《Celestial Gate: Claiming Goddesses Along The Way》


 A Normal Life

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    Chapter - 01


    Rumble~ Rumble~


    "Ugh... I really need to eat something," I groaned as my stomach twisted uncomfortably. It had long since passed the polite stage of requesting food and was now issuing not-so-subtle threats of mutiny if I didn''t obey soon.


    I couldn''t blame it though. Rubbing my tired eyes, I blinked at the corner of my computer screen, where the time glowed mockingly: 5:00 p.m. on a Sunday. Skipped breakfast? Check. Skipped lunch? Double-check. I guess that meant it was time to finally drag myself to the kitchen and conjure up something edible before my stomach made good on its threats.


    Stretching until I felt a satisfying crack in my back, I let out a yawn that lasted longer than expected and scratched through my long brown hair as I shuffled out of my room. My apartment was small, just a one-bedroom, but for someone like me¡ªa perpetually lazy bachelor¡ªit was more than enough space. Honestly, half the time it felt like I only occupied the bed and the computer chair, both located in the same room.


    I made my way into the kitchen and opened the fridge, hopeful but realistic. A quick scan revealed exactly what I feared: no fresh meat, no leftovers, not even a sad container of beans. Slim pickings. Still, I had a backup plan for situations like this. A failsafe. One that had carried me through college, and even longer.


    Opening the cupboard, I pulled out a box of macaroni. Mac n'' cheese¡ª the ultimate fallback. A simple, glorious reminder of survival. My mom always said, "If all else fails, mac n'' cheese will save the day," and I lived by those words.


    I set to work, boiling water in my only semi-trustworthy pot while measuring out the dry macaroni. I glanced at my phone to pass the time, but my mind drifted back to my mom as the macaroni boiled away. She was a single parent, and I knew raising me had been no small feat. Money was tight growing up, but she always had a way of turning everyday meals into something special. Even a basic meal like mac n'' cheese¡ª she''d add a personal touch that made it hers.


    While the macaroni bubbled, I started on the sauce. Now, here''s where the twist came in, courtesy of Mom. Most people would call it blasphemy to mess with a classic mac n'' cheese recipe, but not her. "A little experimentation never hurt anyone," she''d say with a wink. And so, I followed her lead.


    I grabbed a block of sharp cheddar and started grating it into a bowl. But I didn''t stop there. I added in a handful of mozzarella for that gooey stretch and then a sprinkle of parmesan for a little sharpness and bite. But the real kicker was a dash of smoked paprika and a bit of garlic and onion powder. It gave the sauce a kick and a hint of depth that elevated the humble dish from "student meal" to "comfort food royalty."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Once the macaroni was drained, I returned it to the pot and stirred in the butter, watching it melt and coat the macaroni in that familiar, golden shine. I slowly added the cheese mixture, pouring in a bit of milk to smooth it all out into a creamy sauce that wrapped around the pasta like a warm blanket. The paprika and garlic made their presence known, their aromas mingling in the air and making my stomach growl louder. I wasn''t winning any culinary awards here, but this mac n'' cheese? It was more than edible. It was an old friend, a lifeline.


    As I took my first bite, I couldn''t help but think back to Mom''s experiments in the kitchen. Sure, some of them were disasters (the infamous mustard pancakes came to mind), but most of the time, she hit it out of the park. She always made food more than just sustenance; it was love, warmth, and comfort. It was the reason why even now, I didn''t resort to takeout for every meal, even though I could easily afford it.


    I worked as a dental assistant. It paid the bills, and I had enough left-over to splurge now and then. The plan is to work hard, save harder, and be done by the time I''m 45. Retire early, enjoy life, maybe travel or start a little side business. I''m 28 now, so I had close to 17 years to reach my goal. I could hear my coworkers laughing at the idea¡ªretire by 45? They barely had enough in their savings for a weekend trip, let alone an early retirement. But they didn''t grow up the way I did.


    Mom had taught me the value of putting a little bit of yourself into the food you make. It wasn''t just about saving money; it was about taking care of yourself in a small but meaningful way. Food wasn''t just fuel¡ªit was home, and even when I was by myself, in this small apartment with my lazy tendencies, it was nice to feel that sense of home.


    I wolfed down another bite, the creamy, cheesy goodness practically melting in my mouth. It wasn''t Mom''s mac n'' cheese¡ªnothing ever would be¡ªbut it was close. It sufficed.


    After the plate was cleared and my stomach finally stopped threatening me with bodily harm, I leaned back in my chair, staring out the small window that overlooked the quiet street. The evening sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow over everything.


    As I sat there, I thought about the next day, about the patients I''d have to deal with at the clinic, and about my long-term plan to retire by 45. But more than anything, I thought about how something as simple as mac n'' cheese could connect me to a past that felt so far away, yet always right there in the comfort of a well-worn recipe.


    Maybe tomorrow I''d try something new, maybe get groceries and attempt a more "grown-up" dish. But for now, with my belly full and my heart a little warmer, this would do just fine.


    "Ah, I wish mom was here to see me right now." The thought slipped out, unbidden, as it often did when I found myself reflecting on how far I''d come. A smile crept across my face, bittersweet and nostalgic. Life had its ups and downs, but right now, I felt good¡ªcontent, even. Though I hadn''t found someone to share my life with yet, something Mom always said was essential for happiness, I didn''t feel incomplete. It was a little ironic, given her history with my deadbeat father who had run out on us before I even knew what having a dad meant. Mom had still believed in love, in companionship. I wasn''t sure I did, at least not the way she did, but I was content with where I was now. I knew she would''ve been proud of me.


