18th Birthday

As Aurel slowly woke up he realised that the day had come, the day that Aurel had been waiting for since the Mana vaccine came out 2 years ago and the day that he would finally be able to live out his dreams of having supernatural ability.

This was because in this world now ravaged with monsters and dungeons individuals are able to receive the Mana vaccine when they turn 18. Not only does this vaccine give people the ability to cultivate mana but it also allows them to unlock their genetic potential and potentially evolve into higher lifeforms. Due to this vaccine, abilities straight out of Marvel movies have become the norm for the average person to possess and ancient methods of cultivation thought to be nothing but myth are now practiced worldwide. Some people, like Aurel's parents even left their jobs and family in order to get stronger.

However, although Aurel's parents did do this they still provided him with money each month and a single room apartment so that he could survive. As such Aurel was excited to receive the vaccine to get back at his parents for their irresponsibility as well as to just have cool af powers.

With no time to waste Aurel sprung out of bed, quickly got dressed and rushed out of his single apartment home to catch the airbus to the nearest vaccination clinic.

The introduction of mana to the world caused rapid technological expansion due to the fact mana was able to act as a near infinite energy source as well as the fact that certain people had skills and traits that allowed them to make new findings in areas. As such it was commonplace nowadays to have flying vehicles such as flying buses travelling around the city.

The bus arrived at the clinic relatively quickly taking only 3 minutes to travel 20km and as you would expect at such an important place a large line of all new 18-year-olds was formed outside the clinic, almost stretching 1km.

Aurel sighed in disappointment when he realised how long it was going to take for him to get his vaccine and slowly dawdled to the back of the line. As he walked along Aurel began to notice that out of everyone here he was the most average looking, there were people who were ridiculously tall and built and people who were small and slim, people with unnatural hair colours, people with weird eye colours but the most common factor between them all was that they all showed signs of pre-awakening.

Pre-awakening is a newly formed term for those whose bodies partially adapt to the mana in the environment before they receive the mana vaccine. People who pre-awaken express traits that before the mana reawakening would be seen as abnormal or extremely rare. These are traits such as having green or "unnatural" hair colour or being 7 foot tall. These individuals are usually more talented than no pre-awakened individuals in cultivation and traits and as such are more desired.

Aurel however was not pre-awakened and was in fact rather average looking instead with black eyes, black hair and a relatively average stature. This was normal however and it was in fact rather abnormal that everyone in the line was pre-awakened. As such although Aurel was normal in this case he was not and was glared and look down upon by seemingly everyone in the line.

Obviously, no one said anything to him out of common courtesy, but he could feel their animosity and distain for him through the vibe they were outputting.

However, Aurel was relatively unfazed by this and found his placed in the line and prepared to wait in line for the next 3 hours to get his vaccine. However, for it to go so smoothly was only wishful thinking.

Aurel watched as a red haired, red eyed demon looking guy who looked to be around 7ft tall and 330 lbs of mostly muscle walked towards him like a predator would to his prey.

"Oy you runt, what do you think your doing in my spot. I suggest you move now before things get messy" he said while grabbing Aurel's small frame.

As soon as the demon-looking bastard said this people around Aurel in the line immediately backed away from him.

"Isn't that Yujiro Lang from the great Lang family" one whispered

"I heard he's an elitist who disdains non-pre-awakened people" another whispered

Aurel hearing these comments immediately came to realise the seriousness of the situation he was in. The Lang family holds a monopoly on all of the dungeons around an in Citico City, the city he lives in and as such no one dares to offend them.

Aurel then decided to make the best and most favourable decision and kicked Yujiro in the nuts. Aurel decided on the day that his parents left him that he would not take shit from anyone especially if it gets in the way of his goals. As a result of his punch just like any other male Yujiro immediately let go of Aurel and bent over from the intense pain.

Unlike what Aurel thought Yujiro did not attack him after his kick and instead walked away frothing at the mouth with his tail tucked between his legs while muttering "you'll pay for this you trash bastard".

The rest of the wait in line was relatively peaceful despite the "social distancing" that others around him seemed to be doing for no apparent reason and at last he reached the registration desk. The nurse at the desk looked at him disdainfully but still politely asked Aurel for the relevant documents and told him to go to room 27 to receive his vaccination.

Aurel made his way down a long hall hearing screams from some rooms which he simply dismissed as people scared of needles and at last reach room 27, the room that upon entering would change his life forever.