プロローグ
Evolution, a desire that humanity had always obsessed over. Be it technologically, socially, or even economically— any area where improvement seemed possible humans sought it. Conflicting beliefs of politics and religion while oftentimes dividing, the endgame remained.
Every year was a year spent in advancing society as we knew it, changing the way we interacted with the very world we inhabited. As time naturally progressed, it was inevitable that we too would ascend with our creations. As what was thought to be an outlier, forever changed mankind.
***
October 23rd, 29XX.
It all began in the United States, thought to be one of the world's largest and thus advanced countries in the world. It was a day like no other, except for a small family located in Illinois, Chicago. Seemingly average humans at first glance, a Caucasian family of a married couple and their adolescent son.
Their lives were more normal than not, a hardworking husband and stay-at-home housewife. The ten-year old son however, was born a special child unlike others his age. He was blessed with unbelievably great athleticism.
His physicality matched even adults, leaving classmates and teachers alike in complete awe.
"He's so fast!" a kid cheered on.
"Hey, join our team!" encouraged by another, he was always a first pick in sports.
"Thank goodness he's so well behaved…" a teacher anxiously said.
This surprised even the parents.
"He was also hyperactive but…" the mother was a little nervous.
"He was never like this until last week!" The father was immensely proud, not even questioning the absurdity.
The family was publicized as raising the "World's Most Gifted Child", their names were shared across the country in just a single month.
Twenty years later, the boy grew to be a world renowned athlete and public speaker. His speeches spoke to the masses at large, encouraging listeners across the board to hone their craft and transcend above expectations. He met the world's most influential people, traveling all around to spread his message.
"Only you can change your life. Be that shining hope you should want to see yourself as, you're only bound to the limitations of your very mind. If you take just one extra step today, you've forged a greater path for the you of tomorrow. If we all band together, the generations after us will thank us in our image." The man spoke of high authority, touching the hearts of thousands— no, millions. The audience roared in acclaim, the core of their spirits were opened severely.
Eventually, the now grown man decided to start a family of his own, marrying an African American actress who then gave birth to a young girl. Like catching lightning in a bottle once more, the girl was gifted with the ability of levitation. The father watched his life in repeat with his daughter in the spotlight, the phenomenon had been recreated.
"Just this evening, our Most Gifted Child has given us a miracle of his own." a news reporter said.
The cycle played out like so, each generation witnessed the offspring of gifted children, children that would then shape society into a new age of evolution. It spread beyond the United States, to the point these gifted humans became normalized. Humans of varied abilities surrounded the map, life itself was fundamentally changed forever.
World leaders came together and studied the phenomenon, even with their combined wits the absolute origin had yet to be found. Theories littered, some thought it were an aftermath of a virus, others divine intervention, or just the natural course of evolution as an inevitability. Regardless of the apex, it was promptly named the Meta Age— otherwise known as Generation Meta.
Those born with this gift were soon given the title of Inheritants and their powers Inheritances respectively, whereas those without here simply referred to as Noninheritants. Inheritants are determined whether or not they had what were called the meta gene, or M-gene for short, a specific type of blue cell created by the heart itself. The M-gene could be found suppressed in the heart, becoming active when a child turns five-years old— though exceptions for younger and older years have existed.
Currently society had begun anew, over fifty percent of the popularity were Inheritants. Readjustments had to be properly made for this, now existed facilities and institutions for those Inheritants. Eventually a school opened for the youth to hone their gifts, famously named Shine High.
***
August 5, 30XX.
I stood in my home, hands planted in my pockets, what laid before me was a mental envelope flat on the bars of my balcony revealing an audio message.
"We are happy to announce you've successfully passed our entrance exam. Your results hold up to our expectations, and we are grateful you are enrolling in our program and taking the opportunity to utilize your Luck Inheritance for even greater evolution among mankind… welcome to Shine High, Zen Reinhard…"
