I woke up in my fluffy bed, stretched, and dragged myself to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and washing my hair, I took a quick shower. When I stepped out, I opened the drawer, grabbed a simple T-shirt and casual pants, and got dressed.
I opened my bedroom door and stepped into the hall. Mom was cooking in the kitchen, Dad was watching the morning news on TV, and my little sister was sprawled on the couch playing video games on my phone.
Dad looked over and grinned.
"You're twenty years old today—your Awakening Day. Good luck, son."
I nodded. "Thanks, Dad."
Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of breakfast.
"Here, eat this before you go," she said, handing it to me before heading back to finish cooking.
I scarfed down the food, grabbed my jacket, and slipped it on.
"Hey, little sis, phone," I said, holding out my hand.
She tossed it over without looking up. I caught it and pocketed it.
"Wish me luck, everyone!" I called out as I headed for the door.
"Good luck!" they shouted back in unison.
I stepped through the school gates. Millions of students from every province across the country had gathered here today, a sea of nervous, excited faces. I fell into the crowd and made my way to the queue, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
A few minutes later, the Awakening Ceremony officially started. One by one, students stepped into the circle and awakened their professions. Hours passed. Finally, the instructor's voice rang out across the field.
"Kael Ardyn!"
I walked forward and stood in the center of the glowing awakening circle. Magic energy surged through my body like lightning, warm and electric. Above me, the massive awakening board lit up with golden letters:
Profession: Warrior
Someone off to the side quickly recorded my name, age, and profession. The instructor motioned for me to step down and make room for the next student. I left the circle and rejoined the others on our side, walking alongside the newly awakened professionals.
When it was all over, I passed through the gates again and started the long walk home. Some students hailed taxis, others walked just like me, the afternoon sun beating down on the road as we all headed back to our normal lives—forever changed.
I stepped back into the house.
Mom was at the counter chopping vegetables, the steady thunk-thunk of the knife filling the kitchen. Dad lounged on the couch watching an action movie, and my little sister was curled up beside him, completely absorbed in a game on his phone.
Dad glanced over.
"So?"
"Warrior," I said.
He nodded without looking away from the screen.
"Same as your mom and me. Not surprised."
His tone was flat, almost bored, like he'd known it all along.
Mom didn't even lift her head from the cutting board.
My sister spoke up without pausing her game.
"Congrats, bro."
I gave her a small nod. "Call me when dinner's ready."
"Okay, honey," Mom answered, still focused on the vegetables.
I headed upstairs, slipped into my room, kicked off my shoes, and collapsed onto the bed for a nap.
I woke to Mom calling my name. Night had already fallen. I shuffled out of my room and found everyone at the dinner table. My little sister was sneaking moves on her game between bites, while Mom and Dad murmured about some cousin's latest drama.
I pulled out my chair, grabbed the serving spoon, and piled rice and vegetable curry onto my plate. The family atmosphere felt warm and cozy, exactly like always.
While eating, I scrolled through short videos on my phone, half-listening to the chatter around me.
When my plate was clean, I pushed my chair back.
"Good night, everyone."
"Good night!" they answered in unison.
I slipped back into my room, changed into pajamas, crawled under the blankets, and let sleep pull me under.
I woke up in my soft, fluffy bed, stretched lazily, and rolled out to start the day. After brushing my teeth, washing my hair, and taking a quick shower, I stepped out of the bathroom, opened the drawer, and threw on a simple T-shirt and casual pants.
When I walked into the hall, Mom was cooking breakfast, Dad was glued to the morning news, and my little sister was already deep in her game. Mom slid a plate in front of me without a word. A few minutes later I finished eating, grabbed my stuff, and called out, "See you later, guys!"
They waved without looking up. "Bye!"
I stepped outside, shut the door behind me, and started walking toward the newbie dungeon.
I pulled up my status panel.
Experience: 0/100
Level: 0
Nothing more, nothing less.
I closed it and kept walking deeper into the dungeon.
Ahead, a single slime spawned.
It was honestly kind of cute—small, jiggly, and bright green—but the moment it noticed me, it bounced forward aggressively. I punched it square in the core. It burst into light particles.
+1 EXP
1/100
Still Level 0
I kept going. One by one, I hunted the slimes—punch, pop, repeat. After taking down exactly a hundred of them, a soft chime rang in my head.
Level 1
EXP: 0/200
Out of all those slimes, only one dropped a tiny mana crystal. It sparkled faintly in the dim dungeon light. I picked it up, slipped it into my pocket, and started walking back toward the exit.
I stepped through the door, covered head-to-toe in dust and slime goo from grinding those hundred slimes.
The second my sister spotted me, she burst out laughing. Mom glanced over from the kitchen and immediately joined in.
"Bro, what happened to you? You look hilarious!" my sister wheezed, clutching her sides.
"Go take a shower, honey," Mom managed between giggles. "You smell like a swamp!"
Both of them kept laughing. Dad didn't even bother looking away from his movie—just grunted like this was completely normal.
My face burned. Mortified, I bolted straight to the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.
I stepped out of the shower in my favorite cute pajamas, hair still damp, scratching my head as I walked over to Dad. I held out the mana crystal I'd earned.
He took it without pausing the movie, flicked it into his storage ring, and a second later my phone buzzed, a couple thousand credits transferred to my account.
"Thanks, Dad!" I grinned.
He just nodded, eyes still on the screen.
My little sister smirked from the couch. "Ohhh, look at you, big grown-up man, already contributing to the family~"
My face went hot. "Shut up," I shot back, but I was smiling.
"Dinner's ready!" Mom called.
We all gathered around the table. Mom and Dad immediately launched into the latest family gossip while my sister kept poking fun at me. I fired right back at her between bites. Laughter, teasing, the clink of spoons—the whole house felt warm, easy, and perfectly cozy.