Alicar remained seated, his body still but his mind far from calm, his gaze fixed on the ground as if staring hard enough would somehow change what had just happened.
The teacher’s voice continued in the distance, calling out names one after another, but to him it all sounded muffled, like it was coming from behind a thick wall.
The world around him didn’t feel real anymore.
Voices blended together into meaningless noise, movements turned into vague shadows passing through his peripheral vision, and the weight pressing down on his chest made it hard to focus on anything at all.
It was over. That single thought repeated itself in his mind, steady and cold.
Everything he had worked for, everything he had believed would lead him somewhere, had ended in a single moment with no resistance, no second chance, no explanation. Just failure.
And yet, even in that empty state, one voice managed to break through.
"Iris Crowford!"
The name cut cleanly through the haze in his mind.
Alicar blinked, his focus slowly returning as the atmosphere in the hall shifted almost instantly.
The quiet murmurs that had been lingering moments ago disappeared, replaced by a heavy silence that spread from one end of the room to the other.
It wasn’t just him. Everyone had reacted.
Dozens of students turned their heads at once, their attention locking onto a single figure as she stood from her seat.
Iris stepped forward without hesitation, her expression calm to the point of seeming almost empty, giving nothing away about what she was thinking.
Her long blond hair caught the light as she moved, faint strands shimmering with each step, while her emerald eyes remained fixed ahead, unwavering.
Her uniform fit perfectly, neat and precise, with black tights that contrasted sharply against the bright lighting of the hall, subtly outlining her figure without drawing unnecessary attention.
But none of that was what truly mattered. What mattered was who she was.
Iris wasn’t just another student. She was, without question, the greatest genius the academy had seen in years.
Even Alicar, who had consistently ranked at the top of practical exams, had never truly surpassed her. At best, he had managed to stand beside her.
And beyond her personal abilities, there was her name. Crowford.
A family known across the entire world for their achievements within the Eternal Realm, especially for the breakthroughs they had made in the Third Layer, where very few dared to tread.
At the center of that reputation stood her father, Theodore Crowford, a man whose name carried weight even among high-ranking awakeners.
Which meant one thing. Expectations. Massive, overwhelming expectations.
Every step Iris took toward the awakening orb was watched closely, as if everyone in the room was waiting to witness something extraordinary.
She reached the front without pause.
Without a word, she raised her hand and placed it against the surface of the orb.
And immediately, it reacted. There was no delay.
The orb shimmered the instant her skin made contact, light spilling out in a soft but undeniable glow that grew stronger within a fraction of a second.
Within that radiance, a shape began to form: a translucent hoe.
It hovered in the air for the briefest moment, almost fragile in appearance, before breaking apart into countless particles of light that surged forward and sank into Iris’s body.
The entire process lasted less than a second. Then silence followed.
"Congratulations, Iris, you awakened the—wait... what?" the teacher’s voice faltered, his confident tone cracking for the first time that day as confusion spread across his face.
For a brief moment, he stared at the result as if he had misread it. But then, awkwardly, uncertainly, he continued.
"Huh... the legendary Genesis Farmer class..."
The reaction that followed was unlike anything before.
All those that had expected something big from Iris were quite shocked by the revelation, their faces displaying a mixture of disbelief, confusion, and in some cases, barely concealed satisfaction at seeing the untouchable genius brought low.
Alicar, watching from his seat, let out a quiet breath and shook his head slightly, ’I guess fate decided to play with you too.’
Because while others might not fully understand, he did.
Iris hadn’t failed. Not even close. In fact, compared to him, she had succeeded in the most undeniable way possible.
She had awakened. And not just any class, but a unique variant.
Farmers within the Eternal Realm were already considered valuable due to their ability to produce resources, sustain groups, and stabilize bases, something that became increasingly important in higher Layers where survival grew more difficult.
But a Genesis Farmer? That was on an entirely different level.
It meant enhanced production, rare resources, possibly even the ability to cultivate materials that others couldn’t obtain.
Guilds would fight over someone like her. Teams would compete just to have her join them.
Her future, in terms of security and demand, was practically guaranteed.
And yet, that wasn’t what she wanted.
Iris came from a family of fighters. Her father was a symbol of strength. Her brother had followed the same path.
And she... She had clearly intended to do the same.
But this class—This wasn’t a combat class.
At best, she could defend herself. At worst, she would spend her entire life supporting others from the background, never stepping onto the battlefield the way she had dreamed.
Even reaching the Second Layer would be difficult if she tried to force a path that didn’t suit her.
Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Her shoulders trembled slightly, though she tried to control it, taking a slow breath as if forcing herself to remain composed.
"Iris," the teacher began, his tone softening as he attempted to reassure her, but she quickly cut him off.
"I’ll be fine," she said, forcing a weak smile onto her face, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "I—I can still do it... I think..."
Even she didn’t sound convinced. And that uncertainty only made the situation feel worse.
"I guess being a genius doesn’t mean anything after all," Daan’s voice rang out from somewhere behind, loud enough for others to hear as he laughed.
"She’s dragging down the Crowford name..."
"First Alicar, now Iris... what a pair of failures..."
The whispers spread quickly, low but persistent, filling the space with quiet judgment that no one bothered to hide.
Iris turned away, her steps unsteady as she returned to her seat, her gaze dropping to the floor, her eyes empty in a way that felt far too familiar.
Just like that, the moment passed. The ceremony continued. One name after another.
Until eventually, every student had gone through the process.
...
A/N: Support this novel by adding it to your library and giving a powerstone or two, it greatly helps!
Also what did you think of the opening!