The morning sunlight poured through my bedroom window as I slipped on my school uniform, my body still humming with the strange energy I had woken up with just days ago. Since the blue light struck me that night, everything had changed. My physique had transformed almost overnight, and I wasn't alone. Around the globe, millions had experienced the same phenomenon.
The television had been flooded with news of mysterious auras, superhuman abilities, and mutated wildlife threatening cities and countrysides alike. Out of that chaos, a new power had risen — the Stonebound Association, tasked with researching the mysterious stones, protecting humanity, and controlling the rising tide of awakened individuals.
Today was the start of something even bigger. I was being transferred to the Stonebound Academy – Korea Branch, one of many institutions built to train and contain awakened youth. Only those aged between 16 and 18 were admitted, as younger bodies couldn't handle the overwhelming energy. I wasn't going alone though. My friends — the few who understood what this power meant — were with me.
Jace Ryker, my oldest friend, towered even above me at 6.5 feet. Bald and built like a tank, he had always been our shield in schoolyard scraps. His green aura pulsed like a heartbeat, strong and steady. Beside him, Kiel Ashford bounced on his heels, his yellow hair flaring in the sunlight and his yellow aura flickering like fireflies. Though short, he was quick with words and even quicker with fists when it mattered. And then there was Ren Takeda — the quiet one. His lean frame and always-sleepy expression hid a sharp mind and a deadly potential. The purple glow around him was low but dangerous.
We arrived at the gates of the academy by shuttle. The campus looked more like a fortress than a school, with tall steel walls, guard towers, and mounted drones scanning every inch. Inside, a massive courtyard buzzed with students. Most wore expressions of awe or anxiety. A few already acted like they ruled the place.
Those were the ones who annoyed me most — arrogant teens with zero potential walking around like they were kings. One of them, a silver-haired guy with an expensive watch and no aura at all, laughed as he shoved a smaller kid aside.
"Watch it, peasant," he sneered. "You're in the presence of greatness."
Kiel rolled his eyes. "Greatness, huh? He couldn't light up a glowstick with that attitude."
I laughed. "Let's focus on what we came here for."
We were led into a large hall filled with glowing machines and holograms. One by one, students stepped up to a device shaped like a crystal pedestal. It measured potential — the power that awakened within you based on the stone's resonance. Most students scored a flat zero. A few showed faint sparks. When Kiel stepped up, the machine lit up bright yellow and let out a chime.
"Potential Rating: High," the technician called out, visibly impressed.
Ren followed. The machine flickered with purple and vibrated slightly. "Potential Rating: High."
Jace stepped up with a grin. As he placed his hand, the entire machine groaned under the surge of green energy.
"Potential Rating: Extreme," the technician said, stunned.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Then it was my turn.
I stepped forward, my heart steady. I placed my hand on the pedestal. The moment my fingers touched the surface, the machine cracked. Sparks flew. The pedestal let out a low hum, then exploded in a burst of blue light, shattering the entire station.
Gasps filled the room. Security took a step forward, but a tall figure raised a hand to stop them.
"Stand down," said the voice of authority. It was the Headmaster, a towering man in a business suit with a red aura that seemed to ripple around him like fire.
"It's not a malfunction," he said, eyes locked on me. "This boy's potential exceeds our measurement systems. He is beyond current classifications."
I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Who is he?" "Did he really break the machine?" "He looks normal…"
The headmaster smiled. "Leo Carter. Welcome to the academy."
With that, the sorting began. Students were divided into three classes based on potential: Common, Noble, and Royal.
Kiel, Ren, and Jace were assigned to Royal — their high and extreme potentials placing them among the elite. I joined them, of course, although my status was unofficially above even that.
Only Ren, despite his strength, was considered for Noble, but the headmaster personally reassigned him to Royal. "This team belongs together," he said.
Our first day was filled with orientation and stares. The Royal class received better dorms, advanced instructors, and access to the academy's private training chambers. But we also received the most attention — and the most enemies.
Many students, especially those from privileged families with 0 potential, began to stir trouble. They mocked, schemed, and spread rumors. Some even tried to block our way into the mess hall.
But one glare from Jace, and one comment from Kiel — "Keep yapping, and you'll be training in the infirmary" — sent them scurrying.
By evening, I sat on the balcony of our dorm, staring at the moonlit sky. Alien ships still hovered in orbit, too far for missiles, too close to ignore. Mutated animals roamed the outskirts of cities, hunted day and night by the Association.
And somewhere, half-hidden across the world, the ten high-level stones awaited discovery — their locations still a mystery.
I clenched my fist, blue energy flickering around it.
This was just the beginning.