"Lin Xia awakened a B-rank... No, something's wrong with the machine! Zhang Peng is the one who got the B-rank Card!"
The teacher's announcement on the school field sent the crowd into an uproar!
"That's impossible!"
Standing beside the machine, Lin Xia was breathing hard. He yanked his left hand out of the device and pointed at Zhang Peng, who stood behind him with a smug look on his face:
"Zhang Peng was waiting in line behind me. He never even touched the machine! I'm the one who awakened the Card!"
"Heh. Do you think anyone would believe you?"
Zhang Peng shoved Lin Xia's hand aside and stepped up beside the teacher, sneering. "With this B-rank Card, I'll have the support of the corporation's shareholders and become the heir without a hitch!"
"Lin Xia, raising a B-rank Card takes a lot of money. You have no parents. Even if you got the Card, it wouldn't change your life."
The teacher's face was cold, his tone a mix of mockery and threat. "Why not do Zhang Peng a favor and let him arrange a comfortable job for you?"
"Heh. The Zhang Corporation has never hired lowly poor people."
Zhang Peng jabbed at the student ID on Lin Xia's chest, which read [Poor Student]. He managed to force a smile onto his disdainful face. "But if you get down on your knees and beg me, and publicly admit that I'm the one who awakened the Card... then maybe I'll give you a job as a cleaner!"
"You stole my Card, and now you want me to kneel and beg you for a handout..."
Lin Xia's knuckles turned white from how tightly he clenched his fists, and the veins bulging on his forehead were plain to see!
Eighteen years ago, he had accidentally transmigrated into this game-like world.
He had thought he'd get to live a life with cheat-like powers, just like the protagonists in web novels.
But who could have guessed that not only would he fail to awaken a golden finger, but life here would be worse than before!
In his previous life, at least he had been part of a middle-class family that never had to worry about food or clothes.
But after coming here, he'd become an orphan!
Without the government's poverty allowance, he didn't know how he would've made it to adulthood!
At last, the coming-of-age Awakening Ceremony he had long yearned for, hoping it would change his fate, had arrived.
He had even awakened a high-rank Card, surpassed only by SSR, S, and A-rank Cards.
But before he could even celebrate, he'd run into a "robber" in broad daylight!
"What? You're not willing?"
Zhang Peng was losing patience. "Then don't blame me for not giving you a cha—"
"I'd rather give you your mom!"
Lin Xia swung his fist and smashed it into Zhang Peng's face.
Then he charged toward the [Fusion Gate] behind the machine.
Awakening a Card didn't mean you could claim it.
You had to fuse with it!
Lin Xia knew there was no reasoning with the two men in front of him. He had to fuse with the Card first!
If he lost this chance, his life would be completely hopeless!
But just as Lin Xia was about to touch the machine, the sound of plants rapidly growing filled the air.
Vines appeared out of nowhere and tightly bound his body!
"This is a school! In broad daylight, does nobody care about the law?"
As he struggled with all his might, Lin Xia looked at the only person there who could have this kind of power: the teacher. "What did I ever do to you? Why are you ruining my life?"
"That's simply how the world works. Little people will always be tools for those at the top. Consider this lesson your teacher's coming-of-age gift to you."
After saying this quietly, the teacher turned with a stern expression toward the throng on the school field. "Lin Xia assaulted a fellow student in public and attempted to seize the right to awaken. I hereby announce that he is expelled and permanently removed from the Awakening list!"
The crowd erupted in shock!
The students knew that getting expelled would make it extremely difficult for Lin Xia to find a job in the future!
According to the rules, everyone could take part in the Awakening Ceremony repeatedly between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four, until they either succeeded or lost their chance for good.
But being permanently removed from the Awakening list meant that Lin Xia's path to becoming an Awakener was completely sealed off!
"Heh."
As Lin Xia looked at the crowd below, he saw that not a single person was willing to stand up and clear his name.
His heart died completely.
What was the difference between him and an ant in the face of power?
"You actually dared to hit me?"
Clutching his face, Zhang Peng walked up to Lin Xia, his expression twisted. "I'm going to fuse with the Card you awakened right in front of you and let you experience what it's like to be powerless!"
"And that's not all!" Still unsatisfied, Zhang Peng gritted his teeth and turned to the teacher. "After I finish fusing, I want to duel Lin Xia!"
His words sent the crowd into an uproar once more!
Fighting on school grounds had always been forbidden!
And Zhang Peng wanted to fight an ordinary person as an Awakener?
Wasn't he obviously trying to kill him?!
Surely the teacher wouldn't agree?
"Approved!"
The teacher's words rang out clearly, plunging the entire field into silence.
"You're dead!"
Smugness and fury mingled on Zhang Peng's face. He glared viciously at Lin Xia, then walked into the Fusion Gate.
