AFTERSHOCK ACADEMY

**AFTERSHOCK ACADEMY** *Light Novel - Chapter 1* **"The Day the Sky Changed"** *** **Scene 1: The Meteor** The skies above LuksVania were unusually clear that night. The stars shimmered with unnatural brightness, and the air itself seemed to hold its breath. At exactly 10:14 p.m., a streak of blue fire slashed through the heavens—a meteor, massive and blinding, screaming toward Earth like a divine judgment. Crowds gathered across the globe, glued to their devices as news reports flooded in. Scientists speculated, governments panicked, and children pointed skyward with awe. Then came the impact. It struck the heart of LuksVania with a thunderous quake, carving a glowing crater into the land. But it wasn’t just rock. The meteor had brought something else. **Linzite.** A crystalline ore glowing with otherworldly energy, Linzite pulsed like a beating heart, humming with potential. It didn’t take long for its radiation to spread, not killing, but altering. Within days, half the planet's youth—ages 14 to 21—began to experience... changes. *** **Scene 2: Awakening** In the modest city of Astilia, four childhood friends were among those changed. **Luke Salvator**, born July 14, woke one morning to find his reflection flickering in the mirror. His body felt charged, senses sharper. When a robber tried stealing from a vendor down the street, Luke moved on instinct—appearing behind the criminal with a blade of energy in his hand. The blade vanished as quickly as it appeared. Later that day, he met up with his boys. **Wah Mikalson**, May 4, always hot-headed, had nearly crushed his mom’s microwave earlier that morning—with his magnetic force. Appliances flickered around him, keys clung to his fingers, and cars stalled when he passed. **Boy Mikalson**, July 10, grinned as he skated up to them, literally riding a burst of wind. He high-fived Luke, electricity crackling on impact. "Yo, I think I’m built different now." **Giant Mikalson**, the youngest at 12, had been acting strange for weeks. He would finish people’s sentences, predict conversations, and once levitated his tablet when he forgot where he put it. "I think I can read minds," he said casually. "Also, I moved your phone yesterday. You’re welcome." The four didn’t panic. They adapted. After all, they were always weird together. Powers or not, nothing was going to change that. *** **Scene 3: The Discovery** Weeks passed. Astilia adjusted. The world tried to adapt. Governments formed new education initiatives to help powered youth. Nova Core Academy opened its gates. But before school started, something happened. While exploring a fenced-off construction zone on the edge of Astilia, the boys stumbled upon a sinkhole—a perfect circle in the ground, pulsing faintly. Curious (and reckless), they descended with rope and flashlights. What they found was nothing short of legendary. A massive underground chamber filled with murals, ancient tech, and a floating crystal embedded in a pedestal. Symbols glowed on the walls. Weapons lined the edges—some rusted, some floating. In the center, a massive hologram activated. A ghostly figure in armor appeared. > "Echo Ruins detected new heirs. Initiating synchronization." That moment marked the beginning of everything. The boys had found their **base**. *** **Scene 4: The First Pulse** Each of them touched the crystal. And in return, the crystal gave them guidance. Luke saw visions of warriors battling with blades that extended from their souls. Wah saw magnetic storms, lightning fields, and armor forged from ore. Boy saw himself racing lightning bolts, clashing with dragons in clouds. Giant stood atop a tower, commanding massive gears with his mind. The crystal called them "Harbingers of Balance." *** **Scene 5: The Whispered Name** Elsewhere, far away, beneath the black mountain ranges of LuksVania, a man watched the boys through a cracked screen. His eyes were dark, his smile cruel. Behind him, seven capsules flickered, each containing a child. > "They've found the Echo. That means it's time." He turned to his assistant. "Prepare Nexus." "Yes, sir. Shall I initiate infiltration?" > "No," he replied. "Let them grow comfortable. Let them believe. Then... break them." The world didn’t know it yet. But a storm was coming. And its name was **NEXUS**. *** **TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 2...**