Chapter 6: Talent Awakening
'There is no way she planned that far ahead.'
'I must be overthinking it.'
As much as he wished against it, he understood he was correct.
Talent Awakening could change a person's fate.
A fool could become a genius. A beggar could turn into a king.
Talent determined everything—status, power, future.
'She wants to see what Talent I'll awaken.'
If it was high-ranked, she'd try to use Emily as a bargaining chip. After all, she couldn't see Emily's stats.
To her, having someone with an S-rank Talent or higher in her debt was likely more valuable than a single ghost.
'And if I awaken a weak Talent...'
A chill crawled down his spine.
She could imprison Emily, her to-be Beast Bond, in a room as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
There was no need to wonder what she would do to him.
He would be lucky if he was not tortured.
Isaac stepped into the shower while Lorraine remained in the hall.
Warm water cascaded over his skin.
'Isaac, what is happening?' Emily's voice echoed in his head
'Nothing serious,' Isaac said while holding the pendant.
He was thankful for this inbuilt function of the pendant. It helped him communicate easily.
'Rest for now. I'll call you out when there's time,' he told her.
'Okay,' she replied cheerfully.
After finishing up, he got dressed and followed Lorraine to her car.
The ride to the academy was silent.
Radiant Crest Academy was one of the oldest academies in the city.
It used to be ranked in the Top 10 within the city, but over time, its performance had declined.
Now, it barely held a spot in the Top 3 of Sector 14, which was barely average, considering there were 40 sectors in the city.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the academy gates.
They were massive.
Their age was evident by the weathered stone walls and towering gates.
Thousands of students flooded the entrance.
Excited chatter filled the air. Some looked eager, others nervous.
"Good luck. I hope you get a high ranked Talent."
"Thanks."
Professor Lorrain drove the car towards staff gate after dropping him off.
Isaac took a deep breath and followed the crowd toward the ground where the awakening would take place.
The path led to a large open field where thousands of students were gathered.
A massive test tube-like structure was placed at the very forefront.
It had a faintly glowing white crystal floating above it.
Isaac heard the murmurs of the students.
"I hope I awaken a D rank Talent!"
"I'm happy with any Talent. Just make it a combat-type please."
"Hahaha, today, I will awaken S-rank Talent!"
"Isaac!"
He turned around when he heard the familiar voice.
Peter and Alice were approaching him.
Peter was a round-bellied guy with an easygoing smile. His eyes were filled with mischief as always.
Alice, on the other hand, had a cold, indifferent expression. She was the campus belle of Radiant Crest Academy, known for breaking many hearts.
Peter grinned as he walked up.
"Are you nervous?"
"I am."
"Hahaha! Don't joke! If you're nervous, what about the rest of us? You're our role model, man!"
Isaac rolled his eyes at Peter's words.
As a reincarnator, he had always worked hard to achieve the best results.
But no matter how strong he was physically or how sharp his mind was, it wouldn't mean much if he awakened a weak Talent.
Of course, he never planned to blame his failure on luck. That was why he had always pushed himself harder than anyone else.
'But now I have the System.'
He clenched his fist. Determination burned within his gaze.
At that moment, the crowd quieted as the principal appeared stepped onto the stage.
The elderly man with graying hair and sharp eyes surveyed the students before speaking in a steady voice.
"Today marks the beginning of your future. Talent Awakening will decide your path, but it is only the first step. Whether you rise or fall depends on your determination and hard work. Now, let the Awakening begin!"
The students erupted into cheers.
The first student stepped forward and entered the massive test tube-like chamber.
A few seconds passed, and the Awakening Crystal floating above shimmered with a faint glow.
"Shielder, Combat Talent, F-rank!" the principal announced.
The student stepped out.
He was crying tears of happiness, relieved to have a Combat Talent.
The principal had a disappointed look in his eyes.
An F-rank Talent wouldn't take him far.
If he had a Life Talent, it might've been a different story.
Life Talents, even F-rank, were in high demand.
"Combat Talent, I wish I get one too."
"Dear god, I don't need a Life Talent. Just don't give me a Support Talent. Even Combat Talent is fine!"
