[14th Everdusk 2103]
Today could be the day when this body's owner might become a hero, or remain a mere pedestrian struggling to survive, while those who have awakened to a higher class may change their lives forever.
The legendary awakening is upon us, where individuals will receive their class and fight to survive in this cursed world.
Peace is a myth; the only truth is the battle for supremacy.
"My mind is starting to resemble that of a villain," Evan muttered as he gathered his thoughts, memories flooding in, and walked out of the bathroom to sit on the bed.
'It's quite the coincidence, but perhaps it's a promising beginning for me,' he pondered, contemplating the abilities he acquired in this new body.
{Evan's POV}
In the world named Ceruleth, reminiscent of the worlds in his earlier works, a cataclysm struck eighty-three years ago in 2020, characterized by an influx of mana that altered the fabric of reality. This disaster gave rise to innumerable spatial anomalies, plunging the world into chaos and heralding the appearance of the first dungeon.
The world expanded exponentially beyond its former scale, devastating civilizations and leaving a mere ten percent of the land intact. To illustrate, this remnant would have equated to half of the world before the invasion, highlighting the enormity of the expansion.
In the aftermath, the world lay in ruins, giving rise to hunters or raiders—humans who harnessed the power of mana.
These individuals embarked on a mission to reclaim their lands, yet the formidable might of the monsters and otherworldly beings meant they could only hold territories they were capable of defending. This ongoing battle shaped the geopolitical landscape we recognize today.
The formation of countries was also influenced by the system, which rewarded the awakened with territories impervious to new rifts, leading to the establishment of nations under their dominion. Nevertheless, many chose comfort over command, trading their lands for a life of luxury guaranteed by the government in exchange for land security. This led to the government, an amalgamation of pre-existing national entities, gaining control over ninety percent of these lands.
This pivotal moment heralded the inception of the Ceruleth Global Association (CGA), while the remaining lands allied together. Those who opposed the collective governance and sought sovereignty either perished or vanished into obscurity.
Over time, the world advanced, and after years of innovation, it birthed talents that launched humanity into a groundbreaking epoch: the era of spatial teleportation.
It was said that the spatial rifts emerging in our world were of two types: one was a small area known as a dungeon, and the other was an entire world, possibly many times larger than our own expanded realm.
It was believed that if one could master these rifts independently, their development would be amplified exponentially. This became a reality twenty years after the rifts' discovery, when control—or rather, a connection—was finally established. The second type of rift, however, posed a challenge due to its transient nature, often lasting only a few months or days, resulting in many becoming lost within.
Subsequent experiments led to a breakthrough, allowing territories to sustain the rifts, ushering in a new era for humanity. This enabled encounters with other species and the discovery of Nexus, a world divided into numerous expanses. This revelation fueled humanity's inherent desire to explore, more so than any other species.
Thus began a new chapter, yet the world remained in a nascent state, with less than fifteen percent of the land claimed.
Let's delve into the story of Evan Ravencall, an orphan since the age of ten when his parents were slain defending the gates of Block Three, or so the tale goes in this land.
Evan, their sole child, was left to fend for himself until the guild his parents belonged to offered him sanctuary. They provided him with an apartment, funds for survival, and the chance to attend an average school—essentials for any child's upbringing.
The guild's decision was influenced by his parents' status as Peak Evolved warriors on the cusp of a significant breakthrough. Had they been allowed to utilize the trial or so-called advancement room; they would have achieved high status. Alas, destiny had other plans, and they departed this world, leaving Evan alone.
The guild had one condition for Evan: he must join them as soon as he reached or surpassed a C rank class or demonstrated a unique or exceptional ability. A contract was drawn, and the astute young Evan signed it, securing his future.
With no expiration on this agreement, Evan resolved to ally with the guild until he gained enough strength to depart—a cunning plan, some might say. But Evan harbored reservations; rumors swirled that the guild engaged in nefarious deeds, such as extorting local merchants and harming innocents—activities Evan wished to avoid at all costs.
This Evan, a solitary figure, had perfected the art of loneliness, surpassing even the thrones in their meticulous work. He harbored no desire for companionship, fearing the pain of abandonment he associated with his parents. In his mind, friends were potential liabilities, openings for enemies to exploit. Thus, he embraced the path of the lone wolf, finding solace in the thought that his solitude would spare others from grief at his potential demise.
My initial instinct was to sever any ties that might form, as my line of work left no room for the vulnerabilities that friendships could bring. The more allies one has, the more targets for one's enemies. Solitude meant that if I were to fall, there would be no one left to mourn, a grim comfort for mine.
Rejecting the notion that 'family is my power,' I focused on his personal growth, seeking to quickly ascend from the base tier that offered me no advantage.
Prepared for the challenges ahead, I suddenly realized his equipment was missing. I had distinct memories of arming himself for the journey ahead.
"Hi system, are you there? Hello, answer me. Have I been scammed?" I questioned in a moment of panic, which soon gave way to calm as I considered that the system might only manifest after my awakening.
As I settled into a state of relaxation, a series of knocks disrupted the silence, each one less welcoming than the last.
/Knock/ /Knock/ /Knock/
-- To be continued --
A/N: Hi everyone, I'm glad to hear how much you've enjoyed the chapters. I would also love to know if you like the way I've presented my world's story. Please leave a comment if you think the storyline is engaging.
