"Luke Vulcan and Sophia Belwell, please follow me to the principal's office."
That was all it took. One sentence, and suddenly I felt like I was about to be expelled for committing arson—or worse—accidentally sneezing on a sacred relic. Meanwhile, Sophia stood up with the grace of a swan, ignoring the dozens of students whispering and gawking at her. Me? I accidentally knocked over a chair trying to stand. Naturally. I was kinda nervous thinking my little lie would be found out.
"Ugh, so graceful," I muttered under my breath.
Zack gave me a thumbs-up as I passed him.
"Don't sell your soul for less than 500 Gold coins, okay?" he whispered with a smirk.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I was too busy internally panicking. The walk to the office was awkwardly quiet, with Sophia not saying a word. She had the aura of someone who lived in a castle, wore silk pajamas, and had never seen laundry detergent in her life. Not to mention the fact that her eyes made me feel like I owed her money.
We entered the principal's office, which smelled faintly of ink, leather, and desperation. The walls were lined with awards, some of which looked suspiciously self-awarded. A massive desk sat at the far end, covered in scrolls and paperwork, none of which looked like they had been touched in years.
The principal looked up and smiled with the tiredness of a man who had attended one too many parent-teacher conferences.
"Ah, my two Blue talents! Please, sit."
We sat. I almost missed the chair again.
"As you both know, awakening a Blue talent is… rare. It's not just power—it's prestige. Fame. Influence. Which is why the school would like to, well, share in your future success."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "You mean you want to use our names to boost the school's reputation."
He chuckled awkwardly. "Well… yes. In exchange, you'll receive 2,000 Gold coins each, a percentage of any direct revenue the school makes from your fame, and an official Golden Star Academy badge—of course expect it to come with benefits that only teachers can get in most part of the city."
'the principal isn't lying the badge doesn't only represent Golden Star Academy,it represents A 3rd Awakener ,mind you that almost anyone can unlock the potential for their talent and upgrade it to the 2nd tier but to awaken for the 3rd time means that you've reached the realm of instantaneous communication with your ability.
He handed each of us a small pouch. Mine was oddly heavy.
"And of course," he continued, "we'll make sure the media doesn't get too aggressive. For now."
Sophia glanced at the pouch, then nodded. "Fine."
I nodded too, mostly because 2,000 Gold coins sounded like a dream come true. That much amount could allow me to build a fortress, an empty,unarmed fortress but a fortress nonetheless.
"Now if you'll both sign here…"
He slid a simple contract forward. No blood required this time, thank the gods. After a few moments of pretend reading, I signed my name and sealed my fate.
With that, we were dismissed.
Outside the office, I turned to Sophia, trying to sound casual.
"So, uh… Belwell family, huh?"
She turned her head slowly. "Yes?"
"I've heard your father is, uh… super strong. Like, cracked-the-ground-with-his-bare-hands strong."
She blinked once. "And?"
"And… cool. That's… cool."
She didn't respond. Just nodded and walked away like the air around her was ten degrees colder.
I sighed. "That went well."
Zack was waiting outside, he immediately started grinning after I told him what happened.
"Bro! Two thousand coins? That's almost noble money!"
"Almost?" I asked.
"Okay, fine. It's middle-tier rich guy money. But still! What are you gonna do with it?"
"Hide it before anyone robs me."
"But you still have to treat me to a meal tomorrow."
We laughed, exchanged some final jokes, and then I headed home.
The walk back was suspiciously quiet, which should have been my first warning sign.
As I turned onto our street, I saw them: the neighbors.
Mr. Freeman was watering his already-dead plants, and his wife, Belle, stood nearby like a crow ready to pounce. Their faces lit up the moment they spotted me.
"Luke! There's our little star!" Belle shouted, her voice sweet enough to rot teeth.
"Ah yes," Mr. Freeman said, stroking his nonexistent beard, "I told you that, didn't I? That boy's got potential. Didn't I say that?"
"No, dear," Belle said. "You said he was a hopeless case and he might not amount to anything in life"
"Ah, that's slander I never said such things.even if I did that was before the Blue awakening. Now he's our little prodigy!"
Before I could reply, Belle turned to my mother, who had just stepped outside to hang laundry.
"Marcy! Congratulations! You must be so proud. Just think—Blue talent! Do you know what that means? Nobility might actually marry into your family now!"
My mom smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Belle. That's very… kind."
"Oh, you simply must come by for tea sometime. You can tell us all about Luke's awakening. Every little detail!"
Mr. Freeman nudged me. "So, son, when do the nobles start visiting, eh? Got a marriage alliance lined up yet? Maybe I can arrange you with my brothers beautiful daughter, she might've just turned Sixteen but I'm sure you can wait ,Eh?,Eh?."
My soul cried a little.
'She wasn't just only 16 but she looks like an ogre and am pretty sure she can help us finish these 2000 coins in A Month or so'
Eventually, my mom gently pulled me away.
"Let's head inside before Belle asks to adopt you."
Our tiny home had never looked more welcoming. The cracked windows, the uneven floorboards, and the eternal squeaky cupboard—it was home.
We sat down together, and I told her everything I could… except the whole "contract with a goddess" thing. That felt a little too much.
She teared up a little, and I swear she tried to stuff food into my mouth every time I paused.
She was ecstatic when I mentioned the 2000 gold coins but she wouldn't take them from me no matter what I did it's like she just didn't care about the money.
Eventually, night fell.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Then it happened.
Ding!
[New Mission Received: Explore how your abilities work.]
[Reward: 10 XP.]
"Finally," I whispered. " I would have started disturbing you if you had not started disturbing me,System, show me my stats."
[Name: Luke]
[Lifespan: 999]
[Talent 1: Lucky Basta*d]
[Talent 2: Locked]
[Talent 3: Locked]
[Bloodline: Locked]
[Class: Enchanter Lv. 1(10/100xp)]
[Title: Thief]
[Title Skill: Copy and Paste Lv.1(10/1000xp]
[Mission: Explore your abilities (Reward:10 XP,Basic Enchanting skill)]
[Skills: None]
[Equipment: None]
[Inventory: Empty]
"Wait, inventory?"
The small pouch the principal gave me in hand I focused and it disappered—my badge and and Gold coins in it, but it only took 1 slot of 9999 inventory."
"That's… useful."
I tested it. In. Out. In. Out. I could summon or store the pouch with a thought.
"I feel like a budget magician."
Then I looked at the [Title Skill].
"Copy and Paste… huh?"
Curious, I removed the pouch from the inventory and pulled out a gold coin. I focused hard intending to use the title skill and 3 or 5 seconds later.
[Target Detected: Gold coin. Permission to Copy?]
"Yes!"
[Copying… Success. Gold coin added to Copy Slot 1.]
Then I focused on the empty desk.
[Paste?]
"Yes!"
Another Gold coin appeared.
I stared at it. Then I created a third.
And a fourth.
Soon, I had my small desk filled with gold coins.
"Oh god. I'm gonna break the economy with this cheat like skill.
"though I probably should confirm what I can and can't copy.
"A little help system?."
[The user can copy anything and everything and paste it but at the current level host only has 11 copy slots ]
"Wait so that means I can copy even other people's talent's.