When I left the apartment, it seemed that Lisa had already gone ahead to school. It was surreal to witness and feel the reality of this world—the morning breeze was soothing, the sunlight was rising, and the atmosphere of the neighborhood looked exactly like it had been pulled straight from the game.
If I remember correctly, the protagonist in the game lived in a commoner dormitory built near The Fraction (the commoner district). I should take a look, just in case I happened to walk past it.
It took me about 30 minutes to reach the checkpoint gate, where military officers were patrolling to ensure the city's safety. By the time I arrived, I was already breaking a sweat, thanks to my low stats. I really needed to work on this as soon as possible.
When I reached the checkpoint, one of the guards approached me and asked for my identification. I hesitated for a moment, unsure, but then he instructed me to lift my watch. I held it up, and he scanned it with a handheld device—similar to the scanners you see at cashiers. After a quick verification, he nodded and allowed me to pass through into The Junction.
The Junction was where the middle class resided, a significant step up from The Fraction. The difference was immediately noticeable—well-maintained roads replaced cracked pathways, and the buildings were cleaner, sturdier, and more modern. Small shops and stalls lined the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to clothing, while people bustled on the street.
People from The Fraction were allowed to enter The Junction for entertainment, education, and essential services. It served as a place where commoners could experience a slightly better quality of life. Schools, theaters, and clinics were open to all, providing lower-class citizens with opportunities they couldn't find back in The Fraction.
The atmosphere here was vibrant, filled with chatter and the tempting aroma of street food drifting through the air. I looked around, taking it all in.
The area seemed familiar, yet somehow different—like the game's graphics had been brought to life with incredible detail. It was strange to see people walking by, living their lives, completely unaware that they were once just characters in a story I knew inside out. Every detail from the colorful signs to the bustling market stands was recreated flawlessly before my eyes.
In the center of The Junction district was where the academy was located, standing tall as a symbol of progress and opportunity for those who lived here. The Adventurer Academy was an imposing structure, its modern design contrasting with the more traditional surroundings. It was where students from all walks of life came to learn, train, and determine their future paths—whether that meant becoming adventurers, scholars, or something else entirely.
In an effort to bridge the gap and reduce discrimination within the sector, the Adventurer Academy allowed all citizens to enroll, regardless of their social status. Whether you came from the poor districts like The Fraction, the middle-class neighborhoods of The Junction, or even the elite noble and upper class known as The Virtuous, the academy prided itself on providing equal opportunities for everyone to train and find their path.
Still, despite the academy's efforts, there remained a significant gap between social statuses. For instance, noble families, The Virtuous had distinct advantages, such as their family's influence and the powerful abilities inherited through their bloodlines. These natural gifts often gave them a head start, making it difficult for commoners to truly compete, despite the academy's promise of equal opportunity.
The sound of students rushing around and chatting filled the air as I approached the academy. The atmosphere was lively and buzzing with excitement. It appeared that today was the entrance ceremony for the high school level, marking the beginning of a new chapter for many students, myself included.
"I can't wait to see what kind of power I'll get!"
I muttered to myself as I followed the other students toward the auditorium where the ceremony was being held.
This moment marked the beginning of the game as I remembered it—the start of the journey, where each student would discover their unique Eureka. But now, it felt real, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
"Eureka" was a power that humanity had harnessed from the Oracle Gate for thousands of years after its appearance. In order to withstand the relentless attacks from monsters and demonic beasts emerging from the dungeons, humans discovered a way to retrieve and modify the energy from the gate. This allowed them to possess Eureka—a modified power that granted them extraordinary abilities. Eureka enabled humans to equip themselves with enhanced strength, magical prowess, and special skills, giving them the edge they needed to survive in a world filled with danger.
Students and staff were already seated, listening attentively to the principle of the academy as he addressed the crowd for the opening ceremony. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, as everyone waited for the official start of their journey at the academy.
"Welcome, everyone, to The Adventurer Academy," the principal's voice boomed across the auditorium. "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, where each of you will discover your potential and harness the power of Eureka to protect our world. In this academy, you will be equals—students and friends—regardless of your status or background. Here, what matters is your strength, determination, and ability to rise above challenges."
The speaker was a man in his 40s, dressed in a sharp suit, with striking white hair that gave him an air of authority. His name was Vladimir Winson, the principal of the academy, and his commanding presence made it clear that he expected nothing but the best from his students.
"My name is Vladimir Winson, and I'm the principal of this academy," he continued, his voice firm and unwavering. "In the next three years, you will have the opportunity to choose your path—whether it is to fight on the frontlines or to support our sector in other critical ways. Your journey here will shape the future of our world."
Everyone was thrilled and excited after he finished his speech. I was amazed to hear him in real life like this. In the game, I always skipped over this kind of "nonsense" dialogue, but now, sitting here in the middle of it all, I felt a twinge of regret for doing that. His words carried more weight than I had realized before.
"You will be assessed and receive your Eureka after the closing ceremony," he announced, his words sparking a wave of anticipation throughout the room.
