Hey readers, it's your favourite author (hopefully), Drakon.
This isn't a real chapter, obviously—just a little something I wanted to share with you. Feel free to skip it if you want; it's not essential to the story.
First, I want to address the pacing of this book. It's not exactly fast-paced, but it's not slow either—it's a mix of both. The first nine chapters might feel a little slow, but that's intentional. They serve as a foundation for the story, and many of the details introduced there will become more important later on. I wanted to establish these elements now rather than drag them out unnecessarily.
Personally, I think the pacing turned out well, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and the novel as a whole. I'm open to criticism (or at least I think I am)!
The genre of this book might also seem confusing to some of you when you reach Chapter 10, which is when our protagonist, Michael, enters the "Land of Origin." This place closely resembles a game—there are even quests.
At first glance, the title of this novel might make you think it's similar to other stories with concepts like job changes or class changes, but it's different. While some elements are familiar, my goal is to blend the novel's reality with another world that feels like a game, giving two different plotlines and identities for the MC in the story. I won't claim it's the best-written novel out there, but I promise to give it my all. The story features two worlds—one rooted in a fantasy setting and the other with a video-game-like environment—each with its own plot direction that will eventually converge into a thrilling climax.
That's all I have to say for now.
I hope you enjoy the novel, and if you do, please don't forget to add it to your library, vote, and comment. Love you all, and see you every day with new chapters!
...
"Everyone, this is your last awakening ceremony. If you still fail to awaken, prepare to live the rest of your life as an ordinary human, attending a normal university. Alternatively, you can dedicate these last few months to improving your cultivation and increasing your chances of entering an Academy."
The teacher's voice echoed through the room, his tone firm yet measured. Before him stood rows of students, their expressions a mix of anxiety and hope as they listened to him attentively.
Among them was Michael.
Michael did not belong to this world. Three weeks ago, he had awakened in this body—a body that coincidentally shared his name.
Unlike the Earth he previously lived in, this world granted its youth, aged between the ages of 16 to 18, a chance to awaken a class—a moment that could define their future.
More than two centuries ago, an apocalypse descended upon this world, bringing spatial rifts that spawned hordes of monsters, plunging the world into chaos.
Humanity teetered on the brink of extinction, until fortunately, following the apocalypse, the world became digitised for a select few who would later be known as Awakeners.
Thanks to these Awakeners—individuals gifted with extraordinary powers—thanks to their classes, the apocalypse ended after decades, allowing humanity to finally reclaim their world.
As expected, peace returned to the world, but the allure of Awakening persisted. These Awakeners became figures of importance, and soon, it became a dream of every young person aged 16 to 18 to become one.
However, becoming an Awakener was a rare privilege granted to only a few, and for this group of 18-year-olds gathered in the hall, this was their last chance to Awaken.
Michael was nervous as well, just as his peers. Despite having arrived in this world for a mere three weeks, he understood the significance of this ceremony.
While it wasn't as though all hope would be lost if he failed to awaken, it was undeniable that no path held more promise than becoming an Awakener.
Under the nervous gaze of nearly a hundred students below the podium, the teacher picked up a file from the table before him and began calling names.
"Lilian Stone!"
"Y-Yes, Sir!"
The first student called was a young woman. Upon hearing her name, she immediately stepped toward the podium, but perhaps due to her nervousness, she stumbled and fell, drawing a sharp intake of breath from the room.
However, no one laughed or made fun of her. On any other occasion, they might have, but today, there was no place for mockery, they all feared that they might fare any better than the student who had fallen.
The teacher, seemingly accustomed to such mishaps, waited patiently for her to get back on her feet and approach him.
When she finally came before him, he wasted no time and gestured toward the transparent orb on the table before speaking evenly.
"This is your third time here, so you know what to do. Just place your hand on the awakening orb. If there's a reaction, it means you've successfully awakened. If there isn't…"
The teacher left his words unfinished, but it made the hearts of every student in the room sink.
Michael felt it too, though he handled it better than the others. Thanks to his steadied maturity coming from his previous life—a life where he had faced numerous challenges before he succumbed to cancer in his previous life, he could keep his composure.
Michael's eyes watched as Lilian placed her hand on the awakening orb on the table between the teacher and her.
From what they had been taught in school, they knew that every Awakener gained not only a class which granted them supernatural powers but also bestowed the ability to connect their consciousness to another world—a mysterious realm filled with treasures and could quickly enhance their prowess.
Though it was often said that this world resembled a game, in many ways, it was not. In fact, it was far more complex and enigmatic.
The awakening orb itself was said to have originated from that very mysterious world.
Just as the teacher said, the girl didn't require any assistance. With a familiarity that made the corner of Michael's eyes twitch slightly, she placed both hands on the awakening orb and waited.
Seconds passed and just as the teacher was preparing to dismiss the girl—who looked like she might burst into tears at any moment due to her disappointment—suddenly froze as the orb began emitting a radiant white light.
Following that, a 'manifestation' in the form of twin swords materialized on her back before disappearing.
"Lilian Stone has successfully awakened a class: Martial Artist!" the teacher announced, his voice tinged with astonishment. His previously stoic expression betrayed clear surprise.
For this group of 18-year-olds, the likelihood of awakening was slim, and the teacher hadn't expected any success. But to think that the very first student called up would do so left him momentarily speechless.
It was a well known fact that the best age to awaken a class was 16, as that was when the chances were highest and their chances of awakening diminished with each passing year.
The moment the students heard the teacher's announcement, the previously quiet hall erupted with noise with excited chatters erupting among the students.
"Wow, Lilian actually awakened? No way!"
"First come, first served?"
"Damn."
"Tsk. To think the fourth-to-last dumbest person in all of Class 3 would awaken."
"You do realize that awakening successfully doesn't necessarily have anything to do with intelligence, right?"
"Shut up! Of course, I know! Can't I just be bitter for a minute? What happened to my freedom to hate?!"
Like his classmates, Michael was pleasantly surprised that the first student to step onto the podium had awakened. No one in their group had expected any of them to awaken, so seeing someone succeed lifted everyone's spirits and reignited a renewed sense of hope within them.
However, that newly lit hope was quickly shattered.
"Mia Keem, awakening failed!"
"Bruce Leen, awakening failed!"
One after the other, from the fourth up to the forty-eighth—every student who stepped on the podium failed to awaken, except for the first female student, Lilian.
By the end, the once-bustling hall had grown eerily silent, save for the soft sobs of those who had failed their awakening.
...
Michael tried his best to ignore the cries of his classmates echoing around him.
Failing to awaken in this world wasn't like failing a college exam back on Earth. On Earth, you could keep trying again, and even failure offered alternative paths—many of which weren't considered worse than attending college. But here, failing to awaken had no equivalent alternatives at all.
It was akin to a poor man, burdened with the responsibility of caring for his two chronically ill parents while also supporting a younger sibling in school, betting on three different games with a chance to win a million-dollar each—and losing everything.
In such a scenario, breaking down in despair and crying wouldn't be unusual; it was inevitable.
The scene around Michael now was eerily similar.
Most students at Woodstone Public School No. 3 came from families living at or below the poverty line.
For them, successfully awakening wasn't just a dream; it was a path to their salvation—like having a hundred million dollars drop into their lap. But for the students now sobbing, that distant hope of drastically changing their lives had slipped through their fingers three times in a row.
No wonder so many of them broke down in tears right after failing.
Michael tried not to let the dark atmosphere affect him. He forced himself to focus and tried to stay positive.
His situation wasn't any better than those around him—if anything, it was worse. In this world, the original owner of his body had been an orphan living with his overburdened aunt. She was a widow, struggling to care for her own child as well. Together, the family of three barely survived on the limited money his aunt managed to earn.
For Michael, successfully awakening wasn't just a dream. It was the fastest—and perhaps the only—way to change his family's fate. Yet his chance of awakening was less than 1%.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness creep into his thoughts despite all his efforts. Though he was grateful for the chance to live again, especially in a healthy body, the prospect of living a life in mediocrity stung deeply. Yet, there was nothing he could do about his slim chance of awakening. All he could do was hope for the best.
Michael continued to watch one by one, students stepped up to the podium, only to fail in their awakening attempts.
There were only 86 students in the hall, and since the teacher hadn't assigned a fixed order, Michael's turn could come at any instant and he could only wait while tension pressed on his chest.
Then, just when the teacher in charge of the awakenings began to believe that this batch of students would only produce one Awakener, the orb on the podium suddenly flared to life and emitted a bright light.
The reason for such a reaction was a male student standing before it. Just like Lilian, who had first awakened, a manifestation—a standard phenomenon for new Awakeners—appeared on him.
The male student's figure glowed red like a burning fire, and a fiery staff appeared in his hands before disappearing just as quickly.
"Brian Lian has successfully awakened a class: Fire Mage!" the teacher announced.
Just as it happened after the first awakening, an uproar erupted in the hall, but this time it was even more intense.
"Damn! Brian actually awakened?! The heavens really aren't fair!"
"I know, right? He's already one of the few students who managed to ignite their life seeds before the college exams—that's rare even in big cities—and now he's lucky enough to awaken too?!"
"F*ck!"
Like his classmates, Michael also had an impression of Brian. At Woodstone Public High School No. 3, Brian Lian was one of the few outstanding students who could compete with those from private schools with better resources, despite his humble background. His reputation extended beyond the school, earning him recognition throughout Woodstone City.
But Brian's fame didn't stem from his academic achievements; rather, it was his exceptional talent in cultivation that set him apart.
Awakening orb weren't the only piece of technology that Awakeners had brought back from the mysterious realm known as the Land of Origins. They also introduced other technological advancements that significantly boosted the real world.
The Land of Origins wasn't exclusive to humans—various civilizations of different races had long thrived there. In fact, compared to them, humans could almost be considered newcomers to that world.
These civilizations had already harnessed the Land of Origins to significantly advance their societies. Using their unique methods, Awakeners managed to bring something extraordinary to this world: Cultivation.
Cultivation was a method that allowed ordinary people to gain supernatural powers, though not at the level of Awakeners. Cultivators couldn't progress as quickly, become as powerful, or enter the Land of Origins.
Brian practised the breathing technique of the Knight cultivation system. With his considerable talent in cultivation, he had a promising future ahead, even if he had failed to awaken.
Just as Awakeners were respected and essential to this world, Cultivators were equally vital despite the two weren't held in the same awe. Nonetheless, both played indispensable roles.
At least, that was what Michael had always been told.
The world had changed drastically with the apocalypse. It was no longer just a planet but a realm. Planet Aurora became the Aurora Realm.
Some of the cracks that had brought monsters into the world remained, and new ones occasionally appeared. While some were filled with dangerous creatures, others served as gateways to other realms.
Given their limited numbers, Awakeners alone couldn't manage all these challenges. Cultivators became crucial for handling these realms. Awakeners advanced the society, while Cultivators defended it. This was a balance that had been instilled in Michael and his peers from an early age.
Still, becoming an Awakener was more desirable, though. Cultivation required resources—expensive ones that grew costlier as one progressed further. This financial burden alone had already stopped more than half of the population's ability to pursue this path seriously.
Generally, only the talented or the wealthy had a significant chance of achieving great success in cultivation.
The teacher, who hadn't even smiled much when Lilian Stone awakened, now wore a wide grin as he addressed Brian. "Come stand here and wait," he said, pointing to the spot beside Lilian Stone.
The teacher was thrilled that a genius from the school had just become even more exceptional—a super genius!
After settling that, the teacher continued with the Awakening Ceremony, but he was met with disappointment as no other student managed to awaken, not even those with talent in cultivation.
This outcome wasn't entirely unexpected.
Just because a student had talent in cultivation didn't guarantee they would be able to awaken a class, especially not at the age of 18.
Even so, the teacher was quite pleased. The school could now proudly claim two more Awakeners to its name.
The Awakening Ceremony continued, and soon it was time for the eightieth student to step up to the podium—Michael.
"Michael Norman!"
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing his name being called out, Michael nervously made his way up to the podium. Since the body's former owner didn't have much presence at school, there was no cheering for him.
Reaching the podium, Michael followed the teacher's instructions and placed his trembling, sweat-slicked hands on the awakening orb, anticipation surging through him.
...
Seconds ticked by, and Michael could almost hear his heart pounding in his chest. Each student was allocated 30 seconds with the awakening orb—any longer was pointless, as it had been proven through countless trials over the years.
Ten seconds passed.
Fifteen seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Twenty-five seconds…
Just as the teacher began to move, ready to dismiss Michael—whose heart had already sunk into bitterness—the awakening orb under his hands suddenly flared with a brilliant light.
Instantly, a warm sensation coursed through Michael's body, clearing his mind as a newfound surge of strength flowed through him. The manifestation that accompanied every new Awakener soon followed.
A black, gloomy energy swirled around Michael, enveloping his body. A dark staff briefly materialised in his hand for a fleeting moment before vanishing into nothingness.
Michael stood frozen, momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events, until the teacher's voice, equally startled, snapped him back to reality.
"Michael Norman has successfully awakened a class: Necromancer!" the teacher announced.
"Another one?!"
"Necromancer, huh? That sounds powerful and maybe a little bit… evil?"
"Be more confident in your speech brother. It's evil as fuck!"
"Yeah, but honestly? As long as I can awaken a class, I wouldn't even mind if it involved selling my body!"
"Just admit that you're horny bro."
Just like before, the hall erupted in murmurs, though the reaction was more subdued than it had been earlier. It couldn't be helped—unlike the excitement over Lilian Stone's unexpected awakening or the awe surrounding Brian Lian's transformation into a super-genius, Michael's presence at school had always been… negligible.
But that wasn't going to be the case any longer…
Only a few of his classmates from Class 3, Section N8, were present in the hall, and there were even fewer faces he could recognise. It wasn't wrong to say that he didn't know any of them personally.
"Good, good, good," the teacher in charge of the ceremony repeated his word thrice, visibly pleased. It wasn't that he knew Michael; rather, it was a surprise to see three Awakeners emerge from a ceremony he had expected to yield none.
Such results were rare, and a complete failure in Awakening wouldn't have shocked him or anyone.
"Come stand beside me and wait," the teacher gestured, motioning for Michael to join the other two Awakeners.
"Yes, teacher."
Still in a daze, Michael nodded and obeyed. Seeing a new comrade, Lilian and Brian gave him a brief nod of acknowledgement, which he returned automatically.
In truth, Michael's attention wasn't on his surroundings at all. He could barely catch the bits of murmurs his classmates were whispering about him, he was just too preoccupied to care.
His attention was fixed on what had just appeared before his eyes.
A blue, transparent panel that floated before his sight:
*****
[ Name: Michael Norman ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Class: Necromancer Apprentice ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ EXP: 0/100 ]
[ Strength: 1.3 ]
[ Agility: 1.4 ]
[ Constitution: 1.2 ]
[ Intelligence: 4.5 ]
[ Attribute Points: 0 ]
[ Skills: Undead Summoning, Undead Revival ]
[Talent: Infinite Evolution]
[ Class Skill: Contract Slot {0/2} ]
[ Gift: Mark Of Origin ]
*****
Michael's mind hardly processed the details displayed on the panel. It was only now that he realized what had just happened.
He had awakened! He had really awakened!
A wave of relief and joy washed over him, loosening the tension that had been weighing on his shoulders, making him finally feel relaxed. While this was only the beginning, the most critical hurdle was cleared. No matter what came next, now that he had awakened, his future brimmed with new possibilities.
Michael let out a deep sigh of relief and turned his attention back to what was left of the Awakening Ceremony.
Only six students remained, and in about four minutes, it could come to a conclusion. Each student would soon return home, left to ponder their future based on the outcome of their awakening.
Now that he no longer felt nervous, Michael's mind was free to wander.
The most pressing realization was his awakened class: Necromancer.
Truth be told, Michael knew little about Awakeners or their classes beyond what was taught at school and overheard in passing. What he did know was that classes were generally categorized into three broad types: Combat, Support, and Lifestyle.
Necromancer seemed like a mix of Combat and Support, but Michael wasn't entirely certain of that.
The school provided only a general understanding of Awakeners, without delving deeper into the subject. Perhaps the higher-ups believed that students who were unlikely to awaken didn't need to know more and would benefit more from using their time on their studies or cultivation.
There was a common belief that if one cultivated before awakening could lead to the activation of a secondary class, given that the person had talent. This made cultivation a widely encouraged practice overall.
Michael wasn't certain if this limited information was unique to Woodstone Public High School No. 3, but he knew one thing for sure—there was no discrimination between classes.
No class was considered inherently "overly weak," as each class theoretically had limitless potential. An Awakener's power depended solely on their own efforts and abilities. According to the teachers, this even applied to Lifestyle classes like Tailors, which were said to hold extraordinary potential.
Michael wasn't sure how true this claim was, but he suspected he would find out soon enough. After all, he was now an Awakener—someone who should earn him recognition from the government.
Just as Michael mulled over his thoughts and was about to inspect the mysterious panel that had appeared in his mind earlier, the teacher's voice pulled him back to the present.
"Alright, that's it for today," the teacher announced. 'For those of you who failed to awaken, remember that failure to become an Awakener doesn't mark the end of our future. During the early days of the apocalypse, at least half of our ancestors—those who played a crucial role in ensuring humanity's survival and advancement—were ordinary people. So what if you didn't awaken?"
A murmur spread among the downcast students below the podium, their spirits lifting at the teacher's words.
Even Michael couldn't help but find himself impressed by the teacher's words. However, he couldn't ignore the harsh reality that awaited them outside the hall. Perhaps some of the students already understood this grim truck, but for now, they needed something to cling to and help them feel better.
One must know that while this world was technically more advanced than Michael's original one, it wasn't all sunshine for the average person out there.
For example, traditional jobs, like bankers, had long become a thing of the past, along with many others. Only a handful of establishments still employed humans for the tasks that machines could do—either out of financial strain or because they wanted to be "classy" like some high-end hotels.
For most people in this world, life was a daily struggle against poverty, with few employment opportunities available for them.
It was only after arriving in this world that Michael truly came to appreciate a saying from his old life: technology can be both a blessing and a curse.
This desperation to escape their current circumstances was one of the reasons why these students so desperately wanted to become Awakeners.
If Michael hadn't awakened, he would have been on the receiving end of the teacher's encouraging words as well.
He knew he was truly lucky.
Sensing his words had struck a chord, the teacher nodded in satisfaction before speaking again.
"The college exams for both regular colleges and cultivation academies are just three months away. Make sure to use this time wisely and prepare seriously. Remember, just because you don't need to attend school again after today doesn't mean you can afford to slack off. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" The students, including Michael and the two other newly Awakened, responded in unison.
"Alright, you're dismissed!"
As the students made their way out of the hall, the teacher turned to Michael, Lilian, and Brian. With a warm smile, he said, "You three, follow me to the principal's office."
...
The moment the teacher overseeing the awakening ceremony left the hall with Michael and the two other new Awakeners, they encountered two more teachers—a man and a woman—on their way to the principal's office.
Trailing behind the male teacher was a girl who seemed to be around 17 or 18 years old. Following the female teacher were five younger students: two boys and three girls.
From the brief conversation between the teachers, Michael learned that the students accompanying them had also successfully awakened.
The girl following the male teacher was also from class three, like Michael, though he didn't recognize her. This wasn't surprising; after all, Woodstone was a public school with over 600 students in class three alone. The grade three alone was divided into nine sections, each accommodating up to 100 students per teacher.
Although the classes rarely reached full capacity—since that would make even the spacious classrooms feel cramped—there were typically no fewer than 60 students per section.
The five students behind the female teacher, however, were from class one. Michael deduced this from their younger appearance but was still surprised by the number of Awakeners from that class. In fact, he was astonished by how many students had successfully awakened this year in general.
Including the students from class three, a total of nine students had awakened. While this might seem small compared to Woodstone's overall student population, it was significant.
Even in class one, which consisted mostly of 16-year-olds—the age group most likely to awaken—rarely had this many(4) awakened in a single year.
