Valmere City a world where magic and technology co existed in uneasy harmony, a city of steel towers and neon lights where the rich floated above, and the poor scraped by in the forgotten underbelly.For most of the population, *awakening* was an event. A magical moment where an individual unlocked an ability that would define their future. A single power that could propel them into the higher echelons of society.
But Dante Kael? Dante was different.
****
Dante sat cross-legged on a rusted barrel, the scorching sun beating down on him as he fiddled with an old mana drive. The Junk District, a neglected corner of Valmere City, was the only place he knew. His fingers moved over the broken device, the hum of his tools the only sound. Here, no one cared about his status. There were no questions about why he hadn't awakened. Only the bitter truth — he was *unawakened*, and in a world like this, that meant he was nothing.
For hours, he toiled. Even though the city was alive with those flaunting their abilities — elemental manipulation, tech enhancements, even *arcane familiars* that followed their masters around — Dante had nothing. And the more he worked, the more it gnawed at him. That voice that spoke in his head. That strange dream he couldn't remember. A voice calling his name, but always fading before he could reach it.
"Dante, stop sulking, and get back to work."
It was *Kaien*, his boss — a towering figure who'd long since given up hope on his own dreams. He ran the scrapyard with an iron fist, trading parts for profit while keeping a low profile. A place like this was perfect for someone like Dante, who didn't mind getting dirty, didn't mind fading into the shadows.
"You're good at this," Kaien continued, his gruff voice cracking like dry leaves. "Maybe one day, you'll fix up something worth a damn."Dante didn't respond. He didn't care about "fixing" things. All he wanted was to disappear in the background. The last thing he needed was attention.
But Kaien wasn't about to let him off the hook.
"The school, Dante. They're giving away spots. Top students get into the best academies, get better access to magical tech, to everything. The Frosts, the Blazes… you've heard of them, right?" Kaien's voice was thick with irony.
The mention of the Frost and Blaze families two of the most prestigious families in the city, each with control over elemental powers made Dante flinch. They were the kind of people who laughed in the faces of unawakened like him.
"Why bother?" Dante muttered. "I'm nothing. I can't even awaken like they can."
Kaien sighed deeply. "That's your choice, kid. But you should know, there's something special about you. Don't waste it."
Dante scowled, though the words stung.
****
It wasn't until dusk that Dante saw her. The girl standing beneath the broken mana lamp, her long silver hair almost glowing in the low light. For a moment, their eyes locked her piercing, glowing blue gaze sending a chill down his spine. She was beautiful, yes. But there was something else about her. Something... different. She didn't seem like the other kids. She didn't belong here, in the junkyard, where life felt like an endless cycle of survival.
Before Dante could say anything, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the maze of alleys.
He stood there for a moment, feeling an odd tug in his chest, as if something called to him. The odd sensation of being *watched*. Or maybe it was the strange *whispers* that had started to surface in his mind.
"Do you want to be powerful?"
Dante froze.
The voice. It was like the one from his dreams. Low. Deep. *Ancient.*
He brushed it off as another hallucination, but something deep in his gut told him it was real. Too real.
---
Later that night, as the city continued to pulse with life, Dante made his way back to his room in the junkyard, an old, dilapidated building that barely kept out the wind.
His thoughts raced, but the moment he stepped inside, something caught his eye. A strange object in the corner — a *black cube*, its surface etched with glowing, unfamiliar runes.
He walked toward it, his fingers trembling slightly as he picked it up. The moment he touched it, a strange warmth spread through his body. His heart rate quickened "You found me. Finally."
The voice echoed again, clearer this time.
Dante stumbled back, nearly dropping the cube. He stared at it in disbelief. *Who... what... was this?*
Suddenly, the cube pulsed brightly, the runes flashing like a heartbeat. The world around Dante seemed to still. It was as though the air itself was vibrating with energy and then, the cube went still and disappeared in thin air
*SYSTEM ONLINE*
---
A flood of strange symbols filled Dante's vision, more than he could process. Words like *awakening*, *demonic essence*, *strength*... all swirling around him.
Before he could react, a final message flashed:
> *QUEST: Strengthen. Feed me your essence.*
Dante's eyes widened. He knew nothing of magic-tech, nothing of how powers were unlocked. But in that moment, as the cube's energy swirled through his veins, something *clicked* inside him.
For the first time in his life, Dante felt like he wasn't just a bystander. He felt *alive*.
The room seemed to pulse with the same power "The world is changing, Dante Kael," the voice whispered. *"And you… you are the key."*