The date was February 2, 2035.
It was exactly a month since he started going to college.
College after the apocalypse descended has never been the same.
Nowadays, college is considered as a countdown to a man's dream becoming true or the end of it.
Whether one could become a strong fighter on the front line, a professional degree holder that could help with important research, or a laborer would be decided once an individual began their college life.
During the apocalypse, it was already announced by the government that humans aged sixteen and above could successfully awaken a talent once they were submerged long enough in an area full of mana that came from the dungeons.
Now, almost five years later, after various studies and research, it was determined that although awakening at any age after the age of sixteen could lead to improvements, it was actually best if one could awaken between the ages of seventeen and eighteen.
Sixteen was considered too young, while nineteen and above were already considered to be above the prime stage.
According to the experts, these were all mental and might vary from person to person.
Still, the keywords, 'between seventeen and eighteen' and 'said by experts,' have been engraved and were widely accepted as the universal truth.
It just so happens that once a student starts college, their age generally ranges around seventeen and eighteen years old as well, making it the perfect opportunity for a systematic and well-organized awakening.
Now, it has been a month since Desther started going to college.
He was already seventeen years old and was at the optimal age to awaken.
Today marks the first month of his college life, and it was also today that he and his classmates were set to awaken inside a partially completed dungeon.
Before that, though, he must complete his daily ten-kilometer run so that he won't lose his daily streak.
As of this moment, Desther was running in the school's track field with upbeat music ringing in his ears.
His pace was moderate and lacking haste.
Steady steps and optimal running form were proof of his diligence and self-discipline over the years.
He was only two kilometers away from finishing his daily run, and the time for the class to start was fast approaching as well.
With his pace, it did not take long for Desther to finish the remainder of his run for the day.
Looking at the time, it was already a quarter to eight.
He went to the side of the track and did some stretches to cool down while observing his surroundings.
He found some familiar faces doing some morning runs as well; most of them probably do not know his name, though.
He saw some of his classmates running together as well.
It has been a month since they started going to college, and most of them had already become familiar with each other, forming groups and cliques for their own interests.
As for him, well, he considered himself a loner by choice.
Sitting at the back, barely chatting with anyone, and presence barely noticeable in the classroom.
In fact, Desther did not even think that any of his classmates would know his name by heart.
It did not matter to him, though.
He liked a peaceful and quiet life. One without the cliches and drama he usually read in the novels.
'In the grand scheme of things, all of us are just dust.'
He thought as he gulped a mouthful of water and quenched the thirst he was feeling.
Just then, a figure suddenly came into his view.
Desther moved his gaze and observed the figure closely. Although he did not show too much of a reaction, Desther actually knew this person at first glance.
Wearing a black cap, a red crop top paired with black high-waisted leggings, the figure slowly came to a stop right beside him.
'Lexie Corazon Baltazar,' he muttered under his breath, glancing at the girl panting heavily right beside him.
'A school achiever. Sits in the front of the class. Pretty popular with both the boys and the girls and rumored to hail from a family full of powerful awakeners. A pretty and smart girl with a good figure that gets everyone's attention wherever she goes.'
'Totally the kind of person I don't want to get involved with,' Desther thought to himself as he finished his evaluation regarding this popular classmate of his.
Of all his classmates, Lexie was also among the few that Desther would see running in the field like him.
Strangely enough, even though Lexie seemed exhausted by the way she was breathing heavily, Desther noticed that there were actually no signs of sweat around her body.
Of all the times he saw her running in the field, this was also the first time that she stopped right beside him.
And for no particular reason at that.
'Deliberate? Well… I smell trouble. Time to bounce,' he thought, preparing to escape from the strange situation.
"Wait!"
Pretending not to hear anything, Desther went off and ignored the call from behind.
The music continued inside his ears.
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
After freshening up, Desther went to his classroom, wearing another pair of a dark hoodie and pants. The ankle weights were still perfectly hidden as he sat at the very corner and at the very end of the room, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
Looking around, he saw his classmates talking about their upcoming awakening ceremony.
He also saw Lexie in the front, as usual, being the center of attraction, getting along with everyone.
As if feeling his gaze, Lexie turned her head in his direction.
At this time, though, Desther has already moved his gaze away, acting as if nothing has happened. Taking note of the time, he noticed that there were still a few minutes left before the start of the class, so he decided to read a few chapters from a novel he was recently following.
Ignoring everything, he immersed himself in the story, gradually forgetting the time.
A few chapters later, the teacher finally arrived.
Everyone settled down as Desther reluctantly turned his phone off.
In front of the class, a woman wearing glasses and a pale green teacher uniform stood with a stern expression on her face.
"Alright, now that everyone has settled down, let us review everything we have discussed so far regarding dungeons, as well as your upcoming awakening ceremony."
"First things first, let me ask you this, what is a dungeon?"