Volume One, Chapter One: Just an Ordinary Mage, Awakening a Max-Level Talent!

Hua Xia, Jiang City.

On the Awakening Plaza of the Interstellar Technology University.

A sea of people surged, every student focused intently. Even distinguished figures from society had gathered here, all eager to witness this grand event.

Today was a special day.

The Day of Career Awakening!

A hundred years ago, when games merged with reality, this place ushered in an era where everyone could become a professional. Now, Lin Yi stood upright at the front of the lineup for Class Five, Year One. Though he was a leader among the freshmen, he could not fully conceal his nervousness.

Countless expectant gazes converged on him, the air alive with whispers and speculation.

“Look, that’s Lin Yi!”

“I heard he not only excels at elemental analysis, but also has mastered shadow magic, and even advanced spatial theory is a breeze for him!”

A cluster of girls gathered, their eyes brimming with admiration.

“He’s so handsome, and his talent is simply extraordinary.”

“Didn’t Principal Chen Yan say Lin Yi is likely to awaken a special mage class, maybe even a hidden one?”

“I wish I could be a mage too, but ordinary mages are so weak—slow spell casting, high energy consumption, poor defense.”

“Sigh, we’re all just here to make up the numbers!”

“……”

Lin Yi accepted the chatter around him with equanimity. The soul mutation brought by his crossing had gifted him with memory and insight beyond ordinary human limits. Through the years, he had always stayed far ahead, hailed as Jiang City’s genius.

Many influential figures had openly praised him, predicting he would awaken a special profession, his future limitless.

Beside him, Wang Dong nudged Lin Yi gently and murmured, “Hey, Yi! The awakening ceremony’s about to start—are you nervous?”

“If I could awaken as a warrior, that’d be amazing.”

Wang Dong’s eyes sparkled with hope, a dream shared by most students. Professionals held exalted status in society, forming a privileged class.

Statistics showed that the chance of awakening as a professional stood at about thirty percent. Professionals were divided into combat types—such as mages and warriors—and support types, like alchemists and enchanters.

Lin Yi patted Wang Dong’s shoulder, smiling. “Don’t worry, your swordsmanship and close combat skills are among the best. Becoming a warrior is virtually guaranteed!”

Wang Dong nodded vigorously, though a hint of envy lingered in his gaze.

“You’re the real deal, Yi—you’re sure to awaken as a high-level mage, your starting point is way above ours!”

“Look at Li Kuang, he’s got jealousy written all over his face.”

Lin Yi simply smiled at this.

Li Kuang came from a distinguished family; his father was a powerful gold-level professional. The profession rankings, from lowest to highest, were: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Epic, Legendary, God.

Though Li Kuang possessed resources unattainable for most, Lin Yi always surpassed him in every aspect.

Li Kuang stared at Lin Yi, scoffing coldly, “Don’t get ahead of yourself. If you fail to awaken, you’ll never recover your whole life!”

Li Kuang had his own calculations. Even if his awakening failed, he could rely on his family’s power to use the Book of Professions for a second transfer.

He knew Lin Yi came from a single-parent home, his mother a mere temp at a convenience store, supporting their lives on a meager wage. If Lin Yi failed to awaken, it would be a devastating blow.

At this thought, Li Kuang’s mood brightened inexplicably.

At that moment, the awakening array was completed.

Principal Chen Yan’s booming voice echoed across the plaza.

“All freshmen, are you ready?”

“The career awakening ceremony is about to begin!”

His words sent the atmosphere soaring; excitement pulsed through the crowd.

One by one, students stepped onto the awakening platform.

“Class One, Year One—Li Qiang, career awakening failed!”

Before long, the ceremony had quietly proceeded for some time, and the number of failures was noticeably greater than successes.

Lin Yi clenched his fists, his eyes locked unwaveringly on the awakening array.

“Class Two, Year One—Liu Wanqing!”

At the loud call, all eyes gathered at once.

She, Lin Yi, and Li Kuang were known as the three geniuses among the freshmen.

Liu Wanqing stepped into the array, her beautiful face betraying a hint of anxiety.

Suddenly, the array flared with blinding light. A jade-green longbow formed, its radiant particles merging into her body.

“Wow! She awakened a special profession—Storm Archer!”

The students below gasped in unison.

Principal Chen Yan smiled warmly, “Liu, you must work even harder in the future.”

“May you become a mighty professional, guardian of our people!”

Liu Wanqing, her face alight with joy, nodded repeatedly.

Though her background was impressive, to succeed on her first try was the best outcome—especially as a special profession.

The ceremony continued, name after name called…

“Class Three, Year One—Li Kuang! Flame Mage!”

Li Kuang’s result was decent: a high-level mage, though not a special profession. But he was dissatisfied, unable to swallow his disappointment at not awakening a special class.

He stormed away, his gaze meeting Lin Yi’s, feeling mocked by the other.

In truth, Lin Yi was simply focused on the awakening array.

“Don’t get too smug. Maybe your result won’t even match mine!” Li Kuang muttered a curse as he passed Lin Yi.

Lin Yi did not even lift his eyelids.

This only deepened Li Kuang’s fury, his expression growing darker.

“Class Five, Year Three—Wang Dong! Berserker!”

With those words, a heavy sword merged with Wang Dong, his face erupting in delight.

Not only did he succeed, but he gained a high-level profession!

“Hahaha!”

Wang Dong laughed aloud, embracing Lin Yi with enthusiasm.

“Class Five, Year Three—Lin Yi!”

In that instant, every gaze converged.

Even the elders from the Profession Association watched closely. Lin Yi’s reputation had spread far and wide; many had come for him.

He drew a deep breath, then strode confidently toward the awakening array.

Suddenly, a light more dazzling than Liu Wanqing’s exploded, completely engulfing Lin Yi.

Within the radiance, one could glimpse the outline of the Book of Knowledge.

“Could it be a hidden profession?”

Principal Chen Yan’s heart raced, overwhelmed with awe.

Students were envious; Li Kuang’s jealousy burned so hot his eyes seemed to ignite.

Yet in that moment, the strange phenomenon gradually faded, finally merging into Lin Yi’s body.

In the void, two unremarkable white characters appeared.

[Mage!]

Principal Chen Yan was stunned, muttering in disbelief, “How can this be?”

“Such an astonishing phenomenon—and it’s just an ordinary mage profession?”

“Not even a high-level class?”

The genius Lin Yi, bearer of so much expectation, had awakened only a common profession.

Though the awakening array could not be wrong, no one could explain the extraordinary vision that had occurred.

An ordinary mage, naturally, could not command much attention.

Despite his disappointment, Principal Chen Yan announced loudly:

“Lin Yi, your awakened profession is—Mage!”

At that moment, Lin Yi stood dazed, staring at his attribute panel.

[Name: Lin Yi]

[Profession: Mage]

[Level: LV1 (0/1000)]

[Talent: All learned skills are automatically maxed out!]

[Skills: Fireball, Meditation, Escape Technique!]

Seeing this, Lin Yi suddenly understood.

The astonishing phenomenon was not due to the awakening itself, but to his unique talent!