JACK OF ALL TRADE

Chapter 1 : The Unexpected Turn

It was my first day at the new job, and I was walking toward the company,
feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. The sky was clear, the sun bright,
and everything seemed normal—until it wasn’t.

I was halfway across the road when I heard it: the screech of tires and the
roar of an engine. I turned my head and saw a massive truck barreling
straight toward me. In that split second, everything slowed down. A strange
calm settled over me as the thought hit: This is it.

My life flashed before my eyes—not the highlights, just the weird bits. My
family, my friends… the sadness they’d feel. And then, of course, the last,
ridiculous realization: I’m going to die a virgin.

Before I could process that devastating fact, everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t where I expected. Instead of

darkness, I found myself lying in a lush, green meadow, the sky an unnatural
shade of purple. I blinked, and hovering above me was a strange figure—
some kind of wizard or sorcerer, with robes that shimmered like stardust and
a smirk that made my stomach flip.

“Welcome to your new life,” he said with a wink, “where you might not stay a
virgin for long.”

I could only stare, my mind still catching up with the whole death-by-truck
thing. Then I realized—this was it. I’d been reincarnated, and if this world had
magic and romance on the menu… maybe dying wasn’t so bad after all.
The old man chuckled softly, shaking his head as he began to talk about my
untimely demise. His tone was far too cheerful for the occasion, cracking
jokes about how I’d never even had a girlfriend, how I’d managed to die a
virgin. I sat there, wide-eyed, still trying to grasp the fact that I had died, let
alone that this guy was teasing me about it.

After a while, he shifted gears, explaining the new world I was apparently
going to be born into. Though, when I say explaining, he really didn’t. He
mostly waved it off with a grin and said, “You’ll figure it out yourself.” Helpful,
right?

I stared at him, my mind still reeling. Every word felt surreal. Reincarnation?
Just like in the novels I used to read? It was something I’d daydreamed about
but never thought would actually happen. Excitement welled up inside me,
and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Wait, am I really going to be
born in a magical world?” My voice was full of hope, practically buzzing with
joy.

The old man’s warm smile deepened, his wrinkled face somehow glowing
with kindness. “Of course, you are! Unless, of course, you’d rather go back to
your old world and be with your loved ones?” His voice was light, but his
gaze seemed to ask a deeper question.

My grin faltered. For a moment, I froze. Could I go back? My thoughts drifted

to my parents, the image of them flashing in my mind. Then my sister, my
best friend, and my older brother—memories of laughter, arguments, and
everything in between. But, no. As much as I loved them, everyone had to
leave eventually, right? My time had just come a little early.

Resolute, I straightened up, my chest swelling with newfound determination.

“No,” I said firmly. “I’ll start a new life in this magical world you spoke of.” My
voice was steady, but inside, my heart raced with both excitement and fear.
The old man, still smiling, seemed to sense my lingering doubts. Almost as if
reading my mind, he chuckled again. “Oh, you’re wondering if you’ll be born
as a baby, aren’t you?” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I was just
getting to that. You see, for those fortunate enough to be reincarnated, we
use a special system to determine your fate. It’s all quite random… or maybe
not.” He added the last part with a mischievous grin.

With a dramatic snap of his fingers, two large spinning machines appeared
before me, each covered in question marks. One was labeled “Destiny,” and
the other, “Powers”

The old man gestured toward them with a flourish. “These machines will
decide everything. Your new form, your powers… It’s all up to fate now.” He
winked, clearly enjoying the suspense. My stomach flipped as I stared at the
spinning wheels, wondering what kind of life awaited me on the other side.

Chapter 2 : The Spinning of Fate

With a mix of excitement and anxiety, he stood before the two spinning
machines that had appeared at the old man’s command. The first machine
was labeled “Destiny”, and the second, “Powers”. He felt a nervous flutter in
his stomach. What if he made the wrong choice? But this was it—the
moment that could change everything.

