Jingzhou, No. 3 High School,
Afternoon,
The awakening ceremony finally drew to a close.
The sun had begun to dip westward, casting long shadows across the awakening ground as the last group of students prepared to leave. Just then, the loudspeaker crackled once again, drawing everyone's attention.
Principal Xu's calm and steady voice echoed across the field.
The crowd quieted, everyone turning toward the elevated platform where Principal Xu stood in his long black robe, his presence dignified and solemn.
"Today marks the end of your time at Jingzhou Third High. From now on, you are no longer children bound by textbooks and morning drills. You are awakened—official members of this era shaped by the will of the game."
His eyes swept over the field, pausing for a moment as if he could see each of their fates unfolding.
"Combat profession holders—you may join guilds, mercenary corps, or be recruited by noble families and major factions. What awaits you is bloodshed, danger, and the thrill of strength."
"Life professions—you will find your place in various halls across Jingzhou and beyond. Whether you become a Blacksmith, Alchemist, Talisman Master, or something else, remember: even if you don't wield a sword, your hands may shape empires."
"Auxiliary professions, too—your support will be the foundation of every battle. Do not belittle your role."
"Some of you may awaken nothing useful. Some may fall into obscurity. But let me remind you—this world changed a hundred years ago, and the rules are no longer the same."
His voice deepened.
"When the Game descended and dungeons, towers, and mazes tore open our lands, evil beasts crawled out from the depths. It was only through awakened ones like you that humanity survived."
He raised his hand.
"Now, it is your turn to carry that burden. Fight. Create. Survive. Whether you rise as a hero or vanish as a footnote, the world will not wait."
"This is your farewell from Jingzhou Third High. Go now—toward your destiny."
A heavy silence followed his speech.
Then, slowly, polite claps turned into thunderous applause, students cheering with excitement, fear, and ambition surging in their hearts.
Just as the students began to disperse, murmuring among themselves and preparing to leave, Principal Xu raised his hand once more, silencing the field again.
"One more thing—listen well."
His voice regained its sharpness, tinged with authority.
"To all newly awakened Combat and Auxiliary profession holders—do not forget. The Novice Dungeon opens tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock sharp."
With that, he turned around, his long coat fluttering slightly in the breeze, and walked off the stage without looking back.
His departure marked the true end of the Awakening Ceremony.
As the crowd thinned and students scattered in different directions, Lin Yue suddenly turned to Qin Lan, eyes gleaming with determination.
"Come on, Lan Lan!" she said, grabbing her hand without waiting for a response.
"Eh? Where are we going?" Qin Lan blinked, caught off guard.
"To the equipment market, of course!" Lin Yue said with a grin. "I need to get a novice-grade sword for tomorrow's dungeon trial. You don't expect me to go in with bare fists, do you?"
Pulled along by Lin Yue's enthusiasm, Qin Lan couldn't help but smile. The warmth of her friend's grip melted some of the lingering disappointment in her heart.
The two walked side by side under the soft afternoon sun, leaving the school gates of Jingzhou City's Third High School behind — their past as students now officially over.
The city's equipment market was lively as always, even in the late afternoon. Stalls lined the cobbled street, filled with eager new awakeners browsing armor sets, weapons, trinkets, and scrolls. Shouts from vendors rang through the air:
"Best deals on beginner swords!"
"Novice-grade staffs—discount for fresh awakeners!"
"Lifeskill kits here! Talisman pouches, alchemy cauldrons, music cases!"
Qin Lan's eyes swept over the scene, absorbing it all for the first time with her own gaze rather than borrowed memories. Everything felt more vivid, more real.
Lin Yue made a beeline for one of the simpler stalls run by an old man with a bushy gray beard.
"I'm looking for a novice sword," she said confidently.
The old vendor studied her for a moment, then nodded and laid out several blades on the cloth-covered table—some shining with polished steel, others plain but practical.
Lin Yue picked up a lightweight, straight-edged sword with a leather-wrapped hilt and gave it a few test swings.
"This one," she decided after a moment. "It fits just right."
"That's 70 silver," the vendor said with a nod of approval.
Without hesitation, Lin Yue pulled out a carefully folded pouch from her pocket and counted out the coins. Qin Lan watched her quietly—she knew Lin Yue had been working at a tea shop on weekends, often late into the night.
"This is your part-time money…" Qin Lan murmured.
Lin Yue smiled and handed over the silver. "I worked hard for it. It's worth it if it means being prepared for tomorrow."
She turned to Qin Lan, eyes still soft with concern. "What about you, Lan Lan? Do you need to get something for your musician class?"
