"Young Master, it's seven o'clock."
Two light knocks came from outside the door.
Lu Fang opened his eyes.
He looked at the chandelier on the ceiling.
Made of crystal, it was large, and the morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a tiny glimmer on the crystal.
The mattress beneath him was soft, sinking in half his body, and the quilt was made of silk, smooth against his skin.
Lu Fang took a deep breath.
The air carried a faint scent of sandalwood incense.
He sat up and rubbed his hair.
Today was Monday.
It was also the most important day of his life.
The day to awaken his class.
Lu Fang threw off the quilt and set his feet on the carpet.
The carpet was also soft, pure wool, making no sound underfoot.
He walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window and pressed a switch on the wall.
The heavy curtains slowly drew apart.
Blinding sunlight flooded in.
Lu Fang squinted, adjusting for a moment.
Outside was a neatly trimmed lawn, a fountain in the distance, and beyond that, the view of Jiangcheng.
This was the Hillside Villa District.
Those who lived here were either wealthy or noble.
Jiangcheng had three Pillars, the strongest three guardians, and Lu Fang's parents held two of those positions.
Both were over level 400 powerhouses.
A height most people couldn't even dream of reaching.
Lu Fang looked down at his own hand.
His palm was fair, lines clear, without any calluses.
This was the hand of a wealthy young master.
"I must awaken a decent class."
"At the very least, I can't embarrass my parents."
Lu Fang thought to himself.
He turned and walked into the bathroom.
In the mirror was a young, handsome face, with a calm demeanor.
After washing up, he changed into his school uniform.
A white shirt, black trousers, the fabric crisp, the cut fitting.
Lu Fang adjusted his collar in the mirror.
He pushed the door open and went out.
The old butler stood at the door, dressed in a tailcoat, hair meticulously combed, though graying at the temples, he was in good spirits.
"Young Master, breakfast is ready."
After breakfast, Lu Fang walked to the villa entrance.
A black stretch limousine was parked there, its body polished to a mirror-like shine.
Beside the car stood a young man.
About the same height as Lu Fang, with slightly dark skin, his smile revealing a set of white teeth.
That was Jiang Xia, the old butler's son.
Also Lu Fang's childhood friend.
"Brother Fang!"
Jiang Xia grinned, opening the car door for Lu Fang.
The two sat in the back seat.
The car started, smoothly driving out of the villa district.
Inside the car was very quiet, the soundproofing excellent, blocking out the wind noise outside.
Jiang Xia shifted restlessly on the leather seat.
Lu Fang glanced at him.
"Nervous?"
"How can I not be, Brother Fang."
Jiang Xia grimaced, rubbing his hands on his knees.
"This is awakening, if I awaken a life class, like a cook or tailor, my life is over, I'll just have to go home and inherit my dad's mantle, become your butler."
Lu Fang chuckled.
"Being a butler isn't so bad, look at Uncle Jiang, he's respected."
"That's different."
Jiang Xia shook his head, his eyes filled with yearning.
"In this world, only combat classes are truly esteemed, I want to go to the Frontline, I want to kill the alien races, I want to level up and grow stronger, I also want to see what the view is like above level 100."
In this world, everyone could awaken a class.
Classes came in many types.
Combat, support, life.
All classes could gain experience and level up by killing monsters.
The higher the level, the stronger the power.
This was humanity's fundamental way to resist the alien invasion.
Lu Fang leaned back in his seat, watching the trees speed past outside the window.
"I also want to awaken a combat class."
Even though his family was powerful and influential, and his parents were top-tier powerhouses, even if he was a waste, he could live a life of luxury.
But who wouldn't want to wield power?
Especially in a world where such power was personal.
Only by being strong oneself is one truly strong.
Jiang Xia turned his head to look at Lu Fang.
In his eyes, Lu Fang was always so calm.
"Brother Fang, you'll definitely be fine."
Jiang Xia's tone was firm.
"Your father and mother are both level 400 big shots, the genes are there, I read in books that awakening is largely related to inheritance, you'll definitely awaken a hidden class, or a high-damage class."
"Anyway, you'll definitely be stronger than me."
Jiang Xia sighed, yet was full of hope.
"If I can awaken as a warrior, even a shield warrior, that would be enough, able to tank and fight."
The car drove steadily.
Before long, the gates of Jiangcheng No. 1 High School appeared in view.
This was the best high school in Jiangcheng.
To get in, one had to either have top grades or come from a prominent family.
Many luxury cars were already parked at the entrance.
Lu Fang and Jiang Xia got out of the car.
People came and went at the school gate, students in the same uniform walking in groups of twos and threes.
Everyone's face carried excitement and nervousness.
"Lu Fang!"
"Good morning, Young Master Lu!"
"Good morning, Senior Lu!"
As they walked, greetings came continuously.
Lu Fang wore a polite smile.
"Morning."
"Hello."
He responded to each, nodding in acknowledgment.
His steps didn't pause, yet he didn't seem perfunctory.
The two walked into the classroom of Class 2, Grade 3.
The classroom was already filled with many people, buzzing with noise.
Usually, people would chat about games or celebrities, but today there was only one topic.
Awakening.
Lu Fang had just reached his seat, not yet sitting down.
"Lu Fang!"
A voice called from behind.
The voice was loud, with a hint of provocation.
The classroom instantly quieted down.
Many turned to look.
The speaker was a tall boy, his hair slicked with oil, thick eyebrows, eyes wide open.
That was Wang Yixing.
Lu Fang turned to look at him.
Wang Yixing took a few steps to stand in front of Lu Fang, chin slightly raised.
"Today is the awakening day."
Wang Yixing stared into Lu Fang's eyes.
"In exams before, I was always a few points behind you, that was theory, rote memorization."
He snorted.
"But awakening is different, it depends on talent, on bloodline."
Wang Yixing's father was the third Pillar of Jiangcheng.
Also a level 400 powerhouse.
The two families were old acquaintances, and also competitors.
Wang Yixing had always liked to compete with Lu Fang.
Competing in grades, sports, who received more love letters.
Unfortunately, he never won.
Lu Fang looked at Wang Yixing's face, full of determination, and found it somewhat amusing.
"So what?"
Lu Fang's tone was calm.
"So, today I will definitely beat you."
Wang Yixing clenched his fist, raising his voice a few notches.
"I can feel it, the power within me is stirring, the class I awaken will definitely be stronger than yours."
Lu Fang pulled out his chair and sat down.
"Wang Yixing."
Lu Fang called his name.
"You've never won before."
Lu Fang paused.
"And you won't win in the future."
His tone was light, as if stating a fact.
Like the sun rising in the east, water flowing downhill.