Taking a deep breath, he approached the Destiny machine, his heart racing.
He reached out and grasped the lever, pulling it down with determination.
The machine whirred to life, spinning rapidly. Colors blurred together, and a
soft humming filled the air, drowning out the sounds of his thoughts.

Finally, it slowed and stopped. A pop-up materialized before him, glowing

with a bright light.
“The reincarnator will be teleported to a 16-year-old boy who died in his
washroom because he slipped.”

He blinked in disbelief, a bewildered expression taking over his face. The

absurdity of it hit him like a wave, and he shook his head, a laugh bubbling
up involuntarily. “Really? That’s how I go?” He felt a mix of pity and humor
for the poor soul whose life he would now inhabit.

The old man chuckled heartily at his reaction, clearly enjoying the revelation.
“You’d be surprised how often that happens!” he said, still laughing.

Shaking off the strange sensation, he stepped up to the Powers machine.

With renewed focus, he pulled the lever again. The second machine whirred
and spun, mirroring the first in a mesmerizing display of colors. After what
felt like an eternity, it came to a halt, and another pop-up appeared.

“The reincarnator will get the unique class.”

A wave of relief washed over him, followed by a spark of curiosity. What kind
of unique class would it be? Would it be powerful? Useful? He felt his heart
lift, anticipation bubbling within him.
The old man observed him with a knowing nod, his eyes glinting with
amusement. “Now we’re getting somewhere,” he said. “Your potential is
taking shape.”

“Okay, so how do I get to my new world?” he asked, a hint of excitement

mixed with anxiety in his voice.

With a sly smile, the old man replied, “You don’t have to worry about that,
my boy.” He raised his hand, snapping his fingers with a flourish.

In an instant, the boy felt a rush of energy, and the world around him
blurred. The grand hall, the old man, and everything else faded away as he
was engulfed in a warm, bright light.

As he vanished, the old man stood alone in the empty chamber, a thoughtful
expression crossing his face.

“Let’s see, boy… will you be the savior of the world or the destroyer?” He
chuckled softly, then too vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing but
silence in his wake.

Chapter 3 : In the New World

He blinked as reality came rushing back. He found himself in a new body,

surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of a room he did not recognize.

He glanced around, taking in the humble surroundings—simple furniture, a

small window letting in the golden sunlight, and the faint smell of soap
lingering in the air. Memories of the previous boy’s life began to flood into his
mind, feelings of confusion and fear mingling with newfound determination.

“So my name’s Lyren Thorne,” he whispered to himself, a grin breaking

across his face. And thought about his new life and said his thoughts out
loud. “This is my chance. I’ll make the most of it.”

With a sense of purpose, he began to explore the room, eager to uncover the
potential that awaited him in this new life.

Lyren came to realize that his previous host had been at the top of his class,
a diligent student who loved reading about history and the world around him.
Most of his time had been spent in the library, so Lyren now possessed a
wealth of knowledge about almost everything. With a knowing nod, he
reflected, “After three days, there’s the awakening event at the school.”
Feeling the weight of the day’s events, he decided to turn in for the night,
exhausted.

Morning arrived, and Lyren went through his routine, washing up and
changing before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He was alone in
the house; his parents had died years ago while fighting beasts during an
escort mission. After finishing his meal and tidying up, he set off for school,
which was just a few streets away.

As he walked, he spotted his friend Bryn Calen, who was waiting for him at
the end of the street. They greeted each other, but Bryn noticed something
different about Lyren. Concerned, he asked, “Did something happen? You
seem… different today. I don’t know, but your personality feels off.”
Lyren offered a wary smile and replied, “What do you mean? Nothing’s
happened to me.” He spoke in the usual way, drawing on the memories of
how Lyren had acted in the past.

Bryn shrugged, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his expression. “Must be my

imagination then. Don’t worry about it.”

With that, they fell into a comfortable conversation, excitedly discussing the
upcoming awakening ceremony. Their shared anticipation lightened the
mood as they walked to school, eager for the day ahead.

