Antares and Kai walked into class, hoping for a normal day. But just as they sat down, a notification appeared before them.

**[System Notice: First Mission: Survive the Awakening Trial]**

Before they could process it, the classroom lights flickered, and the walls began to distort. Shadows spread, dark shapes stretching along the walls, and the doors locked, trapping them.

*This is only the beginning. Survive, or be consumed.*

Kai glanced at Antares. “You can see this too, right?”

Antares, shocked, replied, "You too?"

The classroom doors locked with a thunderous echo, trapping them. Shadows slithered across the room, creeping towards them as the System's notification echoed in their minds.

Antares glanced at Kai. "We need to fight. I don't think these things are here to play with us."

Kai asked tensely, "Are we capable of fighting them?"

But there was no more time to talk. The shadows lunged towards them, tendrils reaching like claws. Antares raised his fists, focusing on the energy within him. A faint red aura began to radiate from his hands.

"Kai, focus! Try using the powers you got from that System thing!" Antares called out as he launched an attack, dispersing one of the shadowy tendrils.

Kai nodded, bracing himself and focusing his energy to create a glowing blue weapon, shifting between daggers and arrows.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Both braced themselves, using their newfound powers to strike at the shadows. Suddenly, a towering figure, a Shadow Fiend, emerged, larger and more menacing than any shadow before.

[System Message: Optional Mission]

As they hesitated, the System chimed again.

[Main Trial Complete. Defeating the Shadow Fiend is optional. Skipping it will result in no rewards.]

Antares’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “Rewards? What do you think they’d be?”

Kai shrugged. “Does it matter? That thing’s way too strong, and we can walk away. Let’s save our energy for what’s next.”

Antares nodded. “Yeah, no point in risking our lives for rewards we don’t know.”

They backed away, deciding to skip the bonus challenge. The shadows dissolved, leaving the room as it was.

[System Notification: You successfully completed the Awakening Trial.]

Antares questioned, "Awakening Trial? What is happening?"

Kai replied, "We can figure that out later. Look at the clock—it’s already past school time. Let’s go outside."

~Scene Shift: The Outside World Changes~

At the school gate, they found Rei and Yuna waiting.

“There you are!” Yuna said, relieved. “Do you know how long we’ve been waiting?”

Rei glanced between them. “You two look... different. What happened?”

“Long story,” Antares said. “Let’s just say we’re completely exhausted.”

Kai nodded. "We were in some kind of test or trial."

Yuna raised an eyebrow. “Well, while you were busy with that, the world went nuts.”

Rei held out her phone, showing headlines about mysterious portals and people manifesting powers. “These... dungeons or portals are appearing everywhere, and people are developing powers—superhero-level stuff.”

Kai crossed his arms. “Looks like we’re all in this together.”

Rei looked serious. “If the world’s changing, and if everyone’s in danger, then we might have to stay together for safety.”

Antares nodded. “Yes, you’re correct. And guess what?”

Rei’s curiosity piqued. "What?"

Yuna also looked at Kai with curiosity.

Kai glanced at Antares. "Should we tell them, Antares?"

Antares replied, "Well, they are our closest friends, so telling them is... okay, I guess."

Kai agreed. "Yeah, you’re right. We should tell them."

Antares said to Rei and Yuna, "Well, you see, we actually got special powers from something called a 'System.'"

Rei and Yuna, surprised and impressed, responded, "Really? You two?"

Kai answered, "Yes. Let’s start walking—it’s already pretty late. We’ll explain everything while we walk."

As they walked away, they knew their journey had only begun, with mysteries they would unravel together.

_____________________