Jayden woke up the next morning feeling… different. His body felt light, like every muscle was wired and ready. Even the air smelled sharper, every sound clearer.
He stared at his reflection in the cracked dorm mirror. Same skinny frame. Same messy hair. But behind his eyes, something had changed.
"System," he muttered, tapping the phone. "That trial… it wasn't just a dream, was it?"
[System Notification]: Attributes and skills gained in Trial Worlds apply permanently in Reality.
Jayden's eyes widened. "So I'm… stronger. Smarter. Faster?"
[Loki]: Ohhh, this'll be entertaining. Go break something and find out."
[Sun Tzu]: Recklessness breeds disaster. Test with patience.
[Alexander]: Or test with WAR! Find an enemy, crush him underfoot!"
[Cleopatra]: laughs softly Do not rush, Jayden. True power is best revealed at the perfect moment."
---
At school, Jayden noticed it immediately. His footsteps were quicker. His grip firmer. His classmates whispered when he passed, still buzzing about how he'd silenced Derek yesterday.
Unfortunately, Derek wasn't done.
"Cole!" Derek slammed his locker shut with a heavy hand, sneering. "Think you're some kind of tough guy now? Hiding behind a lucky moment?"
Jayden's instincts flared—the same Tactical Instinct from the battlefield. His eyes flicked over Derek without thinking:
Broad shoulders.
Overconfident stance.
Right hand tightening into a fist.
Weak spot: exposed ribs on the left.
Jayden's pulse quickened. He hadn't even tried… yet his brain was already analyzing.
"Not in the mood, Derek," Jayden said, trying to walk past.
But Derek shoved him. Hard.
The hallway went quiet. Students circled like vultures.
"Fight!" someone whispered.
---
Derek swung a punch, aiming for Jayden's face.
Time slowed. Jayden's instincts screamed. Duck. Counter. Left rib.
Without thinking, his body moved. He slipped under Derek's fist and drove his own forward—fast, precise, powerful.
CRACK.
Derek flew backwards, slamming into the lockers with a grunt of pain, clutching his side.
The hallway erupted.
"Holy crap!"
"He didn't even see that punch!"
"Did Derek just—lose?!"
Jayden froze, staring at his own fist. His knuckles stung, but the punch had felt… effortless. Too effortless.
[System Notification]: Real-world combat instinct triggered. Strength applied.
The chat went wild.
[Alexander]: HAH! Yes! That was the strike of a warrior!"
[Sun Tzu]: Clean execution. Controlled power. Impressive."
[Joan of Arc]: …But dangerous. You must learn restraint."
[Loki]: Ooooh, that was BEAUTIFUL. You broke him like dry wood."
[Cleopatra]: Now you have their eyes, Jayden. Careful—you shine too brightly, too soon."
---
Teachers rushed in, dragging Derek away groaning and pale. The crowd parted around Jayden, whispering like he was some kind of monster… or hero.
Jayden's hands trembled. Not from fear—but from thrill.
If that was just one punch… what else can I do now?
The system buzzed in his pocket.
[New Passive Mission]: Establish dominance in school hierarchy.
Progress: 1/5 (Reputation rising).
Reward: ???
Jayden swallowed, both excited and terrified. His life had officially changed—and there was no going back.
---
⚡ All-Eras Chat System – Status Screen ⚡
[Host]: Jayden Cole
[Level]: 3 – Rising Commander
[Reputation Rank]: D (Respected in school, chat group more attentive)
---
📊 Stats
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 4
Charisma: 5 (+1 from reputation boost)
Luck: 0
---
🎁 Inventory
Cracked Phone (System device)
$100 Cash Card
Bronze Trial Sword (Broken – souvenir)
---
🏅 Skills
Conqueror's Presence (Lv.1)
Tactical Instinct (Lv.1)
---
🌍 Chat Members
Sun Tzu (Approving)
Alexander the Great (Proud, excited)
Joan of Arc (Cautious support)
Einstein (Quietly calculating)
Loki (Delighted)
Cleopatra (Intrigued, growing interest)
---
🔥 End of Chapter 5 🔥