They went to the academy, chatting with one another about the awakening
event that was set to take place in three days. Lyren Thorne, his mind
wandering with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, felt a strange pull
toward the unknown.

Upon reaching the academy, Lyren noticed that the grounds were unusually
quiet, with only a handful of students scattered across the courtyards. He
remembered from fragmented memories that those absent students were
the elite—those who came from noble bloodlines, preparing privately for the
awakening ritual. He thought to himself how wealth and privilege gave them
more than just status; it gave them time.

As Lyren and his companions entered the hall, they made their way to the far
end of the room, where their friends waited. Two more joined them shortly,
making their group a tight-knit circle of four.

More students began trickling in, their whispers filling the once-quiet space.
Before long, the instructor arrived, his robes dragging across the floor,
looking weary from the preparations for the awakening. Yet, despite his
exhaustion, he greeted the class with a warm smile, to which they responded
respectfully, Lyren’s thoughts still lingering on the mystery of what was to
come.
 Chapter 4: The Awakening Event

The day of the awakening event arrived faster than Lyren had anticipated. He
woke early, excitement coursing through him like a current. The sun peeked
through his window, casting a warm glow across the room. Today was the
day he would truly begin his journey.

After a quick breakfast, he dressed in his academy robes—simple but

comfortable. He glanced in the mirror, taking a moment to appreciate his
new appearance. Lyren Thorne was not just a boy anymore; he was a
reincarnated soul with endless possibilities.

As he walked toward the academy, he felt a familiar flutter of nerves in his

stomach. The anticipation in the air was palpable as students gathered,
chatting animatedly about what they hoped to achieve. Lyren spotted Bryn
and waved him over.

“Ready for this?” Bryn asked, bouncing on his heels, a huge smile on his
face.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Lyren replied, though his heart raced with both
excitement and anxiety.

As they entered the academy, they were greeted by the vibrant decorations
adorning the halls. Banners hung proudly, each representing different talents
and abilities. The atmosphere was electric with excitement, students buzzing
with anticipation for the ceremony.

The grand hall filled quickly, students finding their seats as the instructor
took the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. “Welcome,
students, to the awakening event! Today marks the beginning of your
journey as magic users, warriors, and scholars in this magnificent world. You
will uncover your talents and embark on paths unique to you.”
Lyren’s heart swelled with determination. This was his chance to shine, to
explore the depths of his unique talent.

As names were called one by one, Lyren felt the excitement and tension in
the air. Each talent revealed brought cheers, gasps, and whispers of
admiration. When it was finally Bryn’s turn, he stood tall and confident,
channeling his energy through the crystal. Lyren held his breath, hoping for
the best.

“Bryn Calen—A-Rank talent: Earth Manipulation!” The instructor announced.

Cheers erupted around the hall, and Bryn beamed with pride, quickly joining
Lyren, who was bursting with excitement for his friend. “You did it! That’s
amazing!”

“Thanks! I can’t wait to learn everything about it,” Bryn replied, his eyes
sparkling with enthusiasm.

Then came the turn of the class princess, Sylra Frostveil.

Sylra stepped forward with an air of quiet confidence, her face calm and
composed. When she placed her hand on the crystal, channeling her inner
mana, a ripple of energy filled the air. The checker’s eyes widened in
surprise, and after a moment, he composed himself to make the
announcement.

“Sylra Frostveil—S-Rank talent: Blessing of the Ice Goddess,” he declared.

A hush fell over the hall. Sylra was from the noble Frostveil family, a lineage
known for their mastery of ice magic. It was said that centuries ago, her
ancestors had made a pact with the Ice Goddess herself, and only once
every thousand years did a member of the family receive the goddess’s
direct blessing.

Students whispered in awe. Many recruiters, present to scout talented

students, began making offers to her immediately. But Sylra merely smiled
politely, refusing each offer and telling them to wait until the right time.

