Chapter 3 Waiting Room

Arriving in the Otherworld, Aiden looked around with curiosity, realizing that he wasn't alone. There were four others with him, including Aiden, and they all seemed equally intrigued by their new surroundings.

They were in a white room, with nothing inside of it. It kinda looked like a waiting room where you can rest in between levels.

Suddenly, a message from the same system that had sent him here appeared.

[The first trial will start in five minutes. Take this time to get to know your teammates.]

As Aiden began to introduce himself to the group, but immediately after doing so, he was interrupted by a strikingly beautiful girl. Her presence commanded everyone's attention, and Aiden couldn't help but be captivated by her grace and allure. She was truly perfect, she was beautiful, Aiden hadn't seen anyone who looked as great as her.

"Is this anyone's first trial?" she asked, giggling at the reactions she received.

Each member confirmed that it was indeed their first time, including the girl herself. Aiden, however, had a question since he was confused about what she had just asked.

"We can attempt the trials multiple times?" asked Aiden, who was confused because he thought you could only do it one time.

"Well, yes, but there are some consequences for those who fail over and over again," answered a small man who resembled a dwarf, sporting impressive armor compared to the others.

Aiden found it peculiar that only the dwarf had such equipment, but he didn't dwell on it for long. He wanted to understand the potential consequences of the trials.

"What kind of consequences are we talking about?" Aiden asked, genuinely curious.

"If you continue to die repeatedly, you'll lose stats. And if you lose all of them, you'll forfeit your awakening powers. However, the first trial allows for a free attempt without consequences, designed for newcomers like us who are still unfamiliar with the Otherworld," explained the dwarf.

"I see, and sorry if I'm asking too many questions, but could someone tell me what is the trial that we would be doing?" Aiden inquired, eager to gain some insight.

"That's the tricky part. We don't know the specifics until we're summoned. However, the first trial is typically one of the easiest, meant to test the potential of the Awakened. Those who fail it usually don't possess much promise in this world, on the other hand, the ones who excel in the first trial sometimes become famous in the real world." the dwarf replied.

Interrupting their conversation, the girl spoke up, reminding them of the limited time they had left and suggesting introductions along with their respective classes.

"I'll start. I'm Ava, an enchantress. I have the ability to cast spells on monsters and impair their senses," she introduced herself with confidence.

Aiden couldn't help but notice how everyone's attention seemed to gravitate toward Ava whenever she spoke. Her enchanting presence was undeniable.

"I'm Gus, a shieldbearer," the dwarf introduced himself, pointing to his formidable armor.

The third member, who had been rather quiet until now, finally spoke up. "I'm Michael, an assassin," he said in a mysterious tone, dressed entirely in black and sporting a visible scar on his face. He had some sort of menacing aura coming off of him which could probably affect some but it was not the case for Aiden.

Now, it was Aiden's turn to introduce himself. However, he realized that he had no class to share, a fact that surprised him. He had assumed that everyone awakened with a class, given their unique abilities. Shouldn't he be an assassin, considering his past life?

Feeling compelled to speak up and not wanting to raise suspicions, Aiden informed his teammates about his lack of a class, hoping they might shed some light on the matter.

"I'm Aiden, and... I have no class.  Is that normal?" he confessed.

The group was taken aback, clearly puzzled by Aiden's revelation. It seemed unheard of not to have a class in this world. They exchanged bewildered glances, aware that awakening was usually accompanied by a class and a starting skill.

"Did you receive a starting skill at least?" the dwarf inquired, trying to make sense of the situation.

Aiden contemplated whether to divulge the skills from his past life that had appeared in his system. However, he decided against it, expecting that his teammates would not believe him or find it irrelevant.

"No, I didn't receive anything," Aiden responded honestly, still unsure why his lack of a class and starting skill was causing such a reaction.

As Aiden's words sank in, his teammates looked at him with a mix of surprise and concern.

"Then, aren't you useless? You don't even have a skill, and judging by your physique, your starting stats are probably weak," Ava remarked, her attitude shifting completely as she assessed him.

The dwarf and the assassin seemed to agree with her assessment, their expressions reflecting doubt and disappointment.

Aiden understood their reaction but was still mad at them for changing their attitude so quickly. He knew he wasn't any weaker than his companions. In fact, his past life experiences had granted him a level of strength and resourcefulness that they couldn't even comprehend.

Before Aiden could respond, Ava continued, "I think we should leave him behind when we enter the trial. He probably won't be of much help."

James and Gus blindly supported Ava's decision without even questioning her as if they were under her control. It was clear to Aiden that they were under her influence, oblivious to the change in her attitude.

As the first trial was about to commence in a matter of seconds, Aiden silently resolved that he would prove himself, even if he had to face it alone. He had always found a way to overcome challenges, and this would be no different.

'I can't wait to see what the first trial holds, even if I have to face it on my own. I'll find a way, just as I always have,' Aiden thought determinedly, reminded of his past memories.

Nervousness started to fill the air as the group realized that their first trial was about to begin. The outcome of this trial could significantly impact their standing in the real world.

[You are being summoned to the first trial.]

As they disappeared, Aiden held onto his conviction, ready to prove himself and unveil his true potential, regardless of the doubts cast upon him.