Chapter 1: Where It All Began:Luminari Academy
_YEAR 3225, AERTHYS, CALONIA. February 3rd, 3225. 7:30 AM_
On this Monday morning. The sun rose with a gentle smile, even though Cerulean had experienced drastic changes; it stood there unaffected, watching the people it shone on. Life is just like a fleeting moment. The more you try to hold onto your life, the closer you get to losing it.
A black Rolls-Royce car cruised downtown at an average speed. Suddenly, the black Rolls-Royce car veered toward a skyscraper with the name "Luminari Academy" engraved on top.
The black car stopped further from the entrance of the skyscraper which was filled with crowd. A fifteen-year-old boy, with striking features of blonde coily hair and blonde eyes, emerged. He wore a white shirt, black jean trousers, and black sneakers. His Royce-Rolls car stood out in the crowd, a symbol of his family wealth and status.
Just then, fifteen-year-old green-haired boy popped out of nowhere, hitting Blum on the head, "As expected of Mummy's son, you arrived here in a Rolls-Royce car."
"Ming, you've arrived. I thought I got here first." Blum Nacort was surprised by the sight of his friend. "Anyways I came second" Blum Nacort added
"Nah, you're wrong. You came..."
"Blum..." A black-haired young girl waved at both of them.
"....last" Ming Locke completed his sentence
Blum face fell, his mouth pursed in defeat "I know, no need to spit it out" he said, his voice laced with resignation.
Ming Locke snickered, "Don't forget, you have to follow our orders for a week."
Blum replied, "I know, I know. So, any news from them?"
Ming Locke responded, "Nah, haven't heard anything from them, dude."
Blum corrected him, "I told you to stop calling me that; I have a name given by my parents."
Ming Locke teased, "Yeah, I get it, Mummy's child."
"Do you why they picked this place as the location for our awakening, because all I can see here is this skyscraper and forest all round it" Blum asked, bothered by this.
"You are asking me, how do you expect me to know? I am not the instructor nor a god that knows about it" Ming mercilessly replied Blum.
Blum who heard this sulked, "Bro, you are too harsh. Isn't it just a question?"
"Yh, I know, but sometimes you just ask some meaningless questions. You know your background is greater than mine, since you didn't know, how do you expect me to know?"
Blum who heard this friends word, scratched his hand, embarrassed by this. "Whatever..." He said, raising his head to look at the sun that stood high, silently watching Cerulean.
Isn't it lonely? he thought. Staying so high alone, just watching the world for thousands of years, millions of years. This question lingered in Song Blum's mind.
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Thousands of years ago, "Cerulean" experienced an apocalypse that caused devastating changes to the entire planet. Plants grew larger than their usual size, and animals appeared more menacing and threatening. The planet expanded, and strange portals appeared in different areas of Cerulean, unleashing numerous strange beasts that caused chaos.
This day exposed humanity's conniving behavior: lovers betrayed and forsake their partners, and parents abandoned their children. Humans gave these strange beasts the general name "Kolvoids." While fleeing in fear, some thought of countermeasures to fight the Kolvoids, while others considered leaving this hellish world.
As the human population dwindled, researchers studied the enlarged plants and animals, discovering genetic changes caused by a strong, strange energy. "If only we could control such energy," humans thought. Further research revealed that the same energy lay dormant within their bodies. With concerted effort and ideas, humans managed to awaken this latent energy, saving themselves from extinction. Over time, they perfected the method of awakening this energy, naming it "Originat (Origin Power)"
Gradually, humans stood their ground, defending against the Kolvoids and establishing a system: those fifteen years old and above have the ability to contain Mana.
In Calonia, cities were reduced to five, each now called a district: Bloom District, Shannon District, Aerthys District, Shendon District, and Chen District. With the ability to control Mana, humans transformed from prey to predators, unleashing their anger upon the Kolvoids.
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"Blum, we have to move. The instructor is here; you wouldn't want to miss this opportunity," Ming said, noticing his friend lost in thought.
Blum snapped out of his reverie, "Yeah, let's go meet Rose. She didn't even greet me..."
"You know she did."
"She just waved, and you call that a greeting..."
"You know she knows what kind of mind you have," Ming said, raising his eyebrows at his friend.
"What kind of mind?" Blum asked with an innocent smile.
"You know yourself and your perverted mind. Can't you literally change for real?"
"You don't understand. It's what we call youth; I'm sure all guys would agree with me," Blum said with a proud expression, his teeth sparkling white.
"I have given up on you, bruh," Ming said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
"Don't you have your own too? You sniff ladies' pants anytime you see a chance."
"What do you mean? Don't accuse a saint like me."
"You, a saint? Don't make me laugh." Blum dipped his hands into his black jeans, bringing out his phone.
"What are you doing?" Ming asked, seeing his friend pressing his phone.
"Oh, I'm looking for the photo of a saint."
"Yeah, I found it. Take a look at someone who calls himself a saint," Blum said, Ming looking at the phone and seeing something that made his face pale.
"How...do you...have this?" Ming stammered, while Blum laughed out loud, holding his stomach at his friend's expression. The picture showed Ming holding pink ladies' pants with a cute bear design.
"Give me that phone right now, Blum."
"I can't hear you; say it again..." Blum teased his friend. Ming was getting frustrated, his reputation plummeting.
"Don't make me repeat myself." His voice sounded menacing.
"Chill, bruh; there's a better way. The one-week order I would be taking from you and Rose; you'll be doing it all."
"I thought you were my friend. Friends are supposed to help each other in such moments."
"Yeah, that's what I'm doing right now. You can see I'm such a great friend," Blum replied sarcastically.
"I can see that..." Ming's face fell. _A great friend you are indeed._
"What's wrong with that long face, Ming?" Rose's voice startled them.
"Oh...nothing," they exclaimed simultaneously, sweat threatening to drop from their faces. If Rose found out about their conversation, they were dead meat.
"I can tell there's something wrong here. Just say it; I'm not going to bite you both," Rose said, her voice threatening. They maintained their answer, knowing better than to trust her words.
"Ok, that's good. Don't just let me find out, or..." She cracked her fist together, sending shivers down the boys' spines. _How can a beauty be such a tigress?_ This thought passed through their minds.
The three had been friends since middle school, and now, in high school, they had a mission. Rose was light-skinned, intelligent, and had a C-cup bust size, making her one of the top beauties in their middle school. Her black hair, enchanting black eyes, and intelligence were everything a guy wanted in his future wife.
"Who are you looking for?" They asked, noticing Rose's eyes darting through the crowd. But she brushed them off, leaving the guys in shock.
"Excuse me..." A voice filled with malice startled the three of them.