Free Web NovelChapter 1: Magic Awakening Test
"What, Mateo... y-you’ve really never taken the Magic Awakening Test?" Jack stared at his university roommate in disbelief.
Mateo, who was eating the pizza Jack had given him, simply shook his head.
"It’s too expensive for me. You know I’m from a remote village—I even grew up in an orphanage there. I’ve never had extra money, let alone enough to buy that test device. I don’t even have anything to use as collateral for a loan."
He spoke casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
A year ago, the world had changed in a way that made no sense.
It all started with the Magic Awakening Test, introduced by a mysterious company. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Those who succeeded could enter the Magic World through their dreams, gaining Talent and a System with stats.
But out of everyone who took the test, only 0.5% succeeded.
And the device? It cost 1500 dollars per use—plus 150 dollars in tax.
The real question was: was it real... or just a conspiracy?
Those who succeeded claimed they had entered another world and gained spiritual power.
Yet in reality, they remained ordinary humans on Earth.
The company stated that power from that world could only be transferred to Earth after reaching a certain level.
So what was it really?
A real other world?
Or just a highly advanced virtual server?
If someone died in the Magic World, they would still be alive on Earth—but they couldn’t return unless they took the test again, with even lower chances of success.
And there was something even stranger.
When someone died on Earth, it was said they continued living in the Magic World.
Their soul would automatically be sent to their body there.
But... was it truly them?
Or just an AI replicating them after copying their memories?
No one could confirm the truth.
The Magic World Company remained untouchable—no investigation, no matter how powerful, could reach them.
What drove people crazy was the fact that the rich kept taking the test over and over until they succeeded—and then focused entirely on the Magic World.
Valuable items from that world were bought at absurd prices.
Some people had become incredibly rich because of it.
For Mateo, though, it wasn’t worth gambling on something so uncertain.
He believed it was all a conspiracy.
The Magic World was just a virtual server.
Honestly, he found it easier to believe in aliens.
The company probably had some ultra-advanced technology that made all of this possible.
After all, if it were truly another world, how could there be two bodies? A System? Things that were clearly fictional?
It had to be a game.
It was practically identical to the virtual worlds described in novels.
Even if the "game" could make someone rich, trying it meant risking 1650 dollars.
Fail?
Then the money was gone.
And he didn’t even have the money to begin with.
Mateo knew Jack had succeeded in the test—that’s why he slept so often—but he didn’t seem particularly successful.
Jack fell silent after hearing Mateo’s words.
For city residents, 1500 dollars was something they could earn—even orphans could work part-time jobs.
But Mateo had only been in the city for three days.
He had just arrived for college.
"There’s actually a way for you," Jack said after a moment of silence.
"How?" Mateo asked, though he wasn’t particularly curious.
Still... if it was free, he wouldn’t mind trying.
Fail? So what.
Succeed? At least he could see that world.
"You know Alice Habsburg?"
"Alice Habsburg... the one who gave the orientation speech? A final-year student who’s actually our age but entered university when we were still in high school?"
Of course Mateo knew her.
"What about her? Is she giving away test devices for free?" he asked with a faint smile.
He had heard her family was extremely wealthy—possibly the richest in the city.
"Yes. Free. And she’ll even support up to three tests," Jack nodded calmly.
That only made Mateo frown.
It sounded completely unrealistic.
"Haha, I knew you wouldn’t believe it. But it’s true. My cousin is in the same class as her. There’s just... a condition."
Even hearing that, Mateo remained skeptical.
"What condition?"
"You just have to fulfill one of her requests. That’s all."
"What kind of request?"
"It varies. Some people are told to kick the dean. Others are told to bring a bomb to a police station. Some are asked to eat pig filth... and, uh... some are told to run naked around the university."
Mateo, "..."
He recalled the woman from the orientation speech.
Elegant. Intelligent. Cold. Beautiful, with long black hair.
Apparently... not entirely sane.
Maybe it was true—people that rich, living far beyond ordinary reach, developed absurd tendencies.
"Has anyone actually done those things?" Mateo asked.
"Yes. Everything I mentioned has been done. That’s what my cousin said..." Jack looked like he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"But not all her requests are strange. Sometimes they’re simple—like naming her dog’s newborn puppies. That kind of thing doesn’t happen often, but there are also requests that aren’t ridiculous. Like counting how much sugar is in a sack, or calculating how many times a fan spins in an hour—as long as it’s visible to the naked eye."
"Can I just pay instead of doing the request?" Mateo asked.
If the request wasn’t ridiculous—even something difficult like counting sugar—he thought it would still be worth it if he could replace it with, say, 4000 dollars.
He would definitely do it.
"You still have to take the test. But if you succeed on the first try, the second and third can be replaced with money," Jack replied.
"This is basically a gamble. Interested?" Jack smiled. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Mateo hesitated.
If he failed all three attempts, he’d gain nothing.
"Doesn’t hurt to try," Jack added.
Mateo found himself nodding.
’I’ll at least see what kind of request she gives me first...’
"So? Do you want to do it?" Jack asked.
"Alright." Mateo pushed away his hesitation.
"Wait here, I’ll call my cousin." Jack quickly took out his phone.
A moment later, he said, "Emma, my friend wants the three free tests from Alice. Can you help us meet her?"
Then he turned back to Mateo.
"Let’s go meet my cousin."
Jack seemed more excited than Mateo.
Mateo simply nodded and followed.
The dorm and university were across from each other.
They entered the campus and headed to the cafeteria, where a woman a few years older sat.
She wore large glasses and had a slightly plump yet still slim figure.
"Emma, where is she?" Jack asked as the woman looked at Mateo.
"In our classroom. Follow me," Emma replied, standing up.
They followed her to the top floor of the building.
Classes had already ended for the day.
But one person remained.
A young woman—so young she looked like she had just graduated high school.
She had a stunningly beautiful face, pale white skin, and long black hair.
She wore long pants and a gray shirt.
She was reading a book, her expression calm—so calm it felt like she existed in a different world.
Even so, she looked up at Mateo and the others.
Emma seemed familiar with her and approached with a smile.
"Alice, this guy wants your free test," she said, gesturing toward Mateo.
Alice looked him up and down.
Mateo felt awkward... almost embarrassed.
As someone from a village, he couldn’t help but feel inferior in front of city elites like her.
Even her simple outfit radiated class.
His eyes were drawn to the watch on her left wrist—luxurious, adorned with diamonds.
"What’s your name?" she suddenly asked.
"Mateo Allen," he replied.
It felt like he was applying for a job.
"Mateo Allen..." she nodded. "I’ll give you what you want—if you’re willing..."
She paused.
"...to be my boyfriend."
"..."
