Mike Jason exited the grand auditorium of Pearl University, but his mind was anything but calm. His heart pounded, his hands twitched, and his thoughts swirled like a raging storm. The sunlight outside did little to warm him—the chill of uncertainty had settled deep into his bones.
This was supposed to be the day he finally stepped into the world of power.
The Awakening Ceremony had been the defining moment of his life, yet instead of standing proud and triumphant, he walked away confused and apprehensive.
His ability was a complete unknown—a force that shattered everything it touched. Unlike the other students who had awakened elemental affinities, summoning powers, or defensive abilities, his skill had manifested in a way that left even the experienced Dean puzzled.
What did this mean for him?
Did he awaken something strong, or had he become a freak of nature?
As he passed groups of students gathered in hushed whispers, he felt their stares—some curious, others wary. The moment he had touched that small magical beast during the ceremony, it had died almost instantly. The healer's words still rang in his ears.
> "Its organs… ruptured. Its beast core… fractured. Even high-level attacks rarely cause this much internal destruction."
His hands clenched at his sides. He hadn't even used his full strength, yet the damage had been catastrophic. The weight of the unknown pressed down on his chest.
Stepping toward the floating car bays, Mike reached his old, silver hover-car, the one his father had gifted him years ago. He climbed in, shut the door, and simply sat there—staring at the empty dashboard before him.
For as long as he could remember, he had dreamed of this moment. From the time he was a child, he had idolized powerful cultivators, watching them on screens, reading about their legendary battles, and imagining himself standing among them.
But now…
This wasn't the power he wanted.
A vibration on his wristband shook him out of his trance. The caller ID flashed:
"Incoming Call: Jake Jason."
His father.
Mike took a deep breath before answering.
> "Mike?" His father's voice was calm but firm. "You okay? You didn't call me back."
Mike exhaled, resting his forehead against the steering wheel. "Yeah, Dad. I just got out of the ceremony."
A pause. His father's voice came through again, measured but filled with an unmistakable strength.
> "Listen, son. I don't know what happened in there. But promise me something—don't let fear dictate your path. Every great cultivator starts from zero. Power isn't about what you awaken with—it's about what you forge through training and persistence."
Mike swallowed. He had always looked up to his father—a respected hunter, a man who had built his strength from the ground up.
> "Whatever ability you have, son, it's yours to master. Strength doesn't come from talent alone—it comes from how much effort you put into making it your own."
Mike sat in silence for a long moment.
> "Thanks, Dad. I'll figure it out."
> "Good. And Mike—control your emotions. The strongest cultivators aren't the ones with the deadliest powers; they're the ones who can control them."
Mike clenched his fists. His father was right. He wasn't going to waste time doubting himself.
He needed answers.
He flicked the hover-engine to life and sped down the main street toward Pearl City's Public Training Dome.
The Training Dome: Entering the Testing Grounds
The Pearl City Public Training Center was an imposing structure, designed as a massive self-contained combat facility. The white dome stretched across two city blocks, its energy-infused architecture gleaming beneath the artificial lights.
The dome was a hub for cultivators, allowing them to train, refine, and push their abilities to their limits.
Mike parked his vehicle in the designated hover-bay and strode toward the reception desk.
> "Good afternoon, sir! Welcome to the Training Center. What kind of room would you like?"
"I need a basic reinforced room," Mike said.
> "That will be 25 credits per hour. How long would you like to book?"
"Three hours." He tapped his wristband against the payment scanner, instantly transferring 75 credits.
> "You're all set! Room 80C, Level 4. Just follow the signs."
Mike took the elevator up, his heartbeat steady.
This was it. Time to figure out what he was dealing with.
---
Inside the Training Room: The First Experiment
Room 80C was a high-tech combat chamber, designed to withstand even low-level cultivators' destructive abilities.
On one side, weapon racks lined the wall, filled with swords, spears, axes, bows, and firearms. On the other, automated combat dummies, punching barrels, and a projectile reaction-training turret were neatly arranged.
Mike rolled his shoulders, unzipping his jacket and tossing it onto a bench.
First, let's see if I can summon it on command.
Closing his eyes, he focused inward, trying to ignite the strange energy within him.
Minutes passed.
Then—pain.
A sharp piercing sensation spread through his fingertips, igniting a strange, burning pulse.
Threads of dark yellow aura flickered, creeping over his fingers, crackling like unstable golden lightning.
He turned his hand, watching the chaotic energy swirl erratically.
"It's definitely destructive… but can I control it?"
He attempted to mold it into a sphere—like elemental users shaped fireballs or ice spears.
The energy refused. The moment he forced it, the aura snapped back violently.
Frustrated, he pressed his palm against a brick block.
At first—nothing.
Then, as he channeled more energy—a fracture ran through the brick's surface.
He pushed harder.
The entire brick shattered.
His breath hitched.
> It doesn't destroy instantly—it breaks objects from within.
Trying to fire a ranged attack, he willed the energy to leave his body.
Nothing.
His mana drained fast, exhaustion creeping in.
This ability was not normal.
But one thing was certain—if he could control it, it might be stronger than anything else.
Mike clenched his fists. Again he started to focus his ability and moved his aura towards knuckles and started punching again this time when he starts punching the block whenever he started punching his fists marks and cracks starts appear on the block and as he was punching he tried to push his energy inside the block and when after punching after few times the block broke into pieces again
> "I don't care how long it takes. I will master this power—no matter what."
And with renewed determination, he prepared to push his training further—unaware that his power would change everything.