In Michael's time as senior high, the total number of students who had successfully awakened, from his time in class one through class three, including the older students, had barely exceeded twelve. And most of those Awakeners had been from class one. This year, however, not a single student from class two, where most students were 17 years old, had awakened.
Therefore, the number of Awakeners at Woodstone Public High School this year was unusually high, and the success of class three was particularly remarkable—downright abnormal though the reasons remained unknown.
While Michael was lost in his thoughts, they soon reached before the principal's office.
Upon reaching the door, the female teacher stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Principal?" she called out.
"Come in," a voice responded from within.
With permission granted, the female teacher took the lead to open the door and walked into the room.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat behind a desk. Michael recognized him—he was the principal of Woodstone Public High School No. 3, Mike Bill. It was rumoured that he was a powerful knight, though Michael wasn't sure of it since he had never seen the man in action.
Setting aside the document he had been focused on, Principal Mike turned and greeted the group with a smile.
"Nine Awakeners this year—heavens must truly favour our school," the principal remarked, visibly pleased by the turnout of students from his school this year. It was standard protocol for the new Awakeners to meet with the principal alongside their teachers, so he had anticipated their visit. Seeing no raising objections to his statement, he knew his assumption was correct.
With this confirmation, the smile on Principal Mike's face grew even brighter.
"I believe your teachers have already informed you why you're here, yes?" Principal Mike asked, glancing at Michael and the other students in his office.
"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison.
"Haha, there's no need to be nervous. What I'm about to tell you is probably something you are already familiar with, but it's still worth saying," the principal said with a light chuckle.
Michael and the other students subconsciously straightened their backs, their focus sharpening.
The principal was unbothered by their reaction and continued.
"As you know, being Awakeners, your life and future are no longer the same as those of ordinary people. Power and wealth are now within your grasp—if you're wise enough to seize them."
"Had you failed to awaken, you would likely be preparing to enter into an ordinary university to continue your education. If you possessed decent talent in cultivation, you might have tried to enter a cultivation academy. But you have successfully awakened! This means that, instead of attending a cultivation academy or any regular university, you'll be enrolling in an Awakened University, where you'll gain the knowledge and skills you need to know to be an Awakener."
"Some of you might wonder if going to an academy is unnecessary. After all, couldn't you just enter the Land of Origin on your own, like our ancestors, and forge your own path? While that is possible, anyone with a sensible mind would avoid such a risky approach. Why make things unnecessarily difficult for yourself?"
"So, right now, aside from entering the Land of Origin, which you now have access to, your top priority should be securing a place at an Awakener Academy."
"As for learning more about your new identity as an Awakener, you'll need to visit the Supers Association to register as an Awakener after this. This registration is vital as the association will provide you with better resources and detailed information about your new identity and responsibilities."
The principal then went on to elaborate on a few other points, some of which Michael and his peers were already familiar with, while others offered new insights.
After finishing what he needed to inform, Principal Mike dismissed the students and teachers, asking Brian to stay behind for a private discussion.
After leaving the principal's office, the teacher overseeing Michael's awakening addressed their group.
"As New Awakeners, you are required to register with the Supers Association within three days. Failing to do so is considered a crime. Though you have some time, I strongly recommend registering immediately if you're free."
"As the principal also stressed the importance of the upcoming college exams, you need to take it seriously. Just because you're Awakeners doesn't exempt you from academic testing. While the requirements might be less stringent compared to regular university students due to your status, your performance still matters, depending on the academy you plan to attend. Anyway, the Supers Association will provide you with more details on this during the registration, so make sure you don't delay it!"
"For those who aren't in their third year," the teacher addressed as he turned to the younger students from Class 1, "you can also attempt the college exams if you think you're well prepared for it. Most academies and the Federation permit this. However, most Awakeners who manage to awaken before their third year prefer to focus on home lessons while honing their skills as Awakeners, aiming for higher scores when they're ready to enter an academy."
With their advice delivered, the teacher and the two others offering additional guidance, they left the nine students and returned to the teacher's office.
There was no need to flatter the new Awakeners. These were no longer the apocalyptic days. While the teachers were softer with them compared to before, it wasn't to the point of bowing at their feet, but they certainly wanted to form a careful balance and neither wanted to offend them nor overly indulge them.
With the rise of cultivation, Awakeners were no longer the sole wielders of great power in the world. Ordinary individuals could also reach similar impressive levels of strength, though Awakeners remained a rare breed and more gifted.
Experienced teachers understood this dynamic well. They knew that leaving a good impression was enough since they didn't have any hidden agendas.
...
The students felt uncertain and adrift after the teachers left, but not Michael. He already knew his path ahead and what he needed to do for that. His first priority was to register at the Supers Association, and the second was to inform his aunt about his awakening.
Fortunately, Michael was already familiar with the Supers Association. Even before he got transmigrated into this world, the original owner of the body had a basic understanding of it—common knowledge among the natives.
The Supers Association was an organisation that operated under the Federation. It was established by the new government after the apocalypse. The world now had only one ruling authority—the Federation, and beneath it were countries, states, and cities, all part of this new global order.
The Supers Association was tasked with managing all supernatural beings in the Aurora Realm. Ordinary humans had to reach the level of a rank one Cultivator before they could register, whereas Awakeners were required to register immediately upon awakening, as their transformation into supernatural beings occurred the moment they awakened.
The Supers Association's mission was threefold: to protect the general public, oversee supernatural beings, and provide them with various benefits.
Michael made his way out of the school compound and onto the bustling street. After a moment, he spotted an empty taxi that happened to pass by and hailed it.
"To the Supers Association!" he said as he slid into the back seat.
"That'll be a dollar," the driver replied.
"Okay."
The Supers Association was far from Woodstone Public School. On foot, the journey would have taken Michael close to an hour, but by taxi, it would take no more than twenty minutes.
After settling into the passenger seat and the taxi rumbled along, Michael pulled his phone from his pocket. Normally, if the school were still in session, it would have been tucked away in his backpack. But with the college exams approaching and no formal need to attend classes, he had left most school-related items behind, aside from his school uniform.
Most of the senior high students who had come to school today had solely come for the awakening ceremony. After this, the school would likely feel noticeably emptier until exams concluded.
Though the technology in this world was more advanced than Earth's, it retained some familiar elements. The wealthy used floating cars, while the less well-off relied on traditional wheeled vehicles.
Holographic-display watches replaced phones for the wealthy, while others were content with traditional phones. Despite the world being a mix of old and new technology, somehow it all blended seamlessly—into a strange yet harmonious system that didn't feel out of place.
Michael decided to text his aunt instead of calling her. She worked as a cook at a fairly upscale restaurant, so she was likely still busy.
Keeping it brief, Michael sent a short message: I have succeeded in my awakening.
Just as he was about to set his phone aside, an incoming call lit up the screen. It was his aunt.
