MTL - To Raise a Soul - ~ 19. Lord Ichino

Throughout history, Humans have strived for greatness, not only in name but in deeds as well, and many failed to achieve it. It was no different in a Land of Dragons, Mythical beings, Knights, Mages, Demi-humans, and demonic beings. But their greatness came in a different form, a concept known as POWER. The power to conquer, to build, to control, to protect, and to love. Raffaelo Jun was a man born with a silver spoon, yet his sheltered upbringing prevented him from becoming the man he was meant to be. He was unable to achieve the greatness of the prestigious family of the Jun household and became a sight of ridicule. He was used for a while until he wasn’t, then discarded and killed for being a threat to the throne, but Fate had other plans. Reborn as a child, he starts over as the sole son of the Jun household, his actions brimming with intent. He had one goal: attain the power that he once ignored and stand on the precipice of human existence, to protect all that are dear to him. Note: It starts slowly until recent chapters. Interesting side characters, power systems, techniques, and a mixture of variety with the right blend. If you enjoy this work, give me your support, with votes, comments, and reviews :> Check out my new work; WELCOME TO GAMETOPIA!

Everything was going on well until the night before her wedding, Lin Shuyin’s fairytale life suddenly crumbled from her fiancé's call, dragging her to reality...Her fiancé abandons her for her stepsister, her father and stepmother escape, abandoning her to fend off the reporters and media, and by morning, she’s framed for her grandmother’s murder. Thrown into a cruel underground prison, she dies beaten and broken.But death is only the beginning.An ancient soul awakens within her, a woman who spent a century trapped in a lab, experimented on, and injected with beast blood. When her soul awakens, the weak and naive Shuyin is gone. In her place rises someone colder, sharper… unstoppable.Then comes Lu Yuze, her ex-fiancé’s uncle, a man wrapped in secrets and power. He saves her from the abyss, but not for free. His price? Her blood, and her bone marrow… to save his dying daughter. The only thing Lu Shuyin wanted was revenge, and asked for a contract marriage, and money, these were the most important things to survive out there...In a world where betrayal runs deep, love becomes the most dangerous experiment of all.She’s no longer the victim.She’s the revenge they never saw coming.

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]