First Quest

As expected, everyone who attended this year's Awakening Ceremony was summoned to discover their abilities and their true stats after awakening. This information would determine their place in the school's ability-user ranking system.

The ranking system is designed to assess the overall stats of each student and sort ability users into different activity groups. Students with combat-oriented abilities are directed into combat activities, while those with abilities more suited for sports are placed into sports activities, and so on.

A student's rank is determined by both the level of their ability and their overall stats. Sunny, his brother, was surprisingly among the top ten strongest students in the school, ranked 9th. He held this position despite his ability being at a low level because his overall stats were on par with the third strongest student. Remarkably, Sunny was the only Year 2 student in the top ten, earning him widespread respect and fear among the student body.

Emmy, on the other hand, couldn't believe what he was seeing on the screen after undergoing the ranking process.

"Two... two... What is this? Two hundred and eighty-six? Damn, how is that possible?"

He rubbed his eyes a few times, unwilling to believe what he was seeing. Before the Awakening Ceremony, Emmy had been ranked 290 out of more than 350 students, making him one of the highest-ranked students among those who hadn't awakened an ability. He had always assumed he would move closer to 100 after awakening, but now, here he was—ranked 286, the lowest among ability users.

Then he remembered: he hadn't awakened an ability yet and was only relying on "scope."

"Makes sense," he muttered.

The ranking system updates weekly, with students ranking up, staying the same, or ranking down. However, the top 20 ranks rarely changed. For the past two years, no one apart from Sunny had managed to break into the top 20. The students in those ranks only moved up and down among themselves.

"Maybe I can be like him and break into the top 20," Emmy thought with a smile.

Suddenly, a ding sounded in his head, and a message flashed in his line of sight. Recognizing it as a system message, he wasted no time opening it.

[New Quest Received]

[Break into the top 20 students in the school ranking system within three months.]

[Reward: ???]

"???"

Emmy's eyes widened in horror, drawing concerned glances from those around him.

"Sorry, sorry," he said quickly, moving out of the line.

"Is this system crazy? How can I possibly get into the top 20 within three months?"

Climbing from rank 200 to 100 was hard. Going from 100 to 50 was even more difficult. And from 50 onward, it was extremely competitive. The double-digit ranks were occupied by the strongest students, most of whom were Year 3 students with ability levels above 7. Sunny was the only exception—a student with a level 2 ability ranked in the double digits, and in the top 10 at that.

"That bastard, how did he do it?" Emmy muttered, making his way to class.

Although the ranking system is based on overall strength, speed, and stamina, abilities provide a bonus that gives users an edge over normal people. For this reason, most students neglected physical training, focusing solely on leveling up their abilities. But Sunny, who had undergone harsh training since childhood, knew better.

"Maybe I should listen to him and start training," Emmy thought.

Sunny was well-respected among teachers and students alike. Juniors looked up to him, peers sought his friendship, and even Year 3 students had tried—and failed—to gang up on him in the past. He had been formidable even before awakening his ability. There were only a few students who could rival him, which had allowed Emmy to avoid training for years.

As long as Sunny was around, Emmy had nothing to fear. Most students without abilities endured bullying, but Emmy was an exception.

"Emmy!"

A feminine voice called from behind. When he turned around, he was met with a tight, warm hug.

"I missed you so much," said the young, beautiful lady embracing him.

"Huh, Alice. People are looking," Emmy said, his face turning a shade of red.

"Who cares? I just wanted to hug you tighter. I really missed you." Alice cuddled her arms around his neck, but suddenly let go and pushed him back.

"You scum. Don't tell me you didn't miss me at all."

Emmy shook his head.

"Eh, no, I missed you too. But you know, people might get the wrong idea if they see us like this," he said, rubbing the back of his leg awkwardly.

Alice glared at him, then stepped on his foot and pushed him aside.

"I hate you," she said angrily, walking away.

"Huh? Wait, Alice, I have something to tell you!" Emmy shouted, running after her.

"I already know. Your brother told me," she said without turning around. Emmy, confused, chased after her down the hallway.

"Does she mean Sunny told her about the system? No, that's impossible," he thought.

Alice was a young, ambitious lady who served as Emmy's seatmate and the class president. She had a breathtaking figure, a slender build, a delicate face, blue flowing hair, and blue puppy-dog eyes. She was slightly taller than Emmy.

Alice was also one of the reasons Emmy avoided bullying. With a level 5 ability and her status as one of the most beautiful girls in the school, she was both respected and admired. Her constant doting on Emmy had earned him many enemies, but none dared to harm him.

"Hey, Alice, wait! What did Sunny tell you?" Emmy asked, catching up to her.

"What happened at the Awakening Ceremony, of course," Alice replied, still not turning back.

Emmy froze, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"What... what?"

"How can Sunny be so dumb, going around telling people I awakened a system? That'll bring trouble!" Emmy thought in a panic.

Alice, sensing that he had stopped, turned to see him standing frozen. She walked up to him slowly.

"So, now you're angry that your brother told me how you spent nearly fifteen minutes on the altar, only to awaken a stupid speed ability? Unbelievable. I can't believe you wanted to keep that a secret from me, you scum," Alice said, punching his chest.

"Ouch, it hurts,"

Emmy muttered, feeling the sting.

"But damn, that was close."