The homogenous routine air turned into motivational posters that suavely suggested great things for anyone who wanted and had the guts to dream.

The torn slogans wailed: "Reach for the stars!" and "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams!"

Today, they spoke bittersweet mockery to Kael Relan.

Reclined in the back seat, his eyes passed over messages of joy, yet his thoughts were elsewhere, adrift on that tide of weariness.

His professor's voice had become a drone, not unlike the hum of machinery—a rhythm soothing yet never stirring. With each word, another weight lay upon his leaden eyelids; with each click of a slide onto the screen, another barrier lay between him and that world he wanted to escape to. His classmates followed acutely, made notes zealously, but to Kael, it was all noise.

He squirmed in his chair as the rising tension in his body became a lost cause. There it came again, that dizziness—an old, unwanted witness to his weakness. He had fought off his whole life this feeling, gnawing in his head and signaling weakness. His body had always betrayed him, keeping him on the sidelines of life, allowing others to live the adventures only he could dream of.

When young, Kael had watched all the other kids' games over the fence: the running and laughter, their faces flushed with joys he could never fully understand. He had never known sports or social events, even the simple pleasure of climbing trees or riding bicycles.

His health had taken away all those moments, one after the other, leaving him in isolation with his thoughts and games until he got trapped in a world made of them.

He looked down at his hands—pale, slight, fingers trembling slightly, it seemed, from the very dread of being attached to him. The professor's voice droned on—about something irrelevant, he thought—statistics, perhaps?—it was all blending now. His sight began to blur and the dizziness started to mount. The room felt full, compacted, bearing down on his chest.

"I wish." Fluttered across his mind, dull and fast, until his vision blurred. "I wish I was someone else. Someone strong. Someone that is not."

Now the room spun faster. He could only make out a vague outline of the professor at the front—everything had become nondistinct, blurred figures moving in a mist. His classmates' murmurs sounded distant, indistinct on the wind, but he could barely hear them above the pounding of his heart.

His breathing was shallow, labored; his thoughts slipped from his grasp and were lost like leaves in the wind. "If only I could get out of this body." The words were not of a wish but a desperate cry for freedom from the torture his body inflicted upon him.

His head lolled forward, his body no longer responding. Finally, the pounding of his heart slowed, and the edges of the world began to darken. Everything blurred around the edges, shadows seeping in, and the lecture room—the long, dreary stretch of empty chairs—yawned open before him into an abyss he could no longer hold at bay.

SYSTEM ALERT

[New PLAYER Detected…]

Through Kael, like a dying flame, flickered consciousness; somewhere close enough to the surface of his mind, he sensed something stirring—a trace of voice or will greater than his own.

[Death beyond Erendath: Confirmed

[Final Wish Identified. Pursuing...]

[Strong Desires for Second Life Awaiting Opportunity - Confirmed]

He could catch hardly a word. They were faint, far off—a whisper in his dreaming ear. Yet they seemed to him like a new, bolder language—waking hope in place of despair.

[Conditions Met - Ascension System Unlocked Successfully]

[Matching Player with System Guide. Accessing Ascension Database.]

[Match Found. Assigning GUIDE to PLAYER]

The abyss was never truly empty; something lived in it—a heartbeat. Kael felt it tug him in, whisking him away into something more, something unimaginable. His mind moved, no longer trapped in the settling darkness of the old world.

System Guide Assigned

[Detection of Unique Conditions. Processing.]

[NON-PLAYER: Confirmed]

Conditions Gained: The Rebirth Core (Unique) Unlocked

REBIRTH CORE ACTIVATED

The words swirled, lifted into the darkness, and wrapped around him like a cloak. For the first time in his life, Kael couldn't tell what they meant—yet it wasn't just that familiar, smothering weight of his limitations. He felt potential. He felt change.

[Rebirth Core System Unlocked...]

