The morning sun cut through the smog over the slums, casting a golden haze on the makeshift shacks. Jae-sung trudged toward the Vanguard School gates, with the baby—Yoo—bundled in his arms.
The air smelled of burnt metal and cooking fires, and clang! clang! rang out from workers fixing a broken wall. Jae-sung adjusted the blanket around Yoo, his steps heavy.
"This test better work out. It might be the only free chance we get, we get food, safety... a chance," he thought, his heart pounding a little faster. The school loomed ahead, its sleek walls glowing with energy fields, a stark contrast to the muddy paths behind him.
Yoo wiggled, his baby eyes taking in the noise. "This place looks fancy... gravity training? I need to see how it works," he thought, his adult mind curious but cautious. The energy from the core surge still tingled in his tiny body, like a itch he couldn't scratch.
At the gates, a guard with a scarred face scanned Jae-sung's chip. "Name? Rank?" the guard grunted, his voice rough like gravel.
"Jae-sung. Gold, I think—I reawakened yesterday," Jae-sung replied, holding Yoo closer. The guard nodded, waving them through. "Good luck. Lots of newbies today, first one with a baby though.", the guard said as he just really noticed baby Yoo.
Inside, the school buzzed with activity. Hunters sparred in open yards, thud! whoosh!, energy cloaks flickering as they dodged, some although high rank found it harder to control their energy surge from reawakening,
it even caused an emergency separation of from non awakened so they don't mistakenly kill normal human beings.
A random applicant, a young woman with tied-back hair, paced nearby. "Nervous? Me too," she said to Jae-sung, eyeing the baby. "Cute kid. You bringing family to the test?"
Jae-sung smiled faintly. "Found him in the rubble. Couldn't leave him behind." The woman nodded.
"Brave... I barely survived myself," she thought, her hands fidgeting.
The instructor, a burly man with a Gold-rank badge, called the group. "Listen up! The surge gave you a boost, but ranks mean nothing without training. We'll test in the gravity room—push your limits!"
He led them to a chamber with humming walls. Hum! Buzz! Jae-sung handed Yoo to a sitter nearby, a kind older woman.
"Could you please keep an eye on him for me? he asked. She smiled. "Of course, dear. He's quiet for a baby." Yoo gurgled, but inside,
"The gravity room appears to be ideal; I can sense the energy from this location."
Jae-sung stepped into the room, the door sealing with a hiss!. The instructor cranked the gravity. Groan! Thump! Jae-sung's knees buckled, the weight like a mountain pressing down. "Push your energy—flow it through your body!" the instructor barked.
Jae-sung gritted his teeth, "Warm flow... come on!" he thought, sweat dripping. Energy surged, forming a cloak that lifted him up. Whoosh! He punched the air, a spark flying. The instructor nodded.
"Good! Gold rank confirmed. You're in—sponsored."
A low-rank applicant next door struggled. "I can't... too heavy!" he groaned, collapsing with a thud!. The instructor shook his head.
"Iron rank—sorry, kid. Come back when you're ready." The applicant slunk out, thinking, "Not fair... I'm a reawakened too, but it's not enough."
Meanwhile, the sitter rocked Yoo in a quiet corner. "You're a calm one, aren't you?" she whispered, her voice soft. Yoo stared at the ceiling, feeling a tingle.
"That energy... innate skill?" he thought, his tiny hand twitching. A faint acid burn itched in his fingers—Melt stirring. Sizzle! He held it back, not wanting to scare her.
A random child peeked over. "Baby's hands glow!" the kid said, eyes wide. The sitter laughed. "Just the lights, dear."
Yoo thought, "Close call... need to control this."
Outside, a hologram screen flickered on a wall. "News update!" the reporter said, her voice crisp. "The reaction of the core has eliminated the limitations on Earth, enabling hunters to advance in their ranks; however, continuous research suggests that training is crucial."
The screen switched to a researcher. "Currently, energy is available at no cost. Those with talent progress quickly with sponsorship, while those in lower ranks face greater challenges. Institutions such as Vanguard provide gravity rooms and exclusive items for top performers."
The crowd in the yard buzzed. "I want gravity training!" a young hunter shouted. "Sign me up!"
An old man sighed. "Only for talents. Us old folks are left in the dust."
"Not fair," he thought, shuffling away. A slum trader hawked wares.
"Energy boosters—cheap!" but a buyer grumbled, "Not as good as school blood vial."
Jae-sung exited the room, wiping sweat. The instructor handed him a vial. "Your sponsor perk—blood from a rare beast. Drink it in training; boosts strength. But only for Gold and above—low ranks can't handle it." Jae-sung nodded, thinking, "This is it... for the kid."
He picked up Yoo from the sitter. "Thanks! Is he alright?", She smiled. "Quiet as a mouse. Good boy."
Yoo gurgled, but inside, "Blood Vials? That's my shortcut... how do I get one?" A random applicant clapped Jae-sung on the back.
"You nailed it! Wish I had a talent like yours." Jae-sung smiled. "Thanks. Keep trying." The man nodded, thinking, "One day... I'll get sponsored too."
As they left, the sun dipped low, slums lighting up with fires. Jae-sung held Yoo tight. "Got the boost—time to train hard." Yoo's pulse throb! hum! quickened, a ultimate skill hinting.
A random neighbor waved. "Lucky you—wish I had a sponsor." Jae-sung nodded, unaware of the force in his arms.
The world buzzed—schools sponsoring talents, ranks rising, slums struggling. And in Jae-sung's hold, Baby Yoo was resting while considering his upcoming plans.