The terrifying Origin World, where five Origin paths existed!
"Place your hand on the marble and awaken your Origin Path," the instructor said once again, seeing that Matthew was lost in a daze.
"What?" Matthew blinked in confusion, then slowly, still dazed, stretched out his hand and placed it on the pale, glowing marble before him.
The marble shimmered with a silvery light, then dimmed. A series of glowing words appeared in the sky.
[Ability Awakener Origin Path]
[Ability: Origin Path]
[Allows the wielder to embark on an Origin Path]
As soon as the information was displayed, Matthew was stunned; he turned to look at the information once again just to confirm he wasn't seeing things. Shit! I really awakened a trash ability… in my own novel?
His mind boiled with frustration at the thought of this.
Turning to the fourth wall, he began narrating in a mysterious tone.
In my novel, cultivators awaken Origin Paths. There are five main Origin Paths—the Summoning Origin Path, the Elemental Origin Path, the Sleepers Origin Path, the Ability Awakeners Origin Path, and finally, the Origin Path of Potion Masters.
Each path had its own unique method of advancement and terrifying abilities. However, why the hell would I awaken a trash ability called… Origin Path itself?
"What kind of ability is that?" a loud voice cut through Matthew's inner monologue.
It came from a young man with pale brown hair, dressed in silver robes—the uniform of the Potion Origin Path students from the Origin Path Academy.
He recognized him immediately. After all, he created him.
Grati.
A minor antagonist in the novel. One of the types who loved picking on others.
A lackey beside Grati chimed in mockingly, "Isn't ability awakening already an Origin Path? Why would you awaken an Origin Path on top of that?"
The other students were equally confused and turned to stare at Matthew, waiting for his explanation.
The instructor nudged him from the side. "Communicate with your ability and tell us what it can do."
To use one's ability, one only needed to sense their Origin energy and will it forth. Matthew nodded, then closed his eyes to focus on sensing his Origin.
Within his consciousness, he saw a strange, ethereal light, which looked multicolored and formless. The light of the Origin Path.
He willed it forward.
But… nothing happened. It seemed to have no effect.
Matthew's expression changed drastically. Don't tell me I'm basically… abilityless?
He was the one who created the world, so he knew what kind of terrifying entities lurked within it. Willing his ability once more, Matthew noticed that, still, nothing happened.
The instructor frowned. It was the first time she had witnessed an awakening like this.
"Another trash… just like that Leo!" Grati sneered, then threw a glance at a calm-looking boy seated quietly nearby. He didn't seem concerned about the awakening ceremony.
Matthew followed his gaze.
That calm boy, unbothered by the ceremony… that was Leo.
The protagonist of the novel.
And from that expression alone, Matthew could tell… Leo had awakened his system.
"Leave." The instructor's voice was cold, her words like a slap to Matthew's pride. His face shifted slightly, but he said nothing.
Hmph. I created you, and you still dare to act this way? He sneered inwardly but obeyed silently, walking off the platform and taking an empty seat.
Why can't I recall anything…? As soon as he sat down, Matthew suddenly realized he couldn't remember anything about his past life in this world. It was as if the character had never existed until this moment.
Can this be considered altering the plot slightly? Matthew mused. He hadn't created any ability called "Origin Path." The changes were happening faster than expected. The plot of his novel was already twisting beyond his control.
"An Elemental Origin Path!" A shout echoed across the hall, pulling Matthew's attention back to the awakening platform.
A young man who looked slightly thin had his hand placed on the awakening stone. The information about his Origin Path was displayed midair along with his awakened element—lightning.
Lightning was a rare element so it was understandable why someone from the crowd had screamed so loudly. The ceremony passed quietly, and soon it was over. After everything concluded, Matthew stood up from his seat and walked slowly to the dormitories.
He purposefully moved at a slower pace, trying to figure out where the male dormitory was. He also wanted to see if he had any friends from before transmigration so he could casually ask where his room was.
But as he walked, a frown formed on his face.
Do I really have no friends? He was slightly puzzled. Fortunately, just then, someone lightly punched his shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Origin Path? Really? I thought you said you were going to awaken a special ability—or at least become a summoner?"
Matthew turned to see a young man dressed casually. He had a carefree air, dark blond hair, and a teasing smirk that suggested he didn't take life too seriously.
"You are…?" Matthew asked, mildly curious. He could tell the guy wasn't being hostile.
The young man stared at him, stunned. "You forgot who I am that fast? Did your ability mess with your memory?"
He laughed, though he was half-serious. After all, they had been friends since childhood.
"Sorry. My memory's been failing me lately," Matthew replied with a calm smile, not minding the joke.
The young man narrowed his eyes, the air turning briefly tense—until he chuckled and said, "The name's Axel. Axel Devon. Don't forget it next time."
However, as Matthew heard the name Axel, everything else Axel said blurred.
There was only one Axel in the Origin Academy.
Only one Axel in the entire novel.
A rare, one-of-a-kind character.
He was a rare character who died a few hundred chapters later after being plotted against.
Because he was one of the few to awaken… two Origin Paths.