[GUIDE ******** Unlocked]

Kael raced back to Eldergrove, his heart pounding with exhilaration from the thrill of battle and the excitement of having completed his first quest. He could hardly wait to show Elder Eldrin the Healing Herbs and receive his reward. As he burst through the village gates, the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace welcomed him like an old friend.

"Elder!" Kael called out, his voice filled with eagerness. He hurried to the fountain, where Eldrin still sat, surrounded by a few curious villagers.

"Ah, young adventurer! Did you succeed?" the Elder asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.

"I did! I collected the Healing Herbs!" Kael exclaimed, holding them up triumphantly. The herbs glimmered in the sunlight, a testament to his first victory.

"Well done, Kael! You have proven your worth," Eldrin replied, taking the herbs from his hands. "As promised, here is your reward." He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small, ornate box, presenting it to Kael with a flourish.

Opening the box, Kael found a sparkling crystal pendant that shimmered with a soft, warm light. "What is it?" he asked, his eyes wide with awe.

"This is the Amulet of Restoration. It will enhance your health regeneration and provide you with a small boost in your abilities," Eldrin explained. "Wear it proudly, and may it aid you on your journey."

"Thank you!" Kael said, slipping the amulet around his neck. A rush of warmth enveloped him, and he felt a sense of comfort in the Elder's presence. But just as he began to savor his achievement, a loud, boisterous laugh echoed from the edge of the square.

As he walked, Kael opened his status screen again, eager to see any changes after his conversation with the Town Elder.

Name: Kael Relan

Class: Warrior

Attribute: Rebirth Core (Special)

Level: 2

Stats:

HP: 105/120

EXP: 45/300

MANA: 100

STR: 12  AGI: 11  INT: 11  END: 11  WIL: 12  CHA: 12  LCK: 10

Skills: Basic Attack

Kael couldn't help but smile. He was already leveling up! He felt a surge of excitement as he approached the designated area.

Kael turned to see a group of adventurers gathered near the fountain. They wore the emblem of the Ascendants Guild—a soaring phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and strength. Among them, a girl with fiery red hair and bright green eyes caught his attention. She exuded energy and confidence.

"Who's that?" Kael wondered aloud, a mix of intrigue and apprehension bubbling in his chest.

"Hey, newbie! You think you can take on the Goblin King all by yourself?" the red-haired girl called out, a playful smirk on her lips. "I'd love to see you try!"

Kael's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized she was talking to him. "I, uh... I just completed my first quest," he stammered, his earlier confidence waning.

"Oh? Impressive! But that's just the beginning. If you want to be a real adventurer, you'll need to step up your game!" she challenged, crossing her arms and leaning back against the fountain, her expression a mix of teasing and encouragement.

"Lira, quit it! You're scaring him," a tall, rugged-looking guy with tousled brown hair interjected, stepping forward with a friendly smile. "I'm Alden, and this is my sister, Rhea." He gestured to a quiet girl beside him with long, flowing silver hair and a calm demeanor.

"Hi!" Rhea said softly, her blue eyes sparkling with kindness. "Welcome to Eldergrove. Don't mind Lira; she just likes to test new members."

Kael blinked, taken aback by the warm welcome. "I'm Kael," he said, still unsure how to respond to Lira's challenge. "I just started my journey."

"Starting is the hardest part," Alden said encouragingly. "But if you want to get better, joining a guild is a great way to level up quickly. We're always looking for enthusiastic players!"

"Yeah, but you have to prove you're worthy to be part of the Ascendants," Lira added with a competitive glint in her eyes. "What's the highest level monster you've taken down?"

"Uh, just low-level goblins and a couple of forest critters," Kael admitted, feeling a pang of inadequacy. "I just leveled up to Level 2."

Lira burst out laughing, and Kael felt his cheeks redden. "Level 2? How adorable! If you want to keep up with us, you'll need to do a lot better than that!"

"Lira!" Rhea scolded, though her lips curled into a small smile. "Give him a chance. Everyone starts somewhere. Just focus on improving yourself."

