When Comet and his father finally skidded into the town square, the air was already thick with the scent of nervous sweat and anticipation. A massive crowd had gathered, a sea of five-year-olds looking alternately terrified and determined.

  ?Medan gripped Comet’s shoulder, his voice dropping the impatient edge from earlier. "Comet, listen to me. Be serious. This is the most important moment of your life."

  ?Seeing the raw gravity in his father’s eyes, Comet straightened his small, aching back. He shook off the lingering trauma of his mother’s "discipline" and stepped quietly into the line.

  ?As Medan moved toward the designated parents' camp, a heavy hand clapped onto his shoulder.

  ?"Chuckle... How are you, Medan?"

  ?Medan startled, but his tension melted into a grin when he saw the face of the newcomer. "Jackie! You old dog. Today is the day—my boy is finally taking the test."

  ?Jackie looked out over the long line of children, his eyes wistful. "Yes. Let's hope that among these children, a true genius awakens. Someone to become a hero and support this world."

  ?Their conversation was cut short as a man stepped onto the raised central platform. He wore the formal robes of authority, his presence commanding instant silence from the restless crowd.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ?"Hello, children," the Town In-Charge began, his voice amplified by some unseen power. "I am the official in charge of this district. Most of you are five years old. You have heard the histories; you know the weight of today. But for those who do not, I will be clear."

  ?He scanned the tiny faces.

  ?"Today is the day the power sleeping within you finally stirs. Today, you awaken your Village Token."

  ?A collective gasp rippled through the line. Comet leaned in, his ears pricked.

  ?"Village Tokens come in many ranks," the official continued. "The higher the rank, the greater—and more unique—the power. These tokens are the only tools humanity possesses to push back the darkness. They are the seeds that allow us to build settlements within the Black Fog and cleanse the very air of our world."

  ?The man’s expression turned solemn.

  ?"However, power requires patience. The Token will not manifest fully today. You will begin a compulsory twelve-year education course to prepare your minds and bodies. It takes precisely twelve years for a Token to mature within your soul."

  ?"Once those twelve years pass," he shouted, his voice ringing across the square, "you will undergo the Second Awakening. That is when your rank, your potential, and your destiny are truly decided. From that moment on, you will be sent into the Black Fog to begin your adventures. You will build, you will fight, and you will reclaim Green Orio!"

  ?The crowd erupted into frantic whispering. Fear and excitement danced in equal measure among the children.

  ?Comet, however, stood perfectly still. A slow, shark-like grin spread across his face.

  ?“A seed that grows into a kingdom? A way to fix this Jupiter-sized mess?” Comet thought, his eyes shimmering with a light that didn't belong to a five-year-old. “Interesting. This world is getting very interesting. Let’s see what you have to offer me.”