After Sylra, the checker continued with other students, announcing their
talents one by one:

“B-Rank talent: Fireball.”

“C-Rank talent: Life Force.”

“B-Rank talent: Fist of Iron.”

“D-Rank talent: Wind Pulse.”

One by one, students discovered their abilities, some with excitement, others
with disappointment. Lyren watched as each student received their rank and
talent, feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity.

Finally, his name was called.

He felt his heart race as he stepped forward, conscious of every gaze fixed
on him. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the crystal and began
channeling his mana. For a moment, there was silence. Then, in a flash of
light, a screen appeared in front of him, displaying his talent:
“Lyren Thorne—S(+)-Tier talent: Jack of All Trades.”

The checker’s eyes widened in astonishment as he read the result aloud. The
crowd murmured in shock and confusion; talents labeled as “Jack of All
Trades” were unheard of, and no one knew exactly what it meant. On the
screen, an unusual symbol glowed—a unique “+” rank that was neither S nor
F, something entirely unfamiliar.

As Lyren stood there, trying to grasp what this strange talent meant, he felt
his surroundings blur and shift. In an instant, he was standing in a vast,
ethereal space, filled with a soft, shimmering light. Then, a voice echoed
around him, soothing yet commanding, “Welcome, my child. How was the
journey from another world?”

Lyren was taken aback, astonished by the voice’s duality—soothing like a

child yet mature. Just as he was about to ask what was happening, he heard
a snap, and suddenly, he was transported to another place. Nature
surrounded him; trees towered like five-story buildings, and animals roamed,
some familiar, others unrecognizable. A river flowed gently from the south,
and he could hear the distant roar of a waterfall. As he turned his gaze
toward the sound, he spotted a woman who appeared to be in her thirties
but bore the wisdom of a thousand years.

When their eyes met, it felt as if she could read his thoughts. With a cheerful
demeanor, she spoke, her tone light but laced with a hint of danger, “Are you
saying that I am old? Are you directly calling me a hag?” For a moment, her
eyes turned as cold as ice, sharp as a sword, and pointed as a needle.

A chill ran down his spine. Despite the low level of her killing intent, it felt
overwhelmingly powerful to him, like a mountain looming before a valley.
Observing his reaction, she quickly withdrew her intent and, with an
apologetic look, said, “Let me introduce myself. I am Raffalia, the goddess of
this world. I have many names, but you can call me that.”
Lyren was shocked. Meeting a goddess was beyond anything he had
expected. Seeing the bewilderment on his face, Raffalia continued, “So the
old geezer didn’t tell you anything? Well, I suppose he did good.”

Questions raced through his mind, and he felt compelled to ask them.
However, before he could voice them, Raffalia interjected, “It would be wise
if you don’t ask questions. The questions you ask will affect the flow of time
in the mortal world. As a goddess who has transcended from being mortal,
we cannot interfere with the mortal realm. We’ve already broken some rules
for you, but those have very little consequence, so it’s okay. All I can say is
that you have a choice in everything you do in your life; everyone else can
only give you advice.”

After contemplating her words, he finally asked, “What kind of power do I

have? Why is there a (+) sign in my talent?”

She considered his questions, weighing the consequences. “Your power is

special because others can’t improve their talent, but only you can,” she
explained. With that, she snapped her fingers, and he was whisked back to
reality.

Lyren found himself back in the academy hall, where everyone was still in
shock and surprise over his talent. Coming back to his senses, he glanced at
the instructor and asked, “Is there any problem?” To his surprise, he found
his tone imbued with newfound confidence and authority, exuding a noble
aura he had not possessed before.

Hearing this, the instructor snapped out of his daze and replied, “Everything
is okay,” before adding, “You can go back.”

As he walked away, Lyren felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension

about the path that lay ahead, armed with the knowledge of his unique
talent and the enigmatic presence of the goddess guiding him from the
shadows.