Aiden Vale stood alone at the center of the Awakening Hall, trembling as hundreds of students watched from the seats above.
The crystals floating around him—twelve shimmering stones that reacted to talent—remained dead gray.
No glow.
No click.
No resonance.
Nothing.
Aiden had failed.
Again.
The instructor sighed loud enough for everyone to hear. "Aiden Vale… talentless. Rank: Zero."
Laughter exploded across the room.
"Zero again? That's three years in a row."
"He should quit the academy."
"No future. No power. Just a waste."
"Why's he even here?"
Aiden's throat tightened. His fingers curled so hard his nails dug into his palms.
He didn't look up. He refused to give them the satisfaction.
The instructor waved him off. "Next."
Aiden stepped down from the circle, face burning, heart tearing itself apart. His family had abandoned him three years ago after his first failure. The academy only kept him because his grades were barely passable.
But power?
Strength?
He had none.
He pushed through the mocking crowd, trying to escape—
"Hold on."
A heavy hand slammed onto his shoulder.
Aiden froze.
It was Darron Crest, top-ranked student, elite family, awakened with A-Tier lightning last year. Everyone's golden boy.
He smirked. "Hey, Zero. Heard your mom left because you couldn't awaken. Guess she was right."
Aiden's breath hitched.
Snickers echoed around them.
Darron leaned closer. "Why don't you just drop out? This place isn't for trash."
Aiden shoved his hand away. "Back off."
The crowd gasped. Darron's eyes narrowed. "You grew a spine?"
Before Aiden could react, Darron's fist crackled with lightning—he struck Aiden's ribs hard enough to send him skidding across the floor.
Pain shot up his body. The room blurred.
"Instructor!" a student shouted. "He's attacking outside sparring zones!"
The instructor didn't intervene. "He must learn his place."
Aiden pushed himself up, gasping, vision swimming. Darron walked toward him again, lightning buzzing in his palm.
"Let's see if beating you knocks some sense into your skull—"
A sudden violent tremor shook the hall.
A glowing red sigil erupted beneath Aiden's feet.
Students screamed.
Teachers stood in shock.
Aiden's heartbeat stopped.
A dungeon break—inside the academy?!
Before anyone could pull him out, cracks spiraled under him, and the floor collapsed.
Aiden plunged into darkness.
He hit stone hard, coughing, ribs screaming. The air was cold, metallic. The ceiling high above sealed itself with shifting runes.
He was trapped.
A notification exploded in front of his eyes—
A translucent screen of black and red.
---
[ OBLI V I O N S Y S T E M A W A K E N E D ]
User: Aiden Vale
Talent Rating: Irrelevant
State: Cornered Prey
---
Another screen appeared instantly.
---
FIRST QUEST: "CRAWL OR DIE"
Difficulty: Impossible
Failure: Death
Reward (if successful): Unlock first skill
Time Limit: 59 seconds
Objective:
Survive the monster spawning behind you.
---
A slow, wet growl echoed through the cavern.
Aiden froze.
He turned his head—
A creature dragged itself out of the shadows.
Skin peeled.
Empty sockets.
Needle-like teeth clicking together.
A Ghoul Wolf.
A C-Rank monster.
Aiden was Rank Zero.
He couldn't outrun it.
He couldn't fight it.
His lungs tightened as another message flashed:
---
Penalty for refusing the quest:
Full sensory shutdown for 10 minutes.
(Certain death)
---
Aiden's mind raced.
He had seconds left.
His legs were shaking so hard he could barely stand.
Another message appeared—this one harsher.
---
Time Remaining: 38 seconds
---
The Ghoul Wolf sniffed the air.
Locked on him.
Lowered its body.
Ready to pounce.
Aiden stumbled back, panic clawing at his chest—
When the system flashed one final line:
---
Critical Tip:
There is only one way to survive.
Sacrifice something.
Choose quickly.
---
Three choices slammed into his vision:
---
1. Sacrifice 10 years of your lifespan
2. Sacrifice your right arm
3. Sacrifice a core memory
---
His heart dropped.
Giving up years?
His arm?
A memory?
The wolf crouched lower—
Growling—
Fangs dripping—
Time Remaining: 12 seconds
Aiden's hand reached toward one choice—