ACROPOLIS, FEBRUARY 22, 7:00 PM
In a grand conference hall nestled within one of the city's colossal buildings, a charismatic man took the stage. His image was also broadcast across the massive advertising screens and televisions throughout Thoule. With his long, flowing white hair and fair complexion, he exuded an air of elegance and ethereal youthfulness.
"Good evening, citizens of Thoule. I'm Samuel LaVey, CEO of Asclepius Pharm," he announced, stretching his arms wide.
Before him, an enraptured audience hung on his every word, captivated by his charisma.
"As you all know, Thoule traces its origins back 777 years, when a group of enlightened minds led by Prometheus sought to escape the oppression of the Dark Lands. They yearned for a place where their ideas could flourish, free from bigotry and fundamentalism." Samuel's words resonated deeply with the audience, drawing them further into his narrative.
"On their journey, they discovered the Asteri archipelago, which they transformed into their haven. It became home to brilliant minds from across the world, all seeking to advance humanity without constraint. Over the centuries, the population grew enormously. The villages scattered across the archipelago expanded so much that they became city-states, the seven poleis that still make up Thoule today: Chora, Zunik, Summut, Artemica, Roxa, Yrgos, and the most important, the center of power founded by Prometheus himself, Acropolis. These city-states then united into a single power and government: Thoule!"
A map of the archipelago flared to life on the massive screen behind him, tracing the borders of the seven nations.
"Centuries passed, and our civilization outpaced that of the outside world. Yet, we still have much to achieve. Seventy years ago, my grandfather, Adam LaVey, unlocked the true potential of humanity by creating the first Awakened, individuals who could reshape the world not through physical labor, but solely through the power of their minds." Samuel tapped his forehead with his index finger.
"The first Awakened was a telekinetic, whom today we would classify only as a Class 2, nothing exceptional. But back then, thousands of people across Thoule volunteered for the treatment. In less than a century, we gathered so much data that now anyone can safely attempt the awakening process without fearing consequences in case of failure. And for those who are lucky, the treatment unlocks the ultimate potential of the human mind!"
Samuel demonstrated his point with a subtle gesture of his hand. Empty metal chairs began to float, gliding to the side of the stage where they contorted and merged, weaving themselves into an incredibly detailed statue of a swan. At this effortless display of mastery, the hall erupted into thunderous applause.
"But unfortunately, we still have much work to do in perfecting the process," Samuel continued, his tone softening. "Only 2% of candidates successfully awaken, and of those, 89% will only become a Class 1 or Class 2. This means their potential is not completely realized during the process, remaining locked away forever. Furthermore, only 0.30% of the Awakened ever reach Class 4 or 5, meaning that only a few thousand individuals in all of Thoule will ever unlock their full power."
A brief, heavy silence fell over the room.
"But this limit exists no more. Let me introduce you to a friend of mine"
On the screens behind Samuel, a video played, showing a fifteen-year-old boy freezing a cup of water with his bare hands.
"He underwent treatment at the age of twelve, and at fifteen, he was confirmed as a Class 1, possessing a form of cryokinesis capable of cooling only small volumes of matter. Normally, he wouldn't have been able to do much to increase his power, outside of years of training that would yield minimal improvements. But today, I want to show you that even this limit has been overcome. Please give a warm welcome to Lucas!"
At that moment, a young man in his twenties stood up from the audience. He had platinum blond hair, azure eyes, and was dressed entirely in white. As he walked toward the stage, the liquids from the guests' glasses sprayed into the air, hovering just below the ceiling. The droplets converged, forming the shape of another swan before instantly freezing into a flawless ice sculpture.
The spectators in the hall and those watching the live broadcast were astonished to see that the ice statue did not fall; instead, it remained suspended in mid-air, gently flapping its wings to fly alongside the boy as he stepped onto the stage.
"Incredible, isn't it? Far beyond the abilities of a Class 1, you might say. And I can tell you that you're right. Because Lucas," Samuel said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, "has been officially reclassified as a Class 4."
This revelation sent a shockwave of astonishment through the audience. It was an established scientific fact that an Awakened could never jump from one class to another.
"No deception here, I assure you," Samuel smiled, holding up a small vial containing a radiant, glowing golden substance. "Let me introduce you to QN-X333, or as you may call it, Ambrosia. The result of decades of research, it is the only known way to break the barriers created by the initial awakening treatment, and perhaps the key to allowing everyone to unlock their absolute potential!"
Samuel concluded with a triumphant declaration: "Remember this evening, my friends, as it marks the beginning of humanity's ascent to godhood."
The audience erupted into a frenzy of applause as Samuel and Lucas discreetly exited the venue.
Meanwhile, on that very same night, a galleon sailed through the murky waters that separated Thoule from the Dark Lands. Thick fog obscured everything around them, making navigation treacherous. A young man with piercing blue eyes watched intently from the crow's nest as an ominous, mechanical buzzing sound grew louder in the mist.
Suddenly, sharp beams of light pierced the fog, locking straight onto their ship.
"Damn, they've spotted us!" the young man shouted, scrambling down the rigging to alert the crew.