When he woke again, the first thing he noticed was the silence. No rain, no cars, no distant hum of city life. Just an eerie, oppressive stillness. He sat up, his head pounding as if he'd been struck by lightning. His surroundings were surreal. The room was small but futuristic, with smooth metallic walls etched with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. A soft hum filled the space, almost imperceptible.
"Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice shaky and unfamiliar. Panic bubbled up as he stumbled to his feet, his legs wobbling beneath him.
A faint chime rang in his head, startling him.
[Daily Task: Adapt to your surroundings. Reward: 10 System Points.]
He frowned, the words floating in his vision like a hologram. "System points? What is this?"
There was no answer, just the persistent silence of the system. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. Panicking wouldn't help. He took a moment to survey the room. A mirror on the far wall caught his attention. He hesitated before stepping closer, dread pooling in his stomach.
The face staring back at him wasn't his. Sharp features, piercing eyes, and messy dark hair. It was the face of a stranger. His breath hitched.
I've been reincarnated.
The thought was absurd, but the evidence was undeniable. This wasn't his body, and this wasn't his world. But why? Why him? And why was there a system in his head that refused to explain itself?
A knock on the door snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts. The metallic panel slid open with a faint hiss, revealing a girl with silver hair and a confident smirk. Her uniform was sleek, futuristic, and adorned with an emblem he didn't recognize.
"New kid?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Better hurry. Orientation starts in ten."
He opened his mouth to ask—what? Anything. Everything. But she was already gone, leaving him alone with a racing heart and a thousand unanswered questions. A glance at the mirror once more steeled his resolve. If this was his new life, he'd better figure out the rules.
The journey to the orientation hall was a blur. He followed the crowd, his mind racing with questions. The architecture of the academy was mesmerizing. Towering spires of glass and steel twisted impossibly into the sky, connected by glowing bridges and platforms that seemed to defy gravity. Students moved with purpose, their uniforms gleaming in the ambient light. Some walked, others floated, and a few vanished in bursts of energy, only to reappear moments later.
He tried to blend in, keeping his head down as he absorbed every detail. The system remained silent, offering no guidance or explanation. It was both a blessing and a curse. He didn't trust it, but he couldn't deny that he needed it. Whatever this world was, it was dangerous, and he was woefully unprepared.
The orientation hall was massive, a cavernous space filled with rows of seats and a stage at the front. A holographic display hovered above the stage, cycling through images of the academy and its illustrious history. The room buzzed with energy as students filed in, their conversations a cacophony of excitement and nerves.
He found a seat near the back, grateful for the anonymity. As he settled in, the lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A figure stepped onto the stage, their presence commanding immediate attention. It was an older man, his silver hair slicked back and his piercing blue eyes scanning the audience. His uniform was adorned with medals and insignias, marking him as someone of great importance.
"Welcome to Vanguard Academy," he began, his voice resonating through the hall. "You are here because you are extraordinary. Each of you possesses abilities that set you apart from the rest of humanity. But let me be clear: extraordinary is not enough. Here, we hone potential into power. And only the strongest will succeed."
The weight of his words settled heavily on the room. He continued, outlining the academy's expectations and the rigorous training that awaited them. It was clear that failure was not an option. Those who couldn't keep up would be expelled, their dreams of greatness crushed.
As the speech concluded, the room erupted into applause. He clapped along, his mind racing. This was it. His chance to prove himself. To survive. But first, he needed to understand the system and the power it had granted him. Whatever it was, he would master it. Because failure wasn't just a setback here—it was the end.