Chapter 10
International Organization
Sitting in the corner of his room, back leaning against the wall, Lucius scrolled through his phone, hopping between news sites, streaming platforms, search engines, and social media—searching for any reports of Awakened-related incidents.
He expected global chaos… but not on this scale.
'These people are insane… absolutely insane.'
'They're just using their powers recklessly, like they're in some kind of fantasy game—without a single thought for the consequences.'
His eyes widened at one particular headline.
'Holy sht! A full-blown war just broke out?! Because some lunatic attacked foreign politicians!? What the hell were they thinking?!'*
'I mean, sure, everyone wants to punch a politician or two… but come on, think first before going full supervillain!'
'Ugh… at this rate, it's only a matter of time before world governments unite and start passing international laws to suppress the Awakened.'
Still scrolling through You*ube, Lucius stumbled upon an intriguing video from a major international news outlet. The thumbnail featured the UN logo and bold text:
"New Global Organization for the Awakened – Governance & Hope?"
Without hesitation, Lucius tapped the video.
It was a full segment discussing a new organization formed under the UN to govern Awakened individuals—offering registration, oversight, and potentially protection. While the video didn't give many specifics, it did mention their official website and the organization's mission: to research, monitor, and support the integration of Awakened individuals into society.
It piqued his interest.
'Hmm… they've got a research division too. Let's check the site directly.'
He navigated to the site, skimming the tabs until he found what he wanted.
'Okay, they've got regional branches, research centers… Oh? They're even recruiting volunteers for studies?'
'Wait… they offer media immunity, living quarters, free meals, monthly stipends—woah, all listed under contract terms. That's… impressive.'
But then he frowned.
'Can I even register without legal ID? All my papers say I'm a guy, not… this.'
Determined, he dug deeper into the organizational structure and requirements. One entry caught his attention: a research branch in South Korea, along with direct contact information for its lead researcher.
'Alright… maybe there's a way.'
'I could present myself as a rare subject—mention the wings, unique physical traits... Just don't give everything away yet.'
'Okay, let's plan this properly.'
Time flew by as he mentally mapped everything out. By the time he checked the clock again, it was already past 2 a.m.
'Ah, damn. I'll fine-tune this plan after breakfast. I still need to resign from my job, too… Hmm.'
'Right. I'll just tell my boss I'm leaving due to urgent family matters back in Europe. That should be enough.'
Exhaustion finally caught up with him, and Lucius collapsed onto his mattress, falling asleep in seconds.
---
A few hours later, he awoke groggily to the sound of his phone ringing. Still half-asleep, he instinctively answered—then immediately flinched when he realized who it was.
His boss.
{"Steffen! Where the hell are you?! It's already 9 a.m.! Why aren't you at the site?! Get your ass here ASAP!"}
Lucius panicked—but his mind quickly snapped into gear.
{"Uhh… I'm sorry, are you Lucius's boss? This is his cousin speaking. Lucius can't come to work today—he had to leave for an urgent family matter and accidentally left his phone behind."}
There was a pause on the line, followed by a furious sigh.
{"What?! He's not coming in? Damn it! Fine. Tell him this—if I don't hear from him within 24 hours, his contract is terminated. Got it? Thanks for answering."}
Click.
The call ended just like that.
Lucius sat in silence for a moment, a knot forming in his stomach. He didn't want to disappoint his boss. If not for the man's help landing a stable construction gig, he might've still been a NEET. But he had bigger responsibilities now—responsibilities that went beyond hauling rebar and mixing cement.
'I'll message him later. After the planning's done.'
Checking the time again, he saw it was already 9 a.m. His stomach growled—but he ignored it.
'Let's skip breakfast. Focus on the plan.'
He glanced around. The house was still quiet. His sisters hadn't emerged from their rooms yet.
'First, I need a compelling reason to convince them to accept me as a subject… The wings, my physical mutations, and special constitution could work. But I should keep some details to myself until a contract's signed.'
'Don't mention the dual affinities… or the Fallen status. That'll raise red flags.'
'Maybe revealing my flaw and Sixth Sense ability could work. It's harmless enough to share.'
He skimmed through his mental list of what to share and what to conceal.
'Hmm… Doesn't feel like much. Am I… not that special? Ugh, I need to stop thinking I'm some main character. Better to be underestimated than overexposed.'
'Alright. Time to tell Sister Sophia and Eve. They need to know before I take any further steps. If this works, I might have to say goodbye to them—at least for a while.'
With determination, Lucius stood and approached the bedroom door. As always, it was locked—his sisters liked their privacy in the mornings.
He knocked gently and waited.
A few moments passed before the door clicked open. Sister Sophia appeared, still half-asleep, her hair a bit tousled.
She rubbed her eyes and greeted him with a sleepy smile.
"Morning, Lucius. Huh… it's already past 9? I should get started on breakfast—"
Lucius smiled softly at how adorable his sister looked in that moment.
"Haha, morning Sister Sophia. Don't worry about breakfast. Let's just skip it and focus on lunch instead."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Because I need to talk to you—both of you. It's kind of important. Is Eve awake yet?"
