Manifest: the Age of Heroes
Copyright© 2026 by yizu17
Chapter 1: An Ordinary World
October 14, 2034 - Tokyo, Japan
The sound of an alarm filled a small bedroom.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A hand slowly emerged from underneath a blanket and reached across the nightstand.
Missed.
The alarm continued.
A second attempt.
Missed again.
“Seriously...”
A sixteen-year-old boy finally lifted his head from his pillow. His dark, messy hair was all over the place, and his eyes were barely open.
His name is rem Kisaragi.
He stared at the alarm clock.
7:42 AM.
He stared at it for another three seconds.
Then his eyes widened.
“OH, COME ON!”
Ren practically launched himself out of bed.
7:51 AM - Kitchen
“Morning, Ren.”
His mother stood near the kitchen counter, preparing breakfast. She wore her usual nursing uniform, having just returned from an overnight shift.
Ren hurried into the kitchen, trying to put on his school jacket.
“Morning, Mom. “You’re late.”
“I noticed.”
“You said that yesterday.”
“And I’ll probably say it tomorrow.”
His mother gave him a tired look.
Ren grabbed a piece of toast from the table.
“Did you finish your homework?”
He stopped chewing.
“ ... Define finish.”
“Ren.”
“Okay, that’s a no.”
She sighed, although a small smile appeared on her face.
His father was already sitting at the table, reading the morning news on his tablet.
A headline caught Ren’s attention.
JAPANESE PRO HEROES SUCCESSFULLY STOP BANK ROBBERY - THREE CIVILIANS INJURED
“Three people got hurt?” Ren asked.
His father glanced at the headline.
“Looks like it.”
“But the article says the operation was successful.”
“Well, they caught the criminals, didn’t they?”
Ren looked at the screen again.
“Still. Those people probably didn’t expect their morning to turn into that.”
His father put down his tablet.
“That’s why heroes exist. To protect people when things go wrong.”
Ren nodded.
He had heard that sentence countless times growing up.
His father had always admired professional heroes. His mother respected them too, although she was more familiar with the consequences of their work.
“Anyway,” his father said, checking the time, “aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
Ren looked at the clock.
7:55 AM.
“ ... Oh.”
He grabbed his bag.
“See you later!”
“Take your lunch!”
“Got it!”
“And Ren?”
He stopped at the doorway.
His mother smiled.
“Have a good day.”
For a moment, he smiled back.
“You too, Mom.”
Then he ran outside.
8:12 AM - Tokyo Streets
Tokyo in 2034 was a strange place, although most people didn’t think about it anymore.
Almost half of humanity had been born with something extraordinary.
They called them Manifestations.
Some people could control fire. Others could manipulate gravity, change their physical appearance, or communicate with animals.
Manifestations had first appeared during the Second World War. At the time, nobody understood them.
Decades passed, and they became increasingly common.
With every generation, abilities grew more complicated and, in many cases, more powerful.
Modern society had adapted.
Buildings were designed with Manifestation-related accidents in mind. Public transportation had special safety regulations. Schools taught students how to use their abilities responsibly.
And, of course, there were heroes.
Their advertisements were everywhere.
Massive digital screens displayed smiling professionals promoting everything from energy drinks to insurance companies.
One billboard showed a famous Japanese hero standing proudly above a city.
HEROES ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Ren slowed down to look at it.
He had always admired heroes.
Who wouldn’t?
They were people who could do extraordinary things and use those abilities to help others.
At least, that was what he believed.
“REN!”
Someone shouted behind him.
He barely had time to turn before a girl grabbed his shoulder.
“You’re late again!”
Ren looked at her.
Aiko Fujimoto.
His childhood friend.
She had short black hair, an energetic personality, and absolutely no understanding of personal space.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Don’t good morning me! We’ve got a quiz!”
Ren stopped walking.
“ ... What quiz?”
Aiko stared at him.
“You’re joking.”
He wasn’t.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Ren. Please tell me you studied.”
“I studied.”
“Really?”
“Well, I looked at the textbook.”
“THAT’S NOT STUDYING!”
Aiko started walking faster.
Ren followed her.
“You’re awfully loud this early.”
“And you’re awfully stupid this early!”
“That’s fair.”
Despite her complaints, Aiko slowed down so he could catch up.
They had known each other for years. She was one of the few people who could insult him without him taking it personally.
“So,” she said, “have you figured out your Manifestation yet?”
Ren’s expression changed slightly.
“ ... No.”
“Oh.”
“It’s fine.”
Aiko looked at him.
“Ren, I wasn’t-”
“I know.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets.
“It’s just taking a while.”
She nodded.
Neither of them said anything for a few seconds.
Ren was sixteen.
Most people developed their Manifestations during childhood or adolescence. Some developed them earlier, others later.
But Ren still had nothing.
His father could manipulate small amounts of electricity. His mother had a minor healing-related Manifestation.
He had inherited neither.
Sometimes, he wondered if he would ever develop anything at all.
Aiko nudged his shoulder.
“Hey. Even if you don’t get one, you’re still you.”
Ren looked at her.
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes.”
“ ... It didn’t.”
“You’re welcome.”
He laughed.
And for the moment, that was enough.
9:03 AM - Classroom
The classroom was noisy.
Students talked among themselves while their teacher prepared the lesson.
A boy near the window was casually making a small flame dance between his fingers.
Another student had translucent scales covering his arms.
Someone in the back was floating a pencil above his desk.
It was completely normal.
Their teacher, Mr. Nakamura, finally stood up.
“Alright, everyone. Settle down.”
The room gradually became quieter.
“Today, we’re continuing our discussion about Manifestation development.”
A few students groaned.