The next moment, the machine rumbled. Waves of purple and red energy flashed and shifted around it.
"As expected of a B-rank Card. The energy released during fusion is astonishing!"
The teacher smiled with satisfaction. Looking at Lin Xia, who had long since stopped struggling, he wore a look of triumph.
At that moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on the machine.
Only Lin Xia kept his head down, his face full of bitterness and helplessness. "I survived for eighteen years, and before I could turn my life around, it's already over..."
[ DING! ]
[ The host's opportunity has been stolen. System binding in progress! ]
[ Binding successful! ]
[ Beginner's Gift Pack acquired! ]
[ Open it? ]
"System?!"
Hearing the mechanical voice in his ear, Lin Xia was stunned.
When it sank in, he almost burst into tears.
Eighteen years—6,570 whole days... Do you have any idea what I've been through?!
Did he even need to think twice about opening a beginner's gift pack?
Open!
The moment Lin Xia gave the command, the system's voice rang out again.
[ Gift Pack opened successfully! ]
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained a Saiyan Bloodline Awakening Card! (SSR) ]
[ Beginner Mission: Fight an Awakener for the first time and win. (Killing your opponent will count as a victory.) ]
[ Mission Reward: Dragon Ball Universe All Characters Encyclopedia! ]
Note: The Saiyan Bloodline Awakening Card is unique and exclusive. Only the host can use it!
"Saiyan bloodline...!"
Lin Xia was truly stunned.
He knew that in this world, the anime Dragon Ball didn't exist!
And the Saiyan concept was unbelievably powerful!
They could crush the skies, the earth, and everything in their path!
"I lost a B-rank Card, but gained the highest-rank SSR Card?!"
The sudden reversal of his fortunes made Lin Xia want to shout, The system is awesome!
"Dragon Ball Universe All Characters Encyclopedia?"
"Kakarot, Broly, God of Destruction..."
"Doesn't that mean my future lineup will be packed with the most powerful monsters?"
Lin Xia could already imagine how overwhelmingly powerful his lineup would be once it was complete!
As for the system's mission, it was practically tailor-made for what he wanted right now!
Zhang Peng wanted to duel me, didn't he?
Then I'd give him what he wanted!!
[ Use the Awakening Card now? ]
The system's voice rang out.
"Use it!"
Lin Xia's brow relaxed.
The next moment, the sky and earth changed color!
The sky, which had been clear moments ago, was suddenly filled with thunder and lightning!
The students were astonished to see countless golden particles appear in front of Lin Xia, slowly gathering together.
"Th-this is...?!"
The teacher watched the golden particles slowly coalesce into the shape of a Card, swallowing repeatedly.
"Whoosh~~"
The golden particles finished gathering.
The dark clouds scattered, and the clear sky returned.
A dazzling golden Card floated in front of Lin Xia!
But that wasn't all!
The golden Card turned into a beam of light and surged into Lin Xia's body!
[ Saiyan bloodline awakening successful! ]
[ Awakener: Lin Xia (LV1) ]
[ OVR (Overall Rating): 82 ]
[ Physical Damage: 82 ]
[ Energy Damage: 82 ]
[ Physical Defense: 82 ]
[ Energy Defense: 82 ]
[ Speed: 82 ]
[ Skills: Unlock after completing the beginner mission! ]
"My stats are so balanced... I don't have any weaknesses at all!"
Lin Xia looked at the panel before him. His face remained expressionless, but inside, he was overjoyed!
"Oh my god! Did Lin Xia just... awaken?!"
"And without going through the Awakening Ceremony..."
"The sky changed just now. What rank was Lin Xia's awakening?!"
The crowd erupted, their discussions coming in wave after wave!
The teacher on the platform had lost all his earlier arrogance. In its place was shock!
Utter shock!
In all his years, he'd never seen anything like this. How could he not be shocked?
"Rumble!"
Just then, the machine rumbled, and its hatch slowly opened.
"Phew~!"
Zhang Peng exhaled, rolled his neck, and swaggered out with a smug look.
But when he came out, he didn't see the scene he'd expected.
Instead, everything was quiet!
No one was looking at him!
Every gaze was fixed on Lin Xia!
He didn't know what had happened, and assumed everyone was feeling sorry for Lin Xia.
So, eager to indulge his vanity and become the center of attention, Zhang Peng walked up to Lin Xia with a disdainful look and deliberately raised his voice:
"I awakened as Autef, the Double-Axe Warrior!
My starting OVR is 68!
And by the way, I want to duel you!"
After speaking, Zhang Peng transformed into a two-meter-tall monster wielding a giant axe!
Lin Xia showed no fear or surprise at all!
There was even a trace of mockery at the corner of his mouth.
"Funny. I was just thinking the same thing."
Lin Xia said coldly.
Before you continue