Chapter 55: New Genesis [4]

[14th Everdusk, 2103]

While the other students were lost in the typical post-class chatter—laughing about plans, dreams, and maybe a few risky bets—Evan quietly observed. Just a few days ago, he had been living in his own world, attending his own classes. Now, he was here… in this new world, surrounded by strangers chasing familiar hopes.

Back in his original world, teens talked about console games, manga updates, and magazine rankings. But here, they spoke of leveling up, awakening, and classes. He overheard a boy speak with fiery determination, saying that once he awakened, he'd finally teach the bullies who had tormented him a lesson.

Evan found their ambitions admirable, even a bit heartwarming. Yet he also knew the reality: the awakening rates were brutal.

Fifteen percent for combat classes.Twenty-five percent for support or auxiliary roles.Thirty-five percent didn't awaken anything at all.

And still, they hoped. They had to hope.

For Evan, though, the path was clearer. Even if he didn't awaken a combat class, he could still qualify as a hunter by leveraging his other classes. He could forge a license, fake some credentials, and find his way into raids. But if—if—he awakened a combat class naturally, then it'd be like finding a wallet stuffed with money on the street. No forging. No pretending. Just legitimacy.

He was lost in thought when the classroom door suddenly opened.

A man in his early forties entered, eyes stormy.

The students scrambled to their seats—this wasn't the time for idle chatter. Mr. Helen was clearly not in a good mood.

"Listen up," he said, his voice sharp but steady. "As you all know, today marks your final day of school. After this, you'll step into the real world—one where your class defines your worth."

He paused, scanning the room.

"Some of you will become hunters. Others will be supporters. A few might work in corporations, crafting gear or items for those on the front lines. And some of you... won't awaken at all. But don't let that break you. Even without a class, you can still serve this society. In fact, you might live longer, healthier lives than hunters. Because out there... no one knows when a hunter's time will come."

His words sparked something in the room. Hushed voices turned thoughtful. Evan felt it too—this odd tug of motivation. Maybe Mr. Helen did have a skill for inspiring others.

The teacher gave a nod, satisfied. "Alright, stay seated until you're called for the ceremony."

And with that, he stepped out, leaving behind a low buzz of whispered theories.

'He's good at this... Maybe he really does have a talent for motivating students,' Evan mused, recalling that while Helen wasn't teaching at a prestigious school, he clearly had a gift. The larger schools paid better, but not everyone worked for money alone.

Then Evan's ears perked up.

"Hey, do you know why Mr. Helen was pissed when he walked in?" a boy whispered nearby.

"Of course. Don't you know?" his friend whispered back, turning in his seat. "It's the teacher competition."

"Competition?"

"Yeah. Every year, the final-year teachers make a bet. The class with the most awakenings wins. The winning teacher gets twenty percent of the other teachers' salaries for the next two months."

Evan blinked. So that's why he was so intense.

{Evan's POV}

The whole situation reminded me of something out of a novel—or maybe one of the old manga series from my past life. It made me wonder: were others like me also sent here by higher powers? Were they walking among us?

I leaned toward the two boys chatting earlier.

"Hey, brothers. Who's the top student in our batch?"

They both turned, shocked.

"Wait… did he just talk to us?"

I rolled my eyes. "Do I look like a mute zombie to you guys? Come on. Just curious."

They exchanged a glance, then one of them answered. "Lucas Bennett. He's number one in all the subjects. Basically a genius."

Lucas Bennett…

The name jolted me.

In my past life, that name became a symbol of hope. A pillar of humanity. A rising star. He was the one people thought would finally break our species out of the cage we were trapped in.

But then, he died.

One year after arriving, two years from now.

I'd never met him back then. Only read about him. But now... he was here. Alive. Unawakened.

If this was the same Lucas, then this could be the turning point. I could stop him before he ever became a threat—or a hero.

But I wasn't the reckless type. I wasn't someone who sought attention. I knew all too well how dangerous it was to stand out too early. Besides, I had no concrete proof he was the same Lucas. There was no way I could justify killing someone just on a hunch.

Still… if he was, then we'd be crossing paths again soon enough.

My thoughts were interrupted as Mr. Helen returned and instructed us to head to the auditorium. The awakening ceremony was about to begin.

As our class lined up and moved out, I noticed that two other sections were already there. Ours was the third. We were being called in by section, most likely.

While standing in line, I looked over to try and spot Lucas—perhaps he was in section two.

But just then, Mr. Helen caught me glancing around and barked at me to stand still. Apparently, the chief guest was about to arrive.

{POV End}

"So, Helen… think your class can win this year?" asked Cedric, the teacher from Section-1.

Helen shrugged, but a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. "Who knows? Maybe some real stars will awaken today."

Tessa from Section-2 gave a nervous smile. "Oh, don't say that. We shouldn't encourage this talk. The students will start betting too."

Marlo from Section-4 chuckled. "Come on, Tess. Everyone already knows we do this every year."

Vaedin, the teacher from Section-3, added with a grin, "Besides, it's easy money if you win."

Tess sighed. "Still… it feels wrong."

But the teasing stopped as a hush fell over the auditorium. Two figures emerged from the entrance.

"All students, silence. The principal and our guest have arrived," Mr. Helen announced.

All eyes turned to Principal Miriam Westfield—and the robed man beside him.

He looked to be in his mid-fifties, though his age was anyone's guess. His robe shimmered with subtle runes, and he carried a thick book bound in leather.

"Students and faculty," Principal Miriam began, her voice calm and commanding. "Today marks the tenth awakening ceremony of our school. To honor it, we've invited a distinguished guest: Master Darian Stroud, a second-tier magic formation master currently serving under the CGA."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Pay attention," she added. "A few words from a seasoned hunter can guide you more than years of study."

Master Darian stepped forward.

"Good morning, students. I hope you're ready," he said, his voice even but filled with gravitas. "Summon your will. Seize your destiny."

With a flick of his wrist, his grimoire floated into the air and opened. He began to chant softly.

Magical script glowed along the pages as a complex formation took shape above them, dazzling with runes and light.

For most of the students, it was the first time seeing real magic. For Evan, though, it was different. He knew the true power of formation masters—how they could destroy cities with the right spell, how their tools came from years of grinding through Nexus dungeons and secret zones.

Darian's book wasn't just a prop—it was a grimoire, likely made from a nexus relic and infused with formation structures only he could read.

As the chant ended, a glowing crystal ball emerged from the formation, slowly descending until it landed on the platform.

The setup was complete.

"Section-1, step forward," came the call.

The awakening ceremony had begun.

To be continued…