Before Michael truly began his speech, a faint ripple of mana spread outward from him.
A sound barrier quietly enveloped the entire gathering, separating their conversation from the Rank Two mages and other unrelated people occupying the nearby camp. It was subtle enough that most of the youths did not even notice it.
Once the barrier settled, Michael looked over the crowd again.
"Several days ago, many of you woke up and discovered that something about you had changed."
His words immediately drew their full attention. Several youths shifted slightly.
Michael continued.
"Some of you probably thought you were cursed. Perhaps possessed. Maybe even chosen by some unknown god. Or perhaps dying and reincarnating in another location."
Michael smiled faintly.
"But you are none of those things."
"You are not cursed. You are not possessed. And you are certainly not sick."
"You are Awakeners."