[14th Everdusk 2103]
"Hi kid, open the door, or you know the consequences of being late," someone called from outside the apartment door. Even though Evan didn't recognize the voice, his memory reminded him who was likely to come at this time.
/Knock//Knock//Knock/
"Coming, wait a second," Evan replied, making a show of walking noises.
He slammed the bathroom door to feign busyness and then hurriedly opened the front gate where two guys were standing.
"Kid, you're kind of late, you know," said one, whose name was Kale. The other, named Brin, was lighting up his cigarette, which Evan disliked intensely.
"Sorry, sir, I was just coming when I heard you, but I got delayed putting on my clothes," Evan explained, which was true; before he had taken over this body, the guy had just gotten out of the bath and was preparing for school.
"Okay, listen, we're here to go to school with you since today's your awakening day, right? So just get into a good class and join our big guild, kid," Brin said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Oh yes, sir, I'll try to. But the class is decided by fate, so I can't say much about it," Evan replied, trying to appease him, knowing the consequences if he didn't.
"So, get ready and come out. Today is the final day you'll be allowed to live here, and if you want to continue, you'll have to earn money," Kale stated bluntly, imparting a harsh life lesson.
"Oh yes, I was prepared beforehand and had already packed my bag in case I needed to leave," Evan said as politely as he could manage. However, in truth, he was itching to give both of these guys a piece of his mind; they had been nothing but trouble for him for the past eight years, starting with a beating.
They used his room for their own purposes, and whatever money he earned from the guild, he was forced to pay them a 'protection fee.' The previous owner of his body had complied easily, powerless against these first-tier bullies.
"Enough talk, let's head to your school. Today, you'll prove whether you're of any use or just a waste to society," Kale said, urging him to hurry and grab his bag.
Since it was the last day of school, the students were instructed to come without their bags. After the class's awakening, they would be sent to the beginner's dungeon reserved for them by the school.
"Just a moment, sir, I'll be right back," Evan replied, heading inside to fetch the apartment key. With a forced smile, he exited, locked the door, and slipped the key into his pocket, determined not to hand it over to Kale and Brin.
"Hand over the key, kid. What if you die in the dungeon?" Brin demanded, his harsh words stinging Evan.
"Sir, there's no need to worry. The teachings of my parents aren't so frail that I'd die in a mere dungeon," Evan retorted, stubbornly refusing to hand over the key, though he didn't show his defiance.
"But still, kid, there's always a possibility of it," Kale said, which Evan politely denied.
"Sir, but what if I have to move from here? How will I retrieve my belongings? Are you afraid I'll run off with them? How could I run away with this key when you are tier-one warriors and I am merely a base human?" Evan argued, convincing them after his boastful claim, and they agreed to let him have it.
"Okay, let's go, kid. You know how to win us over," Brin said as they all walked out of the building towards the school.
His school was not far, and he was thankful for that; it took him only a few minutes to travel there.
He stood in front of the school, which was not much smaller than his previous one. Evan was astounded to see the world here, even though it was his third visit. The vehicles and other items were quite different from those in his place, as the world had advanced significantly in the past eighty-three years.
Mana was an excellent energy source that could be harnessed from mana crystals found in dungeons or nexus worlds.
The entire technology community was powered by mana crystals, making fossil fuels and related products quite antiquated in this era.
He was just getting amazed when he saw the other students, just like him, walking away toward the school.
Kale and Brin stopped in front of the school gates, and Evan noticed they were not coming toward the school.
"What happened, sir? Aren't you coming inside to see it?" Evan asked, unsure why they were not entering.
"Oh, it's okay. We will meet you at the beginner dungeon site, and don't forget to meet us after the awakening, or you know, kid, what would happen," Kale said, showing him the punch.
"Y-yes, sir, I will remember it," Evan said with panic and ran inside.
He looked back and found that they weren't there, which made him feel quite relieved.
"Phew, now that those two morons are gone, I can act on my own. As for the class I awaken, I have my ways. After deciding not to join the guild, and for home purposes, I have the savings money... I mean, this body has saved to use in tough times, which can help me hold on for two months easily. In the meantime, I can easily earn money," he thought, confident that his plan was foolproof.
"Well, let's get going before the real thing starts," Evan said and rushed into the main building to get to his class.
His senior class was section 12-3. He now believed that in his two past lives, he had arrived here in the year 2104, which was one year ahead of this time, allowing him access to many things previously out of reach.
Perhaps his former classmates were enjoying their eleventh grade in different countries.
Indeed, in all three of his lives, he had been transported to various countries, each experience distinct from the last.
He didn't hesitate any longer and entered his classroom, which was abuzz with cheerfulness. The chatter suddenly hushed, mistaking him for the teacher, but upon realizing it was Evan, they resumed their conversations.
Evan had anticipated this; he was disconnected from everyone, treated like an unwanted bacterium. No one wished to engage with him, and sometimes even the teachers overlooked his absence until they noticed an empty seat.
It's likely that half of them didn't even know his first name, let alone his surname, or anything more about him, such as the fact that he was an orphan.
-- To be continued --
A/N: If you enjoyed the chapter, let me know in the comments and support me with power stones! I crave them as they fuel my writing skills and imagination, helping me craft future chapters with many thrilling twists and turns.
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