The sun rises, casting a dull, gray light over the rusted metal walls that enclose my world. I'm Ivan, and I live in the lower class of this planet, a place where survival is a daily struggle. The air is thick with the smell of smoke and decay, and the only sounds are the distant clanging of metal and the occasional shout of someone in pain or anger. This is all I've ever known, and yet, I can't help but wonder what lies beyond these walls.
We live in a world divided into three distinct classes, a system that affects everyone on the planet. The lower class, where I belong, is a place of constant struggle. We fight for food, water, and shelter, scavenging what we can from the scraps of the upper classes. There are no jobs, no schools, nothing but the relentless pursuit of survival. My mother always told me that things would've been different, but she never elaborated. Now, she's gone, and I'm left with more questions than answers.
Above us is the middle class, a place we envy. They have jobs, schools, and a lifestyle we can only dream of. They work for the upper class, and while we don't know the details, we assume they live comfortably, with all their needs met. I've heard stories of the middle class, of their schools that must be wonderful and their jobs that must be fulfilling.
And then there's the upper class, a world of opulence and power that we can only imagine. They live in lavish mansions, with the best schools and healthcare money can buy. Their lives are a series of arranged marriages and social obligations, where every action is dictated by tradition and expectation. They walk, talk, and live in a certain way because that's the way of the elite, and we envy their freedom and luxury.
Every hundred years, a tournament called "Reboot" is held. It's a game where anyone, from any class, can participate. The winner gets to decide the fate of the world for the next century. The current leader, kept alive by machines and medicine, oversees the game with a cold, calculating eye. No one in the lower class knows what it's like in the middle class, and no one in the middle class knows what it's like to be in the upper class. Everyone from each class can view the game but, no one can help anyone once they participate in the game.
Reboot consists of ten levels, each with its own set of challenges and games. To advance to the next level, participants must complete three games successfully. These games are designed to test a wide range of skills, from physical strength and agility to mental acuity and strategic thinking. The types of games vary widely, ensuring that no single skill set can guarantee victory. Some games might involve combat, while others could be puzzles or tests of endurance. The unpredictability of the games adds to the excitement and danger of the tournament.
I never thought I'd participate in Reboot. It seemed like a distant dream, a fantasy for those with more courage and ambition than I possessed. But everything changed when my mother died. In her belongings, I found a hidden message, a clue that hinted at a secret from her past. She was once a member of the upper class, a fact she kept hidden from me until the end. Now, I'm driven by a burning desire to uncover the truth, to find out why she left her privileged life and ended up in the lower class.
As I stand here, on the brink of a new journey, I can't help but feel a mix of fear and excitement. The world beyond these walls is unknown, a place of both danger and opportunity. But I know one thing for certain: I will participate in Reboot, not just for myself, but for everyone on this planet who suffers under this oppressive system. I will fight to change the world, to create a future where class divisions no longer dictate our lives.