Chapter 2: A light within the darkness

Words : 1087 Updated : Sep 11th, 2025

The morning sun filtered through the cracks in the curtains, bathing the small room in a soft, golden light. Alex sat by the window, staring out at the tranquil view. His thoughts were a whirlwind, swirling around the memories and emotions of the life he now inhabited. This wasn't just a game anymore. This was real. He was Alex Dragonheart, the orphan, the boy who had lost everything. But somehow, his heart was heavy with a sense of responsibility—a responsibility to someone dear. His gaze shifted to the corner of the room where a small, wooden desk sat. A framed picture of a girl caught his attention—a young girl with bright eyes and a wide smile Lily. His younger sister. She had been sick for over a year now, bedridden and struggling to stay alive. Alex's heart ached every time he thought about her. His entire life had been about saving her, about doing whatever it took to pay for her treatment. But now, with his world turned upside down, the future seemed uncertain. Alex leaned back, rubbing his temples. As his mind wandered, it inevitably returned to Etheron Chronicles—the game. He had spent countless hours playing it, immersed in its world of magic and battle. But there was one thing that always stood out. The Chosen of the Goddess Ethan Williams. The name echoed in his mind, and for a moment, Alex felt a sharp pang of frustration. Ethan Williams was the protagonist—the hero of Etheron Chronicles. Born into the prestigious House of Williams, a noble family with wealth and influence, he had been chosen by the Goddess of Light to become the savior of Etheron. The goddess had blessed him with unparalleled potential, a powerful divine physique, and a legendary bloodline. Once he awakened, he would become an unstoppable force, growing stronger at an exponential rate. He had everything—talent, power, and a destiny written in the stars. Meanwhile, Alex was just... a nobody. No powerful bloodline. No legendary physique. No divine blessing. But something about this situation didn't add up. If he was just an insignificant background character, why did he have an unawakened bloodline and physique? Why was his talent labeled Dual-Soul Resonance? For now, there were no answers. But Alex knew one thing—he wouldn't just sit back and watch Ethan take center stage. His thoughts shifted back to Lily. She had been sick for a year now, growing weaker by the day. Her medical bills had drained whatever little money they had left, forcing Alex to take on all sorts of odd jobs to keep them afloat. He had done everything—loading cargo at the docks, running errands for merchants, even taking part in underground gambling just to earn extra money. But it was never enough. The treatment she needed was expensive, far beyond what a commoner like him could afford. The previous Alex had nearly lost all hope. But now, things were different. He had the memories of a gamer. He knew things others didn't. If he played his cards right, maybe—just maybe—he could turn his fate around. Taking a deep breath, Alex focused on his Status Screen again. The glowing blue interface flickered into existence. --- [Status Window] Name: Alex Dragonheart Age : 16 Rank: Novice (Low) Bloodline: [Unawakened] Physique: [Unawakened] Class: None Talent: [Dual-Soul Resonance] (Enhanced learning speed, intuition, and adaptability) Strength: F Agility: F+ Endurance: F- Mana: F Mana Capacity: F+ Will: B Charm: B+ Luck: ??? Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship (F)], [Basic Mana Control (F)], [Dodge (F)], [??? (Sealed)] --- Alex narrowed his eyes as he examined the screen carefully. Strength (F): Determines raw physical power. With an F rank, he was weaker than even an average trained person. Agility (F+): Governs movement speed and reflexes. The (+) meant he was slightly faster than a regular F-ranked person, but not by much. Endurance (F-): His stamina and resilience. With an F-, he'd get tired quickly and wouldn't last long in fights. Mana (F) & Mana Capacity (F+): Determines his magical potential. His mana pool was small, and his control over it was weak. Will (B): A surprising anomaly. Willpower determined mental resilience, resistance against mind-affecting spells, and overall determination. With B rank, Alex realized he had a strong willpower, likely why he was adapting so quickly to his new life. Charm (B+): Another interesting stat. Charm wasn't just about looks—it influenced how others perceived him, how persuasive he could be, and even his luck in social situations. With a B+, he might be able to talk his way out of trouble. Luck (???): The most mysterious stat of all. Was it insanely high or dangerously low? There was no way to tell. Alex sighed. "At least my will and charm aren't garbage." Still, he needed to get stronger. If he wanted to protect Lily, he couldn't stay weak forever. Knock! Knock! A sudden knock at the door broke his train of thought. "Who could that be?" Alex muttered, standing up. Opening the door, he found a postman holding an envelope. The man gave him a polite nod. "Delivery for Alex Dragonheart." Alex took the envelope, his heart beating slightly faster. The wax seal on the letter bore a distinct emblem—a golden tower with a crown above it. His eyes widened. Zenith Academy. The most prestigious academy in the empire. Why would they send a letter to someone like him? His fingers trembled slightly as he broke the seal and unfolded the letter. --- Dear Alex Dragonheart, We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a candidate for enrollment at Zenith Academy. Due to unique circumstances, you have been granted a conditional scholarship and an opportunity to take the Entrance Examination. You have four months to prepare before the examination. If you fail to appear within the given timeframe, your candidacy will be revoked. May the Goddess guide you. Sincerely, Headmaster Aldric Verlane --- Alex's breath hitched. Four months. A chance to enter Zenith Academy? For commoners, this was an impossible dream. The academy only accepted nobles or those with high potential. So why him? Then, his gaze fell on one specific line. "Due to unique circumstances." Something was off. But this could be his chance. If he got into Zenith Academy, he might gain access to resources—money, knowledge, and maybe even a way to save Lily. Clutching the letter tightly, Alex made up his mind. He had four months to prepare. And he was going to make them count.

Chapter 2: A light within the darkness

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