Extraordinary Meteorite

Kastick City stood as one of the 'miracle cities' on the Easarth planet. Nestled within the heart of the Kastick Forest, this city was designed to thrive in a forest environment. The colossal city wall served as a boundary between the urban area and the surrounding forest.

However, this didn't imply an absence of trees within the city; rather, there were still a large number of tall trees inside the city, and the infrastructure skillfully intertwined with the natural surroundings. Observing from space, one would struggle to discern the city, as it seamlessly blended with the forest environment.

...

6 am Kastick city, Aslan continent, year 2462 BD

Even though it was summer, Kastick City found itself shrouded in dense fog. The limited visibility extended to around 10 meters, creating an eerie atmosphere. The streets were sparsely populated, with only occasional glimpses of individuals. Unless there was a pressing matter at hand, most people opted to stay indoors, avoiding unnecessary movement in this challenging environment.

Amid the dense fog, a figure with black hair and black eyes emerged, clad in a simple T-shirt and pants. Wearing a mask, the person sprinting down the street was Sepheron Hale, a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in archaeology. Despite the thick fog making it less than ideal to be outdoors, Sepheron had formed a habit of starting his morning exercise at 5:30 and couldn't bring himself to break it.

Pausing beneath a tree, he took a moment to catch his breath and looked around.

Sepheron muttered to himself, "Don't know how long it will last?"

Three days prior, a large meteorite had crashed into the Kastick Forest. Fortunately, Kastick City was situated at a considerable distance from the impact zone, sparing it from significant damage.

However, the aftermath of the meteor shower triggered massive fires that nearly reached the east city gate. Thanks to a prompt response and the use of current technology, they managed to effectively control the wildfire's spread. Efforts to completely eliminate the fire were still ongoing.

In the past, the tall trees had contributed to the city's refreshing morning air, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The sunlight filtering through the leaves produced a mesmerizing play of light. After his morning walk, Sepheron would often sit beneath this tree, gazing into the distance and relishing the tranquility of the morning.

However, the recent smoke from the wildfire had drastically reduced visibility, casting a gloomy atmosphere. The once-charming trees now added to the somberness of the surroundings.

As Sepheron was lost in thought, someone suddenly tapped on his shoulder, causing his heart to race.

"Hey Sepheron, what are you looking at?"

Startled by the unexpected voice, he swiftly turned to find a familiar face. Realizing it was someone he knew, Sepheron smiled and replied, "Nothing much, Uncle Jeffery. Just observing the changes in the city. Wondering when it will all return to normal."

Jeffery looked at him in amazement, "Don't you know? The fire has already been extinguished. The federation has even devised a plan to restore the forest."

"Is it? How come I don't know?" Sepheron questioned with doubt.

Uncle Jeffery shook his head and sighed, "Apart from your engagement with games and social networking sites, it appears that today's youth are not particularly interested in other aspects of life."

Jeffery pulled out his mobile phone and showed it to Sepheron. "Look at the federation notice."

Seperon took the mobile phone and focused on the headline.

[Wildfires outside Kastick City have been completely controlled, and the restoration project will start the day after tomorrow.]

A smile spread across his face. Even though he knew it was just a matter of time before the federation resolved the issue, and there was no immediate danger to his life, the news brought genuine happiness.

"How about it? Do you believe it?" Jeffery asked teasingly.

Sepheron handed the mobile back to Jeffery and replied, "Haha, of course, I was just too happy to believe it."

Jeffery nodded his head in understanding.

"Okay, leave that topic. What are your plans for the future? Have you secured a job?" Jeffery inquired.

Sepheron shook his head, "Finding a job in this era is challenging. I'm considering continuing my studies. What about you, Uncle?"

"That's a good plan. With your academic achievements, you probably don't need to work. As for me, I'm also considering continuing my studies."

Indeed, Uncle Jeffery was Sepheron's classmate. Despite being 53 years old, Jeffery pursued education alongside Sepheron.

