The Cheat Seed

Chapter 1

"Marcus...Marcus! Wake up!"

His mother's voice cut through his dreams, calling from the kitchen downstairs.

Marcus rolled over in bed, eyes reluctantly opening to the morning light. He reached for his glasses on the nightstand, fumbling as his fingers found them.

"What time is it?"

The alarm clock beside him showed 8:00 AM. His eyes widened as realization hit—only thirty minutes until his Awakening Test.

"The alarm didn't ring as usual, goddammit!"

It had, of course. Three times. He'd slept through each one.

Marcus bolted to the bathroom and freshened up in under a minute. His damp red hair hung loosely across his forehead as he rushed to his wardrobe. His short 150cm frame moved with surprising speed as he yanked on underwear, a parka, and denim jeans.

He thundered down the stairs, ignoring his mother's second call.

"I'm going! Bye Mom, bye Dad!"

"Wait, Marcus! You didn't have your breakfast yet!"

"It's okay Mom! I'll share with Dave."

Marcus rushed to his father, who sat reading the newspaper in the living room.

"My hair's wet."

Albert smiled, heating his hand with a simple application of his mage abilities. He ran his palm over Marcus's head, instantly vaporizing the moisture.

"Thank you!"

The door slammed behind him as Marcus sprinted toward Krozon Inter Academy. His mind raced faster than his feet.

*I've endured millions of slaps and beatings, endured everything in my life. Today it ends. I'll awaken a Legendary seed and show them who's boss!*

At the academy gates, he stopped to catch his breath. A familiar voice came from behind.

"Dumbo, you late too?"

Dave scuffled up behind him, wheezing hard. His yellow spiky hair was damp with sweat. He slicked it back and spat phlegm onto the ground.

Despite being athletic and towering over Marcus at 173cm, Dave looked exhausted. The distance from his home in the southern farming district to the academy in the city center was considerable—the price of having Peasant Seed parents.

"Damn, you got old quick, Dave."

"Shut up, you frickin' four-eyed lizard."

They both laughed as they caught their breath. After a minute, they started walking toward the academy, now with time to spare.

Krozon Academy stood as the largest on the continent, possibly the world. Marcus had only gained admission because his father served as one of the king's mages. Both his parents possessed Unique Seeds and Dominator Soul levels, though his mother had abandoned her career to raise him. His father had never hidden his displeasure at that sacrifice. Today was Marcus's chance to prove her choice worthwhile.

The bell rang, and students filed into their assigned classes. Marcus and Dave headed for Class B.

Marcus couldn't help remembering the countless times they'd been dragged to some corner and beaten by the king's second son and his cronies. With the school funded by the king himself, complaining was pointless. All they could do was endure.

"Hey, Marcus... Yo, Marcus!"

Dave slapped him behind the ear and pulled him close.

"There she is...your soulmate." He pointed toward the door with a chuckle.

A beauty leaned against the doorframe, chatting with friends. Violet streaks ran through her blue straightened hair. Her bright eyes were a mix of sky blue and violet. Alisha wore a black camisole and denim jeans that highlighted her perfect figure.

She's an angel.

Red streaked across Marcus's cheeks as he watched her laugh.

Alisha Eleanor. The most beautiful girl in the academy—Marcus's crush, along with a thousand other boys. Dave slapped him again, breaking his trance.

"This is your last day here. What do you think? Wanna give it a try?"

Marcus blushed again at the thought of proposing to her. "No way. She's out of my league."

Dave raised his hand for another slap.

"Stop it! Okay, okay...I'll try."

Marcus pulled a sheet of paper from his bag and slid it into his left hand.

"What's that?"

"This, my boy, is a writer's way of proposing." Marcus smiled smugly.

"That's the lamest way too," Dave replied with a blank stare.

Embarrassed but determined, Marcus stood and approached Alisha. His entire body trembled. He glanced back at Dave, who gave him two thumbs up.

"Ali...sha?"

"What ya doin', scumbag?"

Marcus jolted as a figure appeared between them.

"Ga...Ga...Gabriel?"

A fist connected with his jaw, sending him tumbling backward into a desk.

"Who gave you permission to call me by my name?"

Gabriel Richard—second son of the king and the academy's most popular boy. His look screamed royalty: green hair slicked back with gel, unblemished face, sharp features, and gold designer clothes that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

His brother, Arthur Richard, ranked fifth among all Revokers with a Legendary seed and Dominator soul level. This family connection made Gabriel untouchable.

Slightly dazed, Marcus sat up and dusted his palms. Suddenly he realized something was missing—the letter! He frantically searched around him, adjusting his glasses.

"Well, well. What's this?"

Marcus looked up to see Gabriel holding the paper.

"Sir Gabriel, I am very, very sorry. Please return that sheet of paper. It is not worthy of your recognition."

Marcus bowed and pleaded as formally as possible.

"Dear Alisha..." Gabriel began reading aloud.

Alisha approached Gabriel and read along with him. A minute later, she looked at Marcus with disgust.

Heartbroken, Marcus stood with his head bowed. Dave rushed to help him up.

"What a waste! You dare propose to my lady? She is destined to be mine and mine alone." Gabriel took Alisha's hand and kissed it.

Alisha blushed, then looked back at Marcus with contempt. "Garbage."

Every good thought Marcus had cherished about her crumbled. She wasn't an angel—she was a devil.

"Let's go, Marcus. Let's get out of here."

Dave pulled his stunned friend out of the classroom as students murmured and giggled behind them.

They reached the boys' restroom. Dave helped Marcus to the washbasin where, after a minute of blank staring, Marcus finally splashed water on his face.

"So that was her strongest form, huh? Her Ultra Instinct form is so lame. She should have remained Super Saiyan Blue," Dave joked, referencing the comics they'd read yesterday.

"Yeah."

"You should be glad she didn't accept you. A girl like her? Makes me laugh."

"Yeah."

"What's with you now?" Dave asked, annoyed by Marcus's stiff responses.

"Nothing."

Dave pushed Marcus back. "Forget what happened RIGHT NOW and be the Marcus I know."

No reply came, just a small bellow.

"Ah, let it go, man." Dave placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

Marcus finally broke down. Tears gushed as he kept splashing water on his face.

"I'm gonna make them pay for what they put me through." He punched the mirror in front of him.

An awkward minute passed. Marcus backed away, clutching his hand and screaming, "That hurts a lot, f**k!"

"Pffft." Dave couldn't contain his laughter.

Marcus finally smiled. "This looks cool in movies."

"I know, right!"

"Even the mirror's laughing at you."

"Shut up!"

After composing themselves, they returned to the classroom. Everyone stared as they entered, but Dave pushed Marcus forward, ignoring the looks. They took their seats at the very back.

Gabriel smirked at them with Alisha by his side.

The teacher entered just as the bell rang. Miss Sylvie, their homeroom teacher and a Summoner, leaned against her desk. Her bond, a Thunder Hawk—a Demon Monarch ranked beast—perched on her right shoulder.

"So students! Listen up."

She paused, ensuring everyone's attention.

"Today is going to be the most important day of your life. Today is the day you will be reborn as Revokers."

Students exclaimed with excitement.

Miss Sylvie grinned at their enthusiasm. "That's it. I wish you all the best. Students starting from the first bench may stand up and move slowly toward the Awakening podium."

They followed her instructions, and within five minutes, everyone gathered at the Awakening podium.

This is it.

Marcus sat beside Dave and waited.

"Wish you luck, bro."

"Same, bro."

After a minute, the Grand Mages appeared out of thin air. The Awakening Globe and Circle at the center glowed with blinding white light.