I Stole The System!

The Democratic Republic of Evrean, Echovale City

In the bright sun of Aetheria, Echovale City shone beautifully. Tall buildings filled the skyline, and busy streets bustled with energy.

The class under the roofs of Oakridge High remained undisturbed by the bustle outside, maintaining complete discipline as the sunlight graced them with its warm presence.

"Okay, class, we've officially finished our syllabus!" Mr. Richards announced with a bright smile, standing at the podium. The class erupted in cheers.

"Alright, alright, settle down!" the brown-haired teacher said, raising his hands to quiet the room. "We've finished the syllabus, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook just yet."

The students quieted down, their excitement quickly turning to groans and worried whispers.

"Your exams are scheduled three months from now," Mr. Richards continued. "That's not a lot of time. Starting today, we'll be practicing as many questions as we can while also revising the old chapters."

These words by Mr. Richards were akin to cold water for the students whose excitement quickly died down, replaced with worries and depression.

'Just three months, huh...' Ian thought to himself, his mind racing as he watched everything with his red eyes.

"Okay, there's still some time left in class, so let's have a little quiz!" Mr. Richards announced cheerfully.

'Ah, come on!' Ian grumbled inwardly, deciding he wouldn't participate.

The sudden announcement caused another stir in the classroom, with students protesting who didn't agree with their middle-aged teacher. But Mr. Richards pressed on, ignoring their complaints.

"Anna! Let's start with you. What are considered to be the first living beings?" The brown-haired man looked at the girl in front of him with his blue eyes.

Anna, a nerdy girl with black hair sitting in the front row, jumped slightly at the sound of her name but quickly gathered herself and answered with a slight stutter, "The m-monsters... the beasts who were first born in the ocean are considered to be the first living beings."

"That's right. The beasts were the first creatures born in this world, which, after billions of years of evolution, evolved into humans. We gained self-consciousness while still retaining the ability to perform magic."

'What a tough question,' Ian thought sarcastically as he glanced out the window, watching the black-colored avian creatures with four wings flying majestically in the blue sky.

'I wonder... if someday I could also fly like them. Far away... from this boring and monotonous life.'

Ian's thoughts drifted as he half-listened to the teacher's words while starting his own inner monologue.

---

(Ian's POV)

My name is Ian Crown, an orphan who grew up in Echovale City, now studying in this prestigious school while still struggling to meet basic needs. And my dream is to become a mage.

Yeah, that pretty much sums up my life.

My father committed suicide when I was just 9 years old, after his divorce, leaving me, who was under his custody, alone in this world infested with monsters.

As for the woman who birthed me? Who cares about that bitch?

With nowhere to go after my father's death, I was taken in by an orphanage whose owner recognized my potential and intelligence and recommended me to study in this high school, whose owner was her husband.

Like many other orphans they took in, they helped me with financial aid and provided me with proper education. A few months ago, they both took their final breaths, but only after ensuring that all the children they took in, myself included, would never face any problems in our education until the end of our high school.

For this, I am eternally grateful to them. May their souls rest in peace.

After their deaths, I have to work my ass off doing part-time jobs while maintaining my academic life for living.

Thanks to the old couple, I didn't have to pay for my tuition but have to earn by myself to buy food to satiate my hunger and get proper nutrition and also to pay my rent.

Haha, I still remember the time when I had to live off week-old leftovers just because I didn't have any money saved to buy some food.. I couldn't help but chuckle recalling the few months old memories of his struggle.

In three months, my high school would be over, and the exams qualifying one to become a mage would be conducted.

In this world, since the beginning of the universe, a unique energy akin to matter, capable of manipulating the very laws of the universe, exists, which is referred to as mana.

The origin of this energy is shrouded in mysteries, and its existence is similar to that of matter and life, whose purpose of existence nobody knows about.

This mana is closely associated with the origin of life and the first beings, the monsters from whom humans evolved. All living beings, along with some non-living, are capable of manipulating mana and performing supernatural feats that the logic of science can't explain.

These tricks, which include mana as their fuel, are collectively studied under magic, and the profession that practices it is called mage.

Magic existed even before the birth of the very first humans, performed by various monsters who were capable of controlling elements and wielding other mysterious powers.

Against these beasts or monsters, the human mages fought and built the strong foundation on which humans now dominate the world while actively being at war with the monsters that keep attacking civilization.

It's a profession with a very rich history, prestige, and one that earns a lot of money, making it most popular among the residents of the world.

Everyone has the potential to become a mage, but because of various factors, not everyone could become one.

One of these factors is the exam conducted at the end of high school, which the government has made mandatory for all to pass if they wish to become a mage. This exam is very hard to qualify.

The exam doesn't only involve knowledge of sciences and history that are taught in schools but also checks for supernatural talents and whatnot.

Those possessing supernatural talents are given preference, especially ones related to combat, and possessing one is considered a blessing in society.

I also possess an innate talent, Map, a D-grade talent that is similar to spatial perception, allowing me to create a map of the area with a maximum radius of 30m around me, under which I can spy on, scout for things, and search for the location of everything in the range, given I have prerequisite knowledge of the targeted thing.

Although it's an amazing ability for me, it's also akin to a curse, considering it being not directly related to combat, making it challenging for me to get into any government colleges for mages even after qualifying for the exam because of the high competition.

If I can't enroll in a government college, I would have no choice but to apply for private ones, which are highly expensive if I still want to become a mage.

To enroll in a private college, I would need to take a loan which I am not eligible for, but even after getting it, I would have to slave my life away to pay off the debt.

The chances of me becoming a mage are pretty slim given my abilities, making me clench my fists in frustration.

So now what... should I give up on my dreams?

The feeling of helplessness deepened in my heart, and the pain in my heart realizing the bitter truth of reality became more intense...

I hate this feeling...

The feeling which is indescribable by mere words, the feeling of the pain of dreams I once saw shattering in front of my very own eyes... it was hard to describe it in any words.

But I can't do anything about it, can I?

Gritting my teeth, I thought, feeling an unknown weight pressing on my shoulders.

Still in the middle of the class, the depressing thoughts began to haunt me as I closed my eyes, finally deciding to give up on my dreams, resigning to my fate...

"I... WILL... KILL."

As my shoulders slumped in defeat, a low murmur entered my ears, bringing me back to reality, grabbing my attention, making me look at the source of the voice, not knowing that the voice belonged to someone whose existence would change my life once and for all and mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

(End of POV)