A blinding light swallowed the classroom.
Screams echoed, chairs clattered, and then—silence.
When Noah opened his eyes, he found himself standing in an enormous stone chamber, its walls adorned with glowing runes that pulsed with mystic energy. Beside him were his classmates—thirty of them in total, all dressed in their school uniforms, faces pale with confusion and fear.
Floating before them was a robed figure, skin blue like a drowned corpse, eyes aglow with ancient power.
"Welcome, chosen warriors," the being spoke in perfect Japanese. "You stand in the Sacred Hall of Aeltherion. You have been summoned by the will of the Seven Warring Gods to save our world from annihilation."
A collective gasp swept the room.
"We didn't agree to this!" someone shouted.
"You have no choice," the being replied calmly. "Your fate is sealed. Look at your palms."
Noah's gaze dropped. A glowing symbol, a golden star encircled by radiant lines, shimmered on the back of his hand.
"A Mark of Fate," the being said. "You are now bound to the Realm of Veyruun. Each of you has been granted five abilities, suited to your soul and lineage. Your powers will grow with battle and time."
A translucent screen suddenly appeared before Noah.
---
[Status Window: Noah Washington]
Race: Human (Earthborn)
Class: [Starborne Heir]
Level: 1
Exp: 0 / 100
Passive Gain: +1 Exp per minute
Stats:
Strength: 14
Endurance: 13
Agility: 15
Intelligence: 21
Willpower: 18
Charisma: 12
Luck: 9
Abilities (Rank B):
1. Command Word – Speak a single-word command that forces an effect (based on Willpower difference).
2. Chainbreaker Touch – Remove one suppression or restraint upon touch.
3. Eye of Verdict – Reveal a being's greatest weakness or guilt.
4. Inner Ember – Boost stats under pressure or when protecting others.
5. Ghoststep – Short-range teleportation with an afterimage. 10-meter range, 20s cooldown.
---
Top 3? Noah blinked. That couldn't be right. He was always just… average. Academically strong, yes—but invisible. Athletic, sure—but he never showed it. Just another face in the class.
Whispers filled the chamber as each student read their screens. Some laughed in disbelief. Others looked horrified.
"Yo!" a voice called out—Jason Hoshino, the school's track star and Noah's biggest rival. "Looks like I've got [Meteor Arms] and [Beast King's Endurance]... Hell yeah!"
Another girl, Celina Okada, the school's student council president, smirked. "I have [Chrono Pulse] and [Soul Forge]. High-tier stuff. Looks like I'm in the lead."
Noah's eyes narrowed. If they were this strong, and he was only in the top three… how powerful were his future opponents?
The being raised a hand.
"You will now be transported to the Trial Plains. There, you will face monsters, gain experience, and prove your worth. Survive, grow stronger, or die. In seven cycles, the weakest five among you will be executed by divine law."
Before anyone could protest, another circle lit beneath them.
Noah didn't scream this time. He simply exhaled, flexing his fingers.
For once, he had power. Real power.
And this time, he wouldn't waste it.
---