In Novus Academy, within an abnormally large, windowless room with only one door serving as both entry and exit.
At the front of the room stood a young man around 28 years old, clad in a full black long robe. His presence gave off the aura of a mighty general, demanding respect and attention from everyone present.
His sharp gaze swept over the fifty students gathered before him, as though he could peer into the depths of their souls.
The room was so silent as the students stood still, their eyes fixed on the man in front of them.
"Finally. It's your turn, class 008, for the final awakening ceremony."
"So, congratulations to all of you for making it this far."
"This final test will determine the path you are destined to follow."
"Remember all the teachings and training you have received. GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT."
The young man known as Sylvester, paused, his sharp eyes scanning the room once more. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"
"Yes, Master Sylvester!" the students responded in unison, their voices echoing with determination.
"And one more thing before we proceed," he added, his voice lowering slightly but still commanding.
"Keep this in your heart. Passing the first test, which is the potential test does not guarantee that you will awaken any talent."
His words hit the students like a bomb. The quiet room erupted into murmurs and gasps as panic spread among them.
Some exchanged worried glances, while others struggled to keep their worried hearts under control. Only a few remained truly calm.
"Quiet!!" Master Sylvester's thunderous voice followed, instantly restoring silence to the room.
"Why the panic? If you're not confident in yourself, then get out of my sight!" His angry voice echoed against the four corners of the room making the students tremble.
The students wondered in confusion. "Were Master Sylvester's earlier words meant to encourage or discourage us?"
Master Sylvester silently sighed. He knew the truth that passing the first potential test didn't guarantee success on either path.
It only offered a chance for later.
"No more fooling around. Let's get to the real deal."
"It all depends on you now. I hope you all give it your best."
With those final words, Master Sylvester disappeared from his position.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared at the center of the room, standing before a massive engine.
The students watched in awe, their faces filled with admiration and amazement at his incredible display of skill.
Master Sylvester was a B-rank Talent Awakener, renowned for his ability—Teleportation.
The engine beside him was called the "Path Awakener." At the center of it lay a red orb that would be used for the awakening.
"Now, let the process begin," Master Sylvester declared, his expression turning serious.
"Mason Jerry, step forward."
A boy stepped out from the crowd, his hands visibly trembling.
"Place your hand on the orb," Master Sylvester instