Everyone at Skyfang Hunter Academy had dreams.
Some wanted glory. Some chased power. Some wanted to be heroes.
Mateo? He just wanted to survive the day without getting shoved into a locker or having lunch stolen.
He sat at the back of Class F—the class for bottom-tier students. His uniform was two sizes too big, his books were secondhand, and his aura level was basically non-existent.
Around him, other students talked about their portal expeditions, aura blades, and new gear. Mateo didn't even have a proper weapon. Just a dull wooden staff that the instructor gave out of pity.
Then came the announcement.
"All first-year students will be tested inside a D-rank portal this weekend. Failure to perform basic combat will result in expulsion."
The class cheered.
Mateo paled.
Later That Day…
Mateo dragged his bruised body down a dark alley, holding his ribs. Another round of "training" from the school bullies. They called it motivation.
He muttered to himself, "Maybe I should just quit... I don't belong here."
Then—it happened.
The world around him froze.
The lights went out.
No wind. No sound. Just... silence.
Then a voice echoed in his head.
"System initializing... Loading compatibility... Matching with host: Mateo."
"Welcome, Master! I am the COOL SYSTEM, created to make you the most charismatic, feared, stylish, and OP hunter in the world!"
Mateo blinked. "...Huh?"
"This isn't a dream. You've just been chosen."
STATUS WINDOW — ACTIVATED
He instinctively said, "Status."
A glowing blue panel appeared in the air.
[Mateo – Lv. 1]
Strength: 5
Speed: 4
Magic/Ki: 7
Willpower: 3
Points Available: 20
"Wow," the system muttered. "You're like... a paper towel trying to cosplay as a tank."
"...You're kind of rude."
"And you're kind of weak. We both have issues. Now shut up and allocate your points."
Mateo sighed. "Where do I put them?"
"10 into Willpower. No willpower = no growth. Then spread the rest evenly across the others."
He obeyed.
A wave of energy exploded inside his body.
His heartbeat quickened. The pain faded. The air around him shifted.
And inside, something... clicked.
THE NEW MATEO
For the first time in years, Mateo stood straight. His back no longer hunched. His eyes burned—not with power—but with resolve.
The voice of the system whispered with a grin:
"Let's turn this loser arc... into a legend."