"Has it already been a month?"
I stared at the building ahead, lost in thought, reflecting on what I had been doing for the past month. A month ago, I transmigrated into this world where fantasy elements exist.
Today, I face the test that will decide the course of my life. This test determines whether I'm qualified to become an awakener.
An awakener is a person who has successfully used a ritual to break through their limits, granting them powers beyond their wildest dreams.
With the dangers of today's society, where monsters leak out from the corrupted landscape, danger awaits, and to survive in a world like this, you would have to take matters into your own hands if you want to control it.
It was now three in the afternoon. The usual long line outside had vanished, leaving the entrance clear. I stepped inside without the hassle of waiting.
The building I entered was a large office, and despite the fantasy element, this world is one of a modern world.
"Good afternoon. Are you here for registration or your awakening?"
The voice came from a middle-aged man seated at a small office desk. His business smile was polite but practiced, the kind of grin worn by someone who'd repeated this routine a thousand times.
"I'm here for my awakening."
"Do you have an ID or a qualifying document for the procedure?"
I handed him my ID. He glanced at it before tapping away at his computer. The verification process was quick, and he slid my ID back across the desk within moments.
"Everything checks out. Mr. Walts, please head down the hallway and follow the professors' instructions inside."
"Thank you," I said, nodding as I turned toward the next step of my new reality.
As I moved deeper into the hallway, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. What started as a simple, functional lounge morphed into something sleek and futuristic. The walls and floor became darker, and nervousness started to creep in.
Two figures in sharp black suits stood like guards at the end of the corridor. Their stoic expressions and rigid posture left no doubt they were guards.
I approached cautiously, stopping a few steps away. "Excuse me, is this the entrance where I could get an awakening?"
Their presence was undeniably intimidating, but asking felt necessary. With the guards blocking the only visible way forward, I needed confirmation I was in the right place.
"Make your way in. Just a reminder, we don't appreciate trouble. If your results aren't satisfactory, I hope you won't make a deal out of it. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rough."
"…"
While I appreciated the warning, did they really have to make it sound so intimidating? I'd heard stories of people freaking out after failing to awaken to anything, causing a scene, but did I really look like the type to lose it?
"Once you get in, make sure to listen to the professors' instructions," one of the guards said firmly.
With that, they stepped aside, and the heavy doors slid open, revealing the room beyond.
Finally, I arrived at my destination.
The awakening chamber was a massive, futuristic space packed with technology that felt decades ahead of anything I'd ever seen. Even if you scoured the world, you wouldn't find anything close to this level of sophistication.
The room had a distinct sci-fi aesthetic, dominated by eight enormous blue orbs hovering midair. Their glow illuminated the chamber with an otherworldly light, casting soft reflections on the polished metallic surfaces. Five orbs were currently active, each surrounded by individuals undergoing their tests.
"Are you here for your examination?"
The voice startled me slightly. I turned to see a professor approaching me, clipboard in hand and a look of professional curiosity on their face.
"Yes, if possible, I'd like to start immediately."
"Very well," the professor replied with a nod, his voice smooth and confident. "I'm Alexander Alejandro, though most call me Professor Alejandro. May I have your name?"
"Luther Walts," I said, meeting his gaze.
"Follow me, Luther. Are you familiar with the procedure for an awakening?"
As we walked toward one of the eight floating orbs, I responded, "Yes. From what I've heard, the process begins with an altitude test through blood withdrawal to determine my base chance of awakening. After that, you'll administer a special medication to enhance the odds, and then I'll proceed with the awakening process."
The professor gave an approving nod, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Impressive. It seems you've come well-prepared."
When we reached one of the stations, Professor Alejandro gestured for me to sit down. "Let's begin, shall we?"
I nodded, signaling that I was ready. With my permission, the professor carefully applied antiseptic to my arm before drawing blood. The process was quick—he only needed a small sample to begin the test.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, his tone calm yet inquisitive. "The average male's initial starting point for awakening is around ten percent. The higher the number, the greater your potential. If you successfully awaken, your starting point will also be significantly higher."
I stayed quiet, unsure how to respond, and watched as he worked.
After drawing the blood, Professor Alejandro moved to the glowing blue orb and poured the crimson liquid into a small slot at its base. The orb shimmered in response, and its light intensified as it processed the sample.
Starting at zero, the percentage displayed on the orb began to climb. Slowly at first, then faster, much faster.
The numbers surged upward, catching me and the professor entirely off guard.
"Unbelievable..." he muttered, his usually calm demeanor breaking as he stared at the orb in astonishment.
Soon, it reached fifty percent, sixty percent, seventy percent, and eighty percent, and the metric started moving slowly. Eventually, getting to ninety, the number stopped.
Wasn't I almost guaranteed to awaken? And with the medication, wouldn't I surpass the limit?
"I never thought I'd witness someone with so much potential," Professor Alejandro said, his voice tinged with both awe and disbelief.
The number displayed on the orb had shaken the room. At first, the others were too focused on their awakenings to notice, but soon enough, heads began to turn. One glance at my station was enough to stir the air with whispers.
The atmosphere grew heavier by the second. Workers looked at me curiously, their faces mixed with admiration and intrigue. Meanwhile, the other individuals undergoing tests glared at me with apparent jealousy. I could feel their envy piercing through the chamber's growing hum.
Professor Alejandro, however, stood quietly beside me, his expression complex. It was as if he were weighing something meaningful in his mind, his gaze flickering between the orb and me.
"Luther," he finally said, his tone measured yet serious. "Before we proceed with the medication, I'd like to offer you a choice."
"A choice?" I asked, a mix of confusion and apprehension washing over me. Was he going to turn me into some kind of lab rat? I shot the professor a worried glance, trying to read his expression.
