As several thoughts flashed through Michael's mind, he scrolled to the comment section under the post.
-I knew something like this was going to happen sooner or later. Though I get the Federation's point of view due to the tragic events of the past, they need to remember that they're raising humans—people, not animals in a cage! Those dogs have been in power for so long that it's gone to their heads.
-I agree with senior's words, though I wouldn't dare to be as blunt—haha.
-New cultivator here. What were the tragic events that happened in the past? Are they the reason the Federation suppresses news about us?
One particular comment caught Michael's attention.
First, it was the audacity of the writer that stood out, though Michael decided to wisely ignore it, as it came from a Level 5 member.
Second, it was the content that truly intrigued him.
"Tragic events? What events could have possibly made the Federation so determined to suppress news about us?"
Curious, Michael continued reading the thread with heightened focus.
After the new cultivator asked for guidance, another Level 5 member stepped in to reply.
-Before I answer, let me ask you this: What happens when you put poor and rich people together in the same space?
-A social structure forms, senior.
-And this social structure, who does it benefit?
-The rich, senior.
-Exactly. To put it simply, the rich oppress the poor, directly or indirectly, and this is for something as mundane as wealth. Now, what do you think happens when you put people with supernatural powers alongside ordinary humans who depend on them to survive?
Back in the Dark Ages, a year after the Dimensional Cracks appeared and unleashed monsters, humanity's population plummeted to just 100 million. This and a few other things are what the kids nowadays are aware of. In truth they know nothing at all.
It was at the point of close extinction hope came. The arrival of Awakeners gave humanity a fighting chance, and years later, the Cultivators followed. This was the turning point when humans began to fight back.During those desperate times, survival was the priority, and there was little concern for status.
However, as the situation improved, things changed. Ordinary humans idolised the Supernaturals, and the Supernaturals began to see themselves as superior. This mindset grew stronger as humanity stabilised. Awakeners and Cultivators began treating ordinary humans as lesser beings, and ordinary humans, in turn, accepted this dynamic.
It wasn't uncommon back then for a Cultivator to kill an ordinary human out of anger, and both sides would see it as normal.
Over time, things worsened. Some Supernaturals turned into demonic beings—demonic Cultivators or Awakeners. One powerful mage once sacrificed a million lives, and that was among the lesser tragedies. Others committed far worse atrocities.
Oh, you might curse those demonic Supernaturals, but remember, before they fell to darkness, they were once humans too. Even you can't deny that, with your powers, you've started to see yourself as superior to others.
Reading this made Michael's heart heavy. The senior was right. Slowly but surely, he had begun to see himself as superior—not to humans but to Cultivators. Yet, if he viewed himself as above Cultivators, who were already higher than ordinary humans, wasn't he essentially agreeing that ordinary people were beneath him?
With a heavy heart, Michael continued reading. He now knew what the previous level 5 member meant by tragic events of the past. Yet, this still didn't fully explain why the Federation suppressed knowledge about Awakeners and Cultivators.
-When demonic Cultivators grew more rampant, the powerful figures in the government stepped in to suppress them. But here's the brutal truth: we are indeed superior to ordinary humans. Denying this would be hypocrisy. And because of this superiority, the Federation decided to prevent another crisis by isolating ordinary humans from Supernatural matters while creating a separate space for us.
They suppressed news about Supernaturals' powers so ordinary people wouldn't realise the vast difference between them and subconsciously consider themselves inferior—just as in the Dark Ages. At the same time, they worked to redirect Supernaturals' focus away from meddling in ordinary people's lives.
This led to the creation of two worlds: one for Supernaturals and another for ordinary humans.
Even Cultivator trainees below college level are taught only how to cultivate, with martial discipline imposed on them much like ordinary humans. This created a sense of equality and the method worked for decades, preventing the rise of demonic Supernaturals.
But alas, it also made us weaker as a whole.
-Billy Stormman: Thanks for answering, seniors. We were taught about this in school, but I'm still confused. How does suppressing information about us make us weaker overall? And what does this have to do with the Federation releasing bits of information now?
After reading the 'senior' Level 5 member's words, Michael fell into deep thought.
It was only after a while that he snapped out of it.
"Demonic Awakeners and Cultivators, the Dark Age, and the Federation's actions… I'm truly ignorant of the world I'm in."
Michael's heart felt heavy. The senior's words revealed that he was surrounded by a fog of ignorance.
Fortunately, as an Awakener, he could slowly clear this fog and learn more about the truth of the world.
Turning his attention back to the comments, Michael couldn't help but reflect.
"Though we were taught about the Dark Age in school, it was definitely not as revealing as this. The saying that history is written by the victors is true. Who knows how much of what we were taught as 'history' is actually the truth?"
The more he discovered about the public's ignorance of the world they lived in, the heavier his heart grew.
To some extent, he could relate to the senior's frustration. While he understood the Federation's desire to avoid creating an obvious social structure between Supernaturals and ordinary humans, it also felt like they were treating humans like livestock.
This realisation left Michael conflicted. The Federation, which once seemed like the "good guys," now felt much more ambiguous.
"Demonic Cultivators… The senior said they were suppressed, not eradicated. Could they still exist somewhere in this world?"
The sense of security Michael once felt in the real world began to crumble.
"The waters of this world are indeed too deep."
Aside from this revelation, Michael felt an even greater need to become stronger.
"My greatest strength is my class, so I can't leave the matter of undead unattended for long. My levelling speed is still too slow. And then there's the college exams to prepare for.
Though I question the authenticity of these institutions after learning about the Federation's actions, Billy's comment under the senior's post shows there's still much to learn from them.
But compared to my peers who awakened two years ago, and even those who awakened last year, I'm far behind. With only three months of preparation, there's little to no time."
Michael clenched his fists, determination welling up within him.
"I must get stronger!"
As several thoughts flashed through Michael's mind, he turned his attention back to the comment section. There was something the senior had said that left him confused.
"We're weaker overall?"
Thankfully, Billy, the author of the post, had asked the same question, and another individual, though not a Level 5 member this time but a Level 3, responded.
-By saying we're weak overall, what the senior meant is that the public no longer has a strong drive for strength. You might think they do, but they don't. What happens in a world where the poor don't feel much different from the rich? Will they strive for wealth as a goal, or simply for convenience?
I've visited the Martial Arts Cultivator world before, and the commoners there are deeply oppressed by those in power. But compared to people in our world, those so-called commoners hunger for power with an intensity that moved me. Unlike here, where an 18-year-old who has failed their Awakening will give up on gaining strength and settle for getting by in society.
I agree with the senior. If the public truly knew the extent of Awakeners' and Cultivators' power, and felt it, they'd hunger for it. That hunger would, in turn, boost our national strength. But in recent years, the number of new Cultivators has been steadily declining.
Perhaps the Federation can no longer ignore this and is being forced to take action—reminding the public of the supernatural elements available in their world.
Our world is not as safe as the public believes. You, as a student of an Academy, should know this better than anyone. Use every moment to grow stronger, for yourself, your loved ones, and our people. May the will of Aurora prevail for a million years.
-Billy Stormman: Thank you for your advice. May the will of Aurora prevail for a million years.