An Ordinary Day

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Ethan Cole had always lived in the background. At sixteen, he was the embodiment of average, from his unremarkable brown hair and plain hazel eyes to his slight frame and perpetually nervous demeanor. At school, he was invisible—except to the bullies. Every day was a trial, with jeers, taunts, and sometimes even physical abuse from his classmates. His only solace was that the day would eventually end, and he could retreat to the quiet safety of his room.

It was a Friday afternoon, and Ethan was counting down the minutes until the last bell rang. Mr. Thompson's droning voice filled the room as he lectured about something historical—Ethan wasn't really paying attention. His focus was on staying unnoticed, praying he could get through the last few minutes without incident.

As the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day, Ethan quickly gathered his things. He had mastered the art of blending in, moving with quiet efficiency to avoid drawing attention. Just as he zipped up his backpack, a strange sensation washed over him. He looked up and noticed a faint glow emanating from the classroom floor.

"What's that?" someone exclaimed, pointing to the center of the room.

Ethan's heart raced as he watched the glow intensify, forming a radiant, intricate magic circle. The design was unlike anything he'd ever seen, pulsing with an otherworldly energy. Panic set in as the circle expanded, pulling everything toward its center.

Before anyone could react, the light exploded, enveloping Ethan and his classmates. The last thing he saw before everything went white was the terrified faces of his peers.

When Ethan opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a cold, stone floor. The air was different, filled with a scent he couldn't quite place—something earthy and ancient. As he sat up, he realized he was in a grand hall, illuminated by ethereal light. High, arched windows lined the walls, and the ceiling was lost in shadows, too high to see clearly.

His classmates were there too, looking around in bewilderment. The bullies who had tormented him were huddled together, their bravado replaced with confusion and fear. They were surrounded by towering figures clad in ornate robes, their faces obscured by deep hoods.

"Welcome, heroes, to the kingdom of Astralon," one of the figures announced. His voice was deep and resonant, echoing through the hall. "You have been summoned to save our world from the impending darkness."

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. Could this really be happening? It felt like a scene straight out of one of the fantasy novels he loved. His classmates, however, seemed to be reacting with a mix of excitement and disbelief. Some were already discussing their potential powers and abilities, eager to embrace their new roles.

An elderly mage stepped forward, holding a glowing crystal. His long, silver beard flowed down to his chest, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of wisdom and curiosity.

"Please, step forward one by one to receive your blessings and assess your stats," he instructed.

Ethan watched nervously as his classmates approached the crystal. Each was enveloped in light, and their stats were displayed in the air for all to see. Strength, agility, intelligence—all far beyond anything imaginable in their old world. The reactions ranged from gasps of amazement to outright cheers.

Finally, it was Ethan's turn. He swallowed hard, his mouth dry with fear. As he stepped forward, the mage gave him a reassuring nod. The crystal glowed faintly as Ethan placed his hand on it, and a holographic display appeared.

"Strength: 1, Agility: 1, Intelligence: 1... All stats, 1?" The mage looked puzzled. "This can't be right."

Ethan's heart sank. His classmates snickered, and some outright laughed.

"Even in another world, you're still a loser, Ethan," one jeered.

The mage frowned. "I'm sorry, but with stats this low, you're not fit to be a hero. You are hereby dismissed from your duties."

Ethan felt a crushing weight in his chest as the guards approached, their expressions indifferent. They took him by the arms and led him out of the grand hall, his classmates' laughter ringing in his ears. He was cast out into the unknown, left to fend for himself in a world that had deemed him worthless.

As he stumbled through the unfamiliar streets of Astralon, tears blurred his vision. He had always been weak, always been the outcast, but this was a new level of rejection. Alone and scared, he found himself in a quiet alley, slumping down against a wall. His mind raced with thoughts of what he could possibly do now. He had no skills, no strength, and no allies.

Unbeknownst to Ethan, as he sat there in despair, a faint glow emanated from his chest. It was his hidden buff—9999x Exp—activating quietly, preparing to change his fate in ways he could never imagine.

As night fell, Ethan heard footsteps approaching. A woman with long silver hair and kind eyes stood before him, her presence calming and serene.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Ethan looked up, barely able to muster a response. "I... I don't know what to do."

The woman smiled gently. "My name is Lila Everhart. Come with me. I believe I can help you."

Current Status:Name: Ethan ColeLevel: 1Strength: 1Agility: 1Intelligence: 1Hidden Buff: 9999x Exp

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