The moment Shoun finished uttering that sentence, everyone froze in place.
—Excuse me?... Did I hear that wrong?—Robin asked, looking up from their tablet.
—No, you didn't—Shoun reiterated as he glanced at the new data on his status window.
[Name: Shoun Foster»
«Age: 17»
«Rank: Apprentice»
«Title: The Conduit»
«Ascension Points: 0/200»
«Abilities»
«Electric Flow: Your very essence has been touched by electricity since birth, to the point where you can control and use it to your advantage»
«Intermediate Electric Core: It's a part of your being, both there and not there, in your physical and spiritual body. It's where all your electricity is stored and generated, and it also allows the user to absorb electricity from other sources»
«Visado: Congratulations! You are now able to enter and exit the other world»
«Endless Circuit, Grade S: All energy bows at your feet. You have the ability to transmute any type of energy into electricity»]
—Are you serious!? What's your title!?
—Haaah, don't get ahead of yourself... You said it was going to be a long day? Well, now thanks to this, I'll have to work overtime. I appreciate it, Shoun—Robin simply shook their head and gestured for everyone to follow. They ended up in a room similar to the one where Sein had been registered as a Seeker—You should already know how this works. We'll know if you're lying, so answer truthfully... from now on.
—Alright, first of all, my title is... The Conduit—Shoun declared. The reactions were mixed as the room's lighting confirmed he wasn't lying. Robin shook their head again while jotting it down on their tablet, Deuz seemed thoughtful, and Sein looked as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on him. Even Shoun himself wasn't sure what to think about his own title—(The Conduit... I guess I can't tease Kaze about his title anymore... Also, my second ability changed from "Basic Electric Core" to "Intermediate Electric Core"... I suppose it's because as an Apprentice, I should have more storage for spiritual energy, or in my case, electricity. So when I ranked up, my ability adapted to that... Yeah, I think that's normal).
—Very few people get their title when they're Apprentices. You got one, and... it's certainly not something memorable, hehe—Robin explained with a laugh—Anyway, let's move on to your Apprentice ability.
—Alright, my Apprentice ability is Grade S—Shoun waited a moment for the room's lighting to return to normal. The sudden changes in light were making him dizzy. As soon as Shoun finished speaking, Robin straightened up, waiting attentively for his words, while both Sein and Deuz had dismissed their thoughts about the young man's title—Basically, it gives me the ability to convert any type of energy into electricity.
—...Isn't that kind of... simple?—Sein asked, watching as the room's lighting confirmed Shoun's words once again. This time, no one answered his question as everyone seemed deep in thought. It wasn't until Robin finished writing on their tablet that Sein finally got an explanation.
—No, actually, it's the perfect ability for Shoun... Guys, how many people with Grade S abilities do you think exist in the world?—Before anyone could even try to guess, Robin quickly answered their own question—Counting Shoun, there are currently only two humans with Grade S abilities. As for demons, the current Demon King also has one, and from what I've heard, the elves have one too, though I can't confirm that last bit. With such a rare ability, you'd expect something more spectacular and incredibly flashy, but as simple as it sounds, you should already realize the potential of your ability, right?
—...You're right—Shoun confirmed with a lump in his throat, avoiding Robin's gaze. He was currently feeling very dizzy, his senses overwhelmed, especially his now enhanced energy detection. He forced himself to close his eyes to avoid sensory overload.
—Hey, stop talking in riddles! I still don't get it!
—Haaaah... Look, Sein, to put it simply, thanks to his ability, it's now impossible for Shoun to run out of electricity in his core—Deuz explained, looking at the small boy.
—Is that so?
—Well, Sein, there's energy everywhere, starting with spiritual energy. Roughly per square meter, there's enough energy to refill about 1% of an average Apprentice's core if absorbed. But why stop at spiritual energy? You're probably feeling a bit overwhelmed right now—Robin said, then used their tablet to dim the room's lights, causing Shoun to sigh in relief.
—Wait...—Finally, Sein was able to put two and two together and realize the scope of Shoun's abilities—That's why you look so bad. All this light must be overloading your energy senses, right?
—Something like that. Thanks for the help, Robin.
—Don't worry, it was nothing... Guys, I'd like to talk to our friend in private. Could you?—Both Sein and Deuz understood and left the room without a word. At that moment, Robin took on a more serious demeanor and spoke—Well, this complicates things for you... Do you think you can remain unaffiliated now that it's known you have a Grade S ability?
—No... probably not for long.
—Exactly... This will be known soon in all Codex bearer circles. Many people will have their eyes on you, either because you're an opportunity... or as top-tier competition.
—So what? Are you threatening me to join the government so you don't reveal the information?—Shoun asked, his voice dripping with venom.
—Don't get me wrong. Even if I wanted to, I can't not report this. That would get my head rolling on the pavement in a couple of days... Even if you join the government, you'll still be in the spotlight because the information will get out sooner or later... I know you don't have the best opinion of me after all these years, but I want you to know that I understand your situation and your desires. On behalf of the government, I'll try to control the recruitment as much as possible, using the excuse that I'm handling it. But that's the most I can do for you from that side—Robin said, placing a hand on Shoun's shoulder. After a few seconds of processing the information, Shoun responded:
—Thanks, Robin... Sorry for being so rude to you.
