Year 2089 — Max Planet
"My name is Jack Watson."
An orphan. My parents died in a plane crash when I was just a child. But by fate or luck, they had left me at home that day.
That's why… I'm still alive.
But truth is, this isn't even my body.
I'm from Earth—a game developer who died from overwork.
The next thing I knew, I woke up in the body of an 18-year-old orphan named Jack Watson. It's only been a week since I arrived, and in that time, I've learned that this world is nothing like the one I came from.
Magic exists. Monsters roam the lands. People awaken unique powers.
It's like one of those games I used to make... except this time, I'm inside it.
And today… is the Awakening Ceremony.
All the students from the university are gathered. This is the day that decides who'll become a warrior, a mage… or remain powerless forever.
My hands are trembling. The ceremony starts in five minutes.
---
✦ Five Minutes Later…
A man in a pristine white suit, blue-tinted goggles, and black shoes steps onto the platform.
He's the principal—and more importantly, an S-Rank Awakened.
Principal:
"Good morning, students. Welcome to your Awakening Ceremony.
From today onwards, your lives will never be the same."
---
He begins calling names one by one. Students walk up to the red crystal at the center and place their hands on it to receive their awakening.
"Rosetailor…"
"Dhruv Pratap…"
"Chang Chi…"
"John Marston…"
...and on and on.
Then he calls her—Emma Rose. The daughter of the great William Rose. A girl with a terrifying background.
She touches the red crystal…
BOOM!
It glows bright crimson—the entire room gasps.
"S-Rank Fire Magic!"
Even the principal is speechless. Emma shakes his hand calmly and returns to her seat.
Everyone tries to befriend her, but she ignores them…
Her eyes meet mine—cold, sharp. I can feel it.
She sees me as her rival.
---
Then comes Liam Roots, another noble. He places his hand on the crystal.
A brilliant green glow erupts.
"A-Rank Swordsmanship!"
Two high-rank awakenings in one ceremony? Unheard of!
The principal smiles with pride.
---
And then… my name is called.
"Jack Watson."
I slowly walk up. My heart is pounding.
I touch the crystal.
Nothing happens.
Laughter erupts from the crowd.
The principal is about to call the next student when—
FLASH!!
A golden light descends from the sky… shifting to green… then black.
Everyone freezes.
And then—
DING!
> "Player Selected."
I blink.
Player?
I look around and ask the principal, "Sir… can you see this screen?"
He frowns. "What screen?"
No one else can see it.
A grin spreads on my face.
---
SYSTEM INTERFACE:
Name: Jack Watson
Age: 18
Rank: L
Level: 1
STR: 10
STA: 10
AGI: 10
MANA: 10
Skills:
- Passive: 10x Experience
Attack: None
Shop: Locked
Unique System: Rank Transfer — Gain new skills with each tier evolution.
> (E Rank at Lvl 20 → D Rank at 50 → C Rank at 100 → ... up to SSS Rank)
Only I have this.
Only I will walk this path.
---
Suddenly, the principal places a hand on my shoulder.
"Congratulations, Jack. You've awakened."
He doesn't know what I really got. No one does.
But everyone stares at me in silence—including Emma, Liam, and all the big shots watching from above.
---
After the ceremony ends, guild recruiters swarm in.
Even the President of the Awakening Association, the City Mayor, and Emma's father—William Rose—walk toward me.
President Noah Oliver steps forward and offers me his card.
"Join me, Jack. With your awakening, you'd be a key asset to humanity."
I smile and shake my head. "Thank you, sir. But for now, I'd like to walk my own path."
Shock ripples through the crowd.
Emma, Liam—even the principal—look at me in disbelief.
"Do you understand what you just refused?" Principal asks.
I nod. "I do. If I change my mind in the future, I'll contact you."
Noah Oliver smiles. "Confident. I like that."
He hands me his card.
"I'll be watching, Jack."
---
✦ [End of Chapter 1]
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