"Ahhhh, no don't kill me!" That's the last thing I remembered shouting before everything went black.
And then... I woke up.
Except I wasn't in my room, or even on Earth. Instead, I had somehow transmigrated into a world where magic, beast taming, and sword-wielding maniacs all existed. You know, one of those fantasy worlds that every shut-in dreams of and every lazy man dreads.
Can you imagine being killed by a newbie security guard who probably hasn't been trained in firearms.
It's been two years now. Two painfully normal years. No mysterious system appeared, no talking sword fell from the sky, and no ancient grandpa soul offered to teach me forbidden arts. I didn't even get a suspiciously lucky encounter! What's the point of transmigrating if I can't cheat a little?the only good thing about it is my caring mom.
But finally—finally!—something is about to happen. Tomorrow is the talent awakening ceremony at the Awakening Hall. Maybe I'll become a mage, or a warrior… or a beast tamer. Honestly, I'll take anything at this point. Even 'Professional Shoe Polisher' is better than nothing.
"Sigh... I just wish I could get the easy way out," I muttered, dramatically flopping onto my very lumpy bed.
"Luke! Come down and have dinner, or you'll oversleep and miss your awakening tomorrow!"
"Okay, Mom! I'm coming!"
Our humble abode was located in the slums of Golden Star City—a city named after the Golden Star Sect, which was apparently founded by someone with a glitter obsession. The sect itself is just a branch of the Celestial Star Sect from the Central Region. But we'll get to those fancy folks later.
I trudged downstairs, had a quiet but warm dinner with my mom, and then returned to my room to sleep. I stared at the cracked ceiling, trying to imagine what tomorrow would bring. Power? Riches? Eternal back pain?
The next morning, I got dressed and made my way to the nearby school. It was only a fifteen-minute walk, but I still managed to drag my feet like I was walking toward a dentist appointment.
"Luke! Why are you walking so slow? Aren't you excited for your awakening?" someone shouted cheerfully.
I turned to see a short, chubby figure bounding toward me like an overenthusiastic meatball.
"Slim Zack, I'm just a little nervous," I said.
Zack—my only friend in this world—looked at me like I'd just admitted I liked pineapple on pizza.
"You? Nervous? If you're nervous, then the world's about to go boom!!."
"I am human, you know. We get nervous."
"Sure, sure," he said, smirking. "So, what kind of talent do you hope to awaken?"
"Honestly? Mage. That way I can stay far, far away from anything sharp or angry."
"Coward," he grinned. "Me? I'm aiming for Beast Tamer. I want a big ol' fluffy monster I can ride into battle!"
We chatted the rest of the way to school, his enthusiasm barely dimmed by my sarcasm.
When we arrived, our teacher Miss. Fiona walked in. Her resting expression was that of someone perpetually unimpressed.
"Good morning class," she said, already walking out. "No lectures. Just follow me to the Awakening Hall."
The Awakening Hall was easily the fanciest part of the school. Rumor said the principal had sold half his hairline to pay for it.
Once all the classes gathered, the principal stepped onto the stage. A middle-aged man with a dramatic cape and a voice built for long speeches.
"Welcome, students. As you know, today is your awakening. Only those aged 18 can awaken, as the array won't work otherwise. I'll keep this short.This is the moment that determines your future path—whether you'll become a noble warrior, a powerful mage, or… well, something less exciting."
And then he kept going.
And going.
And going.
I started wondering if I'd awaken as an old man before he finished.
Eventually, students started stepping into the array one by one. Most left with dull or disappointed expressions. A few came down smiling, having awakened a decent talent.
Then came Zack turn.
He stepped into the circle, and the array glowed—bright green.
Everyone gasped.
"Green talent in Beast Taming!" someone shouted.
The principal nearly tripped over his robe in excitement.
"Incredible! Only a handful of people in this city, including me and the City Lord, have a green-ranked talent. This child is a genius!"
Zack was whisked away by teachers before he could even blink.
"Name? Talent?" the principal asked.
"Zack Evergreen… Rank: Green. Ability: Shepherd."(😅)
Gasps.
The principal ordered him to come to his office later, probably to throw adoption papers at him.
The line continued, and I got pushed back a bit in the reshuffling. A few more students went through the process. Orange. Red. A lucky Blue talent that caused a second wave of gasping.
"Wouldn't it be great if I got Blue," I muttered.
Finally, it was my turn.
"Luke, step into the array."
I stepped in, my palms sweaty.
The array lit up.
But instead of glowing a specific color, the world around me shifted.
Suddenly, I was in a gigantic palace. And I mean gigantic—with golden pillars, crystal chandeliers, and a floor so clean it reflected my handsome face.
There was a throne at the end. A woman sat upon it, radiating light. And sarcasm.
"You done gawking, monkey?" she said.
"…Who are you?"
"You're not qualified to know. Just sign the Contract."
"What Contract—"
A contract appeared in my hand.
[Name: Luke]
[Lifespan: 999]
[Talent 1: Lucky Basta*d]
[Talent 2: Locked]
[Talent 3: Locked]
[Bloodline: Locked]
[Class: Locked]
[Mission:????]
[Reward: Locked]
[Punishment for failure: Let's just say you won't enjoy it.]
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Just sign. No body wants your stinking soul. It's just a power shortcut. You'll thank me later."
"I'm not signing anything until you atleast explain and introduce yourself! I'm Luke by the way. And you are?"
"Fine. I'm Illios. Goddess of Light and Hope."
"…Hope as in wishes?"
"Sure. But it can Also mean Curse if you want ."
"I still think this is fishy so why don't you..."
"No time! Do you know the kind of risk I'm taking letting you in here ,so just use your blood and sign the Contract."
Suddenly, my finger pricked itself and a fancy golden pen with a red streak appeared.
"Are you sure that you only took that much amount of blood?" I asked suspiciously.
I filled in the blanks.
Two minutes later, she smirked.
"Now for the final step: shout 'I am an idiot' five times."
"My Dignity and Pride as a man means a lot to..."
"You'll get a powerful title."
"I AM AN IDIOT! I AM AN IDIOT! I AM AN IDIOT! I AM AN IDIOT! I AM AN IDIOT!"
"Forget this ever happened 😑"
A new title flashed: [Thief]
Then pain. So. Much. Pain. It felt like my organs were hosting a salsa dance.
I passed out.
"Luke? Luke!"
I groggily opened my eyes. Teachers surrounded me.
"What happened?" I croaked.
"You fainted. What did you see?" the principal asked.
Perfect chance to lie.
"I… heard a voice. It said my talent is Blue. Enchanter class."
"Well that's New..hmmm. But a Blue talent is a blessing! Come, let the awakening for the others conclude."
I walked to the side next to Zack .
"Bro, we really hit the jackpot!" he whispered.
I barely heard him. A transparent screen appeared in front of me:
[Name: Luke]
[Lifespan: 999]
[Talent 1:Lucky Basta*d]
[Talent 2: Locked]
[Talent 3: Locked]
[Bloodline: Locked]
[Class: Enchanter Lv.1]
[Title:Thief ][Title Skill: Copy and Paste Lv.1]
[Mission:??????]
[Reward: .....]
[Punishment: ... You don't wanna know.]
[Skills: None]
[Equipment: None]
[Inventory: Empty]
'She didn't tell me I'd get a freaking system as a bonus?!'
Meanwhile, back in the golden palace, a man stepped from the shadows beside Illios.
"Thanks for helping him. I owe you."
"I don't care. He reminded me of him"
The man smiled and vanished.
Illios sighed. "I just hope the other f*ckers didn't notice... or I'll have to move my palace again."
-----------End of Chapter -------------