The sky cracked open like glass.
One second, Phoenix High's senior class was sitting in the gym, half-listening to a boring graduation rehearsal. The next, they were falling through a tunnel of light, gravity forgotten, their screams swallowed by a vortex of stars.
Ray blinked, and the world changed.
He landed hard—grass beneath him, but the scent was wrong. The air buzzed with energy, like the static before a thunderstorm. Around him, students groaned and staggered to their feet, rubbing bruises and staring wide-eyed at the unfamiliar world stretching around them. A towering tree reached toward a dark violet sky. Floating islands drifted in the distance, wrapped in mist and glowing runes.
[SYSTEM INITIATING...]
Welcome, New Users.
Dimension: Anime Core Nexus.
Please select your anime archetype and sync your system.
A blue holographic screen popped up in front of every student. Ray's jaw dropped.
"This has to be a prank," muttered Devon, the class clown. "Right? Some VR thing?"
"No," Ray said quietly, eyes locked on the screen. "This is real."
Choose One:
??
Shonen Prodigy (High Strength, Elemental Awakening)
??
Tactical Anti-Hero (Skill Mastery, Shadow Affinity)
??
Magical Girl/Boy (Mana Surge, Support Build)
??
Blade King (Speed, Dual Wield Boost)
??
Custom Character - Choose Any Anime Powerset (Locked – Requires Admin Approval)
Students around him gasped. Some laughed, others cried.
Then came the whispers.
"I'm picking Goku."
"I want Gojo's powers."
"I'm gonna become Lelouch and end this world."
Ray hesitated, staring at the locked option glowing faintly at the bottom of his screen. Something stirred deep inside him. Like a forgotten memory... or a dormant fire.
Override Detected.
Custom Slot Unlocked.
Chosen Archetype: Dragon Sovereign
Based on: Unknown Source | Classification: Myth-Tier
Initializing Power Sync...
The screen exploded with red light. His veins burned, his eyes turned gold, and dark claws formed around his fingers.
All around him, others were syncing, transforming, gaining the power of their anime heroes. But Ray—he wasn't becoming someone else. He was becoming something new.
And that's when the ground shook.
A deep roar echoed through the canyon nearby. Dozens of black figures descended from the cliffs, their eyes glowing with corrupted chakra, cursed energy, and devilish intent.
[WARNING: Villain Raid Incoming!]
Threat Level: S-Class | First Encounter Begins Now!
Ray clenched his fists. Smoke curled from his hands.
The game was on.
But this wasn't anime anymore.
This was war.