The Awakening

The world had changed overnight.

It began without warning. One moment, everything was as it had always been, the world’s rhythm uninterrupted by anything strange. The next, a tear in the fabric of reality appeared—gates, towering and gleaming, like windows to another world. They materialized everywhere: in the middle of cities, on mountain peaks, by the oceanside. No one knew where they came from, or why they were here.

Soon, people started passing through these gates—the Awakened—returning from the other side with powers no human should possess. Some wielded fire, others controlled ice or summoned lightning. The gates opened to a world full of monsters, treasure, and untold danger. And those who emerged were changed.

In the wake of this, the Adventure Academy was born. It was a place where the Awakened would train, a place for those with power to hone their skills and unlock their potential. The world, once calm and predictable, had transformed into a place of chaos, filled with guilds, dungeons, and people vying for power.

But not everyone was awakened.

Yao Feng stepped onto the Academy grounds, his steps barely making a sound on the smooth stone walkways. Nothing about today felt special, and that was exactly how he liked it. He didn’t need to stand out. In a world where everyone had something to prove, where abilities were everything, Feng was content to blend in. He was just a shadow in the crowd, unnoticed by most, and he preferred it that way.

He didn’t have power. Not like the other students.

Lana could summon flames with a single thought. Ryu had mastered the art of ice, bending it to his will. Kiera could heal injuries with a touch. They were all exceptional. The rest of his classmates? The same. Their powers were magnificent, incredible. They had gifts, while Feng had nothing but a quiet mind and a reserved demeanor.

At least, that was what everyone believed.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the day’s training session. Students shuffled into the courtyard, eager for the challenges ahead. Teams were formed. Everyone knew this day was important—today, they would be sent on their first dungeon exploration mission. The academy had chosen a relatively low-level dungeon nearby, a chance for the students to work together, test their abilities, and learn the basics of dungeon exploration.

Feng, as usual, stayed in the back of the group. He wasn’t here to prove anything, and the idea of being thrust into dangerous situations didn’t appeal to him. He didn’t care about showing off or gaining fame. As long as he could survive and remain under the radar, that was enough.

The team he was placed with was typical for the academy—Lana, the fire-wielder; Ryu, the ice-bender; Kiera, the healer; and Jace, a quiet boy who was more observant than anyone else, but whose abilities were still largely unknown.

Feng had nothing in common with them. They were fighters, adventurers in the making, and then there was him—just a guy who could keep his head down and get by without drawing attention.

Their mission? To explore the dungeon, collect some resources, and report back. Nothing too complicated.

As they descended into the dungeon, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thick with humidity, and the faint smell of damp stone filled their lungs. The narrow corridors twisted and turned, lit only by their torches and the occasional flicker of strange, glowing fungi on the walls. The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

Lana led the group, her flames flickering brightly, illuminating their path. Ryu followed closely, his icy presence causing the temperature around him to drop as he cooled the air. Kiera kept close to the others, ready to heal anyone who got injured. They moved with the confidence of those who had been trained for this very purpose.

Feng, however, stayed at the rear. He wasn’t afraid, but he wasn’t eager either. There were creatures lurking in the dark—everyone knew that—but Feng didn’t fear them. His mind wandered to other things: to the academy’s walls, to the whispers of the more powerful students, to the strange sensation that sometimes flickered in the back of his mind. He pushed the thoughts aside. He didn’t have time for distractions.

The deeper they went, the quieter it became. The usual sounds of the dungeon—scratching claws, distant growls—seemed to fall away. It was eerily silent, and the stillness made Feng uneasy. He glanced around, but all he saw was shadow.

Then, it happened.

A flicker.

The shadows ahead shifted unnaturally, moving against the flow of the air. Before anyone could react, a dozen shadow creatures erupted from the walls, slithering like living darkness. Their eyes glowed with an unsettling crimson light, and their sharp claws scraped across the stone, sending sparks flying.

Chaos erupted.

Lana didn’t hesitate. She raised her hands, fire spiraling from her fingertips, and with a wave of her arm, a burst of flames shot toward the creatures, incinerating the first wave. But there were too many—more came pouring from the walls and the cracks in the floor. Ryu’s eyes flashed as he conjured a wall of ice to slow their advance, but it wouldn’t hold for long.

Kiera shouted, rushing forward to heal an injured student who had been slashed across the arm. The air was thick with tension, and the battlefield was chaotic, with the team struggling to keep their footing.

But Feng?

Feng stood still, his eyes flicking from one creature to the next, his mind calculating, analyzing. He wasn’t afraid, but he wasn’t rushing into the fight either. His role was clear: stay out of the way, keep his head down.

A sharp sound—a crack—echoed through the chamber.

Ryu’s ice barrier shattered. The creatures were swarming, growing more aggressive with each passing second. The others were struggling. Desperation was creeping into their movements.

But Feng, in the back, remained still. His breath steady, his gaze unwavering.

The battle raged.

Lana threw fire, Ryu formed ice, and Kiera healed. But no matter what they did, the creatures didn’t stop. They kept coming, relentless and numerous.

Feng’s heart pounded, but his body remained calm. He watched the chaos unfold with a quiet resolve. This wasn’t his fight.

Not yet.

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