I groaned and tried to open my eyes. My body felt heavy, weak, and alien. The last thing I remembered was the gray world and the goddess's presence. Now, I was in a small wooden room, lying on a narrow bed. Pain radiated through my entire body, a dull reminder that I wasn't myself anymore. My limbs felt short and feeble, my fingers clumsy. Every movement reminded me of the frailty of this new form.
After a few moments of struggling to sit up, my mind slowly began to accept that this body wasn't mine. Memories of its previous owner began to surface.
"Ehh… well, this guy was unlucky," I muttered.
The boy had been born in the greatest kingdom of this world—the Aetheric Kingdom. He lived with his mother in a modest house in the capital. Money was always a problem, and it seemed he had died from exhaustion trying to earn enough to survive. His mother had left on a trip, leaving him alone at the age of thirteen. Now, he was fourteen. And I was in his body.
A voice suddenly sounded in my mind.
[Hello Host]
I smirked. "Great. My cheat has finally arrived."
[I am the Void System]
I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I already know what you are. Just show me what you can do."
[Yes, Host. I can provide you with various functions]
The system laid out options in my mind. Quest, Status, Shop, Map, Inventory.
I started with the basics. "Show me my status."
[Name: Aestra]
[Age: 14 years]
[Status: Anomaly]
[Elements: N/A]
[Class: N/A]
[Strength: F]
[Speed: F+]
[Resistance: F+]
[Intelligence: F+]
[Magic: N/A]
[Skill: N/A]
"Not bad as a start," I said.
[Host, do you want to force awakening?]
I remembered what the system had mentioned before. In this world, everyone awakens at fifteen, unlocking a class and an element. Variants existed too: ice, light, lava, song, crystal, and more.
"So that means I can awaken now?" I asked.
[Yes, Host. I can force the awakening.]
"Do it."
Pain exploded through my body, like I was being torn apart into dozens of pieces and reassembled over and over.
"HARGGG!" I screamed.
Time felt endless. Minutes stretched into hours as my body and soul adjusted. Finally, the agony subsided.
[It is over, Host]
I gasped, sweat dripping down my face. "I thought I was going to die again."
[You have unlocked five elements]
[You have unlocked a job]
"Show me my status."
[Name: Aestra]
[Age: 14 years]
[Status: Anomaly]
[Elements: Ice / Space / Lightning / Shadow / Void]
[Job: Magicswordsman (Anomaly)]
[Class: Awakened]
[Strength: F+]
[Speed: E-]
[Resistance: E-]
[Intelligence: E-]
[Magic: 3000/3000]
[Skill: N/A]
"What does my class mean?" I asked aloud. "And what are Void and Space elements?"
[Magicswordsman is a class that multiplies learning and training speed by five times. It allows you to use all elements at full strength and provides a sword.]
I glanced at the inventory.
[Space Sword]
[Description: This sword belongs to the Anomaly. It can disappear and return to your hand instantly. It can also cut through space itself.]
[Fusion is possible]
[Void Element + Slicer of Gods]
[Do you want to merge them?]
I didn't fully understand, but I accepted.
"Yes."
[Fusion: 10%… 40%… 90%… 100%]
[A new item has been added to your inventory]
[Sword of the Void God. Can only be wielded by one who has mastered the Void element. Can cut through magic, illusions, and any matter. Space Sword abilities included.]
[Void is your cheat code, like me]
I muttered, "Hmm… I don't really understand, but it's not bad."
[Host, do you want to review this world's information?]
"Yes, now."
The system explained the kingdoms. There were five major realms:
The Aetheric Kingdom, where I currently lived, the human capital.
The Elven Kingdom, deep in the forests.
The Dragon Kingdom, hidden in the mountains.
The Angel Kingdom, floating among the clouds.
The Dwarf Kingdom, in the deserts.
In the center of these realms was the World Academy. All races studied there, and the main story of this world focused on the Academy and the Aetheric Kingdom.
The protagonist—my new body—would enter as one of the strongest students because of a cheat from the first king. Standing out too much would attract attention from powerful figures. I would have to balance growth and discretion carefully.
I wondered about Elera.
Far away, in a luxurious castle, she opened her eyes. Her hair was snow-white, her eyes shining gold like sunlight. Her body was flawless, sculpted by a god's hand. She was now the first princess of the Aetheric Kingdom.
[System, show me my status]
[Name: Elera]
[Age: 14]
[Status: Anomaly]
[Elements: Light / Heal / Crystal / Lightning / Soul]
[Job: Magicswordsman]
[Class: Awakened]
[Strength: E-]
[Speed: F+]
[Resistance: E-]
[Intelligence: F+]
[Magic: 3000/3000]
[Skill: N/A]
The average magic for a new Awakened in this world was 500. Both Aestra and Elera were off the charts.
Elera pieced together the memories of her body. She had been killed by a mysterious curse in her previous life. Her father, Renold of Van Aether, and her mother, Maria of Van Aether, loved her deeply and would do anything she asked.
Must be nice to have such a family, she thought.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Yes, come in."
A maid entered.
"Your Highness, the Duke of Avigner and his son have come to meet you."
Elera's eyes narrowed. She remembered the boy—my body—the Duke's son, Michael. He would be attending the Academy soon.
I have to avoid drawing his attention, she thought. But looking at herself, she sighed. That's going to be difficult.
"Take me to them," she said.
The hallway gleamed with golden-white stone as they walked. When she arrived, three people waited: the king, her father; the Duke of Avigner; and his son, Michael.
"My daughter, you have arrived," the king said warmly.
Both the Duke and his son bowed.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Michael said, stumbling slightly.
"Good morning, Duke of Avigner," she replied, her voice cold and distant.
Her new body's past life had left her with a naturally reserved and cold personality, which helped her mask interest and emotions.
The king spoke again. "I wanted my son to get to know your daughter before he enters the Academy. Friendship is important."
Michael stammered nervously. "H-hello… would you… like to get to know each other?"
Elera observed him. It was clear: he had already fallen for her. The king interjected.
"It's not my choice. My daughter will decide for herself."
Everyone's eyes turned toward her.
"No thanks," she said simply. Cold and firm.
Michael shuddered. "Y-Your Highness…"
"Is there any reason to accept you?" she asked.
Silence fell. He was ordinary now, just a boy without a cheat or awakened power yet. Elera had no reason to encourage him.
Michael bowed deeply, then raised his head. "At the Academy, I will prove myself to you. Until then, I wish you a good day."
The Duke and his son departed. Elera exhaled. She felt she had failed to fully avoid attention.
"My daughter, why do you reject everyone? Don't you want friends?" the king asked.
"For now, I don't need any," she replied.
"Even so, you still have only one," he said.
She smiled faintly, thinking of me. "You're wrong. I do have one."
The king's eyes widened. He wanted to know more about the person who had befriended his daughter.
And so, both Aestra and Elera began their new lives in this world, carrying their anomalies, powers, and the weight of the missions ahead.