PROLOGUE END

In front of his door, he realized he left his keys on the car. He could simply ask one of the building workers for an extra key, but he'd have to go back to the lobby again...

A punch.

The door broke open.

He just wanted to drink his beer while seated on his sofa. No more hassle.

The sweet sound of can opening resounded. He didn't know if it was his sixth or seventh. He just sipped and looked dazedly at the ceiling.

"You should just stay here and drink forever, the money you amassed is enough for you to drink beer and eat meat until death."

Jefferson turned his face to the voice. An image of himself was there on the other end of the sofa. It had obsidian eyes, unkempt hair, and a long dirty beard, wearing rags that barely covered its beer belly. "Nothing really matters anyway, why can't you indulge until death?" It said.

Another him appeared sitting across him, but this one had golden eyes, well-groomed hair and fitting clothes. a perfect example of an elite noble with a military background.

"You're a wimp, if not for you, the hunters would still be dying by the dozens, daily. Yet you allow them to step on you as they please, you should stand up and overthrow them all."

'These two again...' Jefferson thought. It happened on the worst days, always when he's drunk. He chose to amuse himself with their banter when suddenly a light shot out of his chest.

'A third? That's a new one' He thought.

A handsome unfamiliar man with a blonde mane-like hair stared down at him.

Jefferson on his stupor thought aloud. "My therapist said one is a projection of my depression, another from my pride. You're a projection of what?"

The unfamiliar man looked around, there was only him and Jefferson on the living room "I see, you're speaking to them again."

The sound of snapping fingers resounded and Jefferson's drunkness went away.

His eyes cleared, the other two reflections of him disappeared leaving only the blonde man in front of him. Feeling sane again, he frowned.

"My name is unnecessarily long, just call me Léo. On the planet that your race named P1. The day most of your crew died. A light shone and teleported the survivors away. That light is me."

Jefferson sighed remembering his crew, He lived and ate with them for a long time.

Léo looked at him "I entered your chest and resided within you for these last years. I chose you, because you were the brightest among them, unfortunately, you dried and withered like a damn dead leaf."

Jefferson looked at him trying to understand, how come a hallucination can speak so much.

Léo raged as he understood his expression. He frowned with frustration but bottled it up and sternly looked at him.

"I have an offer. I can resurrect you and heal your mother."

'My mother?' For the first time, Jefferson looked serious, the reason he ventured inside P1 right after serving the military was because of his adoptive mother, He needed to find something to take her out of that state.

Léo smiled 'He didn't lose track of what matters at least.'

"You saw the ugly part of the world repeatedly, and you let yourself be affected by it. At first, it was mild, but now it affects your mind and physic directly, I can restore your body and by consequence, your mind will heal too."

"My mother," Jefferson said sternly. That was what mattered to him right now.

"I have another spell, it'll heal her in a similar way you will. But those things are not supposed to be here since your race is edging on the Working class level yet. Also, it can only heal the physical aspects. Mental and spiritual issues can only be dealt with when the human race is promoted to the 'Working class"

Frowning, Jefferson looked questioning at Léo. He didn't know if it was a fantasy formed out of his inner hopes, but even if it was, he was willing to go mad for a sliver of hope."Working class?" He asked.

Léo grinned. "Earth was a planet isolated and hidden from The alliance, but that space storm was like a flare signal, and now you're on the sight of higher races. The chances that earth will survive are slim."

Léo stopped, He caressed his mane and smiled. "My essence is thinning out, I only have until tomorrow then I'll cease to exist. what I can offer you is knowledge and those two spells, swear a soul bound oath and I'll hand them over."

He waved his index finger, a fiery yellow light floated between them. "This is my soul essence, a vow broken will implode it inside of you. All you have to do is swear now."

Jefferson didn't wait for specifics "I, Jefferson Vidal, swear to accomplish any duty Léo demands in exchange for a method to save my mother and myself. As well as knowledge about the races beyond earth."

Léo widened his eyes and laughed "Oh boy, you just made a mistake, if you act in a way that is not in favor towards the oath, your soul will be shattered and now you just gave me reign to demand anything haha."

Jefferson froze at his own sudden stupidity. but for the sake of his pride, He denied such deed ever happened and simply waited, for Léo to continue.

Léo saw his steady eyes, 'so it was on purpose. Trying to show his last bit of will? It does show his decision-making skills...

Léo smiled and started to speak. He was more pleased with his choice now.

Throughout the night Léo spoke and Jefferson listened. when it was six in the morning Jefferson began to fade. He smiled, his face showed no trace of regret.

"An unexpected member of the dragon race invaded my empire. He was too strong, I couldn't risk my people, so I took him out of my empire and fought him while adrift in space. I managed to deeply hurt him, but I ended up dying and turning into the gray mountain in P1. Find my body, you'll be able to produce mighty treasure with it."

