Age of Ascension, Year 2542.
When the sun hit the crystal-domed towers of the City of Hope, its light reflected off the holographic panels, dancing across the sky and casting a vibrant morning spectacle on the streets. The city shimmered with life. Living up to its name. As the first and oldest settlement of the Age of Ascension, it was more than a place to live; it was the symbol of humanity's rebirth.
The City of Hope was the first of nine mega-cities built after the Great Destruction. Like the others, it was fortified with colossal walls and defensive lines against the evolved wilderness. Yet it surpassed even the greatest metropolises of the old world in scale. Millions lived within its borders.
In a quiet corner of the city, within a modest building of gray stone, Aren Khan opened his eyes in the early hours of morning. The room was silent. The other children were still asleep. As always, Aren had awakened before dawn—a habit that had formed naturally over the years, perhaps because silence had become his refuge.
He rose slowly from his bed and slipped into the standard care-center uniform, shaded in tones of gray. He glanced briefly at his reflection in the mirror: pale, healthy skin; neatly trimmed black hair falling across his forehead; coal-black eyes.
Today was no ordinary day.
Today was Test Day.
Each year, children who turned twelve were subjected to a biological potential assessment—a test designed to measure their evolutionary capacity. Someone was scheduled to visit the Orphan Care Center to evaluate the children's potential.
Aren was curious about the results he would get, but he felt no fear. Whatever the outcome, life would go on. Still, in the back of his mind, a quiet certainty lingered an awareness that he was different. He learned faster, grasped concepts more quickly, made fewer mistakes.
Surely, that difference meant something.
In the care center's dining hall, Aren ate his breakfast quickly. The other children were buzzing with excitement. Some whispered among themselves, others were trying to predict their results. Aren remained silent. As always, he observed.
The testing room was located on the top floor of the care center. One by one, the children were called in. Within minutes, each emerged. Some with pride in their stride, boasting their results to friends with puffed chests; others walked with lowered heads, tearful eyes, and flushed cheeks, retreating quietly to their rooms.
Aren's turn came near the end.
And finally, it was his time.
When he stepped inside, the sight captivated him. It was a wide hall crowned with a glass dome. The floor shimmered with a polished white alloy. Sunlight danced across the room. There was no unnecessary furniture. Just a table and two chairs. At the center of the table sat a small analysis device.
The attendant, a beatiful woman with a gentle voice, spoke:
"What's your name, child?"
Aren turned his coal-black eyes toward her.
"My name is Aren Khan."
The woman smiled.
"Extend your left hand, Aren Khan," she said.
Aren nodded.
A thin needle pricked his finger. There was no pain. A single drop of blood slid into the tube within the device. Seconds later, a mechanical, feminine voice echoed from the machine:
"Level 9. Biological Potential: EXTREMELY HIGH."
The woman lifted her head. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She stood abruptly and left the room.
"Level 9…"
Aren said nothing. But a flicker of childlike joy lit up his eyes.
Though still just a boy, he understood perfectly what it meant to possess Level 9 potential.
Level 9 is the highest rank attainable.
Those who score Level 3 or Level 4 possess the standard potential required to become an Ascended. Level 5 and Level 6 candidates can achieve greatness with enough discipline and time. Level 7 and Level 8 are considered "Prodigies" and every available resource is invested in their development.
And then there is Level 9…
Since the dawn of human evolution, only nine individuals have ever reached this level of potential. The Lords of the Nine Great Cities.
The female attendant reentered the testing room and sat down. She looked Aren Khan directly in the eyes. Her voice was softer now, but carried a weight of solemnity.
"Listen to me carefully, Aren Khan. This result is not ordinary. From this moment on, your life will change."
Aren tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and resolve.
"What happens now?" he asked, calm but attentive.
"As of today, your life at the Orphan Care Center is over. You are now a student of the Academy of Hope."
Aren's heart skipped a beat.
Academy of hope. A name spoken in legends. A place where only the most exceptional were accepted. Where Ascended were forged. Children who entered its gates never returned to ordinary lives. They became leaders, inventors, warriors—those who shaped humanity's destiny.
The woman continued:
"You have one hour to prepare. Gather your belongings. A special transport will arrive to take you. Do not speak of your test result to anyone. This information must remain confidential for now."
Aren nodded.
When he stepped out of the room, the eyes of the waiting children turned toward him. Some stared with curiosity, others with envy, and a few with indifference. Aren responded to none of them. He returned to his room in silence and packed his few belongings: a couple of books, a notebook, a pen, and an old necklace left behind by his mother.
An hour later, a sleek black transport appeared in front of the care center. Its doors opened silently.
Two figures stepped out.
One was a girl around sixteen, her golden hair cascading down to her waist. Her ocean-blue eyes scanned Aren Khan from head to toe. The plain black uniform she wore contrasted sharply with her porcelain skin. There was a curious glint in her gaze.
The other was a tall, striking young man with spiky black hair and a commanding presence. Beneath his black uniform, colossal muscles flowed with a rhythm that seemed almost alive. Standing at nearly two and a half meters tall, he resembled a mountain. And that mountain now stood directly in front of Aren Khan.
His expression was stern.
At just twelve years old, Aren Khan had managed to stay calm in front of the towering giant.
The giant seemed impressed. His stern face softened into a satisfied smile.
Then the girl stepped between them.
A melodic, angelic voice reached Aren Khan's ears.
"Albert, stop scaring the new student!"
The giant, named Albert, chuckled.
"Come on, Jasmine. Just look at him. Does he look scared to you?"
The girl. Jasmine. Extended her hand toward Aren Khan. Her ocean-blue eyes locked onto his.
With a gentle, almost celestial tone, she asked:
"Are you ready, Aren Khan?"
Aren had never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. He couldn't help but blush slightly, turning his head with a shy glance.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Albert's laughter echoed through the area.
"Fearless, but shy. What an interesting combination." he said, still chuckling.
Jasmine placed her hands on her hips and gave him an annoyed look.
"Albert, that's enough!"
Regaining his composure, Aren took one last look behind him. The gray stone building stood quietly, a silent witness to his childhood. Then he turned forward, eyes fixed ahead.
"I'm ready," he said.
The inside of the transport was far more impressive than its exterior. The walls were lined with holographic panels.Very nice and comfortable seats. Aren sat where Jasmine indicated, while Albert sat down, his massive body nearly filling the entire space.
The transport rose gently toward the sky.
Aren gazed down at the streets below. The towering skyscrapers, the holographic billboards, the bustling crowds. He had been born in this city, but now, for the first time, he was seeing it from above.
"Once you take your first step into the Academy, everything will change." Jasmine said.
"Being Level 9 makes you special, yes… but it also draws more eyes to you."
Albert grunted.
"And more enemies. Remember this, Aren Khan. Power doesn't only attract allies."
Aren turned to him.
"I don't want to be anyone's enemy."
Jasmine smiled.
Minutes later, as the transport soared above the city, a vast open area came into view. Structures of varying shapes and sizes filled the space. Thousands of students, all dressed in the same black uniform as Jasmine and Albert, moved across the grounds.
This was Hope Academy a place where humanity's most advanced technologies and its oldest wisdom coexisted.
The transport descended onto a landing platform. There were no students. Only a few official personnel.
A muscular giant over 2.5 meters tall, a girl who could rival angels in beauty, and a twelve-year-old boy emerged from the vehicle.
Jasmine and Albert began walking ahead. Aren followed them quietly.
Together, they made their way toward the Dean's Office.