Life is unfair.
Life, the great equaliser, has often been described as an impartial judge, bestowing its gifts and misfortunes without prejudice.
However, the reality of the situation is far more complicated than that simplistic adage. For in truth, life is unfair, unjust, and unyielding in its dispensation of rewards and punishments.
From the moment we are born, we are faced with a world that is often cruel and unforgiving.
We are thrust into a world of haves and have-nots, where the circumstances of our birth can dictate the trajectory of our lives.
Some are born into wealth and privilege, with access to the best education, healthcare, opportunities and self-cultivation. Others are born into poverty, with little hope of escaping the cycle of deprivation and hardship that often accompanies it.
Throughout our lives, we are confronted with countless examples of life's unfairness.
We see individuals who work tirelessly and diligently, only to be passed over for promotions or opportunities that are given to less deserving candidates.
We see people who suffer from debilitating illnesses or disabilities, while others seem to breeze through life with hardly a care in the world.
We see families torn apart by tragedy, while others seem to be blessed with unending happiness and prosperity.
One of the cruellest aspects of life's unfairness is the way in which it can compound over time.
For those who are born with a disadvantage, the obstacles they face can seem insurmountable. They are forced to navigate a world that is stacked against them, where the odds of success are heavily skewed towards those with privilege and power.
The effects of this unfairness can be felt across generations, as poverty, lack of access to education, and limited opportunities can become a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
However, it would be a mistake to believe that life's unfairness is limited only to those who are born with a disadvantage.
Even those who are blessed with privilege and advantages are not immune to the vicissitudes of life.
Wealth and success can be fleeting, and the sudden loss of these assets can be a devastating blow. Similarly, the most well-planned and secure lives can be upended by unexpected tragedies or crises.
Despite the undeniable reality of life's unfairness, it is important to remember that we are not powerless in the face of it. While we may not be able to control the circumstances of our birth or the vagaries of fate, we can control how we respond to them.
We can choose to give up in the face of adversity, or we can choose to persevere and fight for a better life.
We can choose to be bitter and resentful towards those who have more than us, or we can choose to be grateful for what we do have and work towards making a positive impact on the world around us.
Or that is what I believed.
Even after multiple proofs, that despite how unfair life is, there is light at the end of every dark tunnel.
I held fast to the hope that things will get better, that the clouds will eventually part and the sun will shine down upon me once more. But sometimes, despite our best efforts and intentions, that hope can feel like nothing more than a cruel and empty promise.
Even after experiencing prolonged periods of bad luck and misfortune all my life, where one setback seemed to lead to another, and hope for a better future seemed increasingly out of reach, I believed in a better day. Holding the words of my late mother that good luck will find me one day to my heart.
But no matter how hard I tried, I felt trapped in a cycle of negativity and despair.
Adhering to the meek concept of "fairness" I continued my life, waiting for the day I finally reach adulthood, so I can awaken a skill and be a pillar of support for the only family I was left with.
My little brother.
I am Nathan Blackwood and I turned 18 two months ago.
Allow me to regale you with a more elaborate account of the world in which I reside.
Approximately 20 years ago, shortly after my parents' wedding, an unimaginable event unfolded that shattered the mundane perceptions of humanity. For some, ignorance was indeed a blissful refuge, as the revelation that ensued proved to be too much for their delicate sensibilities.
It was a day much like any other, until the very ground beneath our feet began to tremble with seismic ferocity, as if the very foundations of the world were being undone. And in a moment that would forever alter the course of history, a gaping chasm ruptured in the very fabric of reality itself, tearing open a portal to an unfathomable realm.
The earth ruptured and convulsed with great upheaval, its very surface cleaving with a thunderous roar. Meanwhile, the heavens themselves were rent asunder with a resounding crack, their previously serene façade shattered like fragile glass by the untamed power that surged forth from the depths of the cosmos.
It was from this yawning abyss that a figure, cloaked in resplendent white and golden robes, emerged to the stunned awe of every living soul on the planet. Adorned with a staggering eight pairs of wings that shimmered with ethereal radiance, the figure bore an air of sublime majesty that rendered all who beheld her speechless.