Jefferson stared at him in the eyes "Although, by accident, you're still my savior. I"ll find and protect your people, either I'll succeed, or I'll die trying."

"Of course, otherwise you die." Léo laughed and pointed his finger at Jefferson, the bright yellow light entered him.

"This is the last of my essence. Use it well."

Jefferson's last sight of a smiling Léo.

***

***

"..f.."

"..eff"

"JEFF!"

"WHOA!" Jefferson woke up with a jump and looked around him.

"S-Sarah?" He looked at the ginger woman in front of him. Her hair was a very light red, she was biting her rosy lips in worry.

Before he could say more, a sudden pain crawled up his chest, it burned him whole. He could feel his blood pumping like mad, it's like serotonin and adrenaline was being released uncontrollably inside of him. It felt good but overwhelming. He groaned and kneeled down with a hand in his chest.

"Ugh"

Sarah, stopped bitting her lips and ran to him, he tried to stop her, but she kneeled him on the shoulder and pinned him down.

She felt his neck and wrist's pulse.

Her eyes widened, she turned to see him. her lips trembled. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly and she muttered: "H-how are you still alive?"

Jefferson stopped moving. Suddenly it disappeared, only the warmth on his chest didn't.

Sarah looked at his eyes, 'Still alive.' She concluded, "How are you feeling?" She asked

His wide eyes calmed and he was back to normal. No not normal, he didn't fully understand but it was like he was brimming with life. He smiled and held her hand.

"I feel alive." His simple phrase echoed with a myriad of emotions.

She had never seen he lost so much composure before, she was afraid. afraid he might actually die.

"I'll bring you to the hospital." She got up and pulled him.

But he didn't budge. He smiled gently. He lived for so long as a deadbeat that it overwhelmed him to be alive again. He calmed himself. After one minute of breathing, he straightened his back and adjusted his mood.

"There's no need to, I know full well what caused it."

She frowned and tilted her head thoughtfully, then her eyes widened. Trembling, she reached for the nearest lamp and threw it at him "DRUGS!? REALLY!? WHAT IF YOU DIED YOU DUMB FUCK!?"

He sidestepped with cold sweat and laughed, albeit a bit nervously "No, it wasn't drugs."

His laugh was sincere and genuine, nothing like the way he was until a day ago.

She lived five years with him and knew when he was lying. She composed herself and crossed her arms as if her hysterical episode never happened. "Then why is it?"

He looked at her with a silent smile.

'Can't tell me huh?' She sighed.

"Anyway, I'm here because Lucas is always bashing you in some way so I usually don't mind it but yesterday he told me about your elevator talk. I came here to confirm his words and confront you. Then the elevator opened and I saw your door broken wide and you sprawled on the ground."

When he was about to open his mouth to answer he froze.

"HELLO!" A voice tore through the skies.

Sarah ran to the window, a gigantic Blue Halo could be seen from anywhere, like it was the sun or moon.

"I'm Skala. Voice of the Alliance, relaying their words. On the last eight years, earth has been observed. And today, The alliance deigned Humanity as a potential alliance member.

Hence by the cosmic law of Life preservation, Humanity will be given one year to become "A Working class" and earn the right to remain as it is while allying with another higher race.

Should humanity fail, The Cosmic law of the strong will take place, and planet earth's resources together with the human race will be dismantled and sold on the universal auctions.

Now we'll give you a quick start.

The planet you named P1 is inhabited by various beasts but the ones ruling there are Orcs, Gobblings, and Ogres. They have strength and magic, but they lack technology and intelligence. While you humans have technology and intelligence but lacks strength.

Do with this information what you will, the same kind of message is being delivered for those on planet P1.

Suddenly a cloud of small red crystal floated down from the middle of the halo. Thousands upon thousands rained down.

Sarah, apprehensively touched one that was floating in front of her.

Jefferson wasn't fazed, Léo had talked about it. "He said it was about time it came to earth, but for it to happen right after his demise..."

Skala continued.

"These Red Crystals are similar to what a portion of you call a 'Status screen' It helps to keep track of your self-development. Drop your blood on it, it'll become yours and will examine your body and essence to make an accurate assessment and show you the results according to the Universal standards. Any more detail as to how to become a 'Working class' or above will be delivered to each country's respective leaders, and they will forward to you as they deem fit. And, for now; Goodluck on your endeavors." The halo disappeared from the sky.

Sarah trembled."W-What is t-this?" she stammered.

Jefferson sat down on the sofa and sighed He looked to his left, the unkempt him, was scoffing at the sky through the window. And on his right, the elite him with golden eyes were looking on with eyes burning with fervor and anticipation. For some reason, these two were there in plain daylight and without a drop of alcohol on his blood.

He sighed deeply and answered Sarah.

"A Trial for earth's survival"