The scent of eggs, toast, and freshly brewed tea wafted through the air. Morning sunlight pierced through the curtains as Norman sat quietly at the kitchen table, still wrestling with the surreal reality of his new life.
Jane, his mother, moved gracefully through the kitchen in her nurse's uniform, her hair neatly tied in a bun. She always looked composed, even when exhausted. She set a plate in front of Norman with a smile. "Eat well, Norman. I hope you get a good talent rating today," she said, her voice warm yet weary.
"I'll do my best," Norman replied, forcing a smile. He hadn't told her yet that he wasn't the same Norman she knew. He wasn't even sure if he should.
She grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. "I'll be back late today. Good luck, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom," he replied. As the door closed behind her, Norman leaned back in his chair.
Mana... beasts... awakening...
This world, unlike the one he had died in, was steeped in mana. Not only humans, but even beasts could harmonize with mana to evolve, becoming terrifying creatures. Beasts, like humans, were categorized by tier—but their terms were different.
The Beast Tier System followed this hierarchy:
1. Feral Beast
2. Mana Beast
3. Awakened Beast
4. Spirit Beast
5. Noble Beast
6. Mythic Beast
7. Celestial Beast
8. Primordial Beast
9. Beast God
It was said that no beast or human had ever reached the ninth tier. The strongest known mana user in the world's history had only made it to the eighth—Mana Archon—and even that was considered a legend.
After breakfast, Norman put on his uniform and left for school. The streets buzzed with energy—hover cars, mana-tuned bikes, even delivery drones shaped like spirit birds. Children and teenagers chatted excitedly on their way to school, all nervously anticipating their awakening day.
At school, today's lessons were canceled for the third-years. All 17-year-old students were being redirected straight to the awakening room.
Inside the academy's special hall, the atmosphere was tense. Teachers and students filled the room, forming rows like soldiers waiting for inspection. The air practically shimmered with anticipation and mana.
The awakening ritual was a grand event. The principal, vice principal, and several senior instructors were present to personally observe the students' potential.
Norman's class was among the last to enter. His homeroom teacher, Mr. Graye, clapped his hands. "Line up, everyone. You will approach the Mana Ball one by one. Place your hand on it, and let it measure your mana affinity. The more it fills, the greater your talent tier."
The Mana Ball hovered in the center of the room—an orb of translucent crystal filled with an ethereal, watery substance that reflected light like a prism.
The talent levels were ranked as follows, based on how much the ball filled:
F: 0–10%, E: 10–20%, D: 20–30%, C: 30–40%, B: 40–50%, A: 50–60%, S: 60–75%, SS: 75–90%, SSS: 90–100%
No one in recorded history had ever awakened above S-rank. The last prodigy who had, a boy with a supposed S-rank talent, was mysteriously assassinated before fully awakening his abilities. Many believed the powers that be didn't want someone too strong to upset the balance.
One by one, students stepped forward. Some got D, some E, one lucky girl got B and was praised by the vice principal himself.
Then it was Norman's turn.
He stepped forward silently, ignoring the murmurs.
"Who's that? Isn't he the guy who always sits alone?"
"Never seen him practice before. Probably a D-rank at best."
Norman took a deep breath and placed his hand on the Mana Ball.
The crystal glowed for a moment… then flickered… and stopped.
The water inside the orb didn't move. It remained still, completely unfilled.
A stunned silence fell over the hall.
"…Zero?" someone muttered.
The vice principal let out a long sigh. "F-rank. What a waste."
Norman remained motionless, hand still on the orb. He wasn't shocked. After all, in his previous life, he'd never awakened at all. This was expected… wasn't it?
Mr. Graye, ever kind, gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't be disheartened, Norman. Some people go on to do well in life with desk jobs or support roles. The world needs all kinds of skills, not just fighters."
But Norman wasn't listening.
His eyes were fixed on something else—something no one else could see.
A glowing blue panel appeared in front of him:
---
Ding!
> [System Activated]
Welcome, Norman. You have been granted access to the Equal Exchange Talent Panel.
Trade anything—time, knowledge, experience, items, or even memories—for equal value.
Balance and fairness, in all things.
Do you accept?
---
Norman blinked, astonished.
What the hell is this?
Equal exchange? Trade anything for something else of equal value?
He quickly accepted.
The panel expanded into a transparent screen only he could see. It listed options—trade skills, trade energy, even parts of his own lifespan, for rare items or power boosts.
He scrolled down.
> [Trade Offer: 30,000 points = S-tier Mana Affinity boost]
[Trade Offer: 3,000 points = Combat Simulation skill (D-rank)]
[Trade Offer: 6,000 points = Physical enhancement (C-rank)]
His heart pounded. This... this is my cheat. This is how I'll rise.
Everyone else saw a powerless F-rank.
But Norman now saw infinite possibilities.
He turned and walked back to his classmates, eyes sharp and smile calm.
Let them underestimate him. Let the world laugh.
Because Norman had a secret.
And in this life, he would rise—not as a forgotten cripple, but as a force that would shake the world.