    A familiar lump formed in my throat, and I wiped away the single tear that always followed thoughts of her. It wasn''t sadness exactly, just a mix of longing and gratitude. She''d done so much for me, sacrificed more than I probably even knew.

 Sunday Routine

    Chapter - 02


    With a sigh, I stood up from the table, the warmth of the mac n'' cheese still settling in my stomach, and headed back to my room. Back to the quiet comfort of my computer, where my weekly Sunday ritual waited for me. Sundays were sacred. While the rest of the week was filled with work and daily routines, Sundays were for indulgence¡ªfor diving deep into the world of web novels, my favorite escape.


    I sat back down at my desk, adjusting the chair to its familiar groove, and moved the mouse to wake the screen. As the monitor flickered back to life, I felt a thrill of excitement. It had been this way for years. From morning till midnight, every Sunday, I spent the day immersed in fantastical worlds that had nothing to do with reality. It was my version of self-care, a tradition I kept religiously. I wasn''t one for social outings or grand adventures. No, for me, there was nothing better than spending an entire day in the company of epic tales, magic, and sprawling battles between good and evil.


    I clicked on the "Next Chapter" button, eager to continue the new novel I''d started that morning. This one was different from the typical fantasy novels I read. The world was intriguing¡ªset in the medieval era but not quite like any history I knew. It was a world reshaped by something far greater and more terrifying.


    In the story, it all began with an earthquake. A massive, world-shaking tremor that caused destruction on an unimaginable scale. Cities fell, landscapes shifted, and countless lives were lost. The main character''s world, just like our own, was forever changed. But it wasn''t just an earthquake. Something far more mysterious and dangerous followed in its wake.


    Amidst the rubble of ruined civilizations, a colossal gate erupted from the ground in Constantinople. The city, once the heart of a mighty empire, was all but obliterated. The earth cracked, and from its core, the Celestial Gate emerged. It towered over the ruins, a dark, ancient thing made of stone so black it seemed to absorb the light around it. The gate was massive¡ªso large that it swallowed entire districts of the city when it rose. Only the outermost parts of Constantinople, including its famed walls, survived. The once-great city had been reduced to a shadow of its former self, and with it came the end of an era.


    At first, the world thought the earthquake and the gate were just natural disasters, but that illusion was shattered when the monsters came. They poured from the gate like a tide of nightmares¡ªbeasts the likes of which humanity had never seen. These creatures weren''t just feral animals or mythical beasts; they were something worse. They were the embodiment of fear, destruction given form. They rampaged across the lands, unstoppable by normal human means. Swords shattered, arrows bounced harmlessly off their hides, and entire armies were reduced to nothing in mere hours. Fear spread as quickly as the monsters, and it seemed as though the world was on the brink of complete annihilation.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    But just as despair reached its peak, something miraculous happened. Across the globe, massive buildings began to materialize out of thin air. Like the gate, they rose from the earth, vast structures of divine design that defied human comprehension. They weren''t temples or fortresses¡ªthey were academies. Each structure housed the gods themselves, who descended to the mortal realm to help humanity in its darkest hour.


    It was a sight no one could have believed possible. The gods, once thought to be myth or legend, were real¡ªand they had come to fight. Four great pantheons emerged, each tied to the land they chose to protect.


    In southern Europe, the Olympians descended, their marble academies rising from the ruins of ancient cities. Zeus, Athena, Hades, and the rest of the pantheon strode among mortals, bringing with them the ancient powers of Olympus. Their academy, a towering white structure that radiated divine energy, stood as a beacon of hope against the ever-looming threat of the monsters. Students from across the continent flocked to it, hoping to unlock their hidden potential.


    In northern Europe, the Norse Gods appeared, descending from the frozen mountains. Odin, Thor, Freyja, and their kin carved out their academy from the very bones of the earth, a fortress of stone and ice that pulsed with the raw power of Asgard. Here, they taught their students the ways of battle, the arts of magic, and how to wield the power of the elements like the gods themselves. Their academy was a place of strength, where warriors were born to stand against the darkness.


    Across Asia, the Sh¨¦n descended¡ªdivine beings from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian mythologies. Their academy was serene, yet filled with an undercurrent of immense power. Dragons soared above as gods like the Jade Emperor, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi took their place among the mortals. Their teachings focused on balance and harmony, but they were no strangers to war, for their students became masters of both martial arts and arcane forces.


    And in the Middle East, the Ennead descended. The ancient Egyptian gods¡ªRa, Anubis, Isis, and Horus¡ªbrought with them the wisdom of the desert and the power of the Nile. Their academy rose from the sands, a golden structure where the sun never set. It was a place of knowledge and magic, where the powers of life, death, and the stars were taught to those who were worthy.


    These pantheons had come not as rulers, but as teachers. In their academies, they began training humanity to tap into a hidden power that had always been dormant within them¡ªIridium, a mystical energy that could only be unlocked with divine guidance. Iridium flowed through the veins of every human, a latent force tied to the very essence of the earth. The gods taught their students to harness this power, to wield it in battle against the monstrous invaders and to heal the world that had been so badly damaged.


