acrane awakening: rise of summoner's

Chapter 1: Birth of a Summoner

In a world where the extraordinary was a birthright and survival depended on wielding power, Mumbai's sprawling slums were a microcosm of human struggle and resilience. The year was 2017, and as dawn broke over the city's cluttered rooftops, the slums teemed with life, from children playing barefoot amidst garbage heaps to men and women going about their daily routines, each one striving for survival.

Arjun was born in the very heart of this chaos. His mother, Meera, had been a seamstress, stitching together dreams for others while her own crumbled under the weight of reality. His father had been just a memory, a faded photograph of a man lost to the underbelly of the city's criminal network. From an early age, Arjun understood that he was alone in this world.

But this world was different from the one we know. Here, every human being was born with the potential to unlock a unique power at the age of 18—something that could either elevate them to greatness or condemn them to obscurity. The process was governed by the International Awaken Control, a global organization with a presence in every country and major city. It ensured that each individual's awakening was managed and recorded, providing some semblance of control in a world where power dictated status.

Mumbai's Awaken Control Center, a looming, metallic structure in the heart of the city, was a place that inspired both hope and fear. Some left its doors as celebrated heroes; others, as failures, destined to live as mere mortals amidst a sea of superhumans. Every year, thousands of young men and women made the journey to this institution, hoping to be awakened into something extraordinary.

Arjun's eighteenth birthday was fast approaching. His life until now had been a grueling journey—stealing food, evading street thugs, and doing whatever was necessary to survive. But all of it was about to change. This was the world of Lustrum, a reality where magic flowed through every living being, where abilities like pyrokinesis, enhanced strength, or telepathy were as common as owning a phone.

Yet, despite its wonder, Lustrum was a world fraught with danger. Power struggles between awakened beings were frequent and often deadly. From the neon-lit skyscrapers of Shanghai to the mystical ruins of Cairo, those who controlled the strongest powers ruled unchallenged, while those with weaker abilities were often left to fend for themselves, struggling to scrape by in a society that valued strength above all.

The Awakening Process

Every individual's potential was unlocked through a ritualistic process that took place in the presence of an Awaken Control Examiner. The center boasted various branches, each catering to a specific type of power—Elemental, Physical, Mental, and Unique. Once an individual turned 18, they would be invited to the center to discover their affinity and power level.

The process itself was both thrilling and terrifying. A pulse of mana, the life force that governed this world, would surge through the individual, seeking out the power slumbering deep within their soul. It was said that the experience was akin to glimpsing one's true self. Some saw flames; others saw stars. For some, it was a fleeting flash of color. And in that moment, their power would manifest, dictating their place in the world.

A Fateful Awakening

"Arjun Kumar," called the stern voice of the examiner, echoing in the steel-walled chamber. The boy, clad in threadbare jeans and a faded t-shirt, stepped forward hesitantly. Despite the hard exterior he'd cultivated over the years, his heart hammered with anticipation. What would his power be? Would he rise above his circumstances, or would he remain shackled by fate?

He had seen others come and go. Vikram, his childhood friend, had awakened to the power of elemental wind—he could create devastating gusts and control the very air around him. He now worked as a city enforcer, a respected and feared figure. Meera, a girl from a neighboring district, had awakened to enhanced strength. She now fought in the underground arenas, earning fame and fortune.

Arjun's turn had come. As he stood in the circular chamber, the examiner's hands glowed with a soft, ethereal light, and a surge of mana enveloped him. He felt it probe his very essence, searching, seeking. And then, it happened. A dull, pulsing warmth spread through his body, and his vision blurred.

"Summoning," the examiner's voice broke through the haze. It was flat, devoid of the excitement or admiration he'd heard when others had been awakened.

Arjun blinked, his vision clearing. "Summoning?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes. You have the power to summon creatures or entities," the examiner explained mechanically. "But be warned, summoning is one of the most mana-intensive abilities. Each summon draws heavily from your mana reserves, and the nature of what you summon is entirely dependent on luck. This makes summoning a highly unpredictable and often undervalued power."

Arjun's heart sank. Summoning. He had heard of it—a power that was considered weak and unreliable. Summoners were rare, not because the power was prestigious, but because most people who awakened it failed to make a name for themselves. The creatures they called forth could range from something as insignificant as a rat to a mighty beast. It was, quite literally, a gamble.

"Do you have any other affinities?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation. Maybe, just maybe, there was something else.

The examiner shook his head. "Your mana resonance only shows summoning. But your potential rating… it's high."

Arjun looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "High?"

"Yes," the examiner confirmed, a note of curiosity creeping into his voice. "In fact, your mana reserves and potential are among the highest I've seen for a summoner. If you can manage your mana and hone your skill, there's a chance you could become something more."

But what did that mean for him? As the examiner handed him a small, glowing token—a proof of his awakening—Arjun knew one thing for certain. He had been given a chance, however slim. A chance to rise above the squalor he was born into, a chance to become more than just another forgotten soul in the slums.

He would need to be cautious, plan his next steps carefully. Because in this world, power ruled, and only the strongest survived. And if he wasn't careful, his power would become his downfall.

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The Powers of Lustrum

Lustrum was governed by a vast array of abilities, categorized into four main types:

1. Elemental Powers: These included the control of elements like fire, water, earth, air, and their subcategories. Elementalists could conjure flames, manipulate water, or create storms. Their abilities were potent but required a deep connection to the natural world and intense training.

2. Physical Enhancements: Those with physical powers could enhance their strength, speed, or agility to superhuman levels. Some could even alter their bodies, growing wings or developing armor-like skin. These powers were often found among warriors and combatants.

3. Mental Abilities: These were the rarest and included telepathy, telekinesis, or even reality manipulation. Those with mental powers were highly sought after, as their abilities could alter the very fabric of reality.

4. Unique Powers: Powers that didn't fit into the other categories. Summoning, illusion-crafting, or time manipulation were all considered unique. These abilities were often unpredictable and required a deep understanding of one's own mana and psyche.

Arjun had been born into a world where strength was everything. And despite being dealt a seemingly weak hand, he was determined to make the most of it. Because in Lustrum, survival wasn't just about having power—it was about how you used it.

And Arjun was about to prove that even a summoner could rewrite his destiny.