Kael appreciated Rhea's kindness, but Lira's competitive spirit was infectious. "I want to get stronger," he declared, determination settling into his chest. "I want to take on tougher monsters and prove myself."

"Now that's the spirit!" Alden said, his smile broadening. "Why don't you join us for a guild meeting? We're discussing upcoming quests and strategies. You might learn something useful."

Kael's heart raced at the thought. Joining the Ascendants Guild could be his ticket to leveling up and finding a sense of belonging. "I'd love to!" he replied, trying to mask the excitement in his voice.

"Great! Meet us at the Phoenix Hall later," Alden said, clapping Kael on the shoulder. "And don't worry about Lira. She's just toughening you up for the real challenges ahead."

As the guild members began to walk away, Lira shot Kael a wink. "I'll be watching, newbie! Don't disappoint me!"

With the weight of their expectations hanging in the air, Kael watched them leave, feeling a mixture of hope and anxiety. The camaraderie of the Ascendants Guild was appealing, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had a long way to go before he truly belonged.

"Looks like you've made some friends," the Guide chirped, bouncing at his side. "But don't let their confidence intimidate you! You have the Rebirth Core; you're destined for greatness!"

Kael nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I can't let my insecurities hold me back."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Kael set off toward the Phoenix Hall, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead and eager to prove himself to Lira, Alden, Rhea, and the rest of the Ascendants Guild.

Kael sat bolt upright, heart racing, as if he might at last escape the smothering walls of the lecture hall and the weight of the sickness that oppressed him. There he was, lying in soft grass under a great piece of sky colored in brilliant shades of azure, with fluffy white clouds dotting the surface. Cool and refreshing, the air was a thing so far removed from the musty atmosphere he had just escaped.

"What. where am I?" he muttered, struggling onto his elbows. As his gaze took in his surroundings, his mouth sagged with wonder. He was laying amidst an oasis: greenery abounded around him, a myriads of colors belonging to flowers and trees that danced with every light breeze. Chuckles, laughter, and chatter sounded in his ears-a symphony of life, intoxicatingly wild.

Standing up, he brushed off the grass, and now, standing in a simple tunic and trousers, he seemed a million miles from the worn jeans and tee he had become so accustomed to. Now, as he looked around himself, he felt the soft glow and, down at his hands, dim radiance lit with every movement.

"Is all this — a dream?" He hardly more than breathed it. It was too real, too bright. He drew deep the sweet scent of wildflowers that danced around him and felt a surge of release, a freedom he had not known in years.

"Welcome to Erendath, Ascendant," a cheerful voice broke through his reverie. Kael turned toward the speaker—a diminutive, rotund creature with large luminous eyes and a ball of fur on its head, waddling up to him.

Kael asked, incredulous to pass off all of this as some tremendous dream.

"I'm your Ascension system guide! Here to help you on your way!" his voice rang out, laced with excitement mixed with authority. "You just woke up in the realm of Erendath, and now it is quite a good time for your adventure to start!

Kael blinked, trying to take in that input. "Ascension. MMORPG? Surely not?

"Well, that was it, obviously!" babbled the system guide. "You just got reborn into Erendath and started as a Level 1 player a.k.a as a Level 1 Ascendant in this wonderland: a world of quests, monsters, and magical stuff. But beware, not everything living here is friendly. There are Darkspsawns lurking in this world!"

Quests and adventure were music to Kael's ears. He had been dreaming about moments just like this but never get the chance to live that moment. "What do I need to do?"

The system guide waved his paw and a shimmering, holographic panel that floated in the air instantly appear before Kael. "This is your Status Screen. It has listed your Level, Skills, and Attributes. EXP are obtained through defeating Darkspawns, monsters and doing quests."

Kael scanned the screen, his eyes widening.