    There was a caveat, though. The gods, despite their overwhelming power and presence, had limitations placed upon them when they descended to the mortal realm. They weren''t the all-powerful beings they once were, bound by rules that stripped them of direct influence over the world outside their academies. Their academies acted as both their strongholds and their prisons. They couldn''t leave, couldn''t set foot beyond the boundaries of these sacred spaces, and most importantly, couldn''t interfere personally with the Celestial Gate itself.

 The Novel鈥檚 Next Chapter

    Chapter - 03


    The Celestial Gate was a place of both terror and opportunity. It was a realm where nightmares took physical form, where monsters that defied human comprehension roamed freely. These creatures, twisted by dark magic and primordial chaos, slaughtered anyone who dared step into their domain unprepared. But for those who were brave¡ªor foolish¡ªenough to venture into the gate and survive, there was a prize beyond imagining. Killing these monsters didn''t just ensure survival; it gave power. Every slain beast released a surge of energy, a surge of Iridium, the latent mystical force that existed within all living beings. By absorbing this energy, adventurers grew stronger, faster, and more powerful, their own Iridium reserves swelling with each victory.


    In theory, with enough dedication, training, and risk, one could reach the power level of the gods themselves. This tantalizing promise of godhood, of breaking free from the limitations of mere mortals, was what drove thousands to risk their lives within the gate. But it wasn''t just power they sought. Hidden deep within the Celestial Gate were ancient treasures, relics of forgotten times and lost civilizations. Some of these treasures were said to be so potent, even the gods coveted them, for they could grant immortality, change the course of history, or bend reality to the will of the possessor.


    Two centuries had passed since the Celestial Gate first appeared, shaking the very foundations of the world. The old kingdoms of man had long since fallen, unable to withstand the cataclysmic changes that came with the arrival of the gods and the gate. In their place, four new kingdoms had risen, each aligned with one of the four great pantheons: the Olympians in the south, the Norse in the north, the Sh¨¦n in the east, and the Ennead in the west. These kingdoms were not just political powers but spiritual and military dominions. Each kingdom revered its gods, and their societies were built around the academies where these gods trained the new generations of warriors.


    The region where the Celestial Gate stood was a land unto itself. It belonged to no kingdom, no nation. It was an independent territory, fiercely guarded by all four pantheons. Each kingdom had deployed its most elite soldiers, scholars, and adventurers to this neutral ground, forming a fragile but necessary alliance. They worked together to maintain a delicate balance of power, ensuring that no single pantheon could seize control of the gate. It was a constant game of politics and strategy, where each faction watched the others closely, waiting for any sign of betrayal or power grab. Their forces patrolled the borders of the gate, slaughtering any monsters that attempted to escape and facilitating the passage of adventurers brave enough to enter its depths.


    Within this new world, the protagonist of the novel was a young man from southern Europe, specifically from a small, unremarkable village under the watchful eyes of the Olympian gods. He had grown up hearing stories of the great adventurers who ventured into the Celestial Gate, many of whom never returned. His parents were both renowned adventurers who had braved the gate and come back changed¡ªmore powerful than before. From them, he had inherited vast stores of Iridium, though this fact had been something he was unaware of, for most of his life.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    It wasn''t until his enrollment in the Olympian Academy that his true potential was revealed. The academy was a towering marvel of marble and gold, built atop the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. Statues of Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and the other Olympian gods lined the walkways, their stone eyes watching over the new generation of heroes being trained within the academy''s walls. The protagonist, like all new students, was subjected to a series of tests to measure his Iridium levels. When the results came in, the instructors were stunned. His Iridium capacity was beyond anything they had seen in decades, possibly since the gods themselves first descended.


    This revelation set him on a path unlike any other. His journey through the academy wasn''t just about learning how to wield his Iridium¡ªit was about living up to the legacy of legends and ultimately surpassing them. Under the tutelage of the gods themselves, he trained alongside other students, each with their own dreams of glory, but none with the same raw potential as him. The story followed his growth, his struggles, and his relationships as he worked to become the greatest adventurer the world had ever seen.


    And of course, it wasn''t just the action that drew me into this novel. One of the reasons I had stuck with it for so long was its large cast of vibrant, well-developed female characters, many of whom played pivotal roles in the protagonist''s life. There were rivals who challenged him, friends who supported him, and even divine beings who were intrigued by his potential. The romantic subplots wove seamlessly into the story, adding depth and emotional stakes without overshadowing the primary narrative of growth, adventure, and discovery.


    By now, I had devoured a hundred chapters of the story, my eyes glued to the screen as I had clicked through each new page. The rich world-building, the intense battles, the character development¡ªit all kept me hooked, even after hours of non-stop reading.


    As I clicked the "Next Chapter" button, ready to dive back in, something strange happened.


    The screen flickered, the familiar text glitching for a split second before returning to normal. I blinked, leaning in closer. Maybe it was just a momentary lag, nothing more. I shook it off and clicked again, but the flicker came back, longer this time. My heart skipped a beat as the text warped, twisting into unrecognizable symbols. My hand froze on the mouse. The screen went black.


    "What the hell?" I muttered under my breath, staring at the monitor in disbelief. This had never happened before. Was my internet down? Was the website glitching? I moved to refresh the page, but just as I was about to hit the button, the screen lit up again¡ªonly now, it wasn''t the novel anymore.


    Something was wrong. Instead of text, the image on the screen looked like... a portal. A swirling mass of light and darkness, colors I couldn''t even describe bleeding together as they shifted and moved. My heart raced as I leaned closer, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.


