Unveiling the World of Awakeners -1

Chapter 5: Unveiling the World of Awakeners

After finishing his meal and bidding an awkward goodnight to the Shadow Wraith—who had nestled itself comfortably in a shadowy corner of the room—Arjun returned to his laptop, determined to dig deeper into the world of awakened powers. Despite his limited knowledge, he knew that understanding the larger world of awakeners could give him an edge.

As he connected to the internet, the faint whirring of the ancient device accompanied the loading of the search page. He started with a simple query: "Top awakeners in India."

The screen populated with numerous links to articles, videos, and forum discussions. There were hundreds, no, thousands of fan pages dedicated to the top awakeners. Some had millions of followers, their feats celebrated like those of movie stars or legendary athletes. It was overwhelming. Arjun clicked on the first link, titled "India's Top 10 Awakeners: 2024 Edition."

The page loaded slowly, and an image of a man clad in golden armor filled the screen. His name, written in bold letters, read Samrat Kishore—The Golden Titan. According to the article, Samrat had maintained the top position for three consecutive years. His power? The ability to manipulate solid gold, transforming it into weapons and shields with a mere thought.

"Damn… solid gold? And I thought I had it bad with summoning," Arjun muttered, scrolling through the details. Samrat was described as a "National Treasure," a man who could single-handedly turn the tide of battles. He was a living legend, his very name synonymous with power and prestige.

Beneath Samrat's profile were other top-tier names:

1. Isha Verma—The Pyro Queen: An elemental master who could conjure flames hotter than the surface of the sun. Known for her devastating attacks and temper that matched her fiery abilities.

2. Ranveer Rathore—The Gravity General: A former military commander who now operated independently, using his gravity manipulation to crush enemies and even fly at supersonic speeds.

3. Aman Gill—The Thunderheart: Wielder of electrical powers that allowed him to traverse cities in the blink of an eye, Aman was a beloved figure for his quick rescues and unerring sense of justice.

Arjun's eyes widened as he continued scrolling. Each awakener had their own unique abilities, some capable of altering reality itself. These people weren't just strong—they were forces of nature, able to reshape the world around them.

And then there were the fan clubs. Each awakener had legions of fans, all vying for their attention, promoting their deeds, and cheering them on during competitions. Fan art, merchandise, and dedicated social media accounts filled the web, each one portraying the awakened individuals as demigods.

"Wow… they're treated like celebrities," Arjun whispered, leaning closer to the screen. "Superstars with powers. No wonder the world's obsessed with them."

The more he read, the more he realized that this was far bigger than he'd imagined. Awakening wasn't just about power; it was about fame, influence, and wealth. Each awakener was a brand unto themselves, some even starring in movies or endorsing products. There were entire industries built around their abilities, from entertainment to security.

Feeling a bit more daring, Arjun typed in a new search: "International top awakeners 2024."

This time, the results were even more mind-boggling. Awakeners from all over the world were listed, each with mind-blowing abilities. The rankings were managed and updated annually by the International Awaken Control Organization (IACO), a global entity responsible for monitoring and governing all awakened individuals.

The name at the very top of the list made Arjun gulp.

1. Akira Yukimura—The Celestial Sovereign.

According to the description, Akira's power was spatial manipulation—he could warp reality, create portals, and even teleport entire cities. His mere presence on a battlefield was said to turn the tide of wars. The image accompanying his profile showed a young man, probably in his mid-twenties, with an otherworldly aura and eyes that seemed to pierce through the screen.

"Spatial manipulation…" Arjun whispered, awestruck. "How do you even fight someone like that?"

He continued reading about other international figures—beings who could split mountains with a punch, control time, or manipulate gravity on a planetary scale. Each one of them was terrifyingly powerful, capable of feats that sounded like something out of a fantasy novel.

And yet, each year, these rankings changed. Every new achievement or feat of strength had the potential to dethrone even the most established figures. The IACO evaluated every battle, mission, and contribution, maintaining a constantly updated leaderboard that kept the world enthralled.

"Man… it's like one big popularity contest," Arjun murmured. "Except the contestants can literally blow up a city block if they feel like it."

The more he read, the more it dawned on him just how far he had to go. His summoning power seemed insignificant compared to the abilities these titans wielded. But, as he reminded himself, his power wasn't normal. It came with a system that no one else seemed to have access to.

"That's my edge," he muttered, glancing at the Shadow Wraith. "I just need to figure out how to use it properly."

He glanced back at the rankings, scrolling through the names again. Most of these top awakeners had started small, building up their powers and reputations over time. They'd faced challenges, pushed their limits, and honed their abilities until they became nearly unbeatable.

Arjun leaned back, his fingers tapping against the edge of the table thoughtfully. If he wanted to make his mark—if he wanted to stand a chance against people like the Golden Titan or the Celestial Sovereign—he'd need to become more than just a summoner. He'd need to master his system, build a team of powerful summons, and use them in ways no one else could.

He clicked off the webpage and stared at the glowing shard on the table. This was his starting point. The wraith was only the beginning. There were countless summons out there, waiting to be called into existence. All he needed were more shards.

"What do you think, Shadow?" he asked, turning to the wraith. "Think we can get to the top of those rankings one day?"

The wraith's eyes flickered, and a low, rumbling sound filled the air. Arjun grinned.

"Yeah, I think so too. We've got a long road ahead of us, but hey—what's life without a little challenge?"

He closed his laptop, placing the shard back into his pocket. For now, it was best to keep a low profile. The world didn't need to know about him or his system just yet. Let the big names enjoy their fame and glory. He'd work in the shadows, summoning more allies, growing stronger, and biding his time.

Because when he finally stepped into the light, it wouldn't just be as another awakener. He'd be a summoner unlike any other—a force to be reckoned with.

And then… maybe one day, his name would be at the very top of those rankings, where it rightfully belonged.