The rain hammered down on the campus, a relentless downpour trapping Alex in the student lounge. The 20-year-old slumped in a creaky chair, his blue eyes dull against his pale skin, blond hair wet from an earlier dash through the storm.
He wasn't tall or short, just average—forgettable, as the world kept reminding him. Around him, students laughed,their voices cutting through the rain.
A guy nearby spoke into his phone, carefree. "Mom,any chance you could send some cash? I'm bringing my girlfriend home, and I don't wanna look cheap." The words stung, a reminder of everything Alex lacked.
He grabbed his bag and went to the ground floor. Sinking into a cold metal chair,he watched a girl lean into her boyfriend, her smile bright. "Let's go on a fancy dinner tonight," she said, her voice warm with promise."
Alex's chest tightened. Others had love, money, and futures. He had nothing but despair and debt.
At 20, he already felt old. Not in years — in spirit. His classmates went on dates, drove new cars, wore designer sneakers — things he only dreamed of.
He'd tried, once or twice, to talk to girls hoping one might see past his empty wallet,. But his secondhand shoes and government scholarship screamed louder than he ever could. They'd smile — then fade away when they learned the truth.
He didn't blame them. In this cruel, beautiful world,only the rich and powerful mattered. People like him—orphaned at twelve after a genetic disease claimed his family, tolerated as dead weight by his uncle—had no place.
His uncle didn't even give him a proper room — just the storage room, where the rain leaked in through the roof.
His life wasn't always like this. He was born into a wealthy family. From kindergarten through high school, he soared—surrounded by friends, riding in brand-new cars chauffeured by drivers.
He had loving parents and a little sister named Cassie who followed him everywhere.He had everything a boy could dream of.
But then it all came crashing down. His family was struck by a rare genetic disease, and every cent went into treatments and desperate attempts to save them. But no amount of money could stop what was coming.
In just a year, he lost everything—his family, his fortune, his status. A prince without a throne.He could still hear Cassie's giggle as they chased fireflies in their mansion's garden, her tiny hand in his.
Back then, he was —loved, secure, untouchable. Now, the memory was a knife, twisting deeper with every raindrop.
Life is unpredictable. One moment you're on top, the next you're left with nothing. Nothing is promised. Nothing lasts forever. And that fairy-tale ending? It doesn't exist.
Now, sometimes, he wondered whether he was fortunate or unfortunate for not inheriting the disease himself.
His best friend Juli approached, her dark hair bouncing. "Hey, Alex, you look as gloomy as this weather," she teased, sitting beside him.He let out a tired sigh.
"Juli… do you think I'll ever achieve something real in this life? Something great?"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Will I ever have a life worth living? A girl who actually sees me? Will I ever be rich and powerful enough to protect the people I love—like those conglomerates who seem untouchable?"
He stared up at the ceiling.
"Or am I just doomed to be a nobody by the time I'm thirty-five? Too old to dream. Too ordinary to matter."
He laughed, bitter and quiet.
"I need a miracle. This world—it's so damn boring. Same routine, every day. Study. Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. There's no spark left."
He clenched his fists.
"I want more. I want a challenge. I want adventure. If things keep going like this, I'll just die one day as some average guy who never did anything worth remembering."
Juli's smile faded. She pulled a wrapped sandwich from her bag, offering it. 'You haven't eaten, have you? Look, Alex… you don't need to chase everything. Someone out there gets you.' Alex stared at the sandwich, then shook his head. 'It's not about that, Juli. I want a life that matters.
Alex's voice was flat.
"I've got work to do. I'm out."
He didn't say it out loud, but deep down, he was sick of always being the weak one — the one who needed help, who couldn't protect the people he loved.
"See you tomorrow, dummy," Juli called, muttering under her breath, "Will you ever see me as more than a friend?"
The rain had slowed to a drizzle by the time Alex tapped his student ID at the campus gate. His sneakers slapped with every step as he made his way to the bus stop.
His heart felt heavier than the clouds above. Rain soaked through his shoes, but he barely noticed. At twenty, he'd already mastered the art of being invisible.
He stood silently under the gray sky. Then, without warning, the drizzle turned into a torrent. But Alex didn't flinch.
A thought crossed his mind—every major event in his life had happened in the rain.
The morning of his entrance exam. His family's funeral. Always the rain.
Maybe he was cursed.
Maybe he was the rain bringer.
Maybe, when his end came, it would rain then too.
Alex stood near the roadside shelter, waiting for the bus.
His mind wandered, eyes staring at nothing.He didn't notice how close his feet were to the edge of the sidewalk.
A delivery truck came fast around the bend—too fast for the wet road.
The driver turned sharply, trying to avoid a hole hidden under a puddle.
The last thing Alex saw were headlights cutting through the rain. Then—impact.
Darkness.
Darkness hit him hard, then a bright light flashed. He gasped, breathing in fresh air, his body lying on soft ground. Tall trees stood above him, their leaves glowing with colors —red, purple.
"Where am I?" he whispered, heart pounding.
"I… I was supposed to be dead. Did I make it? No… this isn't Earth. Is this… another world?"
Thirst burned his throat. After a long search, he found a waterfall, its icy water soothing as he drank.
A rustle caught his attention. A tall, pale man was picking flowers nearby. Alex approached, and the man startled. "Who are you? What're you doing this deep in the forest?"
Derek's hand hovered over his sword, eyes narrowing. 'You're no hunter. Court spy? Or just lost?' Alex raised his hands, heart racing. "I… woke up here and I… lost my memories.''Derek snorted and eased up a bit. "You're lucky you didn't run into a serpent."
"I'm Derek, from the Phoenix party of the Avalon Guild," the man said, eyeing Levi curiously. "I'm hunting beasts for training, but I found this rare healing flower. It'll sell well at the market. You don't look local. Come with me to the guild—a healer might help you. But listen,the guilds are just the foot soldiers. The real power lies with the Luminari Court—nobles who wield magic like it's their birthright. If you want to survive here, you'll need more than strength; you'll need magic, and lots of it."
Levi's eyes widened. A magical court? His heart raced—this world was bigger than he'd thought. As he glanced at the flower, a translucent window appeared:
As Alex glanced at the flower, a translucent window appeared before him:
[System Activated]
[Rare Medicinal Herb: Heals medium-level injuries instantly]
"Can I see my profile?" he thought. Another window popped up:
Status
Name: Levi Graves
Rank: ?
Class: ?
Race: Human
"So I'm Levi now," he whispered, excitement building up. Derek frowned. "What're you staring at?"
"Nothing," Levi said quickly, recalling fantasy novels where deep forests hide deadly monsters. "You're out here alone, so you must be strong. What's your rank?"
Derek smirked. "A-rank adventurer. This forest's beasts are no trouble for me. Other forests have worse monsters—even S-rank hunters avoid them. But this place? Easy pickings. I Forgot you lost your memories. Come on, I've got my flowers. Let's head to the city."
Levi followed, his mind racing. A new world, a new name, and a system. Maybe this was the miracle he'd prayed for.