    It wasn''t just a glitch. It felt real. Too real.


    The edges of the portal began to ripple, as if whatever was on the other side was pushing against the screen, trying to break through. My breath caught in my throat as the room around me seemed to dim, the glow from the monitor casting eerie shadows on the walls.


    Then, without warning, something reached out from the screen.

 Welcome, New User

    Chapter - 04


    I was a normal guy, with a normal job, living an unremarkable life. So, what the hell was happening to me right now?


    The last thing I remembered was staring at my computer screen, watching in horror as a bizarre portal seemed to tear through the digital space. After that? Nothing. My mind went blank, as if someone had flipped a switch, and now... I was waking up somewhere else.


    My eyelids fluttered open, and for a moment, I thought I was in my own bed. But something was off. The smell was different. The air was crisp, with a faint scent of... fresh wood? I sat up abruptly, rubbing my eyes, and as my vision cleared, I felt my heart rate spike. This wasn''t my room. I wasn''t home.


    The space I was in was small and unfamiliar. The bed I lay on had plain, white sheets, neatly tucked around me. The walls were bare, painted in a dull beige, and the only furniture in the room was a wooden desk with a chair tucked beneath it, a closet, and a full-length mirror standing against the far wall. It looked almost like a college dorm room¡ªfunctional, but sterile. My gaze drifted to the side, and I saw a door slightly ajar, leading to what looked like a small bathroom. The faint trickle of water from the sink confirmed that I wasn''t dreaming. I was somewhere real. Somewhere foreign.


    Confusion swirled in my mind. Where the hell was I? Panic clawed at my chest, and I threw the covers off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I needed to get up, move, do something¡ªanything to figure out what was going on. But as I stood, my eyes locked onto the mirror across the room, and I froze.


    It wasn''t the room that shocked me. It was my reflection.


    That wasn''t the face I was used to seeing every morning. I took a step closer to the mirror, my hands trembling as I reached up and touched my face. The person staring back at me was... me, but younger. Much younger. I couldn''t believe what I was seeing. My skin was smooth, free of the slight wrinkles that had begun to creep in over the years. My jawline was sharper, more defined, and my eyes¡ªstill the same deep blue they had always been¡ªshone with a brightness I hadn''t seen in years.


    I looked like I was eighteen or nineteen again. My brown hair, which had grown long and unruly in recent years, was now short and neat, just like it had been back when I was a teenager. My body, which had softened slightly over the years from too many hours sitting at a desk, was lean again. I wasn''t particularly muscular, but I wasn''t skinny either. I was... average. A normal guy with a fit, unremarkable build.


    But this was impossible. I was twenty-eight. How could I look like this? My mind raced as I stumbled across the room, my heart pounding in my chest. Was this some sort of dream? A hallucination?This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    I was still trying to make sense of it all when something even stranger happened.


    Out of nowhere, a shimmering light filled my vision, and words began to appear before my eyes, glowing faintly in the air as if written by an invisible hand.


    Celestial System Uploading...


    I blinked, trying to shake off the illusion, but the words stayed in place, as clear as day.


    Welcome, New User


    "What the¡ª?" I muttered under my breath, stepping back instinctively. My pulse quickened. I reached up to rub my eyes, but the words didn''t disappear.


    System Integrating with Host Body...


    I felt a strange, tingling sensation spread throughout my limbs. My skin buzzed, like tiny electric currents were coursing just beneath the surface, and my muscles tightened involuntarily. It wasn''t painful, but it wasn''t exactly pleasant either. It felt as if something was being rewritten inside of me, like every cell in my body was being recalibrated.


    System Configurating Host Body According to the Celestial World...


    I gasped as the tingling intensified, moving deeper into my muscles, my bones, my very core. It was as if something within me was awakening, some dormant force that had been lying in wait. My heart pounded, my breath coming in short bursts as the changes continued. I could feel it¡ªmy body was shifting, adapting, like it was being optimized for something I couldn''t comprehend.


    And then, just as quickly as it had begun, the sensation faded. My body settled, the buzzing in my limbs gone, leaving behind a strange sense of... power. I felt different. Stronger. Sharper.


    Before I could fully process what had just happened, more words materialized before my eyes, this time in the form of a status screen.


    ---


    Callum Brown


    Age: 19


    Level: 1


    Stats:


    - Strength: 9


    - Endurance: 12


    - Speed: 7


    - Iridium: 16


    Skills:


    - Insight of the Observer:


    This ability grants the user the power to instantly assess the stats and abilities of any individual, as long as their level isn''t overwhelmingly superior.


    - Boundless Ascension:


    A passive ability that grants the user limitless potential for growth, allowing them to continuously evolve without reaching a cap. With this skill, the user levels up and grows at an accelerated rate. Their Iridium gain and skill development are vastly enhanced.


    ---


    I stared at the screen, my mind struggling to comprehend what I was seeing. Level? Stats? This was like something straight out of one of the web novels I loved reading. But this wasn''t fiction. It was real. I could feel it in my bones. The strength, the energy, the Iridium¡ªwhatever that was¡ªit was all inside of me.


    "Stats?" I whispered to myself, still dazed. My voice sounded hollow in the quiet room.


    Strength, endurance, speed... These were metrics that would now govern my body. The skills were even more perplexing. Insight of the Observer? Boundless Ascension?