"Only 1% of Awakener gets them. I doubt anyone among us will get that."
"Don't jinx it, or I will tickle your hole!"
"This time our school's has two geniuses! Alice, and Isaac. We are definitely getting a Life Talent!"
The students shouted amongst themselves.
Isaac shook his head.
He was explaining everything to Emily while the ceremony proceeded.
Hearing about new things excited her.
'Are Life Talents that good, Isaac?'
'They might not be strong in direct combat, but they are the most in demand, and without Awakeners with Life Talent, no city can be maintained,' he said. 'The only reason humanity is still surviving is because of them.'
'Isaac is going to awaken the strongest SSS-rank Life Talent!' Emily encouraged him.
'Thank you. I hope for the same.' Isaac laughed, knowing the chances of awakening an SSS-rank Life Talent were lower than winning a lottery.
He shifted his focus back to the ceremony.
"No Talent!"
"No Talent!"
"Super Tongue, Combat Talent, F-rank!"
"No Talent!"
"No Talent!"
"Wind Ranger, B-rank Talent!"
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
The girl with twin ponytails stood frozen for a moment on the stage.
She let out a sharp breath before grinning.
A B-rank Talent!
She was almost guaranteed a spot in the Top 10 Universities with her B-rank Talent!
Her future became bright in just one afternoon!
"Guys, it's my turn. I'll be back shortly," Peter winked and jogged toward the stage.
He was slightly out of breath as he stepped before the Awakening device.
The moment he entered, the Awakening Crystal shone brightly.
The glow forced the students standing close to the stage to close their eyes.
"Golem Master, Life Talent, S-rank!"
A roar of cheers erupted, far louder than earlier.
An S-rank Talent!
A Life Talent at that!
Peter was bound to become one of the most influential people in the city.
He even had a chance to become an Explorer—an elite who ventured beyond the city to hunt monsters.
Only the strongest could do that!
It was the highest status one could achieve!
"Congratulations, Peter Parkinson."
The principal clapped him on the shoulder with a wide smile.
It had been decades since their academy produced an S-rank Awakener.
As long as Peter got a good rank in the Unified University Exam, the Radiant Crest Academy could return to their former glory days!
They would no longer be called a washed up Academy!
Peter stepped down, grinning ear to ear, as more students were called.
No one awakened an A-rank Talent, let alone coming close to Peter.
"Coming through! Step aside, please."
Peter made his way back to Isaac and Alice. He shook hands and thanked those who congratulated him.
He stopped in front of his friends, still grinning.
"I got an S-rank Talent, baby!"
"Congrats," Isaac said.
"Good for you. Now you don't have to worry about losing the baby in your stomach," Alice added.
Peter patted his belly and laughed.
"I think I can afford another one here now."
Alice's brow twitched at his shamelessness.
It was her turn before she could say anything.
"Go break a leg!" Peter cheered.
Alice walked forward, her piercing red eyes fixed on the Awakening Machine.
The crowd naturally parted for her, overwhelmed by her charisma.
She had long legs, a slim waist, and just the right amount of muscle. Her arms and legs, while lean, were toned from years of training.
Her skin was milky white, smooth, and flawless—enough to make models jealous.
She stepped into the Awakening machine and waited with bated breath.
"No Talent!"
The principal's voice rang out.
Murmurs spread instantly.
Alice came from a wealthy family, had a sharp mind, and was an incredible beauty. Everyone had expected her to awaken a powerful Talent.
Whispers.
Snickers.
Pitying glances.
She ignored them all and walked back to Isaac and Peter.
"Uh... are you okay?" Peter asked hesitantly.
"I am," she replied without any change in expression. "Only 20% of people awaken a Talent. It all depends on luck. It's normal to be part of the majority."
Her voice was steady, but Isaac noticed the faint tremor in her hands.
"Isaac, it's your turn!" the principal called him before he could comfort Alice.
He took a deep breath and walked up to the stage.
"Isaac, good luck," the principal said, his voice filled with expectation.
Isaac nodded and stepped into the Awakening machine.
A powerful force invaded his mind.
It was forcefully stirring his soul.