The two girls wandered deeper into the market, eventually finding a quiet corner where stalls for life profession tools were set up. Most combat students passed them by, uninterested in the quiet shelves lined with alchemy kits, blacksmith hammers, herb pouches, and instruments.
Qin Lan paused in front of a modest setup selling musical tools. A few zithers of varying sizes were stacked to the side—some with chipped edges, others with faded strings. None of them gave off any energy, magical or otherwise.
"Looking for a beginner zither?" the young woman running the stall asked politely.
"Yes," Qin Lan replied softly.
Lin Yue glanced at her curiously but said nothing.
Qin Lan picked up a plain, dark-brown zither with minor scratches but intact strings. It looked old, even dull—but that's exactly what she wanted.
"This one," she said.
"Five silver coins," the seller responded with a smile.
Qin Lan handed over the coins without hesitation.
Lin Yue tilted her head. "Is that really okay, Lan Lan? That one looks a little… worn out."
"It's fine," Qin Lan replied with a faint smile, clutching the zither carefully. "I just need something to practice with."
But in truth, deep within her sea of consciousness, she could still feel the presence of the ancient zither she awakened with—an exquisite instrument brimming with divine aura and power. She didn't know how others would react to it. Not yet.
And until she was ready to face that, this cheap zither would serve as her shield.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting Jingzhou's sky in warm hues of orange and gold, the two girls made their way out of the bustling marketplace. The crowd thinned, and a quiet sense of change settled between them.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
They both knew—it was time to move forward.
They could no longer stay at the orphanage. The awakening ceremony marked their official step into adulthood. The caretakers had hugged them goodbye this morning, their eyes a mix of pride and sadness.
Now, they needed a place to stay.
"There should be rental boards near South Street," Lin Yue said, adjusting the strap of her bag. "I saw a few listings last week while delivering food."
Qin Lan nodded. "Let's go check them out."
They arrived at a small corner notice board nailed onto a wooden post. Tattered paper listings fluttered slightly in the evening breeze. A few were crossed out, but several were still available.
Lin Yue scanned them quickly. "Two rooms. Shared kitchen. Twelve silver a month… Seems okay."
"Is it close to the central plaza?" Qin Lan asked.
"Fifteen minutes walk."
She nodded. "Let's see it."
The landlady was an elderly woman with a warm smile and sharp eyes. After a short conversation, she agreed to rent the place to them—two small adjacent rooms in a quiet residential area, with a shared bathroom and modest kitchen.
They paid the first month's rent and moved in before nightfall.
Qin Lan placed her cheap zither gently in the corner of her room and sat on the edge of the narrow bed. Everything felt strange—new, but not uncomfortable.
From the room next door, she could hear Lin Yue humming a soft tune while unpacking.
As night fell and the soft sounds from Lin Yue's room faded into silence, Qin Lan finally lay back on her bed. The worn ceiling boards above creaked slightly with the wind, but her mind wasn't on the room—it was on herself.
She took a deep breath.
"Open panel," she whispered.
A translucent interface materialized before her eyes, glowing faintly in the dim room.
---
[Qin Lan – Awakener Status Panel]
Profession: Musician
Weapon: [Ancient Zither] (Bound –Weakened)
Profession Rank: First Turn
Level: 1
Health: 50 (Physique x 10)
Mana: 130 (Intelligence x 10)
Strength: 5
Physique:5
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 13
Physical Defense: 2
Magical Defense: 3
Active Skills:
• Sound Wave Attack (Level 1) – Release a shockwave of sound that deals 10*5 magic damage in a cone.
Range: 10 meters
CD: 5 seconds
• Healing Wave (Level 1) – Emits a soothing melody that restores 10*5 health points to allies within range(10 meters).
CD: 5 seconds
Passive Skill:
• Echo Resonance (Rank 1) – Increases all musician skill effects by 5x.
As the night deepened, Qin Lan lay on her modest mattress, the quiet stillness of their new room wrapping around her like a fragile shield.
Thoughts of tomorrow's novice dungeon trial swirled in her mind, mingling with the steady beat of her racing heart. The weight of the ancient zither bound to her, the echo of its power waiting to be unleashed, filled her with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Lin Yue's reassuring words echoed softly in her memory, promising to stand by her side no matter what.
With a deep breath, Qin Lan closed her eyes, allowing the anticipation to settle into a calm resolve. Tomorrow would be the first step toward a new life, one she was determined to face head-on.
Sleep came gently, carrying her into dreams of possibilities yet to be written.