Chapter 1: The Awakening in Wartime

A small village, clearly artificially created deep within an isolated mountain, was surrounded by Espers, their expressions grim. The gaze of a man, seemingly their leader, fell upon a pale, youthful man.

Behind the young man stood his parents, clad in pristine white hanbok, their faces resolute. It had been an age since Espers and Guides first appeared among humanity, since nations once numbering in the hundreds had merged, now known by only a few dozen different names.

Even now, in an era where race and lineage held little meaning, it was unclear if they wore such ancient attire—now referred to as relics—solely to express their identity. Yet, the young man’s father possessed blonde hair and blue eyes, while his mother was an elegant East Asian beauty.

Regardless, the garments felt conspicuously eye-catching.

“It would be best to change your clothes.”

“We wore them for the ritual. We have suits on underneath the hanbok.”

At the father’s words, the leader nodded in satisfaction. As both parents were an Esper and a Guide, they would undoubtedly be more concerned about their son’s safety than anyone else.

“Excellent.”

“Excellent, my foot.”

“Ethan Prescott!”

His father flared up at the insolent retort, but Ethan merely turned his head away. However, his averted face was soon caught by a hand on his chin, forcing him to meet a chilling gaze.

Ethan glared defiantly at his mother, who was looking down at him. Maintaining eye contact with her son, Han Yeonjeong instructed her subordinate.

“Captain Mark. Please ensure the rear is secure.”

“Do not worry, Major Prescott Han.”

After a brief glance at Captain Mark’s salute, Ethan proceeded with his parents toward the central hall where the ritual was prepared. In a village composed of those connected to the Han family, the village elders, in whom the power of their bloodline manifested strongly, awaited them in a room adorned with trigrams.

“Ethan, today you become an adult.”

“Grandfather…”

As Han Jeongcheol, the eldest elder, smiled kindly, Ethan burst into tears, a vulnerability he rarely showed even before his mother. Han Jeongcheol stroked the young man’s silently weeping head, clicking his tongue inwardly. Though Ethan had been instilled with much beyond his years and raised to act maturely, he was still merely a fresh-faced youth of barely twenty.

The Han family, which had existed for a long time, was known for producing exceptionally gifted shamans.

Though once ostracized and forced to hide in the shadows, their standing changed dramatically with the advent of Espers and Guides among humanity.

For generations, they had bound spirits, or `gwi`, as guardian deities. When an Esper emerged from their lineage, they became a Multi-Esper, possessing both Esper abilities and the powers of the `gwi`. When a Guide emerged, they became a Multi-Guide.

Of course, the manifestation of Esper or Guide abilities was a rare occurrence even within the Han clan. However, it was still a high probability compared to the general population. Even now, with intermarriage blurring their bloodlines, individuals possessing incredibly potent abilities occasionally emerged.

This was exemplified by Han Yeonjeong, a Guide who, despite her role, commanded a powerful `gwi`, displaying exceptional combat prowess and earning the rank of Major. It was also true for her son, Ethan Prescott, who, though yet to undergo the Awakening Ritual, harbored such potent `ki` that his coming-of-age ceremony was deemed top-secret.

“Stop crying, Ethan Prescott. This is wartime. Though our Nesjito Federation is nearing victory, your abilities could be invaluable in ending this conflict. There’s no room for childishness now.”

As his usually gruff but affectionate mother coldly pushed him towards the center of the trigrams, his Esper father, Dennis Prescott—several times more tender than his wife—cleared his throat and embraced his son, comforting him.

“Don’t scare him so much. Ethan will do well.”

Han Yeonjeong held immense pride in her abilities and lineage, evidenced by her use of both her husband’s surname and her own as a middle name. While she understood her son’s fear, having endured the same coming-of-age ritual herself, this was wartime, and preparations for the ceremony had been simplified accordingly.

With the Aitoolians, who initiated the war, now on the defensive and unpredictable in their desperation, she had to be most vigilant against any disruption that could permanently cost her son.

