Eren Veyrath's life could be summed up in one word: failure. Born in the sprawling town of Neldar, at the edge of the Velentis Kingdom, his F-rank status defined him. It wasn't just a number—it was a brand, a constant reminder of his inability to measure up. In a world where strength was everything and adventurers carved their legacy through dungeons, he was nothing more than a shadow in the crowd.
But Eren wasn't content with being invisible. Every morning, he would wake before sunrise to train at the abandoned fields outside Neldar. Armed with nothing but a rusted dagger and his unrelenting determination, he practiced techniques he'd seen in books and copied from observing seasoned adventurers. His dream? To join the prestigious Aurelian Academy, a place where only the elite trained to master the art of dungeon exploration and monster hunting.
As he took a break from his training, the distant bell of the Adventurer's Guild echoed through the air. His heart raced—it was the day of the academy's entrance exam announcement. Dusting himself off, Eren sprinted back into town, weaving through the bustling market streets.
When he arrived at the guild hall, a large board displayed the details of the exam. Surrounding it were dozens of aspirants, each radiating confidence and power. They looked like they belonged in the academy, while Eren couldn't help but feel like an intruder.
"F-rank? What are you even doing here?"
The sneer came from a muscular, C-rank youth standing near the board. Laughter rippled through the crowd as others joined in, mocking Eren's audacity. He clenched his fists, swallowing the sting of their words.
"Mock me all you want," Eren said, his amber eyes blazing with determination. "I'll be the one you'll remember."
The crowd quieted, surprised by the fire in his voice. Eren ignored their stares and walked away, his resolve solidifying with each step.
Later that night, in his small room, Eren stared at the cracked ceiling. His thoughts churned, torn between hope and despair. The academy was notorious for its grueling entrance exam. Hundreds of candidates applied every year, but only a handful passed.
"If I don't try, I'll never know," he whispered to himself.
As he drifted into sleep, a faint, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"System initializing... Binding to host."
Eren bolted upright, eyes wide with shock. "What... was that?"
A translucent interface appeared before him, filled with glowing text:
[Welcome, User.]
[Integration Complete.]
[System Activated: Path to S-Class.]