Chapter 1: The Awakening (Polished Draft)
Jayden had always believed turning sixteen would feel different.
Not special. Just noticeable. Like waking up one morning and realizing the world expected something more from you now.
A person's magic always awakened at sixteen. Everyone knew that. It was as natural as breathing.
That morning, the town of Avarice woke the same way it always did.
Shopkeepers lifted their shutters. Stone streets echoed with boots and idle chatter. Mana lamps dimmed as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Nothing in the air suggested that the rules of the world were about to bend beyond recognition.
Today my powers are getting activated. I hope I get something good, Jayden thought as he pulled on his shirt, sliding one arm in and then the other.
From downstairs, Sarah's voice called out, warm but firm."Jayden, hurry up. Everyone's waiting for you."
He rushed down, pausing only to steal a final glance at his reflection in the mirror before heading out. Soon, he was seated in a carriage bound for the activation center, accompanied by his close friend Nadia Samer and escorted by his parents.
As the carriage rolled through the city streets, Jayden's excitement slowly twisted into nerves. He caught himself biting his nails.
"Why are you getting nervous?" Nadia teased, leaning closer. "It's just activation. What's the worst thing that's going to hap—"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Jayden cut in, mock threatening. "You know that brings bad luck."
Nadia laughed. "Oh please."
Jayden folded his hands together. "Just let me get something good."
The carriage slowed to a stop.
"We're here," Luke said as he stepped down and offered his hand to Sarah, helping her out before following after.
"Come on, Dad," Jayden sighed as they headed inside. "Save the romance for when we get home."
The activation center stood at the heart of the magic market, surrounded by stalls selling enchanted artifacts, rare delicacies, and tools for every magical discipline imaginable. It was one of the royal capital's main attractions, positioned at the very center of the city.
The four of them entered, Jayden and Nadia walking ahead while the adults followed behind.
Nadia led the way confidently. She had already awakened months ago, being older than Jayden by half a year.
Luckily, Jayden's birthday was not a common one. Only two people stood in line ahead of them.
While they waited, Jayden's parents, wealthy and well known figures within the country, paid the compulsory activation fee. Luke added more, requesting the most advanced activation orb available.
Activation orbs varied in effectiveness. The most common models simply awakened a person's magic. This one, however, went further. It measured the ability, analyzed it, and offered a prediction of its potential.
When Jayden's turn came, he stepped forward and lowered himself into the chair.
The ceremony official, a woman named Juliet, explained the procedure before placing her hands on the orb."Place your palms here," she instructed.
Jayden did the same.
He felt a faint breeze rustle his hair, heard the quiet incantations beneath Juliet's breath, and sensed his parents' hands resting on his shoulders. Strangely, the nerves vanished.
He felt calm. Focused.
Around him, other teenagers whispered among themselves. Excitement and fear mixed freely. Some speculated about what kind of power Jayden might awaken. Others placed quiet bets, as kids often did.
Jayden ignored them all, his gaze fixed on the crystal device embedded in the floor before him.
The Awakening Meter.
A tool designed centuries ago to measure magical affinity and potential. It had limits. Absolute ones. Every known ability fit somewhere along its scale.
Every known power.
"Begin," Juliet said.
The orb flared to life, glowing brightly as Jayden's dormant mana was drawn forth.
At first, everything seemed normal.
Then the orb cracked.
A sharp sound rang through the chamber as fractures spread across its surface. The device began to shake violently.
Jayden's eyes widened as he tried to pull his hands away, but they would not move.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then mana erupted outward.
The explosion slammed into Jayden's chest, throwing him backward as light consumed his vision. The glow faded, replaced by darkness as consciousness slipped from his grasp.
Silence fell.
The damaged meter flickered weakly before displaying a single phrase.
LOGIC DISRUPTION
Fear crept into Luke, Sarah, and Nadia as they rushed forward. Luke lifted Jayden from the ground, unconscious but unharmed.
Juliet shut the machine down immediately, her expression pale."Logic Disruption," she muttered. "This requires research."
As Luke carried Jayden away, Sarah and Nadia helped clear the area, both visibly shaken.
Sarah glanced back once more at the cracked orb.
What in the world is happening? she wondered.