After chatting for a while, Jeffery bid farewell to Sepheron. As Sepheron watched Jeffery's departing figure, his thoughts turned to his parents and the 'Knowledge is money' bill passed a decade ago. This legislation had been the driving force behind Jeffery pursuing a bachelor's degree at his age.

...

Twelve years ago, a significant portion of jobs had been taken over by robots, leading to widespread unemployment. In protest, parents started refraining from sending their children to traditional schools and opted to teach them at home. Given the financial constraints faced by families, investing money in education seemed impractical, especially when the future job prospects appeared bleak due to automation.

The precision and continuous operation of robots, coupled with low maintenance and operational costs, made them a favored choice. Consequently, the federation faced a dilemma: they didn't want to decommission the robots, yet they also didn't want children to abandon formal education.

Acknowledging that children were the future of the country, the government enacted the 'Knowledge is Money' bill. According to this legislation, education became free, and individuals were entitled to receive a monthly stipend based on their level of education and the percentage achieved.

The breakdown of the monthly stipend varied with the level of education:

High School: 300 - 900 (40% - 80%)

College: 400 - 1000

Bachelor: 700 - 2100

And so on.

This progressive system not only addressed the issue of children not attending school but also served as a powerful motivator for students to achieve higher marks. Jeffery's decision to pursue a bachelor's degree at his age was, in part, influenced by the incentives provided by this educational policy.

Ten years ago, both of Sepheron's parents were unemployed. However, with the introduction of the new bill, the family's total income surpassed 10,000 CP per month. Both parents held master's degrees in archaeology, making them eligible for the financial benefits outlined in the bill.

The monthly income of 10,000 CP was substantial, especially considering that the family's expenses for the three of them, amounted to only around 3500 CP. With careful budgeting, the family could save at least 5,000 CP per month. This newfound financial stability marked a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Without conventional jobs, Sepheron's parents enjoyed their time playing games and going on dates while he was away at school. Upon his return, they actively participated in his studies and spent the majority of their time with him.

This family situation was not unique; it was a prevalent lifestyle among families in this era. The collective focus on family and the availability of parents for their children contributed to the overall positive mental health of the children in this society. The emphasis on family interactions and support played a crucial role in fostering a healthy and nurturing environment for the younger generation.

As archaeologists, his parents, who would often be separated for months due to their work, could now spend the majority of their time with him. This arrangement not only resulted from their unemployment but also from the substantial subsidies they received from the federation.

Motivated by these positive changes, Sepheron felt a greater commitment to excel in his studies and aspired to live a similar lifestyle as his parents. 

By the end of high school, Sepheron had achieved excellent grades. This accomplishment marked a significant milestone for him, and it coincided with another noteworthy event — his first income. He earned a full 900 CP, adding a sense of achievement and financial independence to his academic success.

During a vacation after high school, Sepheron's parents decided to take a family trip to Kastick City and were captivated by its charm. During their visit, they decided to move to the city permanently. Using their savings, the transition was relatively smooth, allowing them to purchase an apartment in a desirable location within Kastick City.

After securing the apartment, Sepheron stayed behind while his parents returned to their previous location to gather their belongings. Tragically, during their return, a plane crash claimed both of their lives. Since then, Sepheron has been living alone in Kastick City, navigating a new chapter in his life without the presence of his parents.

...

After finishing his morning run, Sepheron made his way back home. Along the route, he noticed numerous people carrying backpacks with shovels and axes protruding from them, all heading towards the east gate of the city. He found it peculiar, but he didn't dwell on it much.

Upon reaching home, he unplugged his mobile from the charger and started browsing the internet. To his intrigue, he came across some interesting news that might shed light on the unusual sight he had witnessed earlier.

