"Cancer?" Zane repeated, his tone laced with surprise. He hadn't pegged Instructor Marius as a talker, but since he brought it up, Zane decided to press further.
"I've heard plenty about the Golden Generation. Who were they, really?" His voice echoed faintly as they descended the mountain path, the wind sharp with mineral dust. Black rocks jutted from the trail, catching the stormy violet sky's faint glow.
Marius shot him a knowing glance, his boots silent on the gravel. "They were unique, bound by fate you might say," he said, his deep voice steady. "Each had a will like stone. The Master called them his sons. The First Son was the strongest, then the Second, all the way to the fifth son. All were Apex-ranked Awakeners—except the First Son."
Zane's eyes narrowed, curious. "What rank was he, then?"
They reached the mountain's base, striding toward where the Master awaited them. Zane's boots crunched loudly, each step a defiant stamp, while Marius glided soundlessly beside him, his steps eerily weightless, leaving no trace on the path. Zane wanted to ask about that trick but was hooked on the First Son.
"Most people awaken before a planet's tutorial-that's how it's always been," Marius explained. "Those who don't are Omega-ranked, the lowest known rank. They're the civilians, universally known as Nays. The First Son was a Nay, just like you. That's most likely why the Master favors you—maybe you remind him of Cancer."
Zane's mind buzzed with questions, but they'd arrived. The Master, Daikyn Zodiache, sat under a rocky overhang, his cloaked figure radiating calm power. Beside him, a woman poured him a drink, her presence halting Zane mid-step. He wasn't one to fuss over women but this woman stood in a league of her own. She looked almost human, yet otherworldly—her violet hair fell to her waist in silken waves, glinting like starlight with every subtle move. Her smooth orange skin shimmered with a soft, radiant glow, as if lit from within by a gentle flame. Her emerald eyes, sharp and deep, held a cosmic spark, like countless stars swirled into twin orbs, surpassing even Onilia's striking charm. A faint, sweet aura seemed to linger around her, softening the sharp Zoic wind. She was beauty incarnate, her presence commanding yet serene. If there was a cosmic goddess, it would be her.
Marius bowed to the Master and stood behind him, his face stern. "Zane, don't you want to return to your planet?" he asked, noticing Zane's daze, staring at the woman.
Zane snapped out of it, bowing quickly to Daikyn, his pack shifting. Even seated, the Master's every gesture held godlike grace, demanding respect effortlessly.
The woman, catching Zane's stare, approached with a warm smile. Up close, her radiance was overwhelming, her violet hair glinting, her orange skin flawless. "Hello, you may call me Luminelle," she said, her voice a melodic chime. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Zane. I've heard so much about you," she extended a delicate hand, offering a handshake. Zane took her hand, surprised by its softness, like it might shatter under pressure. Daikyn smiled, watching them.
"I owe you a gift for passing my trial five months ago, don't I?" Daikyn's voice was low but resolute as he nodded to Luminelle, who lifted a rectangular wooden box from beside him. She handed it to Zane, her grip effortless.
Zane grasped the box and nearly stumbled, startled by its unexpected weight. Luminelle had held it like a feather, but his training with Marius and Onilia kicked in, and he steadied it quickly.
"I didn't expect a Nay to handle it so deftly. That box weighs a ton, you know," Luminelle said, pouring Daikyn another cup of tea, her tone teasing. Marius watched from behind, his eyes unreadable.
Daikyn set his cup down with a soft clink.
"What's inside the box?" Zane asked, his voice steady as he turned the wooden box in his hands.
"Open it," the Master, Daikyn Zodiache, said, his tone calm, taking a slow sip of tea, the stone cup clinking softly against the rocky table.
Zane's fingers pried open the lid, his movements cautious but sure, revealing two swords nestled inside. One gleamed with pale steel, its blade etched with glowing blue markings that pulsed like icy veins. The other bore red etchings, flickering like embers ready to ignite.
"Swords?" Zane said, raising a brow, his tone flat despite the blades' beauty. He lifted the blue-etched one, testing its weight with a slight swing, unimpressed. For a sword, it felt needlessly heavy.
"The one with the blue writing is called Frostveil, and the one with the red writing is called Ruinblaze. Choose one."
Zane tilted his head, inspecting the red-etched blade, his fingers tracing its markings. "Does it matter which one I pick?" he asked, his voice skeptical, still not sold on the gift.
"Pick Frostveil if you have something to protect," Daikyn said, his voice low, "or Ruinblaze if you have something to destroy."
Zane's thoughts flashed to Ariel. 'I want to protect her,' he thought, his grip tightening briefly on Frostveil. But then his jaw set, his mind racing. 'To keep her safe, I'll need to crush anyone who threatens her.' He swapped hands, lifting Ruinblaze instead, its red markings flaring as he gave it a sharp twirl. Nodding, he handed the box back to Luminelle, who took it with a graceful dip of her head. Zane spun Ruinblaze once more, inspecting its balance, before sliding it into its leather sheath with a smooth motion.
Luminelle stepped forward, her violet hair swaying, and held out a simple platinum ring, its surface etched with faint runes. Zane glanced at it, then at her, his brow furrowing. "Thanks, but I'm not looking to get married anytime soon," he said, raising a hand to wave it off, his tone half-joking.
Luminelle's lips curved into a gentle smile as she giggled, her emerald eyes sparkling. "It's a storage ring," she said, her voice soft but clear. "Store your sword and valuables inside, and summon them with a thought. Once you wear it, only you can remove it."
Zane's skepticism faded. "Oh, thank you," he said, slipping the ring onto his middle finger. With a quick thought, Ruinblaze vanished, sucked into the ring in a flash of light, leaving his belt empty.
Daikyn leaned forward, his tea cup resting on the table, his gaze sharp. "I've been meaning to ask, Zane," he said, his voice curious. "You brought nothing to Zoic, yet you carry that pack. What's in it?"
Zane shifted his pack, its weight familiar. He'd stuffed it with trinkets he thought Ariel would love—glowing stones, odd Zoic plants, and small carved tokens. "Just some glowing rocks and stuff," he said, shrugging, keeping his tone vague.
Daikyn nodded. "I see."
"Since I answered your question, may I ask one?" Zane's tone was serious as he spoke.
"You want to know why Earth began its tutorial without anyone awakening abilities beforehand, don't you?" Daikyn asked, his tone knowing.
Zane blinked, startled. 'How did he know? Whatever, everyone on this planet is a freak. There are perverts and weirdos everywhere.' "Yes," he said, his voice firm.
Daikyn's expression grew serious. "I don't know for certain, but if I had to guess, the System didn't think your people were worth awakening. They doubted you'd survive, yet gave you a chance anyway."
Zane's brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Luminelle, setting down the teapot, answered this time, her voice steady. "Earth is small and weak compared to other planets. Some races have natural strengths—superior genetics, innate traits—that outmatch humans even without awakened abilities. The system likely saw no point in investing in you, expecting you'd be crushed at the Interplanetary Awakeners Tournament (IAT)."
Zane's jaw tightened, his thoughts bitter. 'So they thought we weren't worth the trouble.' He focused, pulling his pack into the storage ring with a thought, its weight vanishing. "How long will I be gone?" he asked, his voice low.
Daikyn leaned back, his cloak rustling. "One Earth day equals a hundred Zoic days, and vice versa. I'll grant you two Earth years—that's at least seven Zoic days. When you're ready to return, I'll send someone."
Zane nodded, calculating silently. Luminelle approached, her orange skin glowing faintly, her steps feather-light on the rocky ground.