[Welcome Daniel Williams, to the Ascaris Ascension Network]
[You will soon be transported to Gamma Planet - 1836, of the Soundsworth Galaxy.]
[Please draw your talent by spinning the wheel of supreme fate, and choose your class by clicking one of the basic classes in front of you.]
[Note:- Your class may transform due to the effects of your talent, the change may be positive or negative based on the synergy of the chosen basic class and the drawn talent.]
[ERROR! ERROR! ERROR! Binding Unsuccessful]
A glowing interface flashed in front of a boy, who was floating somewhere in a blank region of the cosmos. His body was crushed beyond repair, he was missing the right portion of his body entirely and in its place there were small grey wisps.
'This again... Why are the Ascension Systems trying to bind with me? Is it because of the Hollow Crown? Or does it not want me to return to Heaven's Valley? If that bastard tries something, I swear upon the heavens of the endless cosmos, that even if I exhaust all of my essence I will murder the Songking family.'
A silent vow silenced all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, something rare for him. Normally his soul having been forcefully fused with the souls and thoughts of several cosmos's worth of people caused his mind to have trillions of thoughts every second. His main consciousness was usually heavily suppressed by the vengeful and unwilling souls of the people he killed and only the faint binding attempts awakened him for a short while.
'Should I let this one bind to me? I can reincarnate to that point again and maybe even use the hollow crown to become The Last Paragon again. Floating here in this accursed place would give me nothing, hell it would even cause this corruption to grow.'
He silently steeled his mind as he let go of the faint mental barrier that blocked the system from binding to him. His body slowly started disintegrating into golden particles. Just as it was about to disintegrate his head, a glowing red ball escaped and fled in a certain direction of the vast void of the Cosmos
[System binding successful]
In a classroom filled with about 30 students, one stood out like a sore thumb, he was the only one who had fallen asleep in the middle of the lecture.
"Ahm, Daniel Williams, you will have plenty of time after you awaken, but for now pay attention and answer this question- What are the different talent grades and class ranks, and how do they affect your progress through the Ascension Network." A tall man said as he casted a water ball at the sore thumb of his class and pointed at the question projected in front of each student.
"Ah! Wh-Wha- What happened sir?" The boy jumped up immediately like a cat having its tail stepped on. His long silvery white hair was completely soaked with water, but it seemed to strangely compliment his physique.
"The QUESTION!!" The instructor seemingly had lost his patience due to this regular behaviour and glared at Daniel. He looked as if his eyes would pop out of his head, if Daniel didn't answer the question immediately.
"Ah sir" A slender hand popped up right next to Daniel, as if knowing that Daniel wouldn't be able to answer the question. The hand belonged to a young woman that had long, silky black hair that fell past her shoulders. Her skin was smooth and pale, creating a striking contrast against her dark hair. Her most noticeable feature was her vivid red eyes- intense and luminous, standing out with an unnatural, captivating glow.
"Yes Freya"
"Sir, Classes and Talents are divided into 10 Ranks each, F-EX for Talents and Grade 1-Grade 10 for classes. Your Talent determines your potential rank and your Class determines your actual strength. If your class rank is higher than your talent then you may be the strongest within that rank, inversely if your talent is ranked higher than your class you may be the weakest within the rank."
"Excellent Freya, I cannot express my wish for you to go into the scholar and research field. Daniel you should learn something from her, I hope you remember your performance here will also be reported to the Awakeners Association."
"Thank you, Mr. Duncan" She said as she sat back down in her chair, and looked at Daniel with a smug smile who was now once again sleeping.
However, just as she was about to speak, a crimson message suddenly flashed across the projection screen before them. The sharp red glow instantly drew everyone's attention, jolting Daniel fully awake.
All Year 4 students are too report to Academic Hall C as soon as possible to undergo their Ascension Ceremony
As soon as the students read the message, the entire classroom erupted into motion. Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone hurried out, excitement and nervousness flashing across their faces. They rushed through the academy corridors toward the Academic Hall, because every one of them knew what this moment meant—the day of awakening had finally arrived, the day they would graduate and step onto the path of true Awakeners.
The Academic Hall was very large and spacious, it had a very large stage at the center with seats surrounding it on all sides. Students happily discussed their future prospects and hopes and dreams.
Daniel sat at the very far end away from other students and teachers, his gaze intensely focused on the stage as if waiting for something to happen.
And something soon did happen.
With a burst of smoke a man appeared wearing a monocle of his left eye and holding a book in his right hand. His robes appeared as if they belonged to a scholar from ancient China, with its back covered with his long black hair.
"Silence, I know this may be unexpected but you all will awaken and graduate today. The Origin Domain has opened a month early so all awakenings are pushed back a month. Now I invite our Principal - Mr. Lucas Reinhart to give a speech" The man, the vice principal of the Umbridge Academy said as he moved to the side, making way for another man to warp into reality.
The principal, Lucas Reinhart, floated calmly above the hall with a gentle smile on his face. He looked to be in his sixties, with short graying hair and faint wrinkles that gave him the appearance of a wise old man. In one hand, he held a polished wooden walking cane, while a long, elegant robe embroidered with silver patterns drifted lightly around him, adding to his dignified and commanding presence.
"Ahm- Ahm"
"For most people about two centuries ago, Graduation was simply a milestone that marked their passage into adulthood. However in today's times, it means something far more important. It means awakening.
"More than two centuries have passed since that day that changed the world forever. Historians call it the First Cataclysm, though most people simply call it the Opening of the Gates.
"On that day, countless rifts tore open across the sky. From those rifts came creatures that should not have existed: monsters large enough to flatten buildings, beasts that could shrug off gunfire, and things so alien that even describing them feels impossible.
"Humanity as you know it had nearly collapsed during those early years. People Died. Cities burned. Entire regions were abandoned. Then, without warning, humanity itself began to change.
"Young people who reached the age of eighteen started awakening strange powers, abilities that resembled the skill systems of fantasy games. These powers manifested as Classes and Talents, granting individuals supernatural strength, magical abilities, or specialized professions.
"Over time, society rebuilt itself around these awakened individuals.
"They hunted monsters beyond the protective walls of cities, cleared dangerous zones, and explored dungeons formed by unstable spatial rifts.
"I know that you have heard this story hundreds of times, whether it may be from your parents, your family or your teachers, but I hope you all know as long as monsters continue to exist, you all, our future generation will always be needed. Hence, I sincerely hope that you don't abandon us all."
"Now let the ceremony commence"