The morning sun crept through the narrow dorm window, casting a pale stripe of light across my bed. I blinked awake, consciousness returning in a slow wave. So it wasn't a dream after all. Yesterday's events flooded back— the entrance exam, the shocked whispers of the nobles, and my name Asmo etched at the top of the results board. I sat up and ran a hand through my dark hair, breathing in the new day. Today was officially the first day at Aurelia Academy, and the first morning of my new life in this world.
For a few moments, I simply listened to the quiet. In the distance, I heard dormitory doors opening and closing as other first-year students began their routines. I should get moving too, I thought, but a soft chiming sound in my head interrupted me. My vision flickered as a translucent blue screen materialized before me, lines of text glowing faintly.
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[Destiny System Booting…]
[Daily Synchronization Complete.]
User: Asmo Ravenheart
Destiny Points (DP): 20
Major Destined Individuals: 6 (List View ▶)
Hidden Features: Locked (Unlock conditions not yet met)
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I focused on the lines, my heartbeat quickening slightly. So the system is finally revealing more. Last night, I had only a brief glimpse of it after the exam—just enough to know I had some sort of Destiny System bonded to me. At the time, exhaustion from the exam and the overwhelming novelty of everything kept me from exploring it fully. But now, in the calm morning light, I could examine the interface properly.
"Major Destined Individuals: 6," I murmured under my breath. A list of six names unfolded in my mind's eye as I mentally selected the list:
Neria Solandis – Destiny Role: Saintess of Dawn (Locked details)
Leon Drakos – Destiny Role: Lionheart Champion (Locked details)
Damien Allcrest – Destiny Role: Grand Magus (Locked details)
Fiona Grimstone – Destiny Role: Shieldmaiden General (Locked details)
Selene Nightshade – Destiny Role: Shadow Emissary (Locked details)
Asmo Ravenheart – Destiny Role: ??? (Error: Role undefined)
My breath caught as I read the list. These five names (aside from my own) were familiar—the five scions of the great houses who took the exam alongside me yesterday. I knew their names and reputations from bits of overheard conversation and my own study: Neria, Leon, Damien, Fiona, Selene… each heir to one of the Six Great Houses of the kingdom. They were the main cast of this world's story, so to speak—the destined heroes who would one day shape the future. The system had marked them clearly as "Major Destined Individuals."
My gaze lingered on the entry for Neria Solandis. Saintess of Dawn. That title alone spoke volumes. House Solandis was closely aligned with the Church of Light; if destiny played out, Neria would likely become a holy figure blessed with incredible healing and purification powers. I recalled her graceful composure during the exam and the gentle determination in her eyes. It made sense—she has the bearing of a future saintess.
Leon Drakos was next—Lionheart Champion. House Drakos is famed for its warriors and knights, said to have draconic blood in their lineage granting them fierce strength. Leon's performance in the combat trial yesterday was impressive; he cleaved through a stone golem with one flaming strike of his blade. Many expected him to top the entrance rankings. Until I showed up. A wry smile tugged at my lips. Leon likely hated my guts already for stealing his spotlight.
Damien Allcrest, Fiona Grimstone, Selene Nightshade… each from a powerful house. Allcrest was known for generations of scholars and mages serving the royal court; Fiona's Grimstone family produced legendary generals and was famed for earth-shaking aura techniques; and House Nightshade—true to its name—was shrouded in mystery, dealing in intelligence and espionage, their scions often masters of stealth and dagger. Selene Nightshade had been quiet throughout the exams, but I'd noticed her calculating eyes and almost feline grace. A born spy and assassin, if rumors were true.
And then there was my name at the bottom with a big question mark. Asmo Ravenheart – Destiny Role unknown. Error: Role undefined. I let out a small chuckle. Undefined, huh? Perhaps it was because I'm not originally part of this world's fated narrative. In a sense, I'm the outlier—the extra piece not accounted for in the tapestry of destiny.
Not that I mind. In fact, that's exactly why I have this system, isn't it? To insert myself into the story and influence it. The gods or whoever bestowed this system must have done so with a purpose: to guide or shape the destinies of these key individuals.
My finger traced the glowing screen, scrolling further. More text slid into view:
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Primary Quest: Forge the Future
– Objective: Ensure the growth and survival of all Major Destined Individuals.
– Reward: Destiny Points, unlock of Hidden Features.
– Progress: 0/6 fully strengthened.
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Sub-Quest: **Harbinger of Adversity**
– Objective: Catalyze a significant increase in a Destined Individual's power through adversity or challenge.
– Reward: +10 bonus Destiny Points (per instance) – Progress: 0/???
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I narrowed my eyes at the sub-quest description. "Harbinger of Adversity." So that's how it is… The system actually encourages me to be the one who pushes them through hardship. Catalyze increase in power through adversity. A bitter taste sat on my tongue as I read it. It likely means the more I make them struggle and grow, the more points I earn. In other words, holding their hand and protecting them won't reward me nearly as much as forcing them into trials or even being the trial myself.
I exhaled slowly, dismissing the screen with a thought. The translucent text faded from view, though its implications did not. This clarified the nagging doubt I had. Last night, after being declared top examinee, I had received a tiny notification: +5 Destiny Points (Successful disruption of predetermined outcome). At the time I didn't fully grasp it, but now it made sense. By outperforming Leon (who was "supposed" to be number one in the natural course of things), I had disrupted destiny's script and thus the system rewarded me. Perhaps Leon's pride being wounded would push him to train even harder now—adversity leading to growth.