It is said that despite being the size of an average human, she was visible to every human eye.
Such was the cataclysmic arrival of this celestial being that humanity was forced to acknowledge that we were not alone in this vast and wondrous cosmos. And in the wake of this paradigm-shattering revelation, the world would never be the same again.
And from that day forward, for 10 whole years a cataclysmic event, the likes of which still send shivers down the spine of every soul alive, struck humanity with devastating force.
The very mention of it is enough to evoke harrowing memories of the time when the fabric of reality was torn and the forces of darkness were unleashed upon us.
Monsters.
Ones that had previously existed only in fables, myths, and our darkest nightmares materialized before our eyes and began to hunt and kill with an insatiable hunger. Overnight, the apex predators of our world became the hunted, and without remorse, the monsters claimed half of our kind in the first decade of the Great Cataclysm.
50% of humanity gone in a flash.
This world-shaking event brought about an irrevocable shift in the land masses, as the very continents themselves underwent a cataclysmic upheaval.
Countless islands in the Asian archipelago were swallowed whole by the unforgiving sea, while others were transported and melded together into one cohesive landmass.
Similarly, the formerly distinct nations of Europe, Africa, and Australia moved from their previous place and their shattered remnants fused with either the Americas or Asia, giving birth to a world comprised of only two continents.
After exactly 10 years, humanity finally saw a glimmer of hope. The portals that seemed like the harbinger of nothing but catastrophe and endless suffering, also became the beacon of salvation.
What made these monsters so strong was something that coursed through their entire being. That was mana. Mana allowed super strength, speed and defense. Mana continued to trickle into our world and after enough exposure, humans became able to utilize them. Those who were able to use mana were called "Awakened Mages" with specific "Skills" which had multiple "Abilities."
Those who awakened also gained access to a system. The interface of system was only visible to the specific individual.
And hence after that, humanity started to fight back. However, the monsters were not what the fables told us were. The monsters actually carried intelligence and some kind of ego. So, the continents became segregated after multiple battles.
There were some peaceful races like the elves and orcs who decided to bend over to humanity side, aiding them and living side by side with them. With their help, humanity was able to reclaim their rule and kill the lords of the monsters. However, random gates and portals kept opening in uneven intervals. That was why an association was formed to managed Awakened humans.
Currently there are two continents on Earth. The Asia-majority continent is now called Arcadia while the whole landmass that was formed by integrating with Americas as their center was now called Terra Nova.
However the criteria of awakening was being 18 years of age. If one doesn't get a system at 18th birthday, it was impossible to get an ability.
When I turned 18 2 months ago, I was happy.
Ecstatic.
I wanted to finally break free of the misery and live a good life. Help my little brother get good education and just be happy. His smile was the only thing I ever wanted.
Even then... even after being so down trodden for so long.
Why did fate wanted me to suffer more?
I awakened... but it was of no use. I awakened an ability with lowest possible rank and no description. I had no hope. The only thing that kept me from just ending my own life was my little brother. So, I did what was the right option. Get multiple part-time jobs and attend college for those who didn't awakened yet in hopes of getting a normal well paying job.
I thought I was never destined for greatness.
Never to achieve anything crucial.
Never to be the apex of human strength and kill every last monster, to punish them for robbing my childhood, my happiness... my parents from me.
That was until one fateful encounter. An encounter that changed everything.
NAME: Nathan Blackwood
AGE: 18 years
RANK: E
ABILITY: ######
STRENGTH: 10
SPEED: 9
DEFENSE: 9
IQ: 190
LUCK: 20
CHARM: 74
MAGIC POWER POTENCY: 7
MANA POOL: 2
DESCRIPTION: You are among the weakest awakened humans. Your mana levels are so low and rare that a separate class had to be formed to accommodate you. Your "better than most humans" IQ and Good looks are your only redeeming features.
(Author's Note)
So, this is my first original work. It was a "Chapter Zero" so I just wanted to get the general premise of the work to the side. The plot will commence properly from Chapter One. Thanks for reading. Also, I would be shifting it completely to Royal Road soon, so save it to you library to get the notification or follow me.