mind was suddenly redirected. Every piece of data, every fragment of cosmic knowledge, was funneled into his subconscious, where it was locked away, sealed like a vault. In an instant, his conscious mind was left with only the concepts of technologies up to a Type I civilization—still advanced, but within the realm of his comprehension. As this transformation took place, a wave of relief washed over Michael's beleaguered mind, granting him a moment of peace after hours of mental chaos.
At his bedside sat an elderly man, his face etched with worry and tension. This was none other than Samuel Anderson, Michael's grandfather. Samuel loved his grandson fiercely, with a devotion that knew no bounds. When he learned that the school administration had sentenced Michael to detention and that he had been injured during the ordeal, Samuel's fury had erupted like a volcano. Enraged, he had stormed into the school, ready to tear the place apart in defense of his beloved grandson. The school authorities, sensing the brewing storm, had pushed Julia Adams, a teacher, to the forefront to handle the situation. It was Julia who had insisted to the principal that Michael be punished, and now she faced the daunting task of confronting Samuel.
Julia, visibly nervous, stood before the irate grandfather, attempting to defuse the situation. She explained that the punishment was for Michael's own good, meant to teach him discipline. But Samuel was unmoved. His voice thundered as he declared that no matter how wayward his grandson might be, he would ensure Michael's future was secure. Samuel was no ordinary man—he was a millionaire with assets exceeding $100 million, all of which he had amassed for Michael's sake. His wealth was a safety net, a guarantee that his grandson would never need to toil for a living. To Samuel, Michael was his legacy, the sole heir to his fortune, meant to live a life free of hardship.
Despite Julia's efforts to calm him, Samuel's anger burned fiercely. It was only when she assured him that Michael's injuries were minor—just a small cut on his finger—that Samuel's rage began to subside. Breathing a sigh of relief, he hurried to the medical facility where Michael was being treated. When he saw his grandson lying there, still unconscious, Samuel's heart clenched. He sat by Michael's side for nearly four hours, his eyes never leaving the boy. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "I told you so many times, Michael, no pranks at school. Look at you now, lying here unconscious. Don't you know you're the only reason I keep going? If something happened to you, how would I survive in this world?" His voice broke, and tears streamed down his weathered cheeks.
Slowly, Michael's eyes fluttered open. The haze of unconsciousness lifted, and the first thing he saw was his grandfather's tear-streaked face. Moved by the sight, Michael reached out, gently wiping the tears from Samuel's eyes. With a weak smile, he said, "Grandpa, please don't cry. If you cry, who's going to take care of a useless grandson like me?" His playful tone broke the tension, and he let out a soft laugh.
Seeing Michael awake and joking, Samuel's relief was palpable. Wiping his own tears, he grabbed Michael's ears playfully and scolded, "You little rascal! How many times have I told you not to pull pranks that upset your teachers? Look at the mess you've made of yourself! You're lucky it's just a small injury, or I'd have taken this entire school to court!" Michael nodded sheepishly, fully aware that his grandfather's threats were not empty. Samuel's love for him was boundless, and he had the means to back up his words.
After a brief conversation, Michael convinced Samuel to return home, assuring him that he was fine and would be discharged from the medical facility the next day. Samuel, though reluctant, eventually gave in to his grandson's insistence. Before leaving, he issued a stern warning to the school administration: no further harm was to come to his grandson, or they would face his wrath. With that, Samuel left, his heart lighter but still heavy with concern.
Once Samuel was gone, Julia Adams and a few other teachers visited Michael to check on him. They inquired about his condition, offered words of reassurance, and then left. As the room quieted, a doctor approached Michael's bedside. The moment he saw her, a spark lit up in his eyes. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Hey, Miss Beautiful, did you know you're the most stunning person in this entire school? The first time I saw you, I fell head over heels." His flirtatious tone was unmistakable, and he flashed a charming smile.
The doctor, Olivia Carter, rolled her eyes, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. "You little devil," she retorted, "you never change. Every time we meet, you start flirting. Don't you know I'm married?"
