The alarm blared like a war horn. My head throbbed.
"Another day, another chance to almost die," I muttered, sitting up in my dorm bed.
Yesterday's incident—punching shadow monsters and blowing up the talent scanner—left me sore, but still alive.
The old Zayle? Would have cried in a corner.The new Zayle? Broken System 87% dysfunctional, whispering chaos and growth in my skull.
[SYSTEM LOG]Good morning, host. Current stats:
Strength: 28
Agility: 22
Stamina: 18
Spirit: 25
Perception: 21
For context, normal first-year Apprentices usually sat at 10–20 for each stat. Some lucky jocks maxed 22–23, but no one had my weird growth potential.
I smirked."Yeah, I'm stronger than most students… but not enough to start slapping everyone around yet. And no, system, Base Strength +100 doesn't mean I'm suddenly a god. Probably just… +2 or +3 in real terms."
[SYSTEM]Today's suggested task: Stand on the principal's desk for 20 minutes making the silliest face possible. Reward: Base Strength +100.
I raised an eyebrow."…Great. Humiliate myself for a few measly stat points. Perfect."
Campus: The Human Jungle
The courtyard was a battlefield. Students rushed about, straps jingling, weapons in hand, eyes scanning for danger.
My welcoming committee: Derek Vahl and Jensen Kray.
Derek, the human brick wall:"Well, if it isn't the school's newest circus act."
He tossed a half-eaten protein bar at me.I caught it mid-air without even moving my feet.
[SYSTEM LOG]Reaction Speed Check → 22/20 (above average).
"Careful. That could hurt your delicate abs," I said.
Derek went red. Jensen aimed a finger pistol."Don't tell me they let the broken talent in unsupervised."
I shrugged."Broken, brilliant, or just lucky. Stay tuned."
Even as they glared, I could peek at their stats in my mind:
Derek: Strength 24, Agility 18, Stamina 20
Jensen: Strength 15, Agility 20, Spirit 18
Ah. Interesting. I was already stronger than the jock and more versatile than the nerd.
Talent Assessment Hall
The hall hummed with scanning machines. They measured aura, reflexes, muscle density, and mental potential.
I hooked the sensors."Initializing talent scan…"
The system pinged urgently.[SYSTEM]Alert: Host talent output exceeds machine parameters. Proceed with caution.
The machine beeped, whistled, and then exploded. Sparks, smoke, alarms. Students screamed. Teachers panicked.
I coughed, waved, and said,"Uh… maybe I broke it? My bad."
[SYSTEM LOG]Task reward: Base Strength +100 → actual increase +2. Strength now 28 → 30.
I muttered to myself:"See? Told ya. Base +100 is just a system exaggeration. Real gain: tiny, but enough to make a difference later."
System Whiteboard of Madness
Back in my dorm:
Level: Apprentice 1 → Apprentice 2
Strength: 30
Agility: 22
Stamina: 18
Spirit: 25
Perception: 21
Normal students: 10–20.So I was ahead, but still fragile. Perfect for future "watch me now" moments.
Execution of the Task
I climbed the principal's podium and made faces for 20 minutes: confused, angry, surprised, utterly ridiculous.Phones came out. Students laughed, gasped, whispered: "Is he actually strong?"
Task completed. Strength increase was tiny, but my system-perceived chaos score +50.Bullies Derek and Jensen were utterly confused.
School Politics & Status
Whispers spread:
"Wait… is he actually strong?"
"Did you see him blow up the scanner?"
"Why did the system explode?"
Principal Harlow glared."Zayle Cross, explain yourself!"
I grinned."Demonstrating… potential. Everywhere."
[SYSTEM]Current observable gap:
Average student Strength: 15–20
Zayle Strength: 30
Gap noticeable but not overwhelming
Bullies stared, confused. Broken System + Pain Conversion + sheer idiocy = survival.
Lyselle Snow's Shadow
A cold, sharp voice cut through the hall:
"Zayle Cross. Mentor Selection Room. Now."
Students froze. Her reputation alone:
Elder 3
Trained students to death… twice
Beautiful enough to stop your heart
Terrifying enough to keep it stopped
I adjusted my posture."Death again? Sounds like a Tuesday."
[SYSTEM LOG]Warning: Choosing this mentor historically reduces host survival rate to 42%.
I shrugged."42%? Been there. Let's go."
End-of-Day Reflection
Lying on my dorm bed, I thought:
Life is weird.
School is a battlefield.
Bullies are dumb.
The system is broken.
And Lyselle Snow wants me.
Tomorrow?Real training.Real danger.And probably… more chaos.
[SYSTEM]New Path Triggered: 'The Teacher Who Breaks Her Students'
Yes. My education had officially begun.