    I felt a rush of excitement, fear, and confusion all at once. These skills¡ªif they were what I thought they were¡ªmade me... special. Somewhere deep down, I couldn''t deny that the idea of being granted powers like a character in one of my novels thrilled me.


    But the question that kept hammering in my head was: Why me?

 Orientation

    Chapter - 05


    Sitting on the edge of the bed, I buried my face in my hands. "What great sin did I commit for the universe to throw me into this mess?" I muttered, my voice muffled by my palms. This had to be a cosmic joke, right? Maybe I''d pissed off some deity in a past life, and this was karmic payback.


    For what felt like the tenth time, I tried to wake up from this dream. "Okay, one last time. Maybe tenth time''s the charm," I said, bracing myself. Then, with all the strength I could muster, I pinched my arm, hard. I clenched my eyes shut, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªthat I''d wake up back in my bed. But no. Just like the nine other times before, nothing happened. My skin had turned red from all the pinching, but I was still here.


    I sighed heavily, forcing myself to stand. I started pacing the room, trying to calm my nerves, but every step only made my heart race faster. "Okay, Callum. No use denying it anymore. You''re stuck in a new world. That''s a fact." The words tasted strange in my mouth, but saying them out loud made it feel real. Too real.


    "Stats," I muttered under my breath, and once again, the status screen appeared before me, hanging in the air like a hologram.


    ---


    Callum Brown


    Age: 19


    Level: 1


    Stats:


    - Strength: 9


    - Endurance: 12


    - Speed: 7


    - Iridium: 16


    ---


    My eyes fell on the "Iridium" stat, and everything clicked. Of course. Iridium was the magical energy that fueled everything in this world. It was the very thing that defined a person''s potential here, their strength, their ability to grow and fight. I knew all of this because I''d read about it just before... before this.


    "Great," I groaned, rubbing my temples. This Earth... I already knew what it was. There was no doubt now. I had somehow been transported into the Earth of the fantasy novel I was reading. This wasn''t just some random alternate reality¡ªit was the exact world from that book. A world where gods had descended, monsters roamed the Celestial Gate, and people trained to become adventurers powerful enough to challenge the gods themselves. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice echoing through the room, as if being broadcast over a speaker system.


    "All first-year students, please make your way to Hallroom No. 4 for your orientation class." The announcement repeated two more times, each repetition sinking me further into the reality of the situation.


    "Orientation class?" I muttered, my mind racing. I wasn''t even sure what I should do next. Should I go? Stay here? Find a way out? I barely had time to think when another screen flashed in my vision, but this time, it was different.


    ---


    Dear Host,


    Please proceed to your orientation class


    From there, you will receive your Quests


    ---


    I blinked, staring at the new message in disbelief. Quests? What the hell was this? This wasn''t in the web novel. Sure, in the book, every student at the heavenly academies had a basic system interface that allowed them to see their stats, skills, and progression like I had just seen. But this? This was different. There was never any mention of the system talking to anyone, much less giving out personalized quests. Not even the protagonist of the story had something like this.


    In the novel, the system was a tool, something given by the gods to help students gauge their strength, level, and potential. It was a passive thing¡ªcompletely utilitarian. It didn''t talk to you, didn''t act like some personal assistant guiding you through the world. But now, apparently, mine did.


    I stood there, staring at the screen, feeling a deep sense of unease settle into my gut. If the system was different from the one in the novel, what else was different? Could I rely on anything I remembered from the story? Or was I on my own, figuring things out as I went?


    "Quests," I murmured under my breath, pacing again. In the book, there weren''t quests like this. Sure, students had goals¡ªmissions assigned by the gods or their instructors, tasks that would help them grow stronger. But the word quests made this feel like some kind of game. And that unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.


    Still, if this system¡ªwhatever it was¡ªwanted me to go to the orientation class, maybe I didn''t have much of a choice. If I stayed here, I''d just be sitting around, panicking in this tiny room with no answers. At least if I went, I might learn something. Maybe I''d even figure out a way to get back home. There had to be a way out, right?


    Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. "Alright, Callum. One step at a time." I glanced at the door, feeling a sense of dread building in my chest. Whatever awaited me beyond that door, it was my only option right now. I had to move forward.


    I approached the door, my hand hovering over the handle for a moment before I finally pushed it open. The hallway outside was lined with more doors just like mine, each presumably leading to similar dorm rooms. The medieval aesthetic was unmistakable¡ªjust like I''d read.


    There were other students in the hall too, all of them heading in the same direction. They looked just like the characters from the novel¡ªyoung, eager, dressed in simple tunics and trousers, some carrying backpacks slung over their shoulders. No one looked as confused as I felt, which only made me more anxious.


    I followed the crowd, my thoughts spinning wildly. The last thing I remembered before all this craziness was reading about a fantasy world¡ªthis fantasy world. But now I was living it. And the terrifying part? I had no idea what to expect next.


    With one last glance at the glowing screen in front of me, I muttered under my breath, "Quests, huh? Let''s just hope the first one isn''t something ridiculous."

 Hallroom No. 4

    Chapter - 06


    "Ugh, me and my big mouth," I groaned under my breath, thinking back to how I''d hoped my first quest wasn''t a ridiculous one.


