Eren blinked, staring at the glowing screen in front of him. His room, dimly lit by a single candle, now had an otherworldly hue thanks to the mysterious interface hovering midair.
"System? What is this?" he muttered, reaching out to touch it. His fingers passed through the text like it was made of mist.
The system's voice was calm, emotionless:
"This is the Path to S-Class System. Your potential has been detected. Activating personalized growth pathway."
"Potential? I'm F-rank! What are you talking about?"
The system responded immediately:
"Incorrect. User possesses latent potential beyond current rank. System activation will facilitate growth."
A flood of information appeared before him:
[Basic System Functions Unlocked:]
Quests: Missions to enhance skills and earn rewards.
Attributes: Track and improve your stats.
Shop: Exchange earned points for items and skills.
Tutorial Quest Unlocked.
Eren's heart pounded as he read the last line:
[Tutorial Quest: Overcome Your Weakness]
Objective: Complete 100 consecutive strikes using your current weapon.
Reward: +2 Strength, +2 Agility, and Basic Skill [Dagger Mastery Lv.1].
For a moment, Eren wondered if he was dreaming. Systems like this were the stuff of legends, stories told by adventurers who had reached the pinnacle of strength. But why would something like this choose him?
His doubt was quickly replaced by a flicker of hope. If this system could help him overcome his limits, it was worth trying. He grabbed his old dagger from the corner of the room and headed out into the cool night.
Under the moonlight, Eren stood in the abandoned training field. The shadows of trees swayed in the gentle breeze, but he paid no attention to them. Instead, he gripped his dagger tightly and got into a stance.
"Alright, 100 strikes. Let's see if this system is for real."
The first swing was clumsy, and the second wasn't much better. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he struggled to maintain a consistent rhythm.
By the fiftieth strike, his arms ached, and his breaths came in ragged gasps.
"Come on, Eren," he muttered to himself. "This is nothing compared to what's waiting for you at the academy."
Pushing through the pain, he forced himself to keep going. With every swing, he imagined himself standing among the S-rank hunters, proving everyone wrong.
Finally, with a grunt of effort, he completed the 100th strike. A soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Tutorial Quest Completed.]
Rewards Granted:
+2 Strength
+2 Agility
[Dagger Mastery Lv.1] Unlocked
The exhaustion in his body faded slightly, replaced by a strange warmth coursing through him. He opened the system interface, his eyes wide as he saw the changes:
[Attributes:]
Strength: 8 → 10
Agility: 9 → 11
[Skill Unlocked: Dagger Mastery Lv.1]
Description: Enhances proficiency with daggers. Increases attack speed and precision.
Eren stared at the screen, his chest heaving. "It's real... This system is real."
For the first time in years, he allowed himself a smile—not of arrogance, but of hope. He wasn't the strongest, not yet, but he finally had a way to fight back against the odds stacked against him.
As the first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, Eren stood tall, gripping his dagger with newfound confidence. His journey to the Aurelian Academy—and beyond—had truly begun.