"You're ridiculous," she said, pocketing her phone after sending the money back. "Keep your money. Your horrible lies are payment enough."
She turned to leave but paused at the door.
"I heard that you're thinking about not attending the academy."
Marcus nodded. "Indeed."
Jasmine's expression hardened. "Well, you better attend. Otherwise, I will beat you up every day of the week."
"Is that supposed to motivate me to go?" Marcus asked.
"No," she replied with a dangerous smile. "It's supposed to make you realise that life at the Academy might actually be less painful than staying here with me."
She tapped the doorframe. "Besides, you've already made history. First male in thirty years. If you back out now, you'll just confirm what everyone already thinks about men."
"And what's that?"
"That you're all cowards who can't handle a challenge." Her eyes glinted. "Prove them wrong. Unless you really are afraid of a bunch of girls?"
Before Marcus could answer, she was gone.
He sighed, staring at the ceiling. Jasmine was right about one thing—backing out now would only confirm every stereotype in this world about males being weak and worthless.
The rest of the evening passed quietly. Unlike the day before, Marcus fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.
'What a tiring day.' He thought, as his mind drifted.
...
The next morning, a gentle knock roused him.
"Breakfast is ready, wake up!"
"Coming!" He called, stumbling to the bathroom to wash up.
Downstairs, Jasmine and Elara were already seated at the table. A simple spread of scrambled eggs, fresh bread, and fruit awaited him.
As they ate, Elara broached the topic again. "Marcus, you know you have to decide about enrollment today, right?"
Marcus nodded. The academy gave awakeners one day to consider their options before making a final decision.
"I've decided to enrol," he said firmly.
Jasmine's lips curled into a smirk, though she remained silent.
"I see." Elara nodded, her expression a mix of pride and concern.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "It won't be easy. The other students..."
"Will probably make my life hell," Marcus finished. "But I'm going anyway."
Jasmine smiled. "Maybe you're not completely spineless after all."
Coming from her, it was practically a declaration of respect.
After finishing breakfast, Marcus excused himself.
"I'm going to step out and get some air."
Elara nodded. "Be safe, and don't forget to register yourself as an awakener!"
Stepping out of the house, Marcus took a deep breath. The morning air felt refreshing and invigorating.
'It's been a long time since I went out... alone.' He thought.
In his previous life, he'd been a shut-in for obvious reasons. Five hundred pounds didn't exactly make for comfortable public outings.
"Let's see what this world has to offer," he muttered, exhaling slowly.
Before venturing out, he'd done some research on his phone—learning about transportation, key buildings, and shopping districts. The city layout wasn't too complex, with the Central Plaza serving as its heart.
As he walked, Marcus marvelled at how different everything felt in this new body. His legs didn't ache. His breathing remained steady. No sweat soaked his shirt after just a few minutes.
The neighbourhood was pristine, with elegant buildings, gardens blooming with flowers he'd never seen on Earth.
...
He approached a registration office—a building with "Awakener Services" displayed in glowing letters. Inside, a man sat behind a desk.
Seeing Marcus, the man behind the desk felt that the face looked familiar. Although he was unsure where from.
"Name and talent?" He asked, smiling.
"Marcus. Fire Mage."
His head snapped up from his screen. "The Marcus from yesterday's ceremony?"
"That's me," he replied awkwardly.
His demeanour became more polite instantly. "Right this way, sir. We've been expecting you."
He led him to a private room where another official waited with what looked like a high-tech tablet.
"We need to register your biometrics and talent signature," He explained. "Standard procedure for all new awakeners."
As they recorded his information, Marcus noticed the officials exchanging glances.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Not wrong, exactly," the second official replied. "Your mana signature is... unusual for a C-rank."
"Unusual how?"
"We don't know. You just seem to have a different mana signature than normal C-Rank awakeners."
Marcus remembered the system's reward, the F-rank Charm talent.
'Maybe it's because I have two talents, instead of one.' He thought.
"Is that bad?"
"Just uncommon." She handed him an identification card. "This marks you as a registered awakener. It provides certain privileges and responsibilities."
"Like what?"
"Access to training facilities. Discounts at supply stores. The right to defend yourself with your talent if threatened and much more."
"Thank you."
After leaving the building, Marcus made his way to the Weapons Hall. His system reward—a Grade 1 magical weapon—was already in his inventory, but he needed to know its market value.
The entrance opened to a breathtaking display—hundreds of weapons adorning walls and secured in glass cases.
Female attendants chatted near the counter, purposefully ignoring him.
Marcus shrugged it off and headed straight to the Grade 1 section. The prices made his eyebrows rise.
'Cheapest is 1000 stars, most expensive 1500. But my system sword feels... better somehow.'
"Hmph. Why are you acting like you can afford anything here? Stop wasting space and move."
Marcus turned, expecting to see some troll-faced woman matching her ugly attitude. Instead, he found himself facing a stunning beauty with piercing eyes and a scowl that could curdle milk.
'Pretty face, rotten personality,' he thought.
He stepped aside—not because she ordered it, but because he'd already finished his price check. The woman swept past, her male servant trailing behind with a lowered gaze.
"Marcus?"
He spun around to find Liana staring at him with wide eyes.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Just checking prices," he replied, nodding toward the weapons. "You?"
"Getting my mother a birthday gift." She tilted her head. "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking the place out,"
"I see, i heard you're coming to the Academy."
"News travels fast."
"Jasmine's been telling everyone." Liana smirked. "Though I can't tell if she's bragging or complaining."