442 A.R. – 10:47 AM (Past Timeline)
The ceremonial hall loomed ahead, a massive structure of white marble and steel that dominated Cindralith's central plaza. Flags bearing the Eternal Order's emblem hung from every pillar, their silver-and-black design rippling in the morning breeze.
Rei walked beside Mira, their parents a few steps behind, joining the steady stream of families converging on the entrance.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," Mira said, practically bouncing with each step. Her eyes were bright, scanning everything, the decorations, the crowds, the other awakened individuals walking with newfound confidence. "Do you think it'll hurt? When they test for power manifestation? I heard some people feel nothing, but others say it's like lightning in your veins."
"It's different for everyone," Rei replied, his voice steady despite the growing tightness in his chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
His heartbeat was accelerating. Subtle at first, but growing louder, more insistent.
"I hope I get something cool," Mira continued, oblivious to his internal state. "Not like, super strength or anything obvious. Maybe something elegant. Refined. Something that makes people go 'wow, she's so mysterious and powerful.'"
"You'll be fine," Rei managed.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
They approached the main entrance where crowds bottlenecked, families saying goodbye, students clustering in nervous groups, Order officials checking names against massive ledgers.
And there, scattered throughout the crowd, were his classmates.
Rei's eyes found them automatically, cataloging faces and futures with the precision of someone who'd already lived through their stories.
Near the fountain, Nyx Rainer, juggling three small stones while his family watched with resigned amusement. His younger siblings tried to copy him, failing spectacularly, and Nyx laughed, a sound full of unfiltered joy that cut through the formal atmosphere like a knife through silk.
Kinetic enhancement. Underground fighter. Stays off the Order's radar through sheer unpredictability. Could be an ally if I can bridge the gap I created by ignoring him for two years.
By the entrance pillars, Lira Ashford, standing slightly apart from her parents, sketchbook tucked under her arm. She watched the crowd with the same focused observation she'd had in the park, cataloging details others missed.
Light manipulation. Illusions so real they fool perception itself. Made a fortune, stayed independent. Quiet like me. We could have been friends.
The heartbeat got louder.
Thump-thump-thump.
Near the registration tables, Vera Castellan, already networking, speaking with an Order official with the kind of polished confidence that suggested she'd rehearsed this conversation. Her parents stood nearby, radiating the controlled grace of merchant nobility.
Perception ability. Reads people like books. Rose through Order ranks faster than anyone expected. Dangerous. Valuable. Already playing the game I'm just learning.
Thump-thump-thump-thump.
At the center of a larger group, Talon Graves, surrounded by friends and admirers. He stood tall, athletic, comfortable being the center of attention in ways Rei never had been. He was laughing at something someone said, his presence magnetic.
Physical enhancement. Becomes a Sentinel. Enforces Order law with absolute conviction. Natural leader. Could be enemy or ally depending on how I approach this.
Rei's pulse was racing now, his palms starting to sweat despite the cool morning air.
Why is my heart beating so fast? This is just, it's just people. Classmates. I've seen them before. I know their futures. I have advantages they don't. There's no reason to,
But his body wasn't listening to logic. His breath was coming shorter, his chest tight.
Am I panicking? No. I killed someone three days ago. I've died and come back. I've faced worse than social anxiety. This is nothing. This is,
Then he realized.
It wasn't fear.
It was excitement.
For the first time in two lifetimes, he was walking into a social situation not as the invisible boy who'd given up, but as someone with purpose. Someone who'd chosen to exist, to participate, to matter.
He was excited to talk to them. To try. To build connections he'd failed to make before.
The realization was so unexpected that Rei stopped walking, his face contorting as he processed the emotion, eyebrows furrowing, mouth twisting, the kind of expression that looked like he was either solving a complex equation or experiencing indigestion.
"Rei?" Mira looked back at him. "You okay? You're making that weird face again."
"I'm fine, I just"
He took a step forward, still processing, not watching where he was going—
And walked directly into someone.
"Oof!"
The collision wasn't hard, but it was enough to make both parties stumble. Rei's hands shot out instinctively to steady whoever he'd hit, and found himself gripping the shoulders of a girl who looked up at him with wide, startled eyes.
Copper-colored hair. Delicate aristocratic features. Expensive but understated clothing.
Recognition hit him like lightning.
"Elise!" The name burst out before he could stop it.
Elise Varen blinked up at him, surprise giving way to confusion. "I... yes? Do I know you?"