The students felt a little lost after the teachers left, but not Michael. He already knew what he needed to do next. The most important task was to register at the Supers Association, and the second was to inform his aunt about his awakening.
Michael was already familiar with the Supers Association. Even before he transmigrated into this world, the original owner of his body had a basic understanding of it. This was common knowledge among the natives.
The Supers Association was an organisation under the Federation, the new government established after the apocalypse. The world now had only one ruling authority—the Federation—under which were countries, states, and cities.
The Supers Association managed all supernatural beings in the Aurora Realm. Ordinary humans had to be a rank one Cultivator before they could register, whereas Awakeners were required to register immediately upon awakening, as they became supernatural beings the moment they awakened.
The purpose of the Supers Association was to protect the general public, manage supernatural beings, and provide them with various benefits.
Michael made his way out of the school compound. As soon as he stepped outside, he hailed an empty taxi that happened to be passing by.
"To the Supers Association!" he said.
"That'll be a dollar," the driver replied.
"Okay."
The Supers Association was a little far from Woodstone Public School. On foot, it would take Michael about thirty-five minutes, but by taxi, it would take no more than twenty.
Settling into the passenger seat, Michael pulled his phone from his pocket. Normally, if the school were still in session, it would have been in his backpack, but with the college exams approaching and no real need to attend classes, everything aside from his school uniform was casual today.
Every senior high student who came to school today did so primarily for the awakening ceremony. After today, the school would feel noticeably emptier.
Though the technology in this world was more advanced than Earth's, familiar technologies still existed. The rich used floating cars, while the less well-off relied on vehicles with wheels. The wealthy had watches that projected holographic displays as substitutes for phones, while others were content with traditional phones.
The world was a mix of old and new technology, but somehow it all blended into a strange yet harmonious system that didn't seem out of place.
Michael decided to text his aunt instead of calling her. She worked as a cook at a relatively upscale restaurant, so she was likely still busy.
Michael sent a short message saying he had succeeded in his awakening. Just as he was about to put his phone aside, an incoming call flashed on the screen—it was his aunt.
Michael immediately answered the call.
"Aunt, aren't you at work?" Michael immediately inquired. It was rare for his aunt to answer so quickly, even on her days off.
"I'm still at work. I just happened to be on a short break when your message came in," his aunt, Aunt Mia, replied.
Michael believed her, as he could hear the noise in the background.
"Mic," his aunt called out, her tone hesitant as if she wanted to say something but was unsure.
"Ma?" Michael smiled, already guessing what was on her mind. He understood her disbelief—most parents were shocked when their children awakened on their first try, let alone Michael, who had even less of a chance.
"Your message," Aunt Mia began slowly, pausing before continuing, "is it true?"
"It is, Aunt Mia. Today's my lucky day, haha," Michael chuckled in response.
Aunt Mia let out a small squeak of joy, clearly trying to contain her excitement.
Knowing she was still at work, Michael decided to end the conversation so she could get back to her duties. "I'm on my way to the Supers Association, Aunt. I'll talk to you when you get home."
"Okay, okay, okay! I'll transfer some money to you now. Get yourself something to eat and save a little for Lily when she gets back from school. I might be home a little late today."
"Yes, Aunt."
After exchanging a few more words, they ended the call.
Michael let out a sigh as happiness surged through him. Though he was originally from Earth, he had fully embraced his role as Michael in this world and cared deeply for his family here. Perhaps it had something to do with losing his parents early in life back on Earth.
In a way, both Michaels had experienced particularly difficult childhoods.
After ending the call, Michael closed his eyes to rest, ignoring the driver's gaze, who seemed like he had something to ask. Only now did he realise how tense he had been in the awakening hall, leaving his spirit weary.
It had only been a few minutes since Michael decided to rest when he felt a nudge from the driver. "We're here," the driver said.
Michael weakly opened his eyes, still a bit dazed, but when he saw the two-story building not far from him, his mind cleared, and he quickly sat up.
"Your code, please," Michael requested.
"Here," the driver compiled, showing Michael a code on his phone, which Michael then scanned with his own phone, transferring the fare to the driver's account.
"Thanks for the ride!" Michael said.
"No problem! Congratulations on your awakening, by the way!"
Watching the driver drive away and hearing his last words, a smile appeared on Michael's face. If the driver wasn't certain when he overheard the conversation with Michael's aunt earlier, he would be now, having seen how focused Michael was on the Supers Association branch as he got out of the car.
Michael shook his head and refocused. Taking a deep breath, he made his way toward the entrance of the Supers Association.