A/N: 🎉 Extra chapter today! You all smashed the 20 Collections goal in just one day—amazing! Thank you for the support, and enjoy the read! 📖🔥
***
[Ray Dawson]
Ray moved with the crowd, his shoulders slumped and his expression dark.
He was clearly in a bad mood.
I failed the quest...he thought bitterly.
[Quest Failed]
He wasn't sure what had happened. After his fight with Ethan, he had gone to the mountain, yet somehow, his system had deemed the quest a failure.
Sigh... This is the first time I've ever failed a quest.
But what bothered him even more was the strange warning from the system.
[Warning: Someone is interfering with the host's fate. After analysis, it has been determined that the host's fate has been altered and is now moving in an unknown direction]
[New Quest Generated: Correct the World's Fate]
[Objective: Eliminate the Variable responsible for the change]
[Time Limit: None]
[Reward: ????]
"Is someone targeting me? But what did I even do? And what does it mean that the world's fate is being altered?" he muttered in confusion.
'Hey, System, how do I find this "Variable" you're talking about?' he asked in his mind.
[System is currently searching for the clue regarding ##%$# in the web of fate]
[As it consumes too much energy, system will go in a 1-week sleep mode]
[If user comes near ##%$#, system will alert the user]
[Estimated time till finding the variable: 1 week]
What the hell is ##%$#? he questioned, but no response came.
'Hey, what do you mean by sleep mode? Hey… Answer me!,' Ray's frustration grew, his expression darkening.
"Shit," he muttered under his breath.
Everything was confusing. His goal had always been to eliminate demons, yet now the system was telling him to eliminate an unknown "Variable" in the world's fate!
And what is this fate, Can It really be altered that easily?
He let out a long sigh. I guess I have no choice but to wait for a week.
Still, this only fueled his determination to grow even stronger. He clenched his fists and continued walking with the others.
***
{Next day}
Inside one of Starlight Academy's grand auditoriums, rows upon rows of students were seated according to their ranks.
Everyone wore a sleek black uniform, with golden embroidery adorning the sleeves and skirts.
I have to admit, the uniform looks really nice, thought Ash, seated at the very back.
Ash ran a hand over the uniform's smooth fabric, noting its luxurious feel.
"Soft and comfortable…" he muttered. But as his gaze drifted over the sea of students, his brows furrowed. The black and gold design looked annoyingly familiar.
Then, his eyes landed on Ray.
Of course. It matches him perfectly. Tsk.
A troubled expression crossed his face as he suddenly noticed the stares.
Why the hell is everyone looking at me? he thought, exasperated.
Unbeknownst to him, after the Rune of Stability healed his body, it also refined his physique, making him slightly more muscular.
Due to his previous malnourished body his looks didn't come out that much,
But now, while he wasn't on Ray or Ethan's level, his silvery-white hair and sky-blue eyes made him stand out like a noble young master dressed in all black.
Leave them be… I've gotten used to getting unwanted attention, he thought, sighing internally.
In his previous life, he had often been bullied—for not having good looks, for being an orphan… But during those tough times, he had still received plenty of attention, just not the kind he wanted.
Anyway, I need to meet Melissia today. I won the bet… now I need to get that at all costs. Something feels like it's stopping me.
He wanted a clear plan about his future, thus
When he woke up, he had used his skill Omni Thought for a short time, and while it had left him with a splitting headache afterward, it had helped him see a pattern.
Ever since he transmigrated, strange obstacles had continuously hindered his growth.
First, there was his encounter with Melissia—right after he found the Rune. Then, Ethan had suddenly shown up when he was about to claim another Rune.
It's almost as if someone or something doesn't want me to obtain the Runes…
If he had thought about this before, he wouldn't have found an answer. But under the influence of Omni Thought, a conclusion became clear.
It's either my transmigration that has altered the world's fate…thus the fate itself is creating obstacles for me or Ray's System is interfering with me.
He wasn't sure which one was true, but one thing was certain—he needed that item from Melissia's family vault.
