I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

The sunlight outside the Awakening Hall was a bit too bright, so Li Wu squinted.

As they went further away, the world gradually quieted down.

But Zhao Tianyu's smug face and Li Qiuyue's words, "I need a man who can give me a future," still echoed in his mind.

future?

Li Wu clenched his fist!

More than a decade of friendship proved as fragile as a sheet of paper in the face of reality.

He didn't resent her choice, but was chilled by the decisiveness and speed of that choice.

It was as if everything between them was just a bargaining chip that she could discard at any time after weighing the pros and cons.

"I knew heartbreak was inevitable..."

A cell phone ringing interrupted his thoughts.

It was my younger sister, Li Xiaoyu, calling.

Li Wu took a deep breath and forced his voice to sound calm: "Hey, Xiaoyu."

"Brother! Have you finished awakening? How did it go? What's your profession?" On the other end of the phone, the younger sister's voice was full of urgency and anticipation.

Li Wu remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Claiming to have awakened a useless profession that everyone laughs at? Claiming to have just been dumped by their childhood sweetheart?

"Brother? Why aren't you saying anything?" The younger sister's voice carried a hint of worry.

"Awakened, a... archer-type class," Li Wu replied vaguely.

"That's great!" Li Xiaoyu, oblivious to the unease, continued, "Brother, Mom's not doing well today. The doctor said it's best to schedule surgery within a week, otherwise... otherwise..."

My sister's voice choked with emotion.

Li Wu's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

How much will the surgery cost?

"In the early stages... at least 500,000 is needed in the early stages."

Five hundred thousand.

This number felt like a mountain, instantly pressing down on Li Wu's shoulders.

He hung up the phone and stood blankly on the street.

The flame that had just been ignited by the "Soul of Devouring Fortune" talent seemed to be tottering precariously in the face of the raging winds of reality.

Even the most talented person needs time to grow.

But my mother's illness can't wait!

Money! He desperately needs money right now!

Just then, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.

The school's awakening subsidy!

According to the regulations of the New Century Education Bureau, all high school students who successfully awaken are eligible for an awakening subsidy.

Worth 500,000!

Five hundred thousand!

That's exactly what my mother's initial surgery fees were covered!

Li Wu's eyes lit up instantly, like a drowning person grasping at the last straw.

He took off running towards the school.

……

Xinshi No.1 Middle School, Academic Affairs Office.

"What? Awakening subsidy? You're not eligible."

A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and with his hair slicked back was lounging in his chair, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

He is Wang Hai, the director of the Academic Affairs Office.

Li Wu stood in front of the desk, his brows furrowed: "Director Wang, the school's announcement clearly states that all students who successfully awaken can apply for this subsidy."

Before he arrived, he specifically checked the school's official website, and the document with the bright red official seal was still displayed in the most conspicuous position.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Wang Hai then slowly sat up straight, pushed up his glasses, picked up a list from the table, and pretended to look at it for a few moments.

"Li Wu... Hmm, found him. Class: Arcane Archer."

As he uttered the name, a sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Li Wu, rules are rules, but people are flexible. This subsidy was originally established to encourage and cultivate geniuses."

Do you think... your profession deserves the title of "genius"?

Wang Hai's voice wasn't loud, but every word was full of insults.

Li Wu's face darkened: "Whether I'm worthy or not isn't up to you to decide. All I know is that I meet every single word of the requirements."

"Oh ho, quite the temper." Wang Hai slammed the list down on the table, his face darkening.

"Rules? Let me tell you what rules are! School resources are limited, and every penny must be spent wisely! Putting 500,000 dollars into a 'Cursed Archer' is a waste! Understand?"

He pointed at Li Wu's nose, spitting everywhere.

"I heard that Zhao Tianyu has awakened the warrior class, and his talent is an outstanding-level 'Intermediate Strength Enhancement'! He is the future of our school, a genius worthy of our utmost resources!"

"And you? Who do you think you are? A piece of trash who's not even good enough for an ordinary job, yet you dare to come here asking for a reward? Who gave you the nerve?"

It's Zhao Tianyu again!

Li Wu felt a surge of anger rush from his chest to the top of his head.

Humiliated at the Awakening Altar, betrayed by his childhood sweetheart, he has now returned to what should have been the most just school, only to be trampled underfoot by a snobbish person!