[NEW ENERGY SOURCE FOUND]

[Upon returning from the meteorite strike zone, firefighter Abel made a remarkable discovery. He found 37 grams of red crystal in the forest's periphery, and this was subsequently sold to the Autricha research center for 37,000 credit points. This marked the beginning of an exciting development, as the red crystal seemed to hold significant value and potential.]

[The research center provided insights into the red crystal's composition, explaining that it forms due to a combination of meteorite dust and coal under high temperatures. The significance of this discovery became even more apparent when the research center revealed that just 1 kilogram of this red crystal could power the entire Kastica city for an entire year. This revelation hinted at a groundbreaking energy source with the potential to revolutionize the city's power supply.]

[In response to the newfound significance of the red crystal, a substantial number of people formed groups and ventured into the forest to search for more of this valuable resource. However, the efforts yielded a total of only 2.7 kg of red crystal so far. Various research centers eagerly purchased these findings, amounting to a total of 2.7m credit points. The exploration and excavation for this rare crystal had become a collective endeavor, reflecting the city's growing interest in harnessing its potential as a revolutionary energy source.]

Contemplating the discovery of the red crystal and recalling the sight of people carrying backpacks with shovels and axes, Sepheron wondered, "So, is this what those people are after?"

Seeking confirmation, he checked the official Federation website, but to his surprise, there was no information available. Despite the lack of official confirmation, Sepheron leaned towards believing the news, considering the significant number of people actively involved in the forest exploration for the red crystal. The collective effort of the citizens indicated a shared belief in the authenticity and potential importance of this newfound energy source.

With a monthly subsidy of only 4000 CP and the knowledge that 1 gram of the red crystal was worth 1000 CP, Sepheron felt the allure of the potential rewards. Even if he didn't believe in his chances of finding any, the adventure appealed to him, and he hoped to witness changes in the forest after the meteorite.

After having a meal, Sepheron packed his backpack with essentials such as dried food, a shovel, and an axe. With determination, he set out towards the east city gate, joining the ranks of those hoping to unearth the valuable red crystal in the forest.

...

As Sepheron ventured outside the city, the scene before him was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the meteorite. Not a single complete tree remained in his field of vision, and the widespread destruction weighed heavily on him. Clutching his backpack tightly, he began to walk forward, witnessing firsthand the scale of the damage caused by the celestial event.

...

Contrary to Sepheron's expectations, his search for the red crystals proved successful. After just an hour of exploration, he had managed to collect three of these precious gems. Although each crystal was no larger than a grain of rice, the combined weight exceeded 10 grams, making them worth 10,000 CP. This unexpected find altered his plans; initially intending to assess the damage and leave, the allure of the red crystals compelled him to persist in his search.

As Sepheron diligently searched for more red crystals, he suddenly noticed a radiant red light catching his eye. Turning towards the source, he discovered a remarkable find – a red crystal, the size of a quail egg, embedded in the contact point between a branch and the stem. The unexpected discovery filled him with a sense of awe and excitement, realizing that this larger crystal could potentially hold even greater value than the ones he had collected earlier.

Eager to retrieve the larger red crystal, Sepheron quickly approached the tree and assessed the situation. The tree, once standing at a height of 8 to 9 meters, had been significantly reduced to about 4 meters after the fire. The crystal, situated at a height of 3 meters, appeared accessible with a bit of climbing. Sepheron recognized that a modest ascent should allow him to reach the crystal and secure this potentially valuable discovery.

However lacking experience in tree climbing, Sepheron improvised by gathering nearby wood and stacking it beside the tree to create a makeshift platform for a height advantage. He then began swinging the axe, successfully cutting through half of the branch with minimal effort.

However, he underestimated the impact of the fire on the other side of the branch, which had left it fragile. With an unexpected force, the branch snapped off suddenly, causing him to lose balance and fall forward. The unexpected turn of events caught him off guard.

'Ooops'

Sepheron braced for a fall, expecting to land face down on the ground. Yet, in a surprising turn, just 10 cm above the ground, his entire body experienced an unusual sensation of being sucked in a vortex.