At the back of Class 6 of Jinjiang High School No. 2, Xu Ran was attentively listening to the homeroom teacher, Mr. Yan ([Lv. 25] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%), as he delivered his final advice to the senior students. In twenty-four hours, they would face the Final Examination, a trial that would decide their future in this era of chaos.
— Tomorrow's exam will determine your destiny, Mr. Yan said gravely. — That is why you must take it with the utmost seriousness. Show the results of all these years of hard work. I will say this one last time: the risk of death is real. You may try to surpass your limits, but do not be arrogant or naive. Stay within your capabilities. Becoming a teacher, like me, is far better than dying pointlessly due to reckless ambition.
His gaze paused briefly on Xu Ran.
Is he talking about me? Xu Ran thought, a faint ironic smile on his lips.
Xu Ran was one of the unfortunate "Classless" individuals of this Era of Change. A century ago, the Blue Star had undergone a spacetime disturbance, transforming it into a vast playground filled with danger and opportunity. Dimensional rifts known as dungeons had appeared, pouring monsters and mysteries into the world. But the greatest upheaval was humanity's awakening to Professions and Skills, accompanied by visual interfaces—status windows that guided their growth. In this era ruled by the law of the strong, being Classless was akin to venturing into a dark abyss without light or weapon, surrounded by predators.
Xu Ran ([Lv. 5] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%), despite lacking a Profession and possessing a modest level, had a remarkable trait: Preda-Sense, a premonitory sixth sense that warned him of imminent danger. This unique ability had allowed him to rise into the top three of Class 6.
It doesn't matter that I don't have a Profession. With my Preda-Sense, I'll give everything to become stronger and protect those I care about. I won't let that kind of tragedy happen again.
Xu Ran's thoughts darkened as memories of a Dungeon Surge—a phenomenon where monsters flood into the real world—surfaced, recalling the incident that had claimed his parents' lives during his childhood.
As he clenched his fists, lost in those painful memories, a hand slammed violently onto his desk. When he looked up, he met the mocking gaze of Zhao Qiang ([Lv. 8] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%), the second-ranked student of the class, who had never stopped harassing him since Xu Ran climbed the rankings. At his sides stood his two lackeys: Wang Peng ([Lv. 7] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%) and Liu Ming ([Lv. 7] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%), ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
— Well, if it isn't our favorite cockroach, Xu Ran. You're spacing out. Thinking about the exam? Zhao Qiang sneered.
— Exactly. You're surprisingly perceptive today—it's rare, Xu Ran replied calmly.
— Hey! Watch your mouth when you talk to Big Brother Zhao! Wang Peng growled.
— The little mutt is already barking? When adults talk, dogs should stay quiet, little Wang, Xu Ran shot back, his mocking smile widening.
— What?! Say that again! Wang Peng shouted, his face flushing red.
— Looking for a fight? Want me to remind you of some old memories? Xu Ran threatened, raising his fist.
The provocation was too much. Wang Peng, whose Profession was Flame Master, condensed a fireball in his palm.
— Bastard… I'll burn you to ashes! he roared as he lunged forward.
But before he could take a single step, his hand—and the flame within it—were instantly encased in ice.
— Wang Peng. You'd better respect the rules. If you want to fight Xu Ran, challenge him in the arena, not in the classroom.
The cold, calm voice came from the other end of the room. It was Lin Xue ([Lv. 9] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100%). Ranked first in the class and nicknamed the "Glacial Beauty" due to her distant personality and her Profession as Sovereign of Frost, she never even lifted her eyes from the book in her hands. With a simple flick of her finger, the ice cracked and shattered into fine, glittering particles, leaving not a single mark on Wang Peng's skin—a stunning display of her control.
Tch, what a personality… Xu Ran thought, slightly irritated.
Magnificent… Zhao Qiang mused, completely captivated.
— Forget it, Wang Peng, Zhao Qiang finally ordered as he stepped back. — As for you, Xu Ran, this isn't over. Let's go.
He left with his companions. Liu Ming, the silent Wind Master, never said a word.
With the day over, Xu Ran grabbed his bag and headed home. He needed to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
Inside his aunt's modest home, the atmosphere was warm as they gathered around the dinner table. Xu Ran shared the meal with his aunt Li Fang, her husband He Jian, and their daughter—his cousin, He Tao.
— So, tomorrow's the big day? How are you feeling? Li Fang asked, worry evident in her eyes.
With his mouth full, Xu Ran hurriedly swallowed before replying with a bright smile:
— Yes, Aunt. I'm in top shape, I promise!
He even puffed out his chest slightly to emphasize his confidence.
— Don't put too much pressure on yourself, little Ran. The most important thing is coming back alive, He Jian said without looking up from his phone. Then, with a broad grin, he added: — I transferred you 10,000 yuan. Use it to prepare properly and crush everyone, haha!
Xu Ran was deeply moved. He knew how precarious his foster family's financial situation was. For ordinary people struggling to make ends meet, 10,000 yuan was a considerable sum—likely the result of long-term savings.
— But we can't… he began.
— There is no "but," Li Fang interrupted firmly. — The exam is dangerous. You need the best equipment possible to come back to us safely.
She then turned to her husband with a stern look.
— And you! Why are you encouraging him to take risks, huh?
She grabbed his ear, administering a symbolic punishment.
— If it's too much for you, I can help spend it, you know! He Tao chimed in, her eyes sparkling at the thought of so much money.
— You can keep dreaming, little witch, Xu Ran replied, giving her an affectionate tap on the head.
Back in his spartan bedroom—a simple futon on the floor, a rudimentary desk, and the rest of the space filled with dumbbells, a jump rope, and boxing gloves—Xu Ran went through his usual training routine.
After finishing his final set of bench presses, he stood up. Suddenly, a violent dizziness made him stagger. Before he could react, his user interface appeared abruptly before his eyes, without him summoning it.
Huh? Why…
His thoughts were cut off by a sinister cracking sound. Fractures, like those spreading across stressed glass, crawled over the virtual interface.
— What…? Why is it breaking? What is this situ— AAAAAH!
A searing pain, as if his skull were about to split open, tore a scream from him. But no sound escaped his mouth, smothered by an invisible force. A cold, mechanical voice echoed deep within his mind:
[Forced activation of the Codex Azur. Integration in progress. Preparing host for impact.]
An overwhelming weakness washed over his body. His vision narrowed, dark spots flooding his sight. In a final moment of clarity, he saw his interface completely shatter, pulverized by an oppressive presence. The voice echoed once more, distant and muffled, as if from another world:
[Congratulations. You have inherited the Codex Azur. System initialization begins…]
Xu Ran perceived nothing after that. The cataclysmic impact of the Codex Azur's advent plunged his consciousness into darkness.
End of Chapter 1