Is this world really that realistic?

Li Wu stared intently at Wang Hai's greasy face, her teeth grinding together.

"I'll say it again, I meet the requirements." Li Wu squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, each word trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Rules?" Wang Hai scoffed, leaning back in his large office chair, his hands clasped on his stomach, looking completely unconcerned.

"Li Wu, haven't you figured out the situation yet? In this era, only geniuses have the right to talk about the rules; good-for-nothings only deserve to be screened out."

He picked up the thermos on the table and slowly blew on it to cool it down.

"The school's resources are only given to people like Zhao Tianyu. After he enters the Origin Realm, he can easily join a large guild and donate millions, or even tens of millions, to his alma mater."

"And you? An arcane archer, can you even make it out of the starting village after entering the Origin Realm? What can you bring to the school? Trouble?"

"You talk to me about rules, I talk to you about value. You have no value, understand?"

It has no value.

These four words are heavier than all the previous insults combined.

It negates Li Wu's efforts over the past decade, negates all his struggles at this moment, and even negates his very existence as an awakened being.

Li Wu suddenly stopped being angry.

That soaring rage, in the face of extreme cold and despair, strangely subsided.

He slowly loosened his clenched fist, raised his head, and looked at Wang Hai with an unprecedented calm. It was a calm born of profound sorrow and despair, a calm that came from seeing the true nature of certain things.

"I see."

Li Wu's voice was somewhat hoarse, but exceptionally clear.

"Good to know." Wang Hai paused for a moment, leaned back in his chair, and waved his hand as if shooing away a fly. "If you understand, then hurry up and leave. Don't waste my time here."

"I don't want this money." Li Wu's tone even carried a hint of relief. "Let's save the school's resources for 'geniuses' like Zhao Tianyu. A 'good-for-nothing' like me doesn't deserve it."

He turned around and walked towards the door without hesitation.

The moment he grasped the doorknob, he stopped, didn't turn around, and left only his last words.

"However, please remember this day. One day, you will regret every word you have said."

After saying that, he opened the door and went out.

"Regret? What a joke!"

After realizing what was happening, Wang Hai slammed his fist on the table in anger, yelling at Li Wu's retreating back, "A piece of trash like you dares to threaten me? I'll wait and see! I'll see how you make me regret this! You ungrateful wretch!"

The office door was gently closed, shutting out the hysterical roar behind him.

The bright light in the corridor shone on Li Wu's face. He was expressionless and walked with unusually steady steps.

He felt neither anger nor sadness.

The Li Wu who used to believe that following the rules and studying hard would bring rewards is now dead in that small office.

In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves in this world.

His attribute panel clearly appeared in his mind.

[Talent: Soul of Destiny (Outstanding)]

[Effect: After killing or participating in the killing of any living being, you can absorb its dissipated life energy and convert it into your own Luck and Intelligence attributes.]

This is his real reliance!

This is the only chance he can seize to defy fate!

He needs more! He needs even greater power!

He wants to shut up all those who look down on him!

He wanted to cure his mother's illness and give her the best life!

He wanted to ensure his sister would never have to worry about money again!

The place where all of this can be done is in that world that is integrated with reality—"The Realm of Origin"!

Li Wu raised his head and looked towards the city center.

There, a massive, visible rift formed by distorted space, like a hideous scar, floated in mid-air.

That is the public portal to the Realm of Origin.

His eyes were sharper than ever before.

Just as Li Wu turned to leave the school, a clear, cold female voice rang out behind him.

"Wait a moment."

Li Wu turned around and saw a tall, beautiful girl standing quietly under the shade of a tree not far away.

is her?

Li Wu recognized the other person.

Hua Zitong, the undisputed school beauty of the entire grade, is someone he has almost no interaction with and who is unattainable.

What did she want from me?

"What's wrong?" Li Wu's tone was wary.

Hua Zitong slowly walked up to him, her clear and deep eyes scrutinizing him without any hesitation, finally settling on his chest.

There, the outline of the ancient jade pendant was faintly visible beneath the thin clothing.

Hua Zitong's breathing paused for a moment.

It really is it.

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she asked directly, "Li Wu, would you be willing to team up with me to enter the 'Realm of Origin'?"