Michael, unfazed, shot back, "Sure, you're married, but I also know you're in the middle of a divorce case with your husband. So, sooner or later, you'll be single, and then I'll have my chance, right?" His cheeky grin widened as he teased her.
Olivia playfully swatted his chest. "You're incorrigible," she said, shaking her head as she examined the small cut on his finger. As she worked, Michael grabbed her hand gently and said, "I'm serious, Olivia. I really like you." His tone was earnest, but the playful glint in his eyes betrayed his teasing nature. Olivia, in her early thirties, was a striking woman with a kind but firm demeanor. She had studied at Harvard University, where she met Richard Nixon, her now-estranged husband. Their marriage had begun with love, but Richard's Truecaller emerged when he forced Olivia to make a sexual relationship with a client of Richard Nixon so that Richard Nixon could get a deal, he had been working for a long time over it. Disgusted, Olivia had left him and moved to Greenwich Village, where she now worked as a senior doctor at Greenwich High School's medical center.
Michael had been smitten with Olivia since the moment he laid eyes on her. Despite the significant age gap, he couldn't resist flirting with her, though he knew it was unlikely to lead anywhere. Olivia, for her part, found his antics amusing but maintained her professional boundaries. After checking his injury, she remarked, "This cut isn't even that serious. I don't understand how you passed out from something so minor."
Michael only smiled, unable to tell her the truth about the cosmic knowledge that had flooded his mind. When Olivia realized he wasn't going to answer, she didn't press further and prepared to leave. But Michael, ever the charmer, grabbed her hand again. "You can run from me all you want, Olivia, but you'll end up in my arms one day," he teased. Olivia shot him a mock glare, pointing out their age difference. Michael countered with a grin, "Look at France's President Emmanuel Macron—he's 24 years younger than his wife, Brigitte. If he can do it, why can't I?"
Olivia had no comeback for that. She stared at him for a moment, then shook her head and walked away, leaving Michael chuckling to himself. But as soon as she was gone, the playful smirk vanished from his face, replaced by a serious expression. He turned his attention inward, sifting through the fragments of knowledge still accessible in his conscious mind. His focus landed on a particular technology—an evolutionary leap that could free a human from the limitations of their biology, granting them powers beyond imagination.
This technology, which Michael dubbed "Cosmic Evolution," promised to elevate him to a level of strength unimaginable. With a single punch, he could theoretically destroy a planet like Earth. At its peak, this evolution would grant him power rivaling that of the Milky Way galaxy itself. The realization left Michael stunned, his heart racing with the possibilities. But there was a catch: his current DNA was incompatible with this transformation. To achieve this evolution, he would need to destroy his existing genetic structure and reconstruct it entirely.
The process, however, was fraught with peril. According to the information stored in the Akashic Records—a cosmic repository of knowledge now locked in his subconscious—Michael would need to find a specific insect capable of altering his DNA. He would then need to create a pill to rebuild his genetic code from the ground up. The reconstruction process would be excruciating, subjecting him to pain measured at 159 dol—far beyond the 49 dol endured by a woman during childbirth, a process that often involved broken bones. This level of agony could kill him.
Yet, the lure of power was too great. Michael knew that if he succeeded, he would transcend human limitations, rendering even nuclear weapons obsolete in comparison to his strength. Determined, he resolved to take on the challenge, no matter the cost. His first step was to secure 10 to 15 days away from school to focus on this transformation without interruption. Getting discharged from the medical facility would be his immediate hurdle, but he knew it wouldn't be easy. For now, he decided to rest, knowing the days ahead would test him like never before.
As he lay back, Michael's mind buzzed with the weight of his decision. The path he was about to embark on would determine whether he lived an ordinary life or became something extraordinary—a being straight out of a superhero movie. Could he destroy and reconstruct his DNA? Could he become a cosmic evolver, wielding power beyond comprehension? Only time would tell.