Chapter 1

"Hey! Miles! I can't believe you're actually sleeping on such an important day! Get up, we're going!"

Jaxon Deacon grabbed Miles Ryker by the collar and hauled him upright from where he'd been slumped over his desk.

"Just… let me sleep a little longer…" Miles muttered, struggling weakly. He'd worked late into the night and hadn't gotten a proper rest.

But the moment he heard the words important day, his eyes snapped open, all traces of sleep vanishing.

Awakening Day. The day that could change a person's fate.

Five hundred years ago, essence surged back into the world. The planet Venetus became a coveted prize, and countless realms tore open the boundaries between worlds to invade, plundering its resources.

Humanity threw everything it had into resisting the invasion. Even their most powerful nuclear weapons barely made a dent.

At the brink of annihilation, the Awakened rose without warning and turned the tide.

Countless Awakened gave their lives to defend humanity. After centuries of war, mankind finally secured a foothold, building fortified base cities to stand against the otherworldly races.

Miles and Jaxon arrived at the school field, where a long line had already formed.

"Quiet down, everyone. It'll be our turn soon—no need to panic."

Their homeroom teacher, Patrick Leron, gestured for silence.

"I'm so nervous… If I could awaken an Elemental Path, that'd be amazing."

"Yeah, right. You'll be lucky just to awaken at all, and you're dreaming about an Elemental Path? I'd believe I could get one before you."

"You? An Elemental Path? Cosa City hasn't produced anyone who could awaken that path in years."

"Please, just let me awaken! Even the worst one, the Weapon Path, is fine!"

As their turn drew closer, Class Three grew increasingly tense, whispering prayers under their breath.

For ordinary people like them, becoming Awakened was their only chance to transform their lives—to leap from obscurity like a carp becoming a dragon. It meant a shot at living inside the base cities.

Awakened individuals also received government funding and support. Those who failed would remain ordinary laborers for the rest of their lives.

The doors to the Awakening Chamber opened, and Class Two filed out. Some were crying in despair, others wept with joy—but far more looked devastated. The sight only made Class Three even more anxious.

"Alright, it's our turn. Let's go in."

Patrick led them inside.

The Awakening Chamber was dimly lit. At the center of the stage stood a crystal sphere, with a middle-aged man positioned behind it.

"Class Two just awakened two Beast Path users and one Weapon Path user," the man said. "Let's see if Class Three can surprise me."

He was Dario Aventinus, the official overseeing the awakening process.

"Sixty students, and only three awakened?!"

Class Three erupted in shocked whispers.

Three out of sixty… the odds were pitifully low.

"Quiet. The Awakening begins now!"

"Thalia Vane," Dario called out.

"Place your hand on the crystal and focus on the power within you," he instructed patiently.

Thalia followed his directions. Soon, the crystal lit up, and behind her, a faint, shadowy gate began to take shape.

The students of Class Three held their breath.

"So that's the 'Path' of awakening…" Miles murmured, watching intently.

The gate slowly opened—and a green-colored sword shot out.

"She did it! Thalia awakened a Weapon Path!"

Excited shouts broke out as the sword hovered before her.

Thalia stared at it, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Not bad. A C-rank sword, Shadebloom."

Dario nodded. The rank wasn't high, but it was a solid start.

Awakening abilities were divided into four distinct Paths: Weapon, Elemental, Beast Transformation, and Summoning.

Each Path carried its own unique traits.

The Weapon Path allowed users to comprehend techniques and enhancement methods through their awakened weapons.

The Elemental Path granted control over natural forces, turning the environment itself into a weapon.

The Beast Transformation Path enabled users to assume the form of powerful creatures, gaining immense strength, resilience, and ferocity.

The Summoning Path called forth entities from other realms to fight on the user's behalf, making it the most unpredictable of them all. After all, you never knew what you might summon.

"Next—Riven Cole!

"Pathless. Next, Silas Thorn.

"Pathless. Next."

It was as if fate were mocking Dario. After Thalia's success, no one else managed to awaken.

"I'm so nervous… Miles, aren't you nervous?" Jaxon whispered.

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I am."

Whether he could change his life depended on today. He didn't need a high rank—just awakening at all would be enough. Miles kept his expectations modest.

"Next—Jaxon Deacon!"

"Good luck," Miles said.

Jaxon nodded and stepped forward, placing his hand on the crystal.

A faint gate appeared… then slowly opened.

"He did it! He's awakening!"

Cheers erupted. A gate opening meant success.

"Wait… why didn't anything come out?"

"Is it… an Empty Path?"

The students were stunned—it was their first time seeing something like this.

Dario said nothing, his eyes locked on Jaxon.

Suddenly, Jaxon's body began to change. Thick fur burst from his skin, and his frame rapidly expanded.

Roar!

The deafening sound made the entire class flinch.

"It's the Beast Path!"

Realization dawned. No weapon had appeared because Jaxon himself was the transformation.

"Excellent. Excellent. Excellent."

Dario said it three times in a row, clearly pleased.

"An A-rank Adamantine Bear. Patrick, your students are pretty impressive."

Producing an A-rank Awakening wasn't just a class honor—it was a school-wide achievement.

"Oh, you're too kind," Patrick replied modestly, though inwardly he was overjoyed. A promotion and raise were practically guaranteed.

"Um… Sir, how do I turn back?" Jaxon scratched his head awkwardly.

"Take some time to get used to it. I'll teach you how to control the transformation later."

Dario smiled approvingly.

"Next—Miles Ryker."

With an A-rank already secured, even if no one else awakened, it wouldn't matter much.

Jaxon returned, drawing curious looks from Class Three—some envious, some jealous. A few bold students even reached out to touch his fur.

"Your turn. Good luck," Jaxon said.

Miles nodded and stepped forward.

"Place your hand on it."

The moment his palm touched the crystal, a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

[Blind Box System successfully bound. You may open one blind box for free each day. Open now?]

A system…

It had finally arrived.

Miles wasn't originally from this world. He had transmigrated here a year ago.

He'd thought he would gain some kind of cheat ability, but reality had been harsh. Life had been a constant struggle.

No parents. No home. No money.

Just odd jobs to survive.

And now… his system had finally awakened.

'Open!' Miles gave the command silently.

A box—visible only to him—dropped before his eyes and slowly opened.

A surge of golden-orange light shot skyward.

'A golden legend!' Miles's eyes lit up.

[SSS-rank Blind Box obtained—Mutated Succubus. Stored in collection. Available for summoning at any time.]

'SSS rank?!'

He gasped. As far as he knew, S-rank was the highest tier. Drawing an SSS-rank succubus was practically defying the heavens.

At that moment, the air inside the Awakening Chamber began to spiral, drawing shocked cries from everyone present.

Dario stared at Miles, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Could it be…?"

The gate slowly opened.

A phantom figure appeared in the air—curved horns twisting upward, a tail faintly visible. Its true form remained indistinct, yet it radiated an overwhelming, suffocating pressure.

"It's… an S-rank succubus!"