Michael immediately answered the call.
"Aunt, aren't you at work?" Michael asked immediately. It was unusual for his aunt to answer so quickly, even on her days off.
"I still am," Aunt Mia replied. "I just happened to be on a short break when your message came through."
Michael believed her—he could hear the background noise confirming it.
"Mic," his aunt called, her tone hesitant as if she had something on her mind but wasn't sure how to say it.
"Ma?" Michael replied with a smile, already guessing what was it that she wanted to ask.
He understood her disbelief—most parents were left in shock when their children awakened on their first try, let alone Michael, who had even less of a chance.
"Your message," Aunt Mia began slowly, then paused before continuing, "is it true?"
"It is, Aunt Mia. Today's my lucky day, haha," Michael chuckled softly.
Aunt Mia let out a small squeak of joy, clearly trying to keep her excitement in check.
Knowing she was still at work, Michael decided to wrap up the conversation so that she could get back to her work. "I'm on my way to the Supers Association now, Aunt. I'll talk to you when you get home."
"Okay, okay, okay! I'll transfer some money to you now. Grab something to eat for yourself 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 a surge of happiness washed over 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 his previous life.
In a way, both of the Michaels had endured difficult childhoods.
After ending the call, Michael closed his eyes to rest, ignoring the occasional glances from the driver, who seemed to want to ask something but was hesitant. Only now did Michael realize how tense he had been back at the awakening hall, leaving his spirit exhausted.
It felt like 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 announced.
Michael weakly opened his eyes, still a bit dazed, but the sight of the two-story building not far from him quickly cleared his mind and brought him back to focus.
"Your code, please," Michael requested.
"Here," the driver nodded and held up his phone, displaying a payment code. Michael scanned it with his own device, transferring the fare to the driver's account.
"Thanks for the ride!" Michael said as he stepped out.
"No problem! And congratulations on your awakening!" the driver added with a grin as he started the engine.
Watching the taxi drive away and hearing his greetings before parting, a smile appeared on Michael's face. If the driver wasn't certain when he overheard the conversation Michael had with his aunt earlier, he was now after seeing how focused Michael was on the Supers Association branch right after he got out of the car.
Shaking his head with a chuckle, Michael refocused. Taking a deep breath, he made his way toward the entrance.
...
The interior of the Supers Association branch buzzed with activity, catching Michael off guard. From outside, the building seemed quiet, so he expected it to be the same, but to his surprise, it wasn't. The space was crowded, and most of the people appeared quite young.
It didn't take Michael much long to figure out why. These people were likely new Awakeners, just like him. With only two Supers Association branches in Woodstone City, it made sense that many Awakeners would gather here despite their rarity. Today marked the nationwide Awakening ceremony, and most of the young people in the Supers Association building were likely the new Awakeners from Woodstone City.
By the end of today, the influx of new Awakeners registering would likely rapidly taper off, leaving the next two days much quieter.
Michael scanned around and made a quick estimate that there were at least thirty students present—a considerable number, given all came from just the nine public and private schools across Woodstone City.
As he observed the bustling crowd, Michael joined behind one of the shorter lines leading to a reception table.
Though uncertain about what lay ahead, seeing the presence of others around his age—likely fellow New Awakeners—gave him a rough idea.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't too long. After waiting for twenty-eight minutes, Michael now stood at the front, with just one person ahead of him. Behind him, the queue had grown as more people continued to join the line.
As Michael stood waiting, his phone in his pocket vibrated. He fished it out and saw a new notification:
[$300 has been transferred to your account 27******78, XXXX Bank International, from Mia Grace! Your current account balance is $461!]
Michael's eyes widened. 'Three hundred dollars? That's quite a lot!'
He felt a pang of discomfort along with surprise seeing just how much money his aunt had sent. His aunt Mia's monthly salary was only about $3,000, excluding occasional bonuses, which was modest by any standard. Sending him a tenth of her income was no small gesture, especially considering it was mid-June and Mia's salary typically arrived at the beginning of the month, this $300 could very well be a quarter of what she had left for the month.
Even back on Earth, $3,000 wasn't much if you had a family to live with. The $161 balance he had earlier was the remainder of his $300 monthly allowance Aunt Mia gave him.
Though Michael was concerned, he couldn't help but feel a warm sensation enveloping his chest and a surge of determination filled him. He was truly loved in this world—something he had rarely experienced back on Earth. There, he had faced his battle with cancer alone, with no one to support him.
As he thought of his family, Michael secretly clenched his fist and made a silent vow to transform their lives and take care of them.
However, a wave of uncertainty crept into his mind.
'Is becoming an Awakener truly life-changing for the average person as everyone believes?'
To be honest, everyone had been raised to believe that becoming an Awakener was a guaranteed one-way ticket to the top, but the specifics were elusive. Beyond the promise of power, the exact reasons and ways it transformed a life remained shrouded in mystery for most.
Still, one thing was clear: power brought wealth. And for someone like Michael, who had barely lived his adult years, was well aware of it.
While various thoughts consumed his mind, Michael didn't realize that it was his turn until the receptionist's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Good day, sir. What can I do for you?"
The receptionist, a composed woman in her late twenties, greeted him with a professional smile.
Her calm demeanor eased Michael's troubled mind a little, allowing him to reply calmly, "I'm here to register."
"As?" the lady inquired, her gaze flickering briefly at his school uniform.
Usually, there were only two types of students who came to register: new Awakeners or those talented enough to reach Rank One as Cultivators while still in school. Today was the National Awakening Ceremony day, but she preferred not to jump to a conclusion right away.
"Yes, I'm here to register as an Awakener," Michael confirmed.
"Oh, I see," the lady replied, not surprised by his response.
After confirming his purpose, she proceeded to ask Michael a series of questions. Most were about his personal details, like his name, age, and address. She even asked for his bank account number for some reason, which Michael provided without hesitation. Thankfully, the process was quicker and surprisingly straightforward than he had expected.
"Aren't you going to ask about my class?" Michael asked, curious.
"There's no need for that, Mr. Michael. Your school will send us that information directly," the lady replied in her signature smile.
"Ah, I see," Michael said and nodded in understanding. 'I thought she might have forgotten to ask, but it makes total sense. Even if the Supers Association had a way to verify one's class, doing so for every new registrant would take quite some time, rendering the registration impractical.'
After pressing his fingerprint against the tool the lady provided and signing his name on a freshly printed document, she addressed him again, this time her tone shifting to a more formal one.
"Congratulations on your awakening, Mr. Michael."
"As of today, you are officially a proud warrior of the Federation, the people, and the Aurora Realm. As a newly awakened member of the Federation, a set of military cultivation techniques and martial techniques will be sent to your email. You will also receive a link to a specially designed platform for supernaturals. Your password will be your full name written in all caps, followed by this year's number, '228,' with no spaces in between."