The ceremony lasted about an hour as the principal spoke about the history of the academy and the significance of Eureka to the students. It was a bit dull for me since I already knew all about it from the game.
There were about 1,200 students enrolled this year, coming from all over the sector. During elementary and middle school, students had a wide range of institutions and choices for their education.
However, once they reached high school, there was only one place to enroll—the Adventurer Academy. It was the singular institution where students would train and prepare for their future roles, whether as fighters on the frontlines or supporters of their sector's defense and growth.
The admission rate was low, with only about 25% of all students managing to get in. This meant that if you couldn't secure a place in the Adventurer Academy, your future prospects would be limited. Without acceptance, you were left with few options—either becoming a low-ranking adventurer, a soldier, or taking on labor work, depending on your circumstances. Getting into this academy was a defining moment that could shape the rest of your life.
Now, I was bewildered as to how Lucien managed to get into this prestigious academy despite being a commoner and poor. However, when I looked at his stats, I noticed his high Intelligence stat. That meant this guy was probably smart—his intellect must have been his ticket in. It made sense now; even in a world where strength and status mattered, brains could still get you far.
"All right, everyone, please make your way to the Training Ground," the principal instructed, signaling the next phase of the ceremony. Excitement rippled through the crowd as students began to stand and file out, eager for what was coming next.
I followed the other students in line as the staff guided us toward the Training Ground. As we walked, my attention was caught by a significant student up ahead. He had a handsome face, with brown hair, sharp black eyes, and a well-built physique. He stood out among the others because his name is Wade the protagonist of the story.
"Everyone please line up over here when your name is called. We would like scholarship student to move the other side" the staff member instructed, as the process of organizing students began.
I was surprised when my name was called as part of the scholarship students. Curious and a bit confused, I followed the other scholarship students into a separate room where we would be assessed and receive our Eureka. There were about 300 of us, including me, standing and waiting for the next step in the procedure. The room was filled with a mix of excitement and tension as everyone anticipated what would come next.
Wade, the protagonist of the game, was also here, standing among the students. I spotted Lisa as well, along with a few other familiar faces. However, something felt off—despite living together, Lisa seemed distant from Lucien, keeping her space even in this crowd. It was strange to see her so cold toward someone she shared a home with, but it only added to the mystery surrounding their relationship.
The staff began calling each student to step into a glass dome—a machine designed to scan the human body and determine what type of Eureka an individual could receive. The process was tense, especially for those from commoner backgrounds. The chances were about 50% for commoners to receive a Eureka, while it was guaranteed 100% for those with noble blood. The difference in outcomes only highlighted the gap between the classes, making each moment feel like a gamble for the commoners. Still, if you didn't receive Eureka, there were other opportunities within the academy to achieve success. Though receiving Eureka would greatly enhance your combat abilities and grant you unique skills, making you a valuable asset in various roles, it wasn't the only path to success.
"Amazing, is that a Light Class? It's classified as S-Type!"
"Wow!"
"Unbelievable!"
Students and staff alike were shocked, their murmurs filling the room as they witnessed Wade receive a Light Class, one of the most coveted and powerful classifications. It was an S-Type, a rare designation that immediately set him apart as someone extraordinary. Which I already knew about it.
"Damn it, I got Earth Class," one student muttered in frustration.
"You should be happy that you received a class" another student replied, trying to console him.
if I remembered correctly, that there were many elemental classes, each with varying levels of power. Light was considered one of the strongest and rarest, ranked as an S-Type. In fact, there were only three S-Type classes: Light, Dark, and Space. Each of these represented immense power, and obtaining one was a mark of greatness and rarity. Moreover, in the game, players had the opportunity to select one of these elite classes during this event—giving the protagonist an immediate advantage.
"Next!"
The line was shrinking, and soon enough, it was my turn. My heart raced as I stepped forward, the weight of anticipation settling in as I approached the glass dome. This was the moment, time to find out what kind of Eureka I would receive, if any.
I slowly walked into the glass dome, which felt like some kind of advanced scanning machine. As soon as I stepped in, a laser swept across my body, performing a quick assessment. After a brief pause, the top of the dome released a strange mist that filled the space around me. I could breathe just fine—it wasn't suffocating or uncomfortable, just... strange. I stood there, waiting anxiously for the results, wondering what this mysterious process would reveal.
I knew I had only a 50% chance, given my status as a commoner. The uncertainty gnawed at me as I stood there, the mist swirling around, reminding me just how much was riding on this moment. Would I receive Eureka and a chance at greatness, or would I leave the dome with nothing?
"You can come and see your result," one of the staff members notified me, gesturing toward the result screen. With a deep breath, I followed their lead, my heart pounding as I approached the screen that would determine my fate.
When I reached the screen, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"None? What?!" I muttered in disbelief. My heart sank. I hadn't received a Eureka. All my hopes of gaining an advantage had vanished in an instant.
What the hell is going on? Is this why I never knew anything about Lucien when I played the game? His stats were low, and now he didn't receive a Eureka either. Am I just an NPC in this world? The sinking feeling in my chest grew heavier. Was I destined to be nothing more than a background character in this story, with no role to play?