As he was deep in thought, the murmuring in the auditorium suddenly quieted.
On the grand stage, the principal of Starlight Academy emerged from backstage, his presence commanding the attention of every student in the room.
Saint Nichole Schneiders
One of the Seven Saints of Humanity, sword master whose blade had severed the heads of many mythical beings.
His reputation alone commanded respect, but it was his very presence that sent a chill down the spine of every student in the room.
Tall and broad-shouldered, his golden eyes gleamed like molten fire, sharp enough to cut through one's soul. His face was of a middle age man in his early 30s.
But his real age was unknown.
His every step carried the weight of authority, and when he spoke, his deep, resonant voice silenced even the whispers lingering in the back.
"Welcome, future legends of Starlight Academy As you step beyond these gates, know that you are not merely students—you are the architects of destiny itself."
The words carried a force beyond mere sound, shaking the hearts of the students.
"You were born into a world where weakness is a death sentence. The strong rule, and the weak perish. That is the truth of this reality. No amount of talent, family status, or luck will save you if you lack the resolve to seize your own future."
Some students gulped, while others sat up straighter.
"Do you think a genius can remain a genius without effort? Do you think those who stand at the top were merely handed their power? No!"
He pointed toward the students, as if piercing through their very beings.
"It is effort that determines your worth. Talent may set the foundation, but determination is what builds an empire. Willpower is what allows a weakling to challenge a god."
His hand fell back to his side, but his voice never wavered.
"Power..."
"Real power does not belong to those who were born the strongest, the fastest, or the smartest."
"No."
"It belongs to those who will do anything, anything—to achieve it."
A silence followed, but it wasn't one of indifference—it was the silence of awe, of students clenching their fists, their eyes burning with renewed determination.
Then, after letting his words settle, Nichole turned to the side.
"Here, you will train, you will suffer, and you will grow. Some of you will rise, and some of you will fall. But let me tell you this—only those who persist shall rise above!"
"Now,"
"Vice Principal will take over from here and further instructions about your classes."
As the Vice Principal stepped forward, Ash suddenly felt a wave of unease.
His eyes widened slightly.
Why is she here?
She wasn't supposed to appear again after the entrance test.
I knew it… something has definitely changed!!
Before he could dwell on it, a cheerful voice rang out.
"Hellooo!! My dear lovely students! Did you enjoy your one-day break?!"
Her playful giggle echoed through the auditorium, but instead of comfort, it sent chills down every student's spine.
Something about her tone… felt dangerous.
"I bet most of you slept through the whole day and didn't even wake up to eat, right?!" she teased, a knowing smirk on her face.
Some students swallowed nervously.
Ash, on the other hand, froze.
Wait… how does she know I slept all day? Was she watching me!?
As if reading his thoughts, she turned toward the audience and chuckled.
"Oh, don't worry, there were no cameras. It's just that this happens every year, so I just know!"
Ash let out a small breath, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
I see… that's okay then.
But his relief was short-lived.
"Now, let me give you all a brief about the class divisions!" she announced.
"As you know, the first-year classes are divided into five sections… this year Section 1S will have 51 students, Section 1A will have…"
Her voice faded into the background as Ash's mind wandered.
'As long as I'm not in any trouble, I should be fine. I'll just blend in and—'
Then, her next words shattered his hopes.
"Oh, right! Before you leave, let me give you all a BIG piece of news! For the first time ever… I'll be taking a class as a teacher! And my class will be…"
She paused, looking across the students.
"1S!!"
Silence.
Then—
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO!!!!
Ash's mind spiraled into absolute horror.
His face turned pale as if he had seen death itself.
If she becomes my class teacher, my peaceful academy life is OVER!!
His expression twisted in pure despair.
Fuck you, Fate! Or whatever damn entity is messing with my life! he cursed inwardly, glaring up at the ceiling as if blaming the heavens.
Somewhere, fate (or the author) grinned maliciously.
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