—Don't worry. If it's any consolation, if it were up to me, I wouldn't be handing you those little cards every day—After that moment, the conversation between Robin and Shoun extended for another 30 minutes as the two science enthusiasts began discussing the applications of Shoun's new ability. When Shoun finally left the room, he let out a big sigh.
—Aaaah, finally. What were you two talking about for so long?—Sein asked, getting up from a chair by the wall.
—Applications of my ability. When Robin isn't talking nonsense, they're actually bearable to talk to.
—I'm pretty sure in any other situation, you two would be best friends!
—No way, I refuse!
—Oh, come on! You both love science. Didn't you say a few months ago that you were even thinking of studying something related?
—Wow, I didn't know that about you, Shoun. Why don't you tell us more?—Deuz asked curiously, looking at the young man, who tried to cover his face.
—Look what you've done, Sein!—As the three young men chatted, they finally stepped outside the building. Shoun was bombarded by the massive amounts of energy in the surroundings, overloading his senses—Damn... agh.
—Are you okay, Shoun?
—More or less... I'll need time to adjust to this. Please help me get home.
—I've got you covered, buddy!—The small boy took Shoun's hand. Shoun wanted to protest but eventually gave up and let himself be led—Watch out for that rock!
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
—And that's everything that happened—After several minutes of explanation, Shoun finally brought Kaze up to speed. Shoun was lying on the couch with an ice pack on his head, while the others sat around on kitchen chairs.
—Sounds like a productive afternoon.
—Seems like it. Sorry, guys, but I don't think I can go to the mirror world today. I need to adjust my energy senses. After all, I don't want to live with this eternal headache!
—How's the ice pack working?
—It's helping, like we thought... Plus, I like the cold it gives off—From a physical standpoint, cold is considered a lack or total absence of thermal energy due to the lack of particle movement. So, an ice pack on Shoun's head helps distract him from all the energy constantly surrounding him.
—That's for the best. Even if you adjust before tonight, I wouldn't suggest fighting much today. After all, in the mirror world, the density of spiritual energy is much higher than here—Deuz explained while reading a book.
—How much of a difference is there?
—Well... Unlike the government, this is more of a personal feeling as an Apprentice. If there's about 1% per square meter here, there'd be between 3% and 5% there. You can confirm the exact amounts yourself, Apprentice The Conduit—Deuz said the last part jokingly, prompting Shoun to throw a cushion straight at his face, though Deuz easily dodged it.
—Don't call me that—Shoun pleaded, burying his face deeper into the cold ice pack.
—Well, guys, how about we throw a little celebration party!? I mean, how often do you get to rank up? Plus, we're not going to the mirror world today. We can have a sleepover.
—I'm fine with that—Deuz agreed, and Kaze nodded as well.
—...I guess that's fine, but you guys are buying the stuff.
—Alright!—After making a shopping list and splitting the costs between Shoun and Deuz, the small boy and the beret-wearing young man went out to shop, while Kaze stayed home to look after the exhausted Shoun.
—...How are you feeling?
—I guess better than before.
—I don't mean that. I mean, how do you feel about ranking up?—Kaze asked in his monotone voice. Shoun had to remove the ice pack to look at the masked boy, who returned his gaze.
—...I can say it feels good to be stronger... How did you feel when you became an Apprentice?
—...I don't know.
—You don't know?—Shoun had expected that answer but still questioned his companion about it.
—It wasn't glorious. It wasn't a celebrated moment. It was just me, admiring the moment... and I didn't feel anything about it. Maybe I thought I could kill stronger remnants more easily, but I don't remember—Kaze rambled a bit about his ascension in his monotone voice. Shoun didn't know for sure, but he could tell that, little by little, Kaze was starting to express more of what he felt. Could it be that spending so much time with them and watching movies had such an effect on the masked boy?—...I think it's good that we can celebrate you today, Shoun. I'm glad you've become stronger. Let's keep getting stronger together—Right after those words, Kaze extended his fist, which Shoun quickly bumped with his own.
—That's the spirit!—Shoun said, more animated than before. However, Kaze's words brought back the conversation he'd had with Robin—(Now I might be in danger... and by extension, they are too since they're connected to me. I don't want anything to happen to them... but joining the guild or the government isn't an option... It's not an option, right?).
That question began to drill into Shoun's mind. His resentment toward both organizations hadn't faded after all these years. They were largely responsible for him losing his family. They hurt him. They harassed him. But now, they seemed like the only option to keep himself and those he cared about safe.
—(Just thinking about it makes me feel like I'm selling my soul to the devil)—Shoun thought. Faced with such a dilemma, he could only sigh. Shortly after, Sein and Deuz returned with the party supplies, but before they could start unpacking, Shoun spoke the following words—Guys, we need to talk about something.