"Yes," he said firmly. "Normally, I'd administer the medication to boost your chances of awakening without hesitation. But in your case… I'm reluctant to do so."
"???" Was that even allowed?
"Don't get me wrong," he quickly added, noticing my skeptical look. "While the medication significantly increases the chances of awakening, it also hinders one's potential."
That explanation left me stunned. I stared at him, processing what he'd just said. "The medication can hinder potential? Won't people complain if they find out about this?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. If this was true, how many people unknowingly sacrificed their future potential just to awaken?
The professor shook his head, dismissing my concern as if it were irrelevant. "This information is strictly classified and for good reason. The medication, known as AL-012, is the twelfth and most refined series of its kind. Its potency is unparalleled, tripling an individual's base awakening chance. It's widely regarded as a miracle formula for those with low starting points."
He paused for a moment, his tone growing heavier. "But in your case… do you know the highest recorded potential someone has achieved in the past decade?"
I shook my head, unsure of what he was getting at.
"Thirty percent," he said, his voice tinged with gravity. "That's the highest potential ever recorded. And you… your result is triple that. Ninety percent. It's unheard of."
"Without AL-012," Professor Alejandro continued, "the chance of awakening for an average person would be one in ten. Most people don't have the luxury to decline this medication unless they're fine with remaining ordinary."
His words carried an undeniable weight, but he wasn't done. "The world doesn't know this, but the dangers of the corrupted landscape are increasing every day. We need more awakeners than ever before." His voice grew passionate, almost pleading, as though he carried the entire world's burden on his shoulders.
I frowned, his sincerity gnawing at me. "Why are you telling me this?"
He hesitated, his eyes locking with mine. "Because, Luther… whether you succeed in awakening or not doesn't matter. Your potential is hereditary."
Hereditary? My mind froze at the implications.
"With a number like yours, people will clamor to have your offspring even if you fail to awaken. They'll beg you for it. Whether I tell you this now or not, it's only a matter of time before you learn."
"So what's your choice?" he asked, his tone firm but patient. "Do you want a guaranteed awakening? Or… do you want to take a chance and become something special?"
The professor studied me with a curious intensity. His brow furrowed as though he could read the conflicting thoughts swirling in my head. It was obvious what he wanted me to choose, and honestly, I agreed. If his statement was correct, my potential was out of this world. It would be a shame to waste it because of insecurity.
Still, my mind briefly entertained the absurd scenario of failure. This body of mine was already burdened with debt, but if I didn't awaken? The worst-case scenario would have me living life as a "breeding horse" for some wealthy, attractive ladies who'd pay handsomely for my hereditary potential. Living a life of luxury and debauchery didn't sound too bad when I thought about it.
The more I dwelled on it, the more dangerous the idea became. Shaking my head to clear the intrusive thoughts, I refocused. I hadn't transmigrated into this world, a world brimming with superpowered possibilities, to coast through life without exploring its wonders.
"Let's begin the awakening," I said, meeting the professor's eyes with determination. "I don't believe my luck is so bad that I wouldn't awaken."
"Very well," the professor said, his voice steady yet expectant. "I hope you succeed in your awakening. The process is simple: make contact with this tool, and from this moment on, everything will be decided by luck alone."
At his words, the room fell into a tense silence. All eyes were on me, gazes filled with curiosity, jealousy, and anticipation. Some watched with quiet admiration, others with thinly veiled resentment.
I ignored them. Their emotions didn't matter. This moment was mine alone.
Steeling myself, I stepped forward and touched the massive blue orb.
When I made contact, a radiant blue light flared to life, wrapping around me in shimmering waves. The glow pulsed rhythmically as if responding to my very existence. Then, without warning, an unfamiliar energy surged into me, foreign, invasive, yet strangely welcoming.
This was it. The energy was meant to awaken me.
A refreshing, almost tranquil sensation coursed through my body, yet beneath it, a faint irritation prickled at my nerves like the static before a storm. It spread through my veins, seeping into the depths of my being, stirring something inside me that I had never felt before.
Yet, beneath all these sensations, I felt something else, and that was control.
It was initially subtle, like an instinct buried deep within me, but it was there. I could influence this energy, bend it to my will. The realization sent a thrill through me. If I could manipulate this power, then perhaps… I could amplify its effects.
As reckless as it sounded, I knew any mistake could jeopardize my awakening. Yet, something deep inside me, primal and specific, urged me forward. My instincts told me this was not only possible but necessary. If I did this right, I would awaken and surpass my limits.
Focusing my will, I seized control of the energy coursing through me and directed it, amplifying its nourishing effects.
The irritation that had tingled beneath my skin rapidly intensified, and in seconds, it morphed into something far worse.
A sharp, burning sensation tore through my body like every cell was being broken down and rebuilt simultaneously. My muscles tensed, my breath hitched, but I refused to let go. I had to endure this if I wanted more than an ordinary awakening. No matter how much it hurt.
"!!!"
Even though I tried to steel myself, the pain only worsened, pushing my sanity to its limits. I had no idea how long this process would last, but I knew I'd fail if I didn't find a way to endure it soon.
"Luther, don't give up."
The voice barely registered through the agony. It felt like an eternity—sharp, searing pain tearing through me, churning every fiber of my being. I collapsed, rolling on the ground, my body instinctively trying to escape the torment. But there was no escape. No relief.
Desperation clawed at me, but the thought of awakening consumed me. It became an obsession, the only thing keeping me from surrendering to the unbearable suffering.
Then, at last, the worst of it passed.
The excruciating pain faded, replaced by something unexpected—a sense of liberation. My body felt lighter like I had broken through some invisible barrier.
"Do you need help?" the professor asked now that it was over."I'm fine..." I muttered between ragged breaths, still sprawled on the floor, trying to steady myself.With the awakening process complete, only one thing remained—the results.