    It hadn''t taken long to find Hallroom No. 4, especially since all I had to do was follow the flood of students leaving the dorms. We streamed through the stone hallways of the First-Year Dormitory, the sound of footsteps echoing around me. The corridors themselves were unique in design¡ªarched ceilings, stone columns, and thick wooden doors lining either side¡ªbut despite the medieval-type architecture, the place had a strange, almost ethereal cleanliness to it. There was no dust, no signs of decay, as if the building itself resisted the passage of time.


    Exiting the dormitory, I stepped into an open courtyard. It was massive, with a neatly manicured lawn, hedges trimmed into geometric shapes, and trees scattered in perfect symmetry. Groups of students strolled through it, some heading in the same direction as me, others lingering on the cobblestone paths to chat with friends. The sky was bright and clear, the air cool and fresh, but something about it all felt... too perfect. Too surreal. I could see more buildings rising around the courtyard, each one grander than the last, and in the distance, the towering structure that could only be the academy''s main building.


    ''Right... the academy.'' I remembered reading that these academies weren''t just buildings¡ªthey were sprawling complexes the size of entire cities, or even larger. They had everything within them: training grounds, classrooms, libraries, shops, even entertainment districts. In the novel, it was described as a place where a student could live their entire life without ever needing to step foot outside the academy grounds.


    But what caught my attention the most as I walked through the courtyard was how... advanced everything was. Despite the world being set in a medieval era¡ªcomplete with castles, swords, and ancient ruins¡ªthe academies themselves were like something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie. Magic and divine power ran through everything, making the impossible possible. There were no torches lighting the halls, but rather floating orbs of light suspended in the air. The stone pathways I walked on were impossibly smooth, like polished marble, and as I passed, I noticed translucent panels appearing in the air in front of students, who navigated them like they would a tablet or smartphone back on Earth.


    Everything was modern, efficient, and powered by forces far beyond my understanding.


    Finally, after passing through more courtyards and a few more grand hallways, I reached the main structure¡ªa massive, dome-like building made entirely of white marble and stone. The sheer size of it was intimidating, as if the gods themselves had carved it out of a mountain. The building towered over me, its smooth surface gleaming under the sunlight. It was a masterpiece of both architecture and divine craftsmanship, something that had no place existing in a world with swords and shields. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I entered through one of the many archways and found myself in front of a large door that opened up to a great hall, the kind that could easily host hundreds of people. Hallroom No. 4.


    Finding an empty seat in the backmost row, I slumped down and scanned the room. Students were trickling in, one after another. My estimate placed their numbers well over two hundred by the time most of the seats were filled. Despite the strange circumstances, I couldn''t help but feel like I was watching some kind of celebrity runway show as they walked in. Every single one of them was absurdly attractive.


    I tried to ignore the guys¡ªblonde, blue-eyed, flawless skin, looking like they''d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Most of them had soft, clear skin. ''Ugh,'' I thought, ''nothing to see there for me.'' I glanced down at my own appearance and couldn''t help but feel a bit self-conscious. I wasn''t ugly by any means, but compared to these people? I might as well have been scraping the bottom of the barrel.


    No, instead of focusing on the guys, my attention drifted to the girls entering the hall. Now they were something else. Each one looked like a supermodel¡ªwhite, flawless skin that seemed to shimmer under the light, their eyes captivating, no matter the color. Some had flowing locks of silver or gold, others had their hair tied up in elaborate styles. And their bodies¡ªfit, toned, and undeniably beautiful, every one of them. I wasn''t ashamed to admit that I found myself staring a little too long, maybe even drooling a bit.


    Sure, I''d never had a girlfriend in my previous life. That was more a result of my singular focus on earning money and securing a future before I let myself get distracted by romance. But I wasn''t immune to appreciating beauty. And these girls? They were on another level entirely.


    But then, my gaze fell on a particular girl, and I froze.


    She had striking blue hair, cascading down her petite frame like a waterfall. Her eyes were the same shade, a vibrant, electric blue that almost seemed to glow. She wasn''t tall, but her presence was magnetic. Everything about her¡ªfrom the way she carried herself to the way her slim, athletic figure moved¡ªoozed grace and power. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, but in a way that was sharp, like she could cut you down with a single glance.


    I recognized her immediately. She was one of the important characters in the novel, a central figure who would play a huge role in the story later on. Seeing her in person, though, was something else entirely.


    And next to her, walking with an air of complete confidence, was a young man that made my stomach sink. He had the kind of presence that made people take notice the moment he entered the room. His golden blonde hair perfectly styled in a way that seemed effortless. His green eyes were sharp, cold even, and his chiseled features were like they had been sculpted from marble. He wore a fitted academy uniform, and even through the fabric, I could see the outline of his muscular, athletic build. Power radiated from him, an aura of strength that even I could feel from the back of the room.


    This was him. The protagonist. The golden boy of the novel.


    ''Great.''


    And then, before I had a chance to process seeing him in the flesh, a screen flashed before my eyes.


    ---


    Dear Host,


    Please Note Your First Quest:


    - Defeat Tiberius Scipio in Class Combat Duel


    ---


    I stared at the words, dumbfounded. Tiberius Scipio? ''The'' Tiberius Scipio? The guy standing right there with his protagonist aura blazing around him?


    "Ugh, me and my big mouth," I groaned again, sinking lower in my seat.

