Chapter 54: New Genesis [3]

Date: 14th Everdusk, 2103

"Hey kid, open up. You know what happens if you're late," a voice called from outside the apartment door.

Evan didn't recognize the voice immediately, but muscle memory—and years of bitter experience—told him exactly who it was.

/Knock//Knock//Knock/

"I'm coming, wait a second!" Evan replied, making exaggerated walking noises to buy a little time.

He slammed the bathroom door shut for effect, then quickly hurried to the entrance and opened it. Standing there were two familiar faces—Kale and Brin.

"You're running late, kid," Kale said gruffly. Brin, as usual, was lighting up a cigarette, the sharp scent of smoke already curling into Evan's nostrils. He hated it.

"Sorry, sir. I was just about to come out when I heard you, but I got caught up putting on my clothes," Evan said. It wasn't a lie—the body's previous owner had just finished bathing when Evan took over.

"Alright, alright. We're heading to school with you," Brin said, puffing out a cloud of smoke. "Awakening Day, right? Just make sure you land a decent class and join our guild. Don't screw it up."

"Yes, sir, I'll do my best," Evan replied with a stiff nod. "But the class is up to fate, not me."

"Whatever. Just don't be a disappointment," Kale muttered. "Anyway, today's your last day living here. From now on, if you want to stay, you'll have to earn your keep."

"I'm aware," Evan said calmly. "I've already packed my bag, just in case."

What he didn't say was how much he wanted to punch both of them. For the past eight years, they'd made his life a living hell. They took over his room, used his space as if it were theirs, and drained whatever money he earned in the name of a 'protection fee.'

The original owner of this body had caved in silently—but Evan was different.

"Let's move. Time to see if you're worth something, or just another waste," Kale said.

Since it was Awakening Day, students were told not to bring bags. After receiving their classes, they'd head straight to the school's beginner dungeon.

"I'll be out in a moment," Evan said, heading back inside to grab the apartment key. When he returned, he locked the door and slipped the key into his pocket.

"Hand over the key, kid," Brin demanded. "What if you die in the dungeon?"

Evan forced a smile. "No need to worry. My parents didn't raise me to die in a mere beginner dungeon."

"But accidents happen," Kale said, frowning.

"What if I need to move later?" Evan countered smoothly. "I can't get my stuff if I give you the key. And let's be real—how could I run off with it when you're tier-one warriors and I'm still just a base human?"

Brin exchanged a glance with Kale, then shrugged. "Fair enough. You've got a sharp tongue, kid."

"Let's go," Kale said. "Don't make us regret trusting you."

The three of them walked together toward the school. Thankfully, it wasn't far. Evan was glad—less time spent with those two was always a win.

The school building loomed ahead, not much different in size from his old one. But the world itself had changed. Despite this being his third time visiting, he was still in awe of the technology. Mana-powered vehicles and devices filled the streets—far beyond anything from his original time. In the past eighty-three years, society had advanced rapidly thanks to the discovery of mana crystals.

Everything now ran on mana. Fossil fuels were obsolete. Crystals, mined from dungeons or Nexus realms, fueled the entire tech sector.

He was still marveling at it all when he noticed other students streaming toward the school.

Kale and Brin stopped at the gate.

"You guys aren't coming in?" Evan asked.

"Nah. We'll meet you at the dungeon site," Kale said. "Don't forget to find us after the awakening… or you know what happens."

He cracked his knuckles meaningfully.

"Y-yes, sir. I'll remember," Evan said quickly and dashed through the gate. Only once he was inside and saw they hadn't followed did he finally breathe easy.

"Phew… those two morons are finally gone."

With them out of the picture, he could finally move freely.

"As for the class I awaken… I've got my ways," he muttered with a grin. "And no way I'm joining their guild. For home stuff, I've got savings—enough to last me two months. More than enough time to make real money on my own."

Resolved, he headed toward the main building.

His class was section 12-3—his final year. In his past lives, he'd always arrived in 2104. This time, it was 2103. That extra year might just give him access to things he'd missed before.

Most of his previous classmates were probably in their eleventh grade now, scattered across different countries. In all three lifetimes, he had landed in entirely different nations, each experience completely unique.

He didn't waste any more time and entered his classroom.

The moment he stepped in, the chattering stopped. Everyone thought he was the teacher. But when they saw it was just Evan, the noise returned immediately.

He wasn't surprised. He was an outsider, treated like a ghost. No one ever talked to him. Even teachers sometimes forgot he was there until they noticed the empty seat.

Half the class didn't even know his first name, let alone that he was an orphan.

But that was fine. That was about to change.

— To be continued —

A/N:

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