"Young one, fate has brought us together. Even without a class, you survived in this wretched place for three years without dying even once. That alone is admirable.
I think I can entrust my revenge to you. With the last bit of my power, I am sending you back in time. Follow my instructions perfectly and you will awaken my class.
But remember this. The normal machines in your world cannot judge the level of my class. You will still be labeled as a Null. I hope you can fullfil both yours and my wish."
The ancient voice faded like dust scattering in a dying wind. Lucian's eyes were wide. His breath caught somewhere between disbelief and desperation. Before he could speak or ask anything, darkness swallowed him whole.
---
Aurora City, Central Continent, Divine Human Alliance, Divine Year 50.
The air inside Aurora Central High School's gymnasium felt thick enough to choke on. Fifty students sat in neat rows of metal chairs. Their backs were straight and their hands trembled on their laps.
Above them, banners of the Divine Human Alliance hung proudly. Their golden insignia shone beneath the white lights.
On the stage stood a tall man in a formal academy coat. His expression was sharp and cold. He looked like someone who had seen too many dreams shatter.
"Today," the teacher began, his voice echoing through the silent gym, "is the day your fate will be decided. Whether you become a true elite of the Alliance or remain at the bottom of society, everything will be determined here."
He paused to let the weight of his words sink in.
"The world is simple. If you awaken a class, your future will shine. If you are a Null, your future will be dim. Or black."
The word black seemed to linger in the air. Some students clenched their fists. Others lowered their heads. A few swallowed hard.
Everyone knew what it meant to be a Null. It meant no guild recruitment, no resources, and no protection when the gates opened and monsters flooded the cities. It meant no status and no respect. It meant just survival.
---
In the middle row, Lucian sat beside his girlfriend, Elara Windsor. His hands had been shaking just moments ago. Now they were still. His nervousness had vanished. In its place was something else. He was confused.
He slowly looked around at the banners, the polished wooden stage, and the crystal at the center that determined destinies. It was the exact same scene. The same day. The same hour. His heart began to pound violently.
"Did I really come back?"
Three years. He had spent three years crawling through the Divine Realm. Three years running from beasts that could tear buildings apart. Three years of being hunted, mocked, and abandoned.
He had survived as a Null. He had died countless times in his mind, yet somehow, he had never truly died. And now he was back.
Lucian slowly turned his head to the girl beside him. Elara had silver hair tied neatly behind her back. She had perfect posture and calm breathing. She was beautiful.
In his past life, she had been his girlfriend for 3 years. After he awakened as a Null, she had ended things that same afternoon. She did it brutally. Didn't even bother to think about his feelings.
Lucian's eyes turn cold. This time, he did not feel heartbroken. He felt detached. He looked forward again.
"I will follow your instructions, Senior," he murmured internally. "I hope you did not lie to me."
---
On the stage, the teacher cleared his throat. "I will call your names one by one. Step forward and place your hands on the crystal."
The crystal stood tall on a black pedestal. It was clear and pristine.
"First. Tiana Jen."
A petite girl from the front row stood up. Her legs were visibly shaking. She walked carefully toward the stage with heavy steps. She placed both hands on the crystal and shut her eyes tightly.
For one second, nothing happened. Then light exploded outward. The entire gymnasium was illuminated in icy blue brilliance.
A mechanical voice echoed:
[Ice Mage. Rank A.]
Gasps erupted instantly. An A Rank class in the first awakening was extraordinary. Teacher Robert's stern face softened. "Congratulations, Tiana. Welcome to the world of elites. You may proceed to the visiting room. Several guild representatives are already on standby."
Tiana's eyes filled with tears as she thanked him. Thunderous applause filled the hall. For the first time that day, joy replaced tension.
Lucian watched quietly. He remembered everything. One by one, students were called. Some awakened C and B Rank classes. There were smiles and warm handshakes.
Others failed. When the word Null appeared, the room's temperature seemed to drop. There was no applause or encouragement. Just a brief silence as they walked down alone.
Lucian's chest tightened. He knew exactly how that felt.
---
"Next. Elara Windsor."
The gymnasium grew even quieter. She was a genius from the Windsor family. She had mastered 3 basic martial arts, 2 intermediate and one advanced martial arts even before turning 15.
Elara stood up gracefully and walked forward. Every movement was composed. As if she knew that she wouldn't fail.
She placed her hands on the crystal.
Seconds passed. Then the light erupted again, but this time it was golden and radiant. It was blinding.
The mechanical voice sounded:
[Battle Priest. Rank SS]
The reaction was immediate. It felt as though thunder had struck inside the building. An SS Rank priest was priceless. Teacher Robert stepped forward personally and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We are proud of you, Elara. The top three guilds will contact you today. Please proceed to the visiting room."
Elara nodded slightly. "I will wait here for a little longer," she said calmly. She walked down the stage and sat on her sit. She did not look at Lucian even once.
Lucian knew their relationship had already ended the day his parents died. She was just trying to find a valid reason to break this non existing relationship.
Maybe she had told herself, "If he awaken something better than me, I'll keep the relation and if not, everything will be over."
Lucian thought in his mind.
More names were called. More awakenings happened. No one surpassed Rank SS until his name was called.
"Next. Lucian Vale."
---
Lucian stood up slowly. He felt everyone was looking at him. He was afterall an outcast of the Vale family. Some were curious and some were indifferent.
He walked toward the stage steadily. In his past life, his hands had been drenched in sweat at this moment. But now they were dry.
As he walked, he began chanting silently inside his mind. He used dark and heavy ancient words. They had been taught to him in that cave by the being who called himself the Primordial Shadow Sovereign.
It was a ritual he had to go through to awaken his talent.
He reached the crystal and pressed his palms against its cold surface. He finished the chant.
"Shadow Sovereign, I will take revenge for you if I ever gain that much power."
For a split second, something inside him shifted. A faint chill spread through his veins. His shadow beneath his feet seemed to ripple. Then nothing. Even the crystal remained dull and silent.
The mechanical voice spoke:
[Null.]
The room's reaction was predictable. Silence followed by faint whispers. But Lucian kept his face calm. Teacher Robert's tone turned cold. "Lucian. Step aside."
Lucian removed his hands and turned. For just a second, he looked toward Elara. She was staring down at her phone, expressionless. She was waiting for confirmation and waiting for separation.
He walked down the stage. As he passed the rows of chairs, he heard a faint snicker from somewhere behind him. He ignored it because he knew what was about to happen next.