The Awakening Error - The system's Greatest Error

Ethan and Ronan sat across from Veyrn in the strange, mind-soothing space. The place was unlike anything they had seen before—an environment that calmed their nerves yet sharpened their senses. It felt… alive, as if it was resonating with their very presence.

Veyrn studied them for a long moment before finally speaking.

"You both have great potential," he said. "But strength alone is meaningless if you don't understand what you've been given. Tell me… what do you think your traits truly are?"

Ethan hesitated. He had always thought of his Resonance as a way to synchronize with external forces—to adapt, to counter, to overcome. But in his fight against Ronan, and especially in his battle against Veyrn's constructs, he had felt something deeper.

"It lets me… connect," Ethan said slowly. "With people, with energy, with movements. But I don't think I fully understand it yet."

Veyrn nodded, then turned to Ronan.

"And you?"

Ronan clenched his fists. "I… I never had a normal life. My trait—if you can even call it that—it mutated when I was experimented on. Each of my clones has a different ability, but they aren't just copies. They're… different versions of me, split apart."

Veyrn's expression darkened slightly at the mention of experiments, but he remained silent, letting Ronan continue.

"Before, I thought it was just some freak accident," Ronan admitted. "But during our fight, I realized… my mother's family had a weak form of Resonance, didn't they?"

Veyrn nodded. "A lesser version of it. But in your case, that weak trait was forcefully evolved through unnatural means. That's why you survived the experiments—your altered Resonance helped you adapt to the mutations."

Ronan exhaled. The truth stung, but deep down, he had already suspected it.

Veyrn leaned forward. "Now, listen carefully. Traits are not just powers. They are extensions of who you are. If you fail to grasp their true essence, you'll never reach mastery."

He gestured to the space around them. "Power is not found in force alone. To truly develop, you must integrate your trait into your very existence. Let me ask you—how often have you used your trait in your daily life, outside of battle?"

Ethan and Ronan exchanged glances. The answer was obvious.

"Rarely," Ethan admitted.

Veyrn smirked. "That is why you are still children in the path of strength."

The Three Stages of Growth

Veyrn rose to his feet, his presence commanding. "There are three major stages in trait development. The first is Awakening—which happens when you first unlock your trait. This is the stage you are both in right now."

"The second is Re-Awakening—which happens at the age of 18. If one has properly nurtured their trait, the second awakening drastically strengthens it, sometimes even mutating it into something greater. However, not everyone experiences this growth."

Ethan frowned. "Why not?"

"Because Re-Awakening requires two things: talent and understanding. Talent determines how much potential you have. But understanding? That determines whether you ever reach that potential in the first place."

Ethan and Ronan absorbed his words carefully.

"And the final stage?" Ronan asked.

Veyrn's expression turned serious. "The final stage is Enlightenment—the ability to manipulate the laws of your trait. Those who reach this stage transcend normal limits. They no longer use their trait as an ability—they become one with it. The world itself bends to their will."

Ethan's mind raced. "Like how you manipulated mass so effortlessly?"

Veyrn smirked. "That was just the beginning. When one reaches enlightenment, the laws of their trait become an extension of their existence. They no longer 'activate' their trait—it simply is."

Ronan swallowed hard. "How do we get there?"

Veyrn crossed his arms. "First, you need to integrate your traits into your daily lives. You must use them outside of combat, learn their nuances, and make them part of your instincts. Once you understand your trait's true essence, only then will you be ready for your second awakening."

Ethan clenched his fists. "And if we succeed?"

Veyrn smiled. "Then you won't just be strong—you'll be unstoppable."

The First Lesson

Veyrn stepped back, his stance shifting slightly. "To prove you've taken the first step, I will give you your first task. You must complete a simple action using only your trait—not brute strength, not external tools."

A single stone hovered between them.

"Lift this stone. Not with your hands. Not with force. Only with your understanding of your trait."

Ethan and Ronan exchanged determined glances. Their training had truly begun.