January 04, 2027

"Many years ago, the mysterious Nexus Ascension Gaming Industry introduced Nexus to us, after which they vanished. For the first few months of playing this VR game, everything was normal. However, as time passed, strange... occurrences began happening in the real world."

The instructor flicked his hand across the holographic display.

The image shifted.

Massive portals materialized above the classroom floor, suspended in midair. Some gleamed with ominous blue light. Others appeared as colossal tears in the sky from which endless hordes of monsters poured forth.

"Rifts tore through the world, and dungeon gates awakened as well, plunging the majority of humanity into chaos. Everyone was doomed. Fortunately, the same game that had once been neglected, Nexus, became the saviour of humanity."

"Initially, humans could awaken classes within the game and bring them into reality after obtaining a certain number of lives or reputation points. However, as time passed..."

The image changed once more.

This time, a round, egg-shaped Earth floated before them. The sight made a few flat-earthers in the class wince slightly, though they wisely kept their mouths shut.

Gradually, the planet began to dim.

Darkness spread across its surface as though some unseen entity was slowly consuming it.

Noticing the confusion on the students’ faces, the instructor smiled and continued.

"As time passed and the fusion between reality and the game deepened, humans gained the ability to awaken their classes directly in the real world and even level up here!"

"WOOOHOOO!"

Excited cheers erupted throughout the classroom.

"Today’s the day of awakening! I can’t wait to see what class I get!"

Another student practically screamed, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes from sheer excitement.

The instructor waited patiently.

Only after the noise gradually died down and the classroom settled into an expectant silence did he continue.

Suddenly, his expression became serious.

"I have to warn everyone."

Several students immediately straightened.

"Initially, Earth was normal. Then Nexus was introduced. Some time later, rifts and dungeons appeared. A month after that, humanity learned how to bring classes from the game world into reality. A year later, humans gained the ability to awaken classes directly in the real world.

"So I ask you, children... what do you think comes next? Gods descending into our world and enslaving us?"

His words sent an icy chill through the classroom.

The room instantly fell silent.

Several students exchanged uneasy looks, while others subconsciously swallowed.

For the first time that morning, the excitement surrounding awakening was overshadowed by something else.

Fear.

"Hahaha!"

The instructor suddenly burst into laughter.

"I’m just joking with you kids. Look at your faces."

The students released nervous chuckles, though many couldn’t completely hide how disturbed they were by the thought.

"Now then, onto the awakening grounds! Let’s see what pathetic classes you lot awaken!"

His booming voice echoed through the room.

Then his gaze shifted toward the back of the class, and his brows twitched.

"And somebody wake up that goddamn fool who keeps sleeping in my class!"

His voice exploded like thunder.

At the same time, he hurled his cane across the room.

Swish!

The cane cut through the air.

Just as everyone expected it to smash directly into the sleeping youth’s head, a hand shot upward instinctively.

Two slender fingers closed around it, effortlessly.

"Teacher, I think you dropped your cane."

The silver-eyed youth smiled.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

Then the room exploded.

"Did you see that?"

"How did he even react that fast?"

"I got it on video!"

Several girls immediately turned toward Amon.

One hurriedly fixed her hair.

Another lowered her phone after realizing she’d been staring.

A third covered her smile with both hands.

Meanwhile, the instructor’s face turned red.

"Hmph! We’ll see what kind of class you awaken!"

He snatched the cane back before storming out.

Amon watched him leave before turning to his classmates...

"Ladies..."

His voice instantly drew attention.

Every girl nearby looked over.

Amon placed a finger against his lips.

"That’s enough excitement for now."

A faint wink followed and the reaction was immediate.

Several girls nodded so quickly that Amon briefly wondered whether they were practicing for a neck injury.

Across the room, a cold snort sounded.

A young woman walked past without sparing anyone a glance.

Her expression was frosty.

Light blue hair framed a face sculpted with almost unfair perfection.

Tsk.

Amon sighed internally.

There she goes.

The only person in school apparently immune to his natural charm.

"Hey, school beauty. Wait a moment. Let’s walk to the awakening grounds together."

His gaze swept over the fair, slender girl.

Her short skirt revealed smooth, toned thighs, while the fabric hugged her figure in a modest yet flattering manner.

Hearing his words, she merely quickened her pace.

Not even a glance.

Not even a reply.

Amon clicked his tongue again.

He didn’t bother chasing after her.

It’s truly difficult being the only guy in A-Class.

With both hands tucked casually into his pockets, he made his way toward the awakening hall.

Moments later, the other students joined the flow of people heading in the same direction.

Cradle High was located within Northern Moon District, one of the states of Auros.

Students were divided into Classes A through D according to academic performance.

Amon consistently ranked first in his year.

Naturally, he belonged to A-Class.

An achievement that had somehow resulted in him becoming the only male student there.

Amon still wasn’t sure how that happened.

At times he suspected the universe was conducting research.

Eventually, a massive stadium came into view.

Rows of neatly maintained grass stretched across the grounds.

At the center stood an elevated platform.

Upon it rested a gleaming blue crystal.

Faculty members surrounded the stage.

At their center stood an elderly man with a long white beard. He wore a blue tuxedo that struggled valiantly against the presence of his pot belly.

Amon moved toward a particular spot.

Coincidentally, it was where the school beauty, Collete, stood.

She remained silent, her moonlit silver eyes fixed calmly upon the stage.

"Are you nervous?"

Amon couldn’t help asking, though he kept a respectful distance.

Collete spared him a brief glance.

Then her rosy lips parted.

"No."

Before Amon could continue the conversation, the school principal interrupted.

"Welcome, students, to the seventh awakening ceremony of Cradle High!"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried effortlessly across the entire stadium.

Amon glanced around.

He spotted familiar faces among the crowd as well as others he barely recognized.

Boys and girls alike stood upon the grassy field, all staring toward the stage and awaiting the moment that would shape their futures.

Every face carried some variation of those emotions.

Even Collete seemed slightly more focused than usual.

His gaze returned to the principal.

"I don’t have much to say, as I am just as excited as all of you to see what classes awaken today. So... without further ado..."

His voice rose.

"Let the awakening begin!"

As the principal’s words faded, an instructor wearing a light green shirt and dark blue trousers stepped forward.

A neatly trimmed beard framed his jaw, while a curled mustache gave him the appearance of a mischievous person.

Holding a black tablet, he glanced down at the screen before addressing the students.

"As always, we’ll begin with the D-Class students."

His eyes moved across the tablet.

"Violene Sharon."

The moment her name was called, the young woman’s shoulders stiffened.

Her fingers tightened around the hem of her uniform.

For several seconds, she remained frozen.

Then she took a deep breath and began walking.

Every gaze followed her.

Students.

Teachers.

Principal.

Amon.

Violene stopped before the crystal.

Slowly, she extended a trembling hand.

The moment her palm touched its surface, the crystal illuminated.

A soft white glow spread throughout its interior.

Hope flashed across her face.

Then the light vanished.

Just like that.

The stadium fell quiet.

Violene’s expression collapsed.

The principal sighed softly.

The instructor remained expressionless.

A line appeared across his tablet as he crossed out her name.

"Violene Sharon."

His voice echoed across the stadium.

"Class Awakening Failed."

Author’s Note: If you love overpowered main characters with a unique cheat, do add this to your library, I promise you’d love it!