 Tiberius Scipio

    Chapter - 07


    Dear Host,


    Please Note Your First Quest:


    - Defeat Tiberius Scipio in Class Combat Duel


    ---


    I stared at the message, dumbfounded. Of all the people the system could pit me against, it just had to be him¡ªTiberius Scipio, the golden boy of the academy and protagonist of the story. The only silver lining in this ridiculous quest was the absence of a time limit. At least I wouldn''t be forced to confront him immediately. Those kinds of time-sensitive death traps were the bane of every character in the stories I read. The ones where the system practically forced the protagonist into impossible scenarios and expected them to scrape by, usually by sheer dumb luck or divine intervention.


    But still, this quest was no joke. No deadline or not, defeating Tiberius was a monumental task. I had to be realistic¡ªthere was no way I could beat him anytime soon. He was the golden boy, after all, and even if we were both technically Level 1, I knew enough about the story to know that his stats were far beyond what any other first-year student could hope to achieve. He''d been born special, and not just in the way of good genetics or elite training, but in the way that made you realize the universe itself was bending over backward to make his life easier.


    How the hell am I supposed to defeat him?


    I racked my brain for a strategy, but everything came back to one glaring issue: stats. I remembered reading about Tiberius'' incredible strength, speed, and endurance in the novel. He was the prodigy, handpicked by fate to rise to the top of the academy. Even if I had a few tricks up my sleeve, I wasn''t delusional. I knew I needed to assess exactly what I was up against.


    Wait... don''t I have a skill for that?


    Quickly, I mentally pulled up my stats screen and scanned over my abilities.


    ---


    Skills:


    - Insight of the Observer: This ability grants the user the power to instantly assess the stats and abilities of any individual, as long as their level isn''t overwhelmingly superior.


    - Boundless Ascension: A passive ability that grants the user limitless potential for growth, allowing them to continuously evolve without reaching a cap. With this skill, the user levels up and grows at an accelerated rate. Their Iridium gain and skill development are vastly enhanced.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ---


    Yup, there it was¡ªInsight of the Observer. The perfect tool to figure out exactly where I stood against the protagonist. But as I read the description, a twinge of uncertainty crept in. "As long as their level isn''t overwhelmingly superior¡­" That part worried me. Tiberius might be the same level as me, but his power was on a completely different plane. Still, I had to try.


    Now came the tricky part¡ªfiguring out how to actually use the skill. The novel I read never went into the nitty-gritty details, but I figured I just needed to say the skill''s name, right? It seemed straightforward enough.


    Taking a deep breath, I whispered under my breath, "Insight of the Observer," keeping my voice low so no one around me could hear.


    My gaze locked onto Tiberius as I activated the skill. For a brief moment, everything seemed fine, but then an overwhelming pressure surged through my skull, and a sharp, stabbing pain hit me like a freight train.


    "Ugh!" I groaned, clutching my head as the pain intensified. It felt like my brain was being squeezed in a vice, my vision swimming as I struggled to stay upright. My hands pressed against my temples, trying to rub away the agony. I closed my eyes, hoping that would ease the pain.


    When I finally opened them again, a notification flickered into my vision.


    ---


    Massive Use of Iridium Detected


    Iridium: 6


    ---


    What? I thought, blinking through the haze. Did I just burn 10 points of Iridium?


    That was a huge chunk of my total. I only had 16 to begin with! But then I saw why the skill had drained so much energy. As my vision cleared, the stats of Tiberius Scipio finally came into view.


    ---


    Tiberius Scipio


    Age: 19


    Level: 1


    Stats:


    - Strength: 29


    - Endurance: 29


    - Speed: 29


    - Iridium: 140


    Skills: Unknown (Host level too low to access)


    ---


    I stared at the numbers in disbelief. No wonder the skill almost fried my brain.


    Tiberius was an absolute tank. He might be at Level 1 like me, but his stats were practically maxed out for his level. From what I remembered of the story''s mechanics, stats for each level had a cap, and Tiberius was sitting right at the edge of that cap with 29 in Strength, Endurance, and Speed. The ceiling for Level 1 was 30 points in each stat. Once you advanced to Level 2, you''re stats would hit 30. Similar happened when you reached 59, the cap for Level 2.


    But it wasn''t just that. His Iridium¡ª140¡ªwas staggeringly high. My pathetic 16 Iridium paled in comparison. That number alone told me he was brimming with magical energy, far beyond what a typical first-year student would possess.


    No wonder the guy was the story''s protagonist. Everything about him screamed ''chosen one.'' Even though we were both Level 1, I might as well have been an ant standing next to a giant.


    I let out a low sigh, rubbing my temples. "Great. Just great."


    Tiberius wasn''t just stronger¡ªhe was at the absolute peak of what a first-year student could be before fighting monsters. And that was the crux of the story''s progression. In this world, students didn''t level up just by training or doing mundane tasks. No, the only way to level up was to fight and kill monsters, absorbing their essence to increase your level and improve your stats.


    I glanced around the hall, watching the other students file in, oblivious to the existential crisis I was currently going through. They chatted amongst themselves, probably excited about the orientation and the classes to come. Meanwhile, I had been saddled with an impossible quest that required me to defeat the literal protagonist of the story.


    My heart sank further. I had only been in this world for a few hours, and already I was in deep over my head.

 Stare Away, Pretty Lady

    Chapter - 08


    Shaking my head, I brushed away the swirl of depressing and jealous thoughts about Tiberius. I had more important things to worry about than comparing myself to the golden boy of this world. Turning my focus away from him, I caught sight of the blue-haired girl sitting beside him in the front row. They exchanged a few words before taking their seats, her petite frame dwarfed by his imposing build. I debated whether I should use my skill again.


