Stefan struggled to calm his mind. Though this world felt familiar—the classroom he recognized, the whiteboard that Mr. Harrison always used—many things were strikingly unusual. He felt trapped within a world far larger and more complicated than anything he could understand. Every word that came out of Mr. Harrison's mouth only deepened his confusion.
"Before we proceed," Mr. Harrison said, "I want you all to open your minds. We will now begin the 'Ceremony'—the moment that will determine your Role. This is the first step in your journey as Coders."
Stefan stared at the board, feeling a current of tension flow through his body. A symbol appeared on the screen—a complex code, made up of swirling numbers, letters, and images, like an indecipherable algorithm. Mr. Harrison continued, "You will each be faced with a Code that you must solve. This Code represents the barriers within your body—the limitations that will define how far you can go."
"Code?" Stefan thought, bewildered. "What is that? What am I supposed to do?"
Mr. Harrison went on, "A Code is not merely a puzzle or a test of logic. It is part of the universe's very system, regulating every element within you. Every time you level up, you will face a new, more complex Code. Once you break it, you will gain greater power."
Stefan felt his heart pounding faster. Power? This was starting to sound completely different from the world he once knew. A code he had to solve? Was this some sort of trial? Were there truly limits embedded inside his very body?
The teacher's tone grew serious. "Not everyone can reach higher levels easily. Those who fail to break through the Code will be stuck at their current level. They may lose their chance to advance, and if they remain trapped too long, they could lose access to power entirely."
A heavy weight settled on Stefan's chest. He could feel the deep pressure. Yet at the same time, an unfamiliar sensation stirred within him—a drive, a will to try, to solve the mystery, even though he had no idea how to start.
"What should I do?" Stefan asked himself silently. "How can I break the Code?"
Mr. Harrison turned to the class, his face serious but full of understanding. "Every level you achieve is not just about your physical or mental strength. It's about understanding the world—and yourselves. The higher your level, the harder the Code becomes. These Codes go beyond numbers and letters—they are about knowing who you truly are."
Stefan reflected deeply. "Understanding who I truly am..." The words kept echoing in his mind.
Beginner Coder
Beyond the classroom, the world itself began to change. Stefan felt a shift within him. Suddenly, his body felt different—there was an energy flowing through him, something he had never experienced before. In his mind, he could see intricate streams of code, woven together in beautiful patterns. Quickly, he realized—this was his personal code, an algorithm that governed every part of his being, from his body to his thoughts.
Stefan began to understand that this was the true starting point of his journey. The Role he would soon receive would form the foundation of everything—a pathway that would define the skills he would master. But this was only the beginning, and he knew greater challenges awaited.
Each time someone reached the end of a level milestone (for example, levels 20, 40, 70, and 90), they would encounter a new Code to break. These Codes were not mere riddles—they symbolized the greater struggles against the limitations within themselves.
"Anyone can achieve more if they overcome these challenges," Stefan thought.
But to do so, he would have to dive deep into the personal code that bound his body and mind. He could feel it—the true power within him was not merely about controlling fire or other elements. It was the power to unlock hidden parts of himself, to unleash more of his inner potential.
Middle Coder
Stefan recalled Mr. Harrison's words about the next stage. The Middle Coder phase was crucial. Here, a person would begin to master more than one element and combine their powers with greater precision.
In an instant, Stefan sensed a new element awakening within him. As he closed his eyes, a stream of wind slipped into the classroom, swirling like a tiny invisible storm. When he opened his eyes, he saw himself harnessing the element of fire in one hand—while feeling the wind dance around his other hand.