mortal_man

Betrayed by family. Bullied for being different. Left to rot in a remote orphanage with no future. Sixteen-year-old Orion had long accepted that life had dealt him the worst possible hand. But when a cruel twist of fate sends him plummeting into an ancient ruin, everything changes.

Awakening the Infinite Evolution System, Orion gains the power to defy fate itself. His body evolves beyond human limits, his strength growing with every battle, every challenge. But power doesn’t come without cost. As he fights for survival, he soon realizes that his fall into the ruins was no accident—it was a calling.

The universe is on the brink of war. Ancient races, forgotten civilizations, and cosmic overlords all vie for supremacy. Humanity stands on the edge of extinction, its fragile peace threatened by forces beyond comprehension. And at the heart of it all lies Orion’s own past—a mystery buried beneath layers of betrayal and blood.

Armed with an evolving system, a blade that adapts to his will, and a mind sharpened by hardship, Orion will carve his own path. He will rise from the ashes, claim the power stolen from him, and make those who abandoned him tremble.

From orphan to warrior. From outcast to legend.

He will become the Cosmic Overlord.

Infinite Evolution: From Orphan to Cosmic Overlord

Chapter 9 – Wait… Did I Just Scam My Way Out?!

I stared at the group of military students in front of me, their expressions shifting from cautious to full-blown pity after I accidentally blurted out that I didn't know my name.

I was expecting them to get suspicious, maybe even tie me up and interrogate me—but instead, they looked like they wanted to adopt me?!

And then… the teacher walked up to me.

He looked at me with warm, fatherly eyes.

"I understand," he said with a gentle smile.

I sat there, completely frozen, as the teacher continued to pat my head like I was some lost puppy.

I could feel the students nodding among themselves, as if confirming some unspoken tragic backstory they had just made up for me.

This might actually be good for me.

If they thought I was just a poor lost boy with no memories, then I wouldn't have to explain anything.

I could just pretend I forgot everything.

If they asked me anything, I could just say—

Why didn't I think of this before?!

I mentally applauded myself for my genius idea.

This way, I didn't have to explain where I came from, how I fell into a ruin, or why I was half-dead.

I subtly nodded to myself, satisfied with my plan—

Only to flinch violently when the teacher suddenly grabbed my shoulders.

He lifted me up effortlessly, checking me over for injuries.

His sharp eyes scanned my arms, my legs—probably checking for broken bones or hidden wounds.

After a moment, he nodded to himself.

"All good," he said, letting me go.

I let out a breath, feeling relieved—

Until I accidentally met his eyes.

I looked at the boy in front of me.

A silver-haired teenager, probably no older than 15 or 16.

His clothes were tattered, his body covered in old wounds, and his expression—well, it was completely blank.

His face didn't change, even when I patted his head, checked his injuries, or questioned him.

A child with face paralysis? Or was it something else?

More importantly—how did he get here?

This ruin was under school jurisdiction, meaning it was sealed off from the public.

For him to accidentally fall into a ruin portal wasn't unheard of—but for that portal to lead specifically here?

I had questions. A lot of questions.

For now, this kid needed food and rest.

And if he really had lost his memories, then we'd have to figure out what to do with him later.

I smiled at him, watching as he flinched slightly.

That meant he wasn't completely broken.

I gulped, feeling another chill run down my back as the teacher kept smiling at me.

Crap. I need to get out of this conversation.

Before I could try to escape, my stomach growled loudly.

One of them held out a piece of cooked monster meat.