The school auditorium in Pune buzzed with excitement. Students in crisp uniforms whispered nervously, while teachers tried to maintain order. Colorful banners hung from the ceiling: "Congratulations, Class of 2025!"—decorated with marigold garlands, strings of lights, and rangoli patterns near the stage. Parents in traditional attire captured the moment on their phones, a mix of kurtas, sarees, and western clothes blending in the crowd.
A strange energy pulsed through the hall, subtle at first. Students felt a faint tingling in their bodies, a warmth that made their hearts skip. Some laughed nervously, thinking it was excitement; others felt uneasy, sensing something unusual in the air.
Shiva adjusted his kurta collar beneath the blazer, pretending not to notice. He felt it too—a prickling warmth under his skin—but dismissed it. It's just nerves, he thought.
When the principal called the first group of students for honors, small sparks of light flickered above their heads, visible only to those paying close attention. One by one, the awakening energy rippled through the auditorium. Students' hands twitched, and a few felt strange surges of potential. Murmurs spread: "Did you feel that…?"
Then it reached Shiva. When his name was called, everything seemed to slow. Applause echoed like it came from far away. The tingling in his chest intensified, spreading through his arms, legs, and mind. And then… the system panel appeared in front of him:
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CLASS: Necromancer
LEVEL: 1
TALENT: Strength
SKILL: Undead Summon (Lv.1) [Max Troops: 100]
STRENGTH: 10
HEALTH: 50
DEFENSE: 5
INTELLIGENCE: 15
==============================
Shiva's eyes widened. What is this…? The numbers shimmered and pulsed like a heartbeat. Something deep inside him whispered: You were chosen.
Before he could react, a small skeleton materialized in front of him. Its bones rattled as it clumsily stood upright, clutching a glowing Bone Sword in its hand. The crowd erupted in screams; some parents gasped and clutched their children, while teachers scrambled to maintain order. Small cracks formed in the polished stage floor where the skeleton's feet landed—a subtle sign of the system merging with reality.
Floating in Shiva's mind appeared the skeleton's status panel:
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UNIT: Skeleton Warrior
LEVEL: 1
CLASS: Undead
LOYALTY: 100%
HEALTH: 20
STRENGTH: 8
DEFENSE: 3
SPEED: 5
EQUIPPED WEAPON: Bone Sword
SPECIAL ABILITY: None
==============================
Shiva froze. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. This… this is real. A mix of fear and excitement surged through him. He could feel his power responding to his thoughts, and the skeleton looked at him obediently, tilting its head as if waiting for orders.
The panel blinked again: "Talent Boost: Available." Curiosity overcame panic. I can control this… I can grow stronger… and my troops will too.
Outside, the city of Pune carried on as usual. Street vendors called out from narrow lanes, auto-rickshaws honked, and the aroma of chai and spices floated through the air, completely unaware that a necromancer had awakened inside a school auditorium.
Shiva's eyes sparkled. This is only the beginning.
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