The hallways of Continent Middle School had never felt so charged with anticipation. Rows of fourteen and fifteen-year-olds stood in perfect lines, their graduation caps slightly askew, hands trembling not from the morning chill but from the weight of what was about to unfold. Today wasn't just about receiving diplomas—today would determine the trajectory of their entire lives.
Students adjusted their caps and stole glances at their classmates. Some tried to appear calm, chatting in hushed whispers about summer plans they might never get to fulfill. Others couldn't hide their anxiety, bouncing on their heels or wringing their hands. Everyone knew the statistics: only thirty percent of middle school graduates ever awakened an Origin Power. The rest would live ordinary lives in a world where the extraordinary ruled.
"Students, maintain your positions," announced the principal, her voice echoing off the lockers. "The Origin Association representative will begin the assessment momentarily. When I call your name, please step forward."
At the far end of the hall, heavy footsteps echoed against polished floors. The crowd of parents and teachers pressed against the gymnasium doors fell silent as a figure emerged from the shadows. The man was tall and imposing, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that seemed to absorb the fluorescent lighting. His presence commanded immediate attention—not through any visible display of power, but through an aura of absolute authority that made even the most rebellious students straighten their spines.
The Origin Association agent had conducted hundreds of these assessments across the continental districts. His angular face remained impassive as he surveyed the nervous graduates, his steel-gray eyes methodically cataloging each young face. In his left hand, he carried a sleek black briefcase containing the Resonance Scanner—the device that would separate the gifted from the ordinary in a matter of minutes.
"Good morning, graduates of Continent Middle School," his voice was measured, professional, yet carried an undertone that suggested he'd rather be anywhere else. "I am your assessor from the Origin Association. Today marks not just the end of your middle school education, but potentially the beginning of your true purpose."
A ripple of nervous energy passed through the assembled students. Hearts hammered against ribs throughout the hall as the reality of the moment settled over them like a heavy blanket.
The agent set his briefcase on a small table that had been positioned at the head of the hall. With practiced efficiency, he opened it to reveal a device that looked like a cross between a tablet and a scanner, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly blue light.
"The assessment process is simple," he continued, his tone suggesting this speech had been delivered countless times before. "When called, you will approach the scanner one at a time. Place your hand on the surface and hold still for ten seconds. The device will detect any Origin Power resonance within your cellular structure. Those who have awakened will register a reading. Those who have not..." He paused, letting the implications hang in the air. "Will return to their families and continue their education through conventional means."
"Suel," the principal called out the first name.
Suel stepped forward first. His hand shook as he placed it on the scanner's surface. The device hummed softly, its blue light intensifying for a moment before fading back to its normal glow. The agent glanced at the readout and made a note on his tablet.
"No resonance detected. Next."
Suel's shoulders sagged as he shuffled away from the scanner, his dreams of becoming a Guardian or joining the Origin Corps crumbling in real time. His parents, watching from behind the gymnasium doors, tried to offer encouraging smiles, but disappointment was etched in their expressions.
"Pixex," the principal announced.
Pixex walked up with nervous confidence, but the result was the same—no resonance detected. The atmosphere grew heavier with each negative result, hope slowly draining from the hall like air from a punctured balloon.
Several more names were called, each student approaching with dwindling hope as the pattern of negative results continued.
"Dausen," the principal's voice rang out.
But then everything changed when the red-haired boy stepped forward.
Dausen was tall for his age, with a lean but athletic build that spoke of natural strength. His most striking features were his vibrant crimson hair that seemed to catch light even in the dim hallway, and piercing crimson eyes that held an intensity beyond his years. His angular face was marked by high cheekbones and a strong jawline, giving him an almost regal appearance that made him stand out among his peers.
Dausen placed his palm on the scanner's surface, his crimson eyes reflecting the device's blue glow. The moment contact was made, the scanner blazed with intense light. The agent's eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly—the first sign of emotion he'd shown all morning.
"Resonance detected," he announced, making detailed notes. "Report to Titan Academy for advanced placement testing within the week."
Dausen stared at his hands in wonder, his crimson eyes wide with amazement. The other students looked at him with a mixture of awe and envy. He had crossed the threshold. He was one of the awakened now.
Several more students approached with no resonance detected, their names echoing through the hall as the principal continued the roll call.
"Maya," came the next significant call.
A beautiful girl with flowing blue hair stepped forward. Maya possessed an ethereal beauty that seemed almost otherworldly - her ocean-blue hair cascaded down to her shoulders in gentle waves, perfectly complementing her striking blue eyes that seemed to hold depths like still water. She had delicate, refined features with high cheekbones and a graceful neck, standing with natural poise that suggested both elegance and inner strength. Her slender figure moved with fluid grace as she approached the scanner.
Maya's blue eyes met the agent's gaze briefly before she placed her hand on the scanner. The device immediately responded with brilliant light.
"Resonance detected," the agent confirmed, adding her name to his growing list of awakened students.
As the line continued to dwindle, more students faced their moment of truth. Most walked away with disappointed faces, but the precious few who showed resonance joined Dausen and Maya among the awakened.
The line grew shorter with each passing minute. The tension in the hall reached a breaking point as each remaining student faced their moment of truth. Dreams would be fulfilled or shattered in the span of ten seconds. Futures would be decided by the readings on an otherworldly device that hummed with alien technology.
More students approached—some with no resonance, others joining the small but growing group of the awakened. The atmosphere in the hall was electric with anticipation and nervous energy.
Finally, only one student remained.
The agent looked at his list, then called out the final name.
"Aetheris."