The void.
"The origin of time and space was never meant to be here," the first said. His gaze traced the emptiness, as if searching for something.
"It might be stored in #$#$#$s items, after his death ,it should've drifted here " the second replied. He paused, jaw tightening. "But the items are gone. Which means some lucky guy benefited—without even realizing what they touched."
"Lucky guyS ,I am certain that its two people"
"Divided huh? " The second's tone shifted—subtle. "Did each part fuse with a different person? sigh, atleast it got divided , if a single person got both I cant even imagine what KA he'll awaken. Fuck, after all our time got wasted , only to find items gone ,is there any way to track them then??"
"No," the first answered without hesitation. "Most likely, two different people died, and their souls fused with different origin items ."He paused, considering another possibility. "Or the items latched onto their souls through coincidence. Either way, once fusion occurred, their traces were erased."
"So unless they die again," the second muttered.
"Or unless I inspect them closely unknowingly," the first finished. "They cannot be found."
Silence settled.
"…A dead end," the second said.
"For now," the first replied.
...............................
"Ka are born from people,"
The instructor's voice echoed through the Awakening Hall, calm and firm, carrying easily across the stone floor.
Dozens of fifteen-year-olds stood in neat lines, branch and main family members alike. No separation. In the Zhang family, blood distance decided inheritance—not dignity.
The instructor continued. "Or more accurately, awakened from within you. At the age of fifteen, your body and soul finally stabilize enough to withstand that process."
He turned slightly, gesturing toward the translucent pillar at the center of the hall.
"Some of you will awaken weak Ka. Some will awaken rare ones. " His gaze hardened. "None of that determines your worth ."
A faint murmur ran through the crowd.
"The Zhang family governs the southwestern region not because of talent," the instructor said, voice steady, "but because of discipline and continuity, All the family members are trained, protected, and rewarded according to contribution. Awakening is a beginning—not a verdict."
A boy near the front shifted—Zhang Minghao, a main-family descendant, known for his discipline. Beside him stood Zhang Rui, a branch-family prodigy whose eyes burned with barely concealed hunger.
"At fifteen," Zhang Qian said, gesturing toward the translucent pillar behind him, "your soul stabilizes. That is why awakening happens now—not earlier, not later."
From the branch-family line, Zhang Tianwen listened quietly.
He stood slightly behind his friend or brother, Zhang Yan.
Zhang tianwen listened without reacting.
Fifteen years.
That was how long he had lived in this world.
His parents in this life had died when he was two. The family hadn't abandoned him—they had placed him where branch children belonged. A small house near the outer compound. Clean. Efficient.
That was where he had grown up.
He shared that house with another boy, Zhang Yan ,a roommate assigned by age, not choice. Over time, they trained together, and grew a lot closer almost like a brother. He didn't dislike the boy, which was rare. Maybe because he saw him from a young age, or simply because he did not have anyone else in the clan who he can trust.
"Ka reflect what you are," Zhang Qian went on. "Not what you pretend to be."
A soft scoff came from Zhang Rui.
Lin Yue, standing nearby, shot him a sideways glance. "shut up, dont cause any trouble here"
Zhang Rui didn't reply.
Zhang Tianwen noted the exchange and dismissed it.
None of them mattered—unless their Ka turned out useful.
His life for the past fifteen years had been uneventful.
Exercise .Train. Read.
"When your name is called, step forward. Place your hand on the Pillar. Do not interfere."
Names began to echo.
Names began to echo through the Awakening Hall.
One by one, youths stepped forward when called, placed a hand on the Pillar, stood still for a few breaths, then stepped back into line. Most awakenings passed quietly, acknowledged only by the instructor's brief nod before he called the next name.
Zhang Tianwen watched closely.
Some returned with faint changes—slightly steadier breathing, a subtle shift in posture. Others looked exactly the same as before. Awakening was a private matter. Ka were not announced ,atleast not to everyone. After the awakening everyone has to list their ka, name and ability with the family. Based on ones ka they are assigned to different divisions, mastering either of single combat, strategic combat, group combat or even logistics and only after learning for an year they are further assigned to different areas.
"Zhang Minghao."
The main-family youth stepped forward. His movements were controlled, practiced. He placed his palm against the Pillar, eyes closed, expression neutral. A few moments later, he stepped back, unchanged on the surface.
Zhang Qian made a small mark on the register
Next.
"Zhang Rui."
The branch-family prodigy walked forward with barely contained impatience. He lingered a second longer than necessary, jaw tight, before stepping away. No one commented.
Lin Yue was called soon after. Her process was unremarkable, quiet to the point of being forgettable. She returned to her place without looking at anyone.
The hall remained orderly.
Zhang Tianwens beathing stayed even. His thoughts stayed clear. Everything he needed had already been done over the past fifteen years. Whatever happened now would not be influenced by impatience.
Finally—
"Zhang Tianwen."