"Yoo, Rix! Where are you?" a distant voice echoed across the huge field.
A young teen with pale skin, raven-black hair, and dark eyes woke up from his afternoon nap, yawning lazily.
"Kyren, you do realize you don't need to shout, right?"
"Yeah, but that's no fun, now is it?" Kyren replied—a dark-skinned boy with moon-white hair and crimson eyes. "Shouting your heart out and screaming… now that's fun."
"Your type of fun is kinda strange… not that I'm complaining," Rix said.
"Rix, don't agree with whatever this idiot says. Shouting in the middle of a field is something only a stupid person would do," a soft voice called out.
"Ah, Nyra, you're just jealous of my free spirit," Kyren said dramatically, flapping his arms like a bird.
BAM.
Rix turned in time to see Nyra smacking Kyren on the head.
"You two go flirt somewhere else," Rix said, glancing at Nala—a teen girl with red hair and blue eyes.
"You call that flirting? Looks like you're still half asleep," a husky yet soft voice answered.
"Well, well, look who it is—our dear Nala, missing for two whole days," Kyren teased.
"Agh, give me a break. If you guys didn't ditch me while stealing from the pantry, I wouldn't have been stuck working in the orphanage backyard for two days," Nala said, brushing her silver hair away from her raven-black eyes.
"Well… sorry, I guess," Nyra muttered.
"Anyway, come on. We've got our Metamorphosis to attend. Unless you want more labor," Nala added.
All three sighed at once.
"Well then, let's go get our powers and become part of the Mage Order!" Kyren said enthusiastically.
---
The four walked toward the city, three kilometers away from the orphanage.
"Gain powers and become part of the Mage Order, huh…" Rix muttered.
The city streets were full of joy and bustling crowds. Stalls lined the roads, vibrant magic symbols floating above them.
"Hey, Kyra—look! A fish that looks exactly like you," Kyren said.
Nyra instinctively turned toward the fish stall.
Kyren burst into laughter.
Nyra's fist tightened—and she punched him in the stomach.
"Dumbass. Just because I have red hair doesn't mean I look like that ugly red fish," she muttered.
"Well, looks like you guys still banter everywhere," Nala said quietly.
"Leave them be. It's not every day we get to come here," Rix replied.
Nala nodded and called the two over as they finally reached the Awakening Hall.
The moment the four stepped inside, dozens of eyes turned toward them.
"Quite the welcome," Kyren muttered.
"If looks could kill, we'd have died at least five times," Rix added.
"I really don't get why they treat orphans differently," Nyra grumbled.
"We don't have family lineage. No parents. No background," Nala said simply.
"Yep…" Rix sighed.
In this world, the power you receive becomes your identity. Your rank… wealth… even your respect depends on the monsters you can defeat.
---
"Well, since we're here, let's start," Kyren said.
They approached the receptionist, surrounded by swirling lights of different elements.
"Excuse me," Nyra said. "We'd like to go through Metamorphosis."
The receptionist nodded and led them to the Awakening Room—a chamber centered around a glowing white crystal orb.
"Please extend your hands toward the crystal," the receptionist instructed. "Wait for the gods to choose you and bestow your blessing."
Nyra stepped forward first.
"Here goes nothing," she said, placing her hand on the orb.
Within seconds, it glowed bright red. Fire.
"Ooooh, that looks fun! Let me go next!" Kyren said eagerly.
He touched the orb.
It glowed green.
He froze.
"No… NO NO NO—WHY?! Why did I get healing?! I wanted something cool like ice or light!"
A laugh erupted behind him.
Nyra didn't bother hiding hers. "Looks like your muscles were only good for healing after all."
Kyren grit his teeth.
"Alright, stop making a scene. My turn," Nala said.
She touched the orb.
It glowed brown—Earth.
Nala smiled.
"Well, your turn now, Rix. Hurry up," Nyra said.
"I know," Rix replied.
He placed his hand on the orb.
He waited.
Two seconds.
Ten seconds.
Thirty seconds.
A full minute.
Nothing.
The orb didn't glow. Not even faintly.
Rix pulled his hand back slowly, shocked.
"Sir, the time is up," the receptionist said. "Please step aside. Others are waiting."
"WAIT—ARE YOU SURE THE ORB ISN'T BROKEN?!" Kyren yelled.
Rix gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's fine," he said quietly. "Let's go back to the orphanage."
---
They stepped back into the city streets. For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Kyren burst.
"That stupid orb is broken! I swear it is! How can it not give anything?!"
Nyra rolled her eyes. "Maybe it sensed your brain cells and got scared."
"HEY! I'm serious!" Kyren snapped. "Rix waited for like an hour!"
"It was one minute," Nala corrected.
"That's basically an hour emotionally!" Kyren shouted.
Nyra scoffed. "You're yelling again. See? This is why you got healing. The gods were like, 'Give this idiot something harmless.'"
"Oh shut it, firecracker!"
"Call me firecracker again and I'll roast you."
"I'd like to see you try!"
"ENOUGH!" Rix shouted—louder than he meant to.
The three froze.
Rix sighed, rubbing his neck. "Look… I get it. You're all trying to help in your own weird ways. But arguing won't magically give me a power."
Nyra softened. "Rix… we're not angry at you. We're angry for you."
"Yeah," Nala said quietly. "It's unfair. You deserved a blessing."
Kyren nodded hard. "Exactly! And if the gods won't give you one—then screw the gods! We'll figure something out."
Rix smiled a little. "Thanks… all of you."
They continued walking—still bickering, still nudging each other, still the same chaotic group—but with a heaviness none of them fully understood.
As they neared the orphanage gate, Rix glanced at his hand.
Just for a moment… he thought he saw a strange, dark glow flicker across his skin.
He blinked.
It was gone.
"Agh… must be my imagination," he muttered.