"System" Lucian called out.
In response, a translucent interface appeared before him, glowing faintly in the air.
[Ascension Tower - Accessible]
[Status]
Lucian's brow furrowed. It seemed this was an active system, not a passive one like the protagonist's system in the novel he had read.
It didn't give quests or penalties. Instead, it mentioned an "Ascension Tower."
His frown deepened. "What tower? There wasn't anything like that in the novel," he muttered under his breath.
Maybe this tower was something unique, something created solely for him.
"Status," he said aloud, testing the system.
[Name: Lucian Eryndral]
[Mana Core: Fractured]
[Current Floor: --]
Lucian's shoulders sagged as he scanned the sparse details. "That's it?" he murmured, disappointment creeping into his voice.
There were no stats—no strength, agility, or intelligence indicators like the protagonist's system.
He let out a long breath, trying to make sense of it all. "Hoo."
His gaze fell on a rectangular device resting on a nearby table—a mobile phone. Reaching for it, he pressed the screen, which flickered to life.
[8:23 AM]
[May 12, 2210]
A single notification caught his attention: an email.
[From: Zenith Academy]
Congratulations Mr. Lucian Eryndral,
We are pleased to inform you that your application has been selected by our academy. Please ensure your presence at our academy for the ranking test on May 19, 2210.
He frowned slightly. 'There's still a week left until the test'.
In this world, if a person awakened, they were required by law to join an academy. It was a compulsory rule set by the government to develop and regulate awakened individuals.
"Ascension Tower," Lucian muttered, testing the system again.
A prompt appeared before him:
[Do you wish to enter the Ascension Tower?]
[YES] [NO]
"No," he said immediately, shaking his head. Jumping headfirst into an unknown place without preparation was nothing short of stupidity in this world.
Curious, he asked, "What is the Ascension Tower?"
This time, the system responded:
[The Ascension Tower is a realm of trials and growth. Each floor represents a new challenge, a step closer to true power. Only those who reach the top can claim the mantle of destiny.]
"So, you can understand what I'm saying," Lucian remarked, intrigued.
The system, however, gave no response.
Lucian sighed and tried again. "What do you mean by 'Current Floor'?"
Again, silence.
"Figures," he muttered. It seemed the system only provided basic information. The rest, he would have to uncover on his own.
He leaned back for a moment, then stood and walked over to the window. Opening it, he froze, his breath catching in his throat.
What he saw amazed him.
Large skyscrapers pierced the sky, gleaming in the sunlight. Modern architecture stood proud, a testament to human ingenuity, while sleek, futuristic vehicles zipped through the streets below.
"So, I really am in the novel," Lucian whispered, awe in his voice.
But his moment of wonder quickly faded. His heart sank as the memories of the novel flooded his mind—the fate of this world was grim.
Currently, the people of this world were fighting an alien race that had already invaded and taken over an entire continent.
Soon, those aliens would shift their focus to this continent. Their plans would be put into motion, aiming for total domination.
Lucian clenched his fists as he recalled the major events of the novel. This continent had seven strongholds—seven great families who stood as pillars of strength. His own family, the Eryndral family, was among them.
The aliens' strategy would revolve around striking the academies first, targeting the next generation of powerful individuals. Their major target? Zenith Academy.
And now, Lucian was bound to it, with his application already accepted.
He closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. "So, it's already beginning," he whispered.
Lucian's thoughts raced as he stared at his trembling hands. He knew one thing for certain: survival in this world was impossible with a fractured mana core.
There was no cure, no way to mend something so vital to life here.
His only hope was the system.
Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "Ascension Tower."
The familiar blue window appeared before him:
[Do you want to enter the Ascension Tower?]
[YES] [NO]
Lucian hesitated for only a moment before firming his resolve. "Yes."
As the word left his lips, his surroundings began to blur. The familiar confines of his room dissolved into a chaotic haze.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a dystopian landscape.
Ruined buildings stretched endlessly before him, their skeletal remains twisted and broken. The ground was cracked and barren, devoid of any sign of life.
A chill ran down Lucian's spine as he took in the destruction. It was as if the earth itself had been abandoned, left to crumble under the weight of despair.
But what drew his attention most was the massive black spire looming in the distance.
Its ominous presence dominated the landscape, casting a shadow that seemed to stretch forever. The spire was dark and foreboding, its surface smooth and unyielding like polished obsidian.
Before Lucian could take a step, the towering doors of the spire creaked open.
The sound echoed through the desolate world, a deep, resonating invitation.
Lucian swallowed hard as he gazed into the darkness beyond the doors. It was as if the spire was welcoming him in, daring him to take the first step into the unknown.
His fists clenched as he steadied his breathing. 'There's no turning back now'.
With cautious determination, Lucian stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the Ascension Tower.