Awakenings

Leon was very close to the body when it started glowing. He didn't have time to run for cover, and with being so close to the source of such intense light, his skin started to burn. Even after covering his eyes with his hand, the light still reached them, blinding him. He felt extreme pain emanating in bursts from his eyes and brain.

This continued for nearly a minute. After that, the light started to dim until it was completely gone. Leon felt deep darkness settle over the world—not because it was hard for him to see at night, but because his eyes had gone blind. The pain kept coming in waves from his eyes and brain. He was unable to think or move because of it.

Mathew watched as the light vanished from the sky and night descended once more. He turned around and saw nearly all the child beggars gathered outside to witness the strange phenomenon. Just then, he spotted Lisa looking for someone.

"Lisa, what are you looking for?" Mathew asked as he walked toward her.

He watched as Lisa ran towards him, her face pale and sweaty."Mathew, Leon is gone," she said with a shaky voice.

"What do you mean Leon is gone?" Mathew held her by the shoulders.

"Some time ago, I saw Leon wake up and head out for the bathroom, but... but he didn't come back."

"Where are the others?" Mathew asked.

"Roan is still sleeping, and Mira and Bear are looking for Leon."

After a long time, Leon was finally able to rest as the pain slowly subsided. But then he felt suffocated. He felt thin walls pressing in from all sides. When he opened his eyes, he found himself trapped in a cramped space. The black walls were thin enough for some light to seep through, allowing him to faintly see. But he was unable to move. He didn't remember where he was or how he got here. It was getting harder and harder to breathe in the cramped space. Gathering all his strength, Leon pushed with his legs until a crack appeared, and his legs broke through. He took a deep breath as fresh air entered through the opening and tried crawling backward, but his waist got stuck in the opening, the sharp edges of the shell scratching his skin. Not paying it any mind, he twisted wildly, clawing at the thin walls with his hands. A series of cracking sounds traveled through the walls as they finally crumbled, and with that, Leon tumbled backward.

He lay sprawled on the ground, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Just as Leon was about to get up, he heard a series of sounds in his mind:

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DingLoading... 10%... 20%... 50%... 100%

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Leon felt a current pass down his body, and a hazy screen appeared before his eyes

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Introduction

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On the screen, there was only one word: Introduction. Leon stared at it, both smiling and frowning at the same time. Just to make sure this wasn't a dream, Leon pinched himself. He felt the pain clearly, so he knew this was no dream. Right in front of him was the very thing he had hoped for when he first realized he had been transmigrated to another world.

A SYSTEM.

Eager to find out what kind of system he had obtained, he raised his hand and touched the screen. Nothing happened. His hand passed right through it as if it weren't even there. Not discouraged, Leon called out:

"Introduction."

As soon as he spoke, the screen shifted, and a video started playing. Strangely, its voice came directly into his mind.

The screen was blank, filled with static for a few seconds, and then a much younger version of Dourgon appeared on the screen.

"If you're watching this, it means… I've died in front of you. Thank you for listening to my final words.

The violent explosion of light you witnessed was a test—and congratulations, you passed.

What you're looking at is my life's work. Let me introduce myself properly. I am Dourgon, the strongest mage this world has ever seen.

This world doesn't like mages. It despises us. From commoners to nobles, from peasants to kings, all hate what we stand for.

And yes—I said us. From this moment, you too are a mage. I know you're not from this world, just like I once was. I can only hope that you don't just survive here, but thrive.

This is my legacy. It contains all the knowledge I've amassed about this world—and much more.

I have only one final wish:

Make sure this world doesn't forget me."

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Ding*

Phase 1: Apprentice

Assignment 1.1: Meditate for 1 hour with...

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Leon heard a bunch of footsteps rushing towards him. When he turned around, he saw Mathew and Lisa standing behind him, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Leon offered them a sheepish smile.

"Hey guys… what are you doing here?"

Mathew spoke, his voice shaky."Leon, what is happening? What is this?"

Leon noticed the strange looks they were giving him and glanced down at himself to understand why. That's when he remembered—in the shock and delight of obtaining the system, he had forgotten about his surroundings.

There, in front of him, where the old man's body should have been, was a giant black egg. Its broken shell was glowing dimly, and one side of it was torn open. A fleshy rope-like umbilical cord extended from its inside—and when Leon traced it, he was shocked to find it attached to his belly button. And he too was glowing faintly with a dim yellow light.

Flustered, Leon pulled at the umbilical cord slowly, afraid he might tear open his belly if he yanked too hard. But with just a light tug, it snapped off.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Leon stood up. His old shirt had been burned away in the light, but at least he still had his pants. Leon walked towards Mathew and Lisa, both still shocked at the sight.

"I didn't know what happened either," Leon said, scratching the back of his head.