Ultimately, she uttered harsh words, coldly pushing her son to endure the ritual through sheer stubbornness.

Consequently, Ethan, with a slightly venomous expression, walked rigidly towards the center on his own. He lifted his chin and shot a rebellious gaze at Han Yeonjeong, who then subtly smiled and gestured for the elders to begin the ritual.

The pristine white cloths fluttered in unison as the ritual commenced. Rhythmic incantations, like a song, merged from multiple voices, resonating throughout the space. Ethan’s blue eyes, which had been fixed open, slowly closed, and soon his body began to sway, gently dancing.

Dennis Prescott’s mouth fell open at the unbelievable sight. He was still astonished that his Guide wife could command a `gwi`, but to see his son’s body dancing, unbidden and without ever having learned the steps, truly made him realize the world was full of novelties.

Then it happened.

CRASH!

A massive explosion ripped through the village entrance, and the Esper who had been deploying a shield in front of the hall coughed up blood.

“What happened?!”

Dennis rushed out, shouting into his communicator, and a frantic voice echoed from the earpiece.

[The detectors aren’t working. It seems there’s a Shadow Esper!]

Dennis’s face hardened. Esper detectors could identify almost all physical-type Espers. Although their detection range was less than 5km, scattering them like traps across an area allowed them to pinpoint powerful physical Espers, who were essential components of any unit.

Given that most Espers were physical-type, these detectors were highly effective. Yet, there were rare Espers whose unique abilities rendered them utterly useless.

The ritual was not over. It could not be stopped. If it were to cease midway, her son’s soul would be devoured by the `gwi`.

The explosions drew nearer. Flowers and trees were ripped from the ground, soaring skyward, as Mark and the Espers alternately deployed shields and launched attacks to block the advance. However, if a Shadow Esper was among the attackers, this place would ultimately be erased from the face of the earth. Dennis and Han Yeonjeong’s eyes met in a fleeting moment.

‘Protect Ethan. I love you.’

In the midst of the dire situation, Dennis, with a tender curve to his eyes, confessed his love to his wife with only his lips. This silent declaration made Han Yeonjeong, who had been stiff and unyielding, unable to leave the ritual circle, let out a soft chuckle.

‘Such theatrics. Just wait.’

At her mouthed ‘wait,’ Dennis gently curved the corners of his lips. He knew her words weren’t a command to wait for the ritual’s end. It was difficult to tear her gaze from her husband’s retreating back as he struggled to turn and plunged into battle to protect their son, but Han Yeonjeong’s lips soon set in a resolute line.

“Even Ethan’s corpse cannot be sent to their laboratories. Are you ready?”

The elders, who had been watching her intently, also met her gaze with calm resolution.

“Haven’t we lived long enough? We’ve spent our twilight years comfortably, thanks to Ethan.”

“Even by a stroke of luck, Ethan’s `ki` is strong enough that he might survive. Our `gwi` would be delighted to have such a young one.”

“It’s fortunate that Ethan hasn’t yet been possessed by a `gwi`. Though I must apologize, my `gwi` is quite the chatterbox.”

Seeing them chuckle and even joke, her face contorted as if she were about to weep.

“Thank you. May the elders find peaceful rest…”

“Mother!”

—!

At Ethan’s screaming cry, as he opened his eyes, she hesitated no longer. Han Yeonjeong unfurled the cloth she held for the ritual towards the sky, gathering all her spiritual power, and shouted.

“Open the Heavens!”

[Open the Heavens!]

‘I love you, my son.’

Her eyes met his one last time, and his mother, just as his father had done before turning his back on the world, left a silent confession for her son.

“No, don’t!”

CRASH!

Simultaneously with her joined hands, an external attack tore the building’s roof away. Then, the village began to collapse from its center, and a torrential downpour erupted. The rain was so fierce that visibility dropped to zero. Deep within the mountains, an entire village vanished from the world.

In the heart of the collapsing ruins, Ethan’s hanbok fluttered like a white butterfly.