    "Not everyone''s going to be a monster like Tiberius," I muttered under my breath. My first attempt at using ''Insight of the Observer'' had nearly knocked me out with that splitting headache, but I had to know more about her. After all, she was one of the main characters in the novel too. Besides, I was pretty sure it wasn''t just the stats that had triggered the headache¡ªit was his untouchable aura and skills. I''d read about them before. I knew exactly what kind of beast Tiberius was. And just like I knew how terrifying he could become, I also knew the potential the blue-haired woman held. She would grow into a formidable adventurer. I just couldn''t remember her exact stats from the early parts of the story, and I needed to be sure now.


    I sighed, settling on another go. Curiosity was a dangerous thing, but here I was, diving headfirst into it again.


    "Insight of the Observer," I whispered, this time targeting her.


    ---


    Iridium Used


    Iridium: 3


    ---


    Huh, much less than the 10 points it had drained when I used it on Tiberius. My thoughts were cut off as the girl''s stats and abilities began to form in front of me.


    ---


    Marcia Gallus


    Age: 19


    Level: 1


    Stats:


    - Strength: 21


    - Endurance: 18


    - Speed: 25


    - Iridium: 78


    Skills:


    - Swift Step: Increases movement speed and agility, allowing her to outmaneuver opponents with ease. Perfect for quickly closing gaps or evading attacks.


    - Honed Perception: Sharpens her vision, allowing her to perceive details others might miss. Especially useful for spotting weaknesses in enemies or detecting traps.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ---


    "Wow¡­" I breathed out, impressed by what I saw. She wasn''t as overwhelmingly powerful, but her stats were still far above mine. That petite frame packed more strength than I could probably muster, and her speed¡ªwell, I might as well be standing still if she ever wanted to outrun or outfight me.


    But before I could digest all of that, Marcia''s head turned slowly, and in the next moment, her intense blue eyes locked onto mine. I froze. She must have sensed something was off, likely due to that ''Honed Perception'' of hers. Her gaze was sharp, focused, like a hawk that had just spotted its prey. It was unnerving.


    Marcia''s twirling blue irises, almost glowing in the dim light of the hall, fixed on me with unmistakable irritation.


    Okay, I was definitely busted. She could tell I was watching her, and it was more than just casual curiosity. It felt like she''d figured out that I''d used some sort of skill on her, and her expression wasn''t what I''d call friendly.


    But... young one, you''re dealing with the master of obstination. No scowl, no matter how sharp, has ever¡ªor will ever¡ªmake me uneasy or self-conscious. Stare all you like, young lady, stare away. I met her gaze head-on, unflinching, even letting a small smirk curl the corner of my mouth.


    To my amusement, she seemed momentarily thrown off by my reaction. Her frown deepened, her perfectly sculpted features tensing in what I could only assume was a mix of annoyance and confusion. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she turned back around, but not without shooting me one final sour look.


    I chuckled under my breath. Small victories, right?


    With that brief interaction over, I swept my gaze across the room, sizing up the crowd. I figured all the students had arrived by now. My eyes landed on several women, their distinct physical features immediately catching my attention. They were unmistakable¡ªthe female leads from the story I now found myself in.


    However, what I wasn''t ready for, was the woman that entered the room right then. The classroom''s lively chatter died in an instant, as though every student had been struck mute. All eyes shifted to the woman who entered the hall, her presence commanding every ounce of attention. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me.


    She was a goddess. There was no other way to describe her.


    Her radiant beauty was so overwhelming, so divine, that the very air around her seemed to shimmer. She was tall, towering over even the tallest students in the room, yet her figure was perfectly balanced between elegance and power. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back in waves of platinum blonde, each strand catching the light and reflecting it in dazzling patterns. Her skin was flawless, a pale, ivory tone that seemed to glow with an ethereal light, as if blessed by the heavens themselves.


    But it was her body that drew the most attention.


    She wore a pristine white chiton, a garment so delicate and thin that it clung to her figure in ways that left nothing to the imagination. The fabric draped across her shoulders and down her body, but barely¡ªjust barely¡ªmanaged to cover her curves. Her breasts were massive, so full and round that the chiton seemed to struggle to contain them, the fabric stretching tight across her chest, as if the slightest movement might tear it apart. The way the material dipped low in the front revealed an ample amount of cleavage, her skin soft and unblemished, like polished marble. Every step she took made her breasts sway gently, drawing every gaze in the room as if they were hypnotized by the motion.


    Her waist was narrow, but her hips flared out dramatically, giving her a curvaceous figure that was nothing short of perfection. Her chiton clung to the curve of her hips and thighs, and though it flowed loosely in parts, it still somehow managed to emphasize the fullness of her ass. Her ass was just as generous as her chest. It was almost impossible not to stare. Every man in the hallroom, and likely even the women, were captivated by the sheer physical perfection standing before them.


    Her face, though, was where her true beauty lay. Her eyes, a deep, stormy gray, held the sharpness of a warrior, yet there was wisdom in their depths. Her high cheekbones and perfectly sculpted jawline gave her an air of regal authority, while her lips were full, soft, and slightly parted.


    Her entire demeanor radiated both beauty and danger. There was something unmistakably fierce about her, as though beneath all that divine elegance lay the heart of a warrior, someone who could unleash unimaginable power with a mere thought.


    I knew exactly who she was.


    Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.