Name: Kael Relan

Class: Warrior

Attribute: Rebirth Core (Special)

Level: 1

Health: 100/100

Mana: 50/50

EXP: 0/100

Strength: 5 Agility: 5 Mental: 5 Stamina: 5 Luck: 5

Skills: None (Yet!)

"Wait, what? My stats are terrible!" he shouted. Frustration crept into his voice. "How in the hell do I make that work and stay alive?

The guide chuckled, his eyes glistened. "Every grand adventure must start from the ground up! Complete quests, gain experience, and your stats will increase. Believe it, Kael; your journey has just begun!"

Kael looked into the glowing interface, his heart racing, trying to understand what was in front of him. "Wait, what? What's this. A Rebirth Core?" he muttered, trying to keep his mind working quickly. "What does that even mean?"

Kael turned to the floating, chirping guide beside him and broke out into excited pointing: "Look at this, I have Rebirth Core trait! What does that even mean?

The guide exclaimed, "Oh, Kael! Ain't this great? You are among the few with this characteristic! That means you can break your limits and grow stronger much faster than any other! And. You get to rebirth again when you die. Cool, right?

Kael just arched an eyebrow as skepticism washed over him. "Stronger? To get reborn? What's the catch, there is always a catch, isn't there?"

He nodded seriously this time. "Really, yes! It means you will attract attention. The Darkspawn will be drawn to your power. You will have to be careful."

"Great, all I needed… enemies on top of everything else!" Kael snarled, but beneath his anger was a flicker of hope. "Still, it may be the break I need to finally make some serious changes for myself. I cannot afford to let it slip away."

"Alright, what's first?" Kael asked as the excitement began to well up inside him.

"You are to seek out the nearby village of Eldergrove. Speak with the Town Elder, and he'll give you your first quest. But beware, for the Darkspawns lurk in the shadows hunting for the weak. Be on your guard!"

Hearing the word 'Darkspawns', his heart was doing a little somersault. A warning bell rang in his head, reminding him of that urgency he felt even in his previous life. "Roger that. I'll be careful."

It was only as he neared the path to Eldergrove that his eyes dance of vibrant and full of life. All seemed enchantedly divine, as birds sang at their song while sunbeams filtered through leaves to a light ballet upon the forest floor. Every step he took was like a step into fantasy; each a moment, a breath of freedom he longed to take.

Then he heard a rustling in the underbrush. Kael's heart stopped, and his adrenaline rushed. He turned to the system guide, who was taken aback.

"What was that?" Kael whispered.

"Shhh.. !" the system guide went on exhorting him. "Be quiet o—or—"

Before it could finish the sentence, a shadow sprang from underbrush. In the same heartbeat, instincts kicked in and Kael tensed up to bolt. Then a small rabbit hopped out to meet him, the color of its fur an incredible pure silver.

Kael exhaled a deep breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.

"It's just a rabbit."

"Now, see, it's not all a menace." the system guide sheepishly grinned. "But beware: the Darkspawn may hide anywhere."

But Kael trudged on up the path, unabated; his racing heart was driven not by fear but exhilaration.

For him the worlds of Ascension opened on high in all their grandeur: a canvas of boundless possibility and challenge, and at last the long-overdue opportunity to be a hero, as he always felt he could be.

Kael's stomach churned with anxiety as he approached the village of Eldergrove: quaint, wooden cottages lined up with cobblestone paths running from one to another, meandering through lush gardens. The villagers went about their chores, suspiciously unaware that in very little time, he would be undertaking an impossible mission.

As Kael finally made a little small talk with the Town Elder, his heart felt excited when the Town Elder actually handed him his first quest: collecting healing herbs. This was the time to carve one's way into this new world.

SYSTEM ALERT: QUEST RECEIVED!

He accepted, snorted deeply, and strode off to fulfill his desire. There was much more about the excitement of the Rebirth Core in him at some hidden power to tap into than anything else. It led wonderingly and amazedly thither, and the meadows opened ways unto the woods and, with every step, he felt life return to him and felt at one with the world about him.