Sophia yawned and stretched.
"No, she's not. Give me a second—I'll wake her up now."
Still in her pajamas, Sister Sophia asked Lucius to wait outside the room while she and Eve got ready. After all, girls needed time to fix their appearance after waking up.
Lucius didn't mind waiting. He leaned on the hallway wall and listened to the familiar morning sounds—the rustle of clothing, water running from the sink. Unlike his sisters, he wasn't wearing pajamas, just his usual casual clothes. He never cared much about appearances anyway.
But even then…
With his current face and body, he could probably just wake up from a hangover, face unwashed, hair in a mess—and still somehow look charming.
'Hah… what a cursed blessing.'
After a while, the three of them gathered in their usual spot—the bedroom with a small round table in the center.
"So," Sophia began, brushing her now-dried hair behind one ear. "What is it you want to tell us, Luci?"
Still rubbing her eyes, Eve looked up drowsily. "Uhh… si– brother Luci… is it something important?"
Lucius hesitated for a moment. He looked at his sisters—tired but still warm, trusting.
He took a deep breath.
"Sister Sophia, Eve… I think I've found a way to get a legal identity for my current self."
That caught their full attention.
"…But," Lucius continued, "if it works out, I might have to go abroad. Maybe even stay there for a while."
He started explaining, giving them the rough outline about the organization, the research program, and the benefits it might bring—not just to him, but to all Awakened people.
As he spoke, he saw it in their eyes—the moment their hearts sank.
Since childhood, the three of them had never been apart. Not even once. Every journey, every hardship, they endured together—first with their parents, then with just each other. And now, for the first time, they might be separated.
A heavy silence filled the room. No one said anything for a while.
Lucius's heart tightened, but also… warmed. The silence, the pained looks—they were proof. His sisters didn't want to say goodbye. That meant they loved him deeply.
Finally, Sophia broke the silence. Her voice trembled, but her expression remained strong.
"Alright… This might be your best chance to get a legal identity, and I'm really happy for that. So… go ahead. Go with the plan."
Eve, on the other hand, couldn't hold her tears. She sobbed hard, covering her eyes.
"Brother… sniff… please keep in contact with me… and never forget to come back home, okay?! Promise!"
Lucius almost teared up too. His voice cracked as he answered softly.
"Eve… I'll never forget either of you. I'll stay in touch—even if I'm on the other side of the world. Once the research is done, I will come back. We'll live together again."
He reached out and gently wiped Eve's tears with his hand.
Then he turned serious again.
"Eve, I have a request."
She looked up through teary eyes.
"Please protect Sister Sophia in my absence. And if the government ever starts demanding Awakened to register, never show them your full status window. No matter what."
"Also—never make a contract with them without understanding the risks. Promise me that."
The three of them leaned in and hugged tightly. Eve was still sobbing, Sophia stayed composed, but even she looked pained.
Lucius couldn't afford to change his plan now. This had become more than a goal. It was a necessity—a mission to reclaim his identity and protect the ones he loved.
"…Alright," he said after a pause. "I need to tell Edward about this too."
He got up and left the room. As soon as he was out of sight, the facade dropped.
He cried.
'Damn it… Why am I crying? This isn't goodbye. I'll come back after it's done. So why…?'
'Hell, I haven't even contacted the organization yet. Why am I being so dramatic…?'
He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.
'Alright. Let's call Edward.'
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
A few seconds passed. Then, Edward's voice came through the speaker.
{"Uhh, hello? Lucius? Something wrong? It's rare for you to call out of the blue—do you need help?"}
Lucius's voice was still shaky, raw from crying.
{"Edward… I have a request."}
{"Huh?! What happened? You sound like you've been crying! Just tell me what's going on—I'll help however I can!"}
Lucius chuckled softly despite himself. Always dependable.
He explained everything—about the organization, the research program, the travel plans, and the possibility of being gone for a long time. Edward didn't interrupt once.
When Lucius finished, Edward responded without hesitation.
{"I get it now… Alright. I'll support your decision. You go and do what you have to. Don't worry about your sisters—I'll keep an eye on them for you."}
{"Thanks, Edward… Honestly, I hadn't even asked yet, but you already offered. You really are the best friend someone could ask for."}
{"Need me to do anything else? And… when are you leaving?"}
{"Haha maybe i have another request, please don't die.. Haha sorry I'm just joking,
Lucius smiled.
{"As for leaving, I'm going to contact them now. Depends on how fast they reply. If it works out, I'll let you know before I leave—we can meet up one last time."}
{"Got it. Good luck, man. I really hope it works out for you."}
{"Thanks, Edward. See you soon."}
Call ended.
Now, everything was in motion. All that was left… was the first step.
Lucius opened the organization's contact form, hands steady but heart racing.
'Alright. Contact the rep, introduce myself, describe my traits, get accepted, fly abroad, meet the lead researcher, sign the contract—and finally, begin.'
He looked at the screen. Then, to the ceiling.
'Let's do this.'