Maxodia Kingdom
At the royal palace of the Maxodia Kingdom, a man stood near the window, silently watching the moon hanging in the sky as if he were admiring its beauty.
That man was Leontius, the crown prince of the Maxodia Kingdom.
Leontius was a young man with an aura of both regal elegance and quiet strength. Standing at about 5'11" (approximately 180.34 cm), he had a well-proportioned build that hinted at both athleticism and agility.
His features were sharp and defined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that gave him a noble appearance.
His blond, wavy hair fell just past his shoulders and was often pulled back into a practical but stylish braid. His eyes, a striking shade of green, currently showed signs of confusion and melancholy.
He couldn't help but sigh. "Hey, I wonder when my system will activate or if I even have a system in the first place."
That's right, Leontius wasn't originally from this world. He was a man named Alexander on planet Earth.
In the modern world, he had just graduated from university and was about to enter society. Unfortunately, he never had the chance because he died saving a child who crossed the street as a car approached.
After his death, he was reincarnated into this dangerous world as Leontius, the crown prince of the Maxodia Kingdom.
As he was lost in thought, there was a soft knock on the door of his room. Leontius quickly dispersed the melancholy from his face and said, "You can enter."
After the door opened, a man Leontius recognized as Captain Aric entered.
Captain Aric Stormwind was a commanding figure who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, known for his striking presence and disciplined demeanor.
He stood tall at over six feet (above 185 cm), with a well-built physique that reflected years of rigorous training and combat experience.
His sharp, piercing blue eyes were framed by a strong brow, conveying a sense of unwavering determination.
Aric's dark brown hair was kept short and neatly trimmed, with a few streaks of silver hinting at the wisdom earned through years of service.
He wore a meticulously maintained uniform of deep blue and silver, indicative of his high rank within the royal guard. His armor was both functional and ornate, featuring intricate engravings that represented the crest of Maxodia.
The armor was adorned with a flowing blue cape that signified his status as Captain.
His leather gloves and polished boots were well-worn but impeccably cared for, showing his attention to detail and dedication.
"Your Highness, it's time."
Leontius replied calmly, "Okay, lead the way."
He was on his way to the talent awakening ceremony.
Usually, the ceremony would take place tomorrow, but as the crown prince, he would undergo the ceremony today.
It may seem like a privilege, but in fact, it was not.
How to explain it—this world was semi-gamified.
1,132 years ago, the world suffered a catastrophe known as the Collapse.
An unexplainable rift in space-time struck the planet, triggering a shift in the fundamental laws of nature. Some said it was a punishment from the gods; others believed it was caused by reckless scientific exploration, while some claimed that nature, unable to tolerate humanity any longer, sent the calamity.
In short, the world transformed into something akin to a game with functions like Player Ranking, Kingdom Ranking, Regional Chat, World Chat, and more.
However, the fundamental function of killing someone to level up did not exist, unfortunately.
The effects of the Collapse included energy surges that ravaged cities, causing mass destruction, while nature twisted and adapted to the new game-like rules.
Strange zones of warped reality called "Chaos Zones" appeared around the world—dangerous areas where the laws of physics were unpredictable.
The aftermath of the game-like world included global rankings, rating people based on their physical and mental abilities, survival feats, leadership in dangerous situations, and achievements.
People began receiving "notifications" in their heads when their ranking increased, showing their rank relative to the rest of the world. This sparked a competitive, almost game-like culture where everyone strove to climb the ranks for power, recognition, and resources.
As for the talent awakening process that Leontius was about to undergo, every person awakened their talent at 18. The process wasn't dangerous, and everyone would awaken a talent, but what mattered was the type of talent and how compatible it was with the person's attributes.
As the crown prince, Leontius's talent awakening ceremony would be broadcasted in the Regional Chat, and of course, he felt pressured.
"Will I awaken something powerful? Or will it be a disappointment like the protagonist in many novels?" he wondered. He really didn't like the idea of playing low-key or being abused as some protagonists were.
Feeling the pressure, he followed Captain Aric with a calm expression that hid his internal turmoil. Who knew when the broadcast would start?
At the same time, the regional chat of the Maxodia Kingdom was not as quiet as Leontius's face but was filled with speculation.
Leontius couldn't see the messages because he hadn't summoned the panel, but he was sure they were there, knowing the public's curiosity and expectations.
And he was right:
[Regional Chat]:
User: Ironfist123: "I bet the crown prince will awaken something like a Combat Master talent. It would suit him."
User: SilverSerpent: "What if he fails? That'd be a scandal!"
User: ShadowFox: "A prince failing? Please, the royals always get the best talents. This is all for show."
Leontius, who hadn't seen the Regional Chat, had only one regret now. The system he was supposed to have, the one he had been waiting for since his reincarnation, had yet to activate. He had hoped it would awaken before this ceremony, giving him some kind of advantage, but alas, nothing had come.
Finally, they reached the Hall of Awakening in the royal palace. The grand double doors, engraved with ancient symbols of power and protection, stood before him. Two royal guards stood at attention, their faces stoic as they opened the doors with a heavy creak.
Inside, the hall was vast, as expected for a place where students of the kingdom's academy gathered. It was no surprise.
At the center of the hall stood the Awakening Stone, an enormous crystal more than 14 meters high. It could be spotted at first glance, especially since it glowed when exposed to light.
Around the Awakening Stone, a small group of people had gathered. These were the kingdom's most powerful or influential figures who had come to watch. They waited in silence for the ceremony to begin.
As Leontius stepped forward, he couldn't help but feel a little strange. It was because his father, the king, was present.
King Raelion stood at the head of the gathering, his imposing figure cloaked in royal robes of deep red and gold.
In fact, after this ceremony, if all went well, the throne would be handed over to Leontius. This was why the king's eyes were fixed on his son, a mixture of expectation and concern.
End Of The Chapter