"You can customise it however you like after logging in."
She paused briefly before continuing, her voice steady but firm. "Also, as a new Awakener, you are eligible for a monthly payment of $15,000. However, this amount will be halved if you fail to reach Rank One within six months and revoked if you fail to achieve Rank Two within a year. Of course, on the bright side, the monthly payment will also increase as you advance."
Michael was a little overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information, but one detail immediately caught his attention: money!
It wasn't just the money; but the other benefits that came with it, too!
Though the conditions seemed strict, it didn't change the fact that he was soon going to have a significant income.
Michael's heart raced slightly, but before he could sink deeper into his thoughts, the lady behind the counter spoke again.
"Is there anything else you'd like to ask about, Mr. Michael?"
He was about to reflexively say 'no,' since he had grasped most of what she explained. But then someone occurred to him. Feeling suddenly bashful, his face reddened as inquired in a low tone, "When will the monthly benefit arrive, miss?"
"Ah," the lady was visibly taken aback, but after regaining her composure, her smile grew even brighter, a glint of amusement in her eyes. She seemed to be struggling to suppress a laugh and her reaction only deepened Michael's embarrassment, but thankfully, she didn't dwell on it.
"It should arrive within an hour at most, sir," she replied.
Michael nodded slightly, muttering a quick thank-you to the woman before quickly hurrying his way out of the Supers Association building. Though he didn't regret asking about the money, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had come across as a bit too eager about the money than anything else—which, if he were honest, wasn't far from the truth.
'Anyway, with this, the house shouldn't be low on funds for a few months. Aunt won't have to work so hard, and she and Lily can finally take better care of themselves.'
The thought filled Michael with joy, though he didn't let this happiness carry him away. He knew nothing in this world came free. Even as an Awakener, the Federation wouldn't just hand out money without expecting something in return.
'Though it seems complicated, according to that lady, all I have to do to keep the benefits—and even increase them—is to get stronger.'
Michael clenched his fist, determination surging through him. He now had a clear goal: to grow stronger quickly and make life better for himself and his family. Successfully awakening was just the beginning of the journey and there was much more that was to come.
But before anything else, he needed to get home and dig into the information the Supers Association would send. There was still so much to learn about being an Awakener.
...
The journey back home needed Michael to take another taxi, and he didn't hesitate to pay for it. While he felt like his body had gotten stronger since his awakening, it didn't mean he had to push himself unnecessarily.
His house was nowhere near the Supers Association, and the trip from his school alone was a 30-minute walk. Adding the Supers Association's location to the mix, the total journey would have taken him at least an hour and a half if he walked back home.
Now that he had money in his account—and was soon going to receive much more—Michael saw no reason to be frugal.
After settling into the taxi, he sent his aunt a message to let her know he had completed his registration at the Supers Association and was on his way home. It was also around this time that a bank notification popped up, informing him that $15,000 had been transferred to his account.
'I'm rich! I'm rich!'
Although Michael had seen larger sums in his previous life, it was easy to forget that he was now an 18-year-old—a role he had fully embraced.
Unlike earlier, when Aunt Mia had responded immediately, there was no quick reply this time, which didn't surprise Michael.
He had considered sending her a portion of the money he received but decided against it. Knowing her, she would probably panic and it might affect her work. Since there was no need to rush, he decided to wait until she got back home.
Instead of being dropped off directly at his house, Michael asked the driver to stop at a mall near his community.
He hadn't forgotten Aunt Mia's request to buy something for himself and his cousin. However, he decided to use the money he had received from the government rather than the money she had sent him a while ago. When his aunt returned later in the evening, he planned to return her money, along with a little extra.
By the time he left the mall, Michael was laden with several shopping bags. This round of shopping had cost him about $500 and although it might seem excessive to spend money like this, Michael didn't regret it in the slightest. For now, it was time for his family to enjoy life a little more. After all, what was the point of having money if one could not spend it on themself and their loved ones?
Of course, Michael kept a mental limit on his spending. He didn't know much about the government's motivations yet, but he suspected that the generous benefits provided to the new Awakeners weren't purely out of goodwill. He had a feeling that part of the money was likely intended to be used as a resource for growth.
'There's no need to overthink it.' He thought. 'I'll understand better once I check the emails from the Supers Association.'
By the time Michael reached home, the sun had already set. The Awakening ceremony was held at 12:30 p.m., and now it was a little past 4 p.m.
'Lily will be back from school soon. I should use this time to get things in order.'
And with that, Michael got to work. He put the food products in their respective places and organised the rest of his purchases accordingly.
'Ah, I'm so tired!'
By the time Michael finished, hunger gnawed at him. He had only had a light breakfast that morning, so he decided to cook a hearty meal for himself using some of the fresh ingredients he had bought from the mall. The meat was definitely on the menu!
Thanks to living with an aunt who was a talented chef, Michael had picked up some decent cooking skills over the years. He prepared rice and fried meat, finishing just as his cousin, Lily, arrived home.
Lily, much like her mother, had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a petite frame. In contrast, Michael stood out in their family with his black hair, green eyes, and tall build. It wasn't surprising to the family of three since they knew he wasn't a direct relative. Outsiders, however, would often get puzzled and assume otherwise—at least until they noticed the differences in their surnames.
"Good evening, big brother!" Lily chirped, poking her head through the kitchen door.
"What are you cooking? Is that meat? It smells so amazing!" Her wide eyes and the faint drool made Michael chuckle helplessly.
"Go wash up first before thinking about eating. I'll have a place ready for you by then."
"Okay, big brother!" The foodie immediately spun around to leave without saying anything else but stopped a second later. Hesitating, she turned back to him, his gaze unsure.
"What happened?" Michael asked, confused.
"Big brother," Lily began softly, her hands clasped behind her back and her head lowered, "how was the Awakening ceremony?"
"Oh, so that's what this is about," Michael murmured, recognizing her timidness.
He couldn't help but let out a sigh thinking how similar the mother-daughter duo was. Lily's worry mirrored her mother. Neither of them wanted to hurt his feelings but couldn't bring themselves to ignore them either.
Hearing Michel let out a sigh, bitterness gripped Lily's heart as she thought he had failed to awaken.
"Don't be too upset, big brother. Even if you didn't awaken, it's not the end of the world! I believe you can still become a powerful Cultivator and explore those mysterious realms, even if you can't access the Land of Origin. Your future is still bright!"
Michael blinked, momentarily turned speechless upon hearing her words.
'When did I say I failed to awaken? What's going on in this 15-year-old's mind?'
Her earnest attempt to comfort him was so unexpected that Michael burst into laughter until tears welled in his eyes.
Lily was stunned, watching in growing alarm. Has the sadness driven him mad? Maybe that explained why he had been so unusually calm earlier.
Noticing her worried expression, Michael couldn't bear to see the look on his cousin's face and waved her concerns away.
"Who said I failed to awaken, silly? Why do you think we're having meat if there isn't something to celebrate?"
"Wait…what?" Lily gaped.
Michael then quickly gave her a summary of the events that happened that afternoon, omitting some details about the Supers Association but mentioning the money he had received.
"Wow! Big brother, you're rich now!"
"What are you thinking? Stop looking at me like that!"
"Big brother~"
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"Give me some money~"
It took several promises to redirect her focus off his account, but eventually, Lily skipped away, humming with delight. Watching her retreat in excitement, a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Though it seemed like she was more excited about the money, he knew she was genuinely happy about his successful awakening.
After taking a deep breath and steeling himself, Michael carried a plate of food to his room.
He had delayed for long enough. It was time to finally dive deeper into the mysteries of this Awakening business.
...
Michael's family lived in a rented, two-bedroom apartment on the second floor of a six-story building, with four units on each floor.
The living conditions and environment could be described as modest–neither terrible nor particularly comfortable. Michael figured that once he had more money in the future, he would move his family to a better place.
Dreams of a brighter future for his family burned brightly within him!
Of the two bedrooms, one was Michael's, while the other was shared by his aunt and cousin. This arrangement had always left him feeling guilty about it, a sentiment that lingered even after his transmigration. Regardless of how close their ties were, it didn't change the fact that he wasn't a part of their immediate family. Still, he clung to a saying he had heard back on Earth: family isn't decided by blood.
Stepping into his relatively empty room, Michael sat on a chair next to a desk, which was cluttered with books and placed his plate on the table. Taking a mouthful of rice with his spoon, he pulled out his phone and opened his email.
A quick check revealed several emails from the Supers Association.
The first message was a congratulatory note on his Awakening, accompanied by a file containing the military-standard Cultivation techniques that the receptionist had mentioned.
The file contained two methods: a general-purpose breathing technique that had no elemental attribute and a meditation technique that was purely aimed at increasing one's mana pool, also without any elemental attribute.
Michael had a basic understanding of what these breathing and meditative techniques were. After all, he had also practised the free-breathing technique provided by the federation to all its citizens, though it never bore much fruit for him due to his lack of talent for Cultivation. However, this knowledge only deepened his confusion.
Though Michael hadn't yet taken the time to study the mysterious panel in his mind, one thing was certain: he wasn't mistaken about the level-up system he had seen there.
One piece of information he knew about Awakeners was that they could level up in the Land of Origin. This was the reason why Awakeners grew stronger more quickly, and the Land of Origin was often described as a world that resembled a game.
So this begged the question: why bother cultivating if leveling up was already an option? Though there were rumours which suggested that cultivation could lead to someone obtaining a second class, none of the teachers in school ever dared to confirm this.
Thankfully, there was a note in the file that soon cleared up Michael's confusion.
'Ah, so that's what it is!'
The note explained that while leveling up—which in turn would indeed make an Awakener stronger—it didn't mean that Cultivation was completely useless to them.
What if one leveling up wasn't immediately possible, but one still wanted to grow stronger? Cultivation could help in filling that very gap. It turned out that, aside from levelling up, Awakeners could actively enhance their strength through other means.
The two techniques provided by the Supers Association belonged to distinct systems: the Knight Cultivation system and the Mage Cultivation system. Michael was more familiar with the former than the latter.
According to the file, Cultivation systems and methods originated from the Land of Origin. For the Knight Cultivation system, practitioners had to push their bodies to their theoretical limit, eventually igniting a "Life Seed" within themselves—a critical step on the path of the supernatural. But it was no easy feat.
The theoretical limit of the human body was double the strength and capabilities of an average person. Even skilled athletes typically only achieved about half of this threshold.
To qualify as a Rank One Knight, an individual needed to push their body to reach twice the capabilities of an average human. This was a very daunting challenge to achieve under normal circumstances. However, with a specialized breathing technique, one could use it as a catalyst to reach their natural human limit.
Once a Life Seed was ignited, it introduced a new upper limit, allowing the individual to continue refining their Life Seed. This process thereby steadily increased their physical potential and strength.
While this method was primarily designed for ordinary humans, Awakeners could also use breathing techniques to enhance their physical abilities. The key difference, however, was that the Awakeners could not ignite a Life Seed—after all, as Awakeners, they no longer had limits.
However, the note in the file Michael had been reading contained an unexpected revelation: the existence of dual classes.
According to the note, if someone ignited a Life Seed before awakening—as long as there was no conflict between the Knight class and the class they eventually awakened into and it wasn't the same—there was a high chance that they could acquire a secondary class.
This potential applied specifically to the Knight Cultivation system, enabling the potential for a dual-class setup: a primary awakened class and the secondary Knight class.
Michael wasn't much familiar with the Mage system, and the note offered little to no insights about it.
'No wonder the principal and teachers kept mentioning that we'd eventually learn what we needed to know after registering with the Supers Association. And this isn't even the only email I received—there's still that mysterious supernatural platform.'
Michael suddenly felt enlightened. Things that had been unclear to him before now seemed to make more sense and the note that came with the techniques was really helpful for that. Unfortunately, he realized that he had missed the chance to ignite a Life Seed before his awakening, meaning a dual-class potential was out of reach for him.
Michael couldn't help but wonder. 'Hmmm. Is that why the principal specifically told Brian to stay back? I don't know much about dual classes, but if one class can make someone stronger, it makes sense that having two would pose a significant advantage. If that's the case, then Brian might indeed be special—even among Awakeners.'
Despite these thoughts, Michael didn't feel envious. He wasn't competing with anyone. Just having awakened was already an immense gift for him and he felt he was truly fortunate to receive it.
Michael continued to read through the note, and once he was done finishing, he set it aside. There was no need to rush into cultivation—he still had something else that demanded his attention.
Feeling excited, Michael turned to the other email sent by the Supers Association. It contained a link, which, according to the receptionist at the Supers Association, granted him access to a platform for all registered supernatural beings within the federation.
Without hesitation, Michael tapped the link. It opened a browser page with a simple, straightforward design.
...
The page was simple—a white background, the Supers Association's logo, and two blank bars for entering one's email and password.
There was nothing particularly eye-catching about the page, so Michael quickly entered his email and password as instructed by the lady at the Supers Association.
A sense of anticipation bubbled within him. After all, this was a platform exclusively for supernatural beings—something he had never dreamed of accessing in either of his lives.
'Somehow, it feels like I've been invited into a secret organisation.'
After entering his details, Michael clicked "Sign In." The page refreshed and soon, he was taken to a new interface.
In stark contrast to the somewhat bland login screen, this one was more vibrant and lively.
It looked like a bustling forum, brimming with activity. Unfortunately, there wasn't any instruction manual, not that one was needed—at first glance, the Supers Association forum didn't seem too different from a regular forum, aside from its content which was anything but ordinary.
----------
[Does anyone know the weakness of a swamp wyvern?]
- Oi! Seems like we have a big shot in the house!
- Fr! If I recall correctly, Wyverns are usually above level 30, right?
- That's a teenage Wyvern. Not exactly strong.
- It's the nonchalance of subtly calling a wyvern weak for me.
- Newbie Cultivator here, how strong is a Wyvern for us, Cultivators?
- A level 30 Wyvern should be a commander-rank beast for you guys, so yeah, you'll need a Knight Commander or Mage Commander to take it on.
- Dude, just say that one needs to be a Rank Three Cultivator.
- Not my fault, brother. Awakeners and Cultivators' power systems can be confusing at times.
----------
The forum's content was a mixture of casual banter and discussions. Michael could only read in awe, unable to fully grasp most of it.
Once again, the Supers Association delivered essential information right to his fingertips—not in the form of spoon-fed guidance, but through an interactive platform. Since it was a forum, Michael could search for whatever information he needed or ask directly, which he did without hesitation.
Though some of the posts on the homepage had intriguing titles, Michael stayed focused. Reading random posts wouldn't help him; he couldn't even understand much of what they discussed yet.
Michael dove into a spree of information-seeking, and the gaps in his understanding slowly began to fill. By the time he was done, night had already fallen, though he hardly noticed it.
Each post he had gone through revealed glimpses of the world's hidden power, leaving Michael both astonished and humbled. The sheer scale of strength among supernatural beings was staggering.
'Cultivators and Awakeners—terms we have all heard of. But aside from a few basics about Cultivators, like life seeds and the rank that directly follows, everything else is shrouded in mystery. Information about Awakeners is even more elusive.'
Michael's emotions churned—a mix of shock, enlightenment, and excitement.
'It's my fault for underestimating the people of this world,' he realized.
In fact, it wasn't just Michael who had these misconceptions. Even the native inhabitants of this world felt similar and often failed to grasp its full potential. After all, it had only been a little over 200 years since Aurora first came into contact with mana. How advanced could their civilization have become in such a short time?
However, they were all wrong—very wrong. The truly powerful beings of this world were astonishingly strong, much more than anyone could imagine.
For example, Michael discovered the Cultivators' power system. There were seven ranks in total, progressing from Rank One to Seven: Apprentice, Elite, Commander, Master, King, Emperor, and finally—Demigod.
Yes!
Demigod!
At first, Michael thought he had misread. But after checking the information thrice and even watching a video of a Demigod effortlessly swatting a 100-metre-tall monster like an insect, he was left speechless.
He didn't know exactly how strong that monster was, but he was certain that a mere sneeze from it would have been enough to end his life.
Even if powerful beings like the Demigods were rare, they couldn't be too few. If they were, the federation and the Supers Association would have likely kept information about them under tight wraps.
The Supers Association forum truly opened Michael's eyes to a world of possibilities, and he found himself exhilarated by what he had learned.
'Power, power! I must have it!'
Before, Michael's motivation to become an Awakener was largely driven by a desire to improve his and his family's life, with the goal of living a fulfilling life as a distant secondary. But now, his heart burned with an intense, unquenchable hunger for power.
It took a while for him to settle the surge of excitement that coursed through him.
In the meantime, Michael had also learned much about Awakeners—particularly about the mysterious Land of Origin.
This Land of Origin was a mystical realm that was accessible only to Awakeners. It was said to resemble a game world, complete with levels, quests, challenges and much more. However, mistaking it for a mere game was a grave error, one that could lead to dire consequences that they would regret deeply.
What linked the Land of Origin to an Awakener was the Mark of Origin.
Michael glanced down at the back of his right hand, where a flower-like tattoo rested.
It hadn't been there before—Michael had never gotten a tattoo, but this mark had appeared right after his Awakening and had remained ever since.
Curiously, this mysterious "tattoo" would only reveal itself when he wanted it to.
*****
[ Name: Michael Norman ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Class: Necromancer Apprentice ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ EXP: 0/100 ]
[ Strength: 1.3 ]
[ Agility: 1.4 ]
[ Constitution: 1.2 ]
[ Intelligence: 4.5 ]
[ Attribute Points: 0 ]
[ Skills: Undead Summoning, Undead Revival ]
[ Talent: Infinite Evolution ]
[ Class Skill: Contract Slot {0/2} ]
[ Gift: Mark Of Origin ]
*****
The Mark of Origin had two primary functions. First, it served as a key, allowing an Awakener to connect their consciousness with the Land of Origin. Second, it served as a miniature spatial storage space.
Yes, like a spatial storage ring.
Michael couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. He had already checked off one of the quintessential "must-haves" on any transmigrator's list with this discovery.
However, there was one detail that piqued his curiosity, His Mark of Origin was labeled as a "gift," but he couldn't find any information about what this meant. Despite scouring the forum, he found nothing related to it.
This absence of information struck him as odd; surely, all the Awakeners in the Supers Association would be interested in this topic. So, the only explanation he could think of was that the information was restricted. It likely meant he wasn't yet authorised to access such knowledge.
This seemed plausible and Michael felt that he was on the right track with his guess, especially given the bold "Level 1 Member" displayed next to the profile the Association had created for him.
The implications only intrigued him, making Michael more curious about what a "Gift" was. If even the basic information about Demigods could be accessed by a Level 1 member like himself—even if it wasn't particularly in-depth—then the fact that details about gifts were hidden suggested that this subject was considered immensely important, more than even a Demigod. Perhaps it held the same weight as matters concerning a god?
Though the forum didn't have any direct mentions of "Gods," Michael couldn't shake the suspicion that they might exist in this world. It was only after exploring the forum did he realize just how deep the mysteries of this world ran.
Fortunately, he could still investigate other information about the panel in his head, and with that, he turned his attention to the next most intriguing aspect: his talent.
According to what he found on the forum, talents could be said as innate skills that could be used without the need for mana. They were akin to high-level skills, except that they were rare—even among Awakeners. There were two ways Awakeners could obtain a talent: one was through pure luck during the Awakening ceremony, and the other was by seizing unique opportunities in the Land of Origin.
It was clear that something extraordinary had landed in Michael's lap. However, he felt that his talent was a bit… unusual.
*****
[Talent: Infinite Evolution]
Evolution points: 1 (16hrs: 09 mins: 23 secs)
*****
Aside from the fact that something called "Evolution Points" would appear and accumulate every 24 hours, his talent seemed to be currently useless for the moment.
Despite this, Michael was thrilled to have a talent. Even though he didn't understand its purpose yet, he was confident it would prove invaluable in the future.
From its name alone—Infinite Evolution—Michael held high expectations for what it might eventually become.
