Chapter 1

In a small and poorly lit apartment, a woman is sitting cross-legged with her back straight, breathing deeply but calmly.

"Hmm, this meditation method is a bit strange, but it has advantages that none of the modern methods taught in the academy have. I'm sure the top organizations have meditation techniques with the same efficiency or perhaps even superior, but it's not like I would have access to them even if I tried," Alice said to herself.

Alice had developed the habit of talking to herself at some point, she doesn't know when, but she knows it became a habit that makes her feel better, think more clearly, and hearing her thoughts out loud helps her notice absurdities. Or at least that's what Alice tells herself when someone points out this habit as strange.

Alice stood up after hours of meditation, hydrated, and did everything that needed to be done that morning, including breakfast. While eating and preparing everything, Alice listened to the news on her TV. Despite being an old TV, it still served its purpose well enough. "...President Oliver declares that public policies on..."

Alice does not consider herself particularly versed in politics, although she knows the importance of the population being politicized. She is not very interested and usually, with some exceptions, prefers to abstain.

"I suppose that choosing to abstain is also a choice that benefits someone."

When Alice had almost finished, the news topics changed,

"...and now let's take a look at the situation of the railway to the city of Frostgate, which continues to have difficulties with Grin attacks. The increased activity near the railway began two months ago and has still not been resolved. Cassius Marcelos, the current director of the Guardians Association, declared that the association and the army will send a joint expedition in three days to deal with the situation, and also asks for patience, as we all know we are in a period of increased appearances due to the period of contraction..."

The period of contraction is a saciosal event occurring every 50 years. They should have been more prepared, but I suppose there must be some reason for the delay in response.

With everything finalized, Alice left the house, descended the stairs from the fourth floor to be met with a sunny day. Her apartment is in a poorer part of the city, and the city hall does not pay much attention to it. The streets are dirty, and security is nonexistent. However, the rent is reasonable, and it is close to the center, where Alice works, or rather, worked.

Alice crossed the poorly maintained dirty streets with a new purpose, the Hall of Awakening, which is nothing more than a fancy name for a government body that registers new awakeners. Every citizen must register immediately upon awakening, under severe penalties, and in some cases, even capital punishment.

Alice marched through the abandoned streets with a smile on her face, yes, she had just awakened, still during the early hours, and her awakening was not common. Most people awaken naturally during sleep at ages between 16 and 20. After 20, the chances are almost nil, for Alice, who just turned 21, hope had already faded. However, Alice opened her status again to be sure.

Name Alice Niveus Age 21 Race Human Class Moonlight Sword Dancer Titles Daughter of the Moon Level 1 Class Abilities

- Sword Dance - Expert;

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- Song of Healing - Beginner;

- Song of Purification - Beginner;

- Moon Steps - Beginner

- Night Vision*

Mara Heart

Red - Dark

While walking, Alice thought to herself, Now how am I going to explain awakening after 20? Well, it's not like it's impossible, and I'm not the first either. Alice did not awaken naturally but thanks to the divine intervention of the moon goddess Eilistraee. The moon goddess did choose her deliberately and meticulously, Alice was the first candidate to meet the basic requirements, including a series of unique events that ensured that divine intervention would not cause disaster. The gods cannot interfere in our world lightly because the universe has mechanisms to always maintain balance. An uncalculated attempt at intervention could have disastrous results in the universe's attempt to restore order.

Alice received a heritage, the heritage of the first moonlight sword dancer, Kate. Kate lived more than 200 years ago and witnessed the moment when the earth entered a mass of invisible energy that until then was known only as dark matter. Today it is known as Mana. Kate lived for 50 years and prospered as one of the most powerful awakeners of the first generation. In death, her last wish was for her legacy to be passed on. Eilistraee granted her request, but it took more than 200 years to find a compatible candidate who was in the right conditions to avoid serious rebalancing effects of the universe.

Ah, really having someone else's memories and experiences is strange, especially since they are fragmented. But this is an opportunity I wouldn't dare waste, thought Alice.

Kate's meditation techniques are far superior to anything she has ever seen at the academy. Probably on par with the highest level techniques of the largest organizations today. Her longing to sit and meditate is consuming her, but she moved on.

It didn't take long for her to leave the abandoned neighborhoods and enter the central area of the city. "Ah, busy as always," said Alice to no one in particular. She advanced along the busy sidewalks while cars passed orderly on the streets. Finally, after about an hour of walking, Alice arrived at the Hall of Awakening, an eight-story building standing out from the others for being lower but wider and with a baroque architectural style.

Alice entered the main hall where she immediately found indications of where to go to register. She took a number, sat down, and waited for her name to be called. "So even the awakened have to wait in line," Alice said out loud without expecting a response.

When her number was called, Alice went to the indicated counter and was greeted by a bored-looking attendant. "Documents" said the attendant with clear displeasure at being there. Robert was his name, Alice saw it on his badge because he didn't bother to introduce himself.

Robert took the document Alice handed him, and immediately his face changed from boredom to anger.

"Miss Niveus, do you think this is funny? Wasting our time with jokes?" said Robert loud enough for the entire hall to hear.

"I don't understand what you're saying. I just want to register," replied Alice irritably. If it had been before receiving Kate's legacy, she would have been intimidated, but now, not anymore.

"It says here that you are 21 years old. Don't make jokes. I don't know what you dreamed, but I suggest you go back to your little life before I call the guards," said Robert, with clear disdain in his voice.

"I am not here to make jokes. I awakened this morning and would like to register. Just do the test," said Alice with irritation and a bit of confusion at the unexpected reaction.

It's true that after twenty, the chances are low, but not impossible.

"Guards," shouted Robert from his chair, seeming eager for the show that was about to happen.

Just a few seconds later, a man and a woman dressed in light combat armor appeared.

"Put your hands on your head and get on your knees," said the woman with a commanding voice.

Alice took a moment to process what was happening, but the male guard, seeing her not obeying, struck at Alice's knee with a wooden baton with enough force to break it. Alice dodged the attack with a smooth movement, but the female guard wasted no time advancing in an attempt to grab Alice's arms. With a quick use of 'Moon Steps,' Alice appeared behind the female guard, her back to the receptionist in question. Before any new movement could be made, a devastating pressure made the three kneel. "What is the meaning of this?" said a male voice reverberating in the hall.