Tianhai City – Gate of No. 3 Middle School.
"My dear classmate, you seniors will have your awakening ceremony today. Are you nervous?"
A lively female voice cut through the morning air as a black microphone appeared inches from Jack's face.
The boy's sharp brows drew together. He hated sudden interviews—especially this ambush style—but courtesy won out. Jack straightened, his tone calm. "Beauty, do you believe me if I say I'm not nervous?"
What a ridiculous question.
This awakening ceremony happened only once in a lifetime. It carried the same weight as the college entrance exam in Jack's previous life—if not more. Who wouldn't feel pressure?
But of course, Jack wasn't truly a native of this world. Eighteen years ago, he had awoken in this strange reality, memories of another life intact.
Here, monstrous creatures roamed the land, and humanity's survival depended on more than technology. A thousand years earlier, people had unlocked the secrets of their own genes, moving beyond mere machines and weapons into an age of extraordinary abilities. Through awakening ceremonies like today's, they channeled latent power to battle the monsters threatening their cities.
For the graduating seniors of No. 3 Middle School, this day would decide their futures. Those who awakened supernatural abilities—even modest ones—would gain status, opportunity, and wealth. Those who failed might scrape by in mediocrity, their lives overshadowed by danger and poverty.
So yes, anyone with sense would be nervous.
The female reporter smiled awkwardly, clearly thrown off by Jack's reply. She quickly shifted topics. "By the way, I heard that your class at No. 3 Middle School is full of physical prodigies this year—especially a student named Jack from Class Two. They say you've broken records in all three major fitness tests, outperforming even the elite kids from awakened families in Class One. Is that true?"
Jack's dark eyes held steady as he replied, "As long as ordinary people are willing to work hard, we're not necessarily weaker than those born to awakened families."
The reporter blinked, momentarily speechless. "If those family heirs heard you, they'd be furious. Aren't you afraid of revenge?"
"Revenge? From a bunch of spoiled brats who only know how to flaunt their backgrounds and never train?" Jack tilted his head slightly, a trace of mockery in his voice.
"They're the pride of No. 3 Middle School," she said, incredulous. "You actually dare to call them trash?"
Jack's answer was cold and certain. "If they can't even beat someone like me, a so-called ordinary commoner, then yes—they're nothing but waste."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked toward the school gate, leaving the reporter frozen, mouth half open.
Was that… really Jack?
The realization struck her like lightning. The boy she'd just interviewed was the very Jack whose training feats had become a local legend.
She spun to chase him, but the crowd swallowed his tall figure, and he was gone.
---
Training Before Dawn
At the campus intersection, Jack moved at an unhurried pace, completely unconcerned about the conversation he'd left behind.
Yes, he was a commoner—an orphan, raised without family or fortune. But what of it?
Since arriving in this world, Jack had endured without any miraculous "traveler's cheats." Through sheer effort—ten, a hundred times the work of his peers—he had managed to outshine those pampered heirs.
Even today, with the awakening ceremony still an hour away, he had been the first student on campus.
His plan was simple: train. One more hour, one more drop of sweat, anything to sharpen his body for the challenge ahead.
Jack entered the school's fitness gym, a familiar haven of iron and rubber mats. After a brisk warm-up, he launched into his routine, cycling through machines and free weights with efficient intensity.
Speed. Strength. Reflexes.
These three pillars formed the foundation for triggering genetic potential. The stronger the body, the greater the chance of awakening supernatural power. No guarantee, of course—but Jack intended to tilt the odds as far as humanly possible.
Time slipped by.
When he finally racked the last barbell, three hours had vanished. Outside, the campus stirred to life as students streamed through the gates.
No. 3 Middle School ranked third in the city, not as prestigious as No. 1 or No. 2, yet far from obscure. The awakening day drew crowds: nervous families, curious neighbors, reporters hungry for stories.
"All teachers and students of Grade Three, assemble in the Awakening Hall!" boomed a voice over the loudspeakers.
"It's starting."
Jack wiped sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and jogged toward the great hall.
---
The Awakening Hall
Inside, seniors from all six classes were already gathering.
Front and center sat Class One, the so-called "royals" of the school—children of influential awakened families. Their expensive uniforms were perfectly pressed, their postures effortlessly haughty. They occupied the best seats with an air of inherited superiority.
"Jack! You're drenched again. Morning exercises?"
The voice belonged to Chen Darong, Jack's closest friend, who waved from Class Two's section with an exasperated smile.
Jack slid into the empty seat beside him. "You know my situation. How could I afford to slack off?"
Chen Darong fell quiet for a moment, then patted Jack's shoulder, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Brother, if you don't awaken today, I'll support you for life."
"Get lost," Jack shot back with an eyeroll, though warmth bloomed in his chest.
Chen might have been born into wealth—his family counted among the awakened—but he had never acted superior. Disliking the arrogance of Class One, he'd joined Class Two by choice. Over the years, whenever Jack collapsed from overtraining, it was Chen who quietly paid his medical bills.
Jack would never forget that loyalty.
"By the way, take this."
Chen reached into his bag and produced a small, milky-white crystal.
Jack's eyes widened. "Is that… a psychic stone?"
The psychic stone was a rare cultivation resource, essential for those who had already awakened. Even the lowest grade cost more than a hundred thousand federal coins—enough to cover an average family's income for one or two years.
Chen nodded. "Yeah. My dad said sensing psychic energy beforehand might help the awakening process. Everyone in Class One has one, so why should we lag behind? Here—use it."
Before Jack could protest, Chen shoved the stone into his hand.
Jack hesitated, uneasy about accepting such a gift. But Chen's firm gaze brooked no refusal. Jack finally exhaled and said sincerely, "Thank you, brother."
He studied the faintly glowing crystal, curiosity stirring.
---
The System Awakens
A sudden chime echoed in his mind.
Ding! Weak energy detected. Minimum threshold met. System activation in progress…
Jack stiffened, eyes widening.
Ding! The Strongest Template System has been successfully activated. Binding host: Jack.
The voice was crisp, mechanical, undeniably real.
Ding! Initiating first-time bonus draw. Congratulations, Host! You have earned the right to select a template from the Pirate World.
Pirate… world?
Before Jack could process the words, the voice continued:
Ding! Filtering templates… Selection complete. Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked the template of the Pirate World's strongest man—Edward Newgate!
Jack's heart pounded, the psychic stone warm in his palm.
Something extraordinary had just begun.
---