The Systems Challenge - Chapter 1: The Contestants

My name is Joo In-gong. The name that my parents gave me meant ‘protagonist’ of the world. Really?

You are the ruler, I am a subject, you want loyalty, I’ll give you loyalty. You are the ruler, I am the subject, you want my sacrifice, I will sacrifice for you. This lifetime, we’ll only be ruler and subject…… cannot become the one who accompanies you to experience everything.

A deposed empress, a failure of a substitute. Charging into battle, he was the emperor, and she, his general. But within the intimacy of their military tent, he was her husband, and she, his wife.

But everything was star-crossed. For the one he loved the most, he would push her into hell again and again.

- Description from Novelupdates

Felix Morningstar's life was a tale of both fortune and misfortune. Blessed with an IQ of 170, he was a true genius, fluent in twenty languages and well-versed in a multitude of fields, from mathematics to science, computer science to finance. With his exceptional intellect, he rose to become a self-made billionaire by the age of twenty-five, earning a spot on the prestigious Forbes list as the youngest billionaire.However, Felix's early years were marked by tragedy. Born an orphan, he was abandoned and left to fend for himself. Despite his remarkable abilities, he never experienced the warmth of a loving family. Instead, he faced constant bullying and isolation, even as he excelled academically and professionally.Despite his success, Felix remained haunted by a sense of loneliness and distrust. He struggled to form genuine connections, wary of those who sought to exploit his wealth and power. Yet, fate had other plans for him.During a fateful business trip, tragedy struck, and Felix's life was cut short in a devastating plane crash. But instead of meeting his end, Felix found himself reborn in a new world, his memories intact and his potential limitless. Bound by a mysterious entity known as “the system,” he was promised unparalleled strength and influence in this unfamiliar realm.Now faced with a new beginning, Felix must navigate this strange world with his unmatched intelligence and unwavering determination. Will he find the sense of belonging and love that eluded him in his previous life? Can he truly carve out a place for himself in this new reality, or will the challenges ahead prove insurmountable?Only time will tell if Felix Morningstar, with his extraordinary gifts and unyielding spirit, can find his place in this world and finally discover the true meaning of family and connection.

WSA 2025 ENTRYIn the Grand Land of Baltalaha, the Awakening Ceremony is the most anticipated event of the year, where 15-year-olds from across the kingdoms discover their innate powers. Morvane, an orphan raised by a healer grandmother, eagerly joins the celebration with his best friends, Luna and Esmael, each dreaming of the abilities that will shape their destinies.As rulers from the six kingdoms display their awe-inspiring powers, the arena buzzes with excitement and wonder. One by one, children receive marks signifying their newfound abilities, the crowd erupting in cheers with each display of elemental magic, healing, and unique gifts.However, when it’s Morvane’s turn, silence falls over the arena. No mark appears on his shoulder. Confusion ripples through the crowd, and Morvane’s heart sinks. In a moment meant to define his future, he faces an unimaginable question: What does it mean to have no power in a world where everyone else awakens?Unbeknownst to all, Morvane’s fate is tied to a mystery that could reshape the balance of Baltalaha forever.