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Luminat
1. The Awakening

1. The Awakening

Tokyo, The epicenter of history and hope. Skyscrapers, modern giants, loom over the bustling streets, echoing with the city's relentless heartbeat.

Seated on the steps of my esteemed academy, a protective canopy of memories envelops me. Each recollection, from my tenure as student president to the challenges faced, feels vivid. Decisions, influences, the clashing voices of support and dissent, all underscoring the power of choices.

My gaze is drawn to a tender scene: a woman, with grace and empathy, hands food to the homeless. However, this moment of kindness is sharply juxtaposed when a worker in a suit, cigarette in hand, almost collides with a young girl selling flowers. His brief annoyance is clear, and the child’s dismay is palpable as he strides away without a second glance.

I've always believed that our choices determine our legacy. But underlying these choices is a bigger question I've grappled with, Is there a higher force that sets the universe in motion? Scientifically, the universe began from a singularity. This inception demands a cause, which to me, alludes to the existence of God. But the presence of calamities and societal disparities then beckons the age old query about evil. If we, as a society, hinge on empiricism, how do we define 'evil'? It's intangible, evading the grasp of microscopes. If 'evil' isn't a physical entity, does it even exist in a scientifically grounded worldview?

My reverie is broken when I spot a peculiar luminescent stone, nestled at the base of the academy's aged tree. Drawn by an inexplicable pull, I pick it up. On contact, The stone crumbles and disappears, with light blinding my eyes appearing for a second or two, replaced by a obscure voice asking, "Do you wish a gift? Yes or No?" Chuckling, I think, "Someone’s idea of a joke."

Still, I decide to humor the moment, whispering, "Yes." The voice speaks again: "You can know others and influence choices through memory trigger and understanding. Visualize a memory or a trigger and wish for a said effect."

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With the sun dipping beyond the horizon and the weight of newfound potential on my shoulders, I tread forward, oblivious to just how transformative my journey home might be.

Continuing my path, the city buzzes around me, a vibrant walk of life, with each strand telling its own tale. The world never sleeps. Arriving at my apartment, the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity is evident, just like in my life. Stepping inside, the warm, familiar scent of home greets me. "I'm back," I call out.

"Welcome home, Ryu!" my younger sister, Hana, replies from the kitchen. Emerging with a tray of tea and snacks, she teases, "Late again? Drowning in thoughts?"

With a smirk, I respond, "You could say that. Found this interesting prank at the academy today."

She rolls her eyes playfully, "You and your peculiar fascinations. Anyway, look what came in today." Pointing to the coffee table, I see various certificates, more tokens of my academic achievements.

She proudly reads out, "Top of Advanced Quantum Mechanics and recipient of the Tokyo Academy's Scholar Distinction. Another day, another achievement?"

I chuckle, glancing at the awards. "Honestly, it's starting to become a bit routine, maybe even boring."

She laughs, "Well, if being a genius is boring, then you're doing it right."

Dinner is a familial routine of conversations, laughter, and debates about our daily experiences. Once done, I retreat to my room. The wall there is a silent testament to years of academic achievements, a display that would make any parent beam with pride. But for me, it's just... there. Expected.

Still, as I prepare for bed, the peculiar stone's memory persists. Its voice, a challenge, tempts me to contemplate its potential place amid my life's predictable rhythm. With those thoughts, I drift into sleep, unknowingly on the brink of a transformative journey where choices, consequences, and the unfathomable intertwine.

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