Lleyn found himself back in his own room, a place that felt strangely familiar yet distinctly different from the Eldoria he had known in his dreams. The transition was tumultuous, leaving him disoriented and gasping for breath. When the chaotic whirlwind finally settled, he realized he was lying in his own bed, bathed in the soft, morning light.
His body ached, but he was alive. Slowly, Lleyn pushed himself up, taking in the familiar surroundings of his room. It was just as he had left it before his unexpected journey to Eldoria – the old wooden desk cluttered with books and papers, the posters of his favorite bands on the walls, and the view of the quiet suburban neighborhood outside his window.
As he sat up on the bed, Lleyn felt a peculiar sensation wash over him, akin to rebirth. His body felt different, lighter, unburdened by the weight of countless battles and the relentless march of monsters. He couldn't help but wonder if his desperate wish had been granted.
Lleyn's pulse quickened as he stared at the date on his phone's screen, a date that should have been firmly lodged in his distant past. It was unmistakably September 24, 2020, a time when he was a different person in his original world. The revelation that he had been thrust two decades into the past, arriving just three months before the fateful onset of the tutorial, sent shivers down his spine. It was as though time itself had conspired to rewrite his destiny, granting him a unique opportunity to alter the course of history.
Stretching his limbs cautiously, Lleyn's gaze fell upon a message that hovered in front of him, seemingly projected into the air by some unseen force.
Title Unlocked: Early Awakening
The words hung in the air, a testament to his newfound status. Lleyn's heart raced as he realized the significance of the title. He was the first among the Awakened to receive such an honor. The system, which had always been enigmatic and distant, had chosen him for this unique accolade.
With a sense of anticipation, he reached out to the message, causing it to dissolve and reveal a sleek, black box that materialized in his hands.
Reward Received: Diamond Reward Box
The box was a precious gem in its own right, and its contents were shrouded in mystery. It held the promise of skills and items, treasures that could shape his destiny in this new world.
However, Lleyn resisted the urge to open it immediately. He needed to take stock of his situation, to understand the changes that had occurred. With a deep breath, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.
The room he found himself in was simple and quaint, with a wooden desk, a wardrobe, and a small window that offered a glimpse of the world beyond. It felt oddly nostalgic, like a home he had left behind in a distant past.
But as Lleyn moved about the room, he couldn't help but notice that something was amiss. The memories of his battles, the unknown void in his heart, and the desperate wish he had made to the system were all jumbled fragments in his mind. It was as if the past had been rewritten, or perhaps erased.
Lleyn pondered the nature of his return. Had he truly been given a second chance at life, free from the horrors of Eldoria? Or was this a different kind of illusion, a world where the past had been altered? Amidst the confusion he remembered that there were more to titles than rewards. They all had unique effects.
One glance at his level and title reminded Lleyn that he was starting anew. His strength was minimal, a mere shadow of what it had been. The numbers representing his attributes appeared one by one:
Name: Lleyn
Level: 1
Title: Early Awakening Lv1
Strength: 10
Stamina: 12
Health: 15
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Agility: 8
Magic Power: 0
Dexterity: 6
Perception: 7
Luck: 3
*Early Awakening Lv1: The user will receive 5 more stat points from every level up.*
Lleyn's lips curled into a determined smile. He may have been reduced to a humble Level 1, with stats that were lower than the average for adult males (an average man has 15 in all stats, with athletes having close to or more than 20) but he was anything but disheartened. He had known what to expect, that this fresh start would mean starting from the bottom, and that things would be hard. But things were already starting to go uphill for him.
Lleyn knew that to survive and thrive in this world, he needed to grow stronger. The system had granted him a unique title, and it was time to put it to use. As he contemplated his next steps, a new message from the system appeared before him:
Quest Unlocked: A Hero's Journey (1)
The words shimmered in the air, and Lleyn couldn't help but read further:
Objectives: Train your body and mind.
Reward: 100 Gold Coins. Increase your attributes by 10 points in total. (points assigned randomly in every stat aside from Magic Power and Luck)
Lleyn nodded to himself. This quest was his opportunity to become stronger before the tutorial began. He needed to prepare for the challenges that lay ahead. And he knew that, for a pre-awakened like him, gaining 10 points in attributes was a significant feat despite the fact that he couldn’t assign them himself. That was as much as what a single level up gave. And while he could not earn experience points until the tutorial started, he could gather as many stat points as the system allowed for now.
His quest had not yet begun, and Lleyn understood the importance of patience. The following days would be filled with relentless training, but it was a journey he was prepared to undertake.
After observing the radiant lights emanating from the Diamond reward box, Lleyn realized he couldn't open it at this moment. His family was at home, and they would surely notice the strange aura. It would have to wait.
With determination in his heart and a promise to himself, Lleyn left his room and made his way to the kitchen. His family was gathered there, and as he entered, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
His mother, as sweet and supportive as ever, smiled warmly and encouraged him to eat up. But his father and sister, while not devoid of love, wore expressions of disappointment. They had seen him squander his potential, spending his meager earnings on frivolous pursuits.
His father's voice carried a note of skepticism. "Lleyn, I’ve heard you were out getting drunk with your friends again? When will you pull yourself together and start your life earnestly? When will you stop making your mother cry?"
Lleyn remained seated at the breakfast table, a heavy silence settling over the room like a thick fog. Finally, he mustered the courage to speak, his voice tinged with regret and determination. "I need to apologize, both to you and to myself. I've been a disappointment, wasting my time and potential. I've made mistakes, and I've let you down."
His father's expression remained stern as he leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. "Words are easy, Lleyn. You've said this before."
Lleyn's gaze didn't waver, and he continued, undeterred by his father's skepticism. "I know, and I understand if you don't believe me. But I can't keep living like this, knowing that I've caused you pain and disappointment. I promise, this time, I'll prove my words through my actions."
His father huffed, his tone still stern but with a hint of resignation. "We'll see, Lleyn. We'll see."
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Lleyn's mother, her eyes glistening with tears, offered a warm smile and spoke in her gentle voice. "Lleyn, dear, eat more. You'll need your strength for your new job."
Lleyn's sister chimed in, her voice carrying a mix of concern and determination. "Big brother, promise me you won't do any dangerous work out there. I'm going to find a job after school to help the family too."
Lleyn turned to his sister with a soft smile, his voice filled with brotherly affection. "I promise, Sola. Focus on your studies for now. Education is your path to a brighter future. I'll make sure you have less to worry about at home."
Sera blinked in surprise. "Why did you call me Sola, big brother?"
Lleyn furrowed his brow, momentarily confused. "Sola? I... I don't know why I said that. Your name is Sera."
Sera chuckled and shook her head. "You're still hungover aren’t you? Don’t get fired on your first day.."
Lleyn nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, and the name he had just uttered vanished from his mind altogether. For now, he was grateful for his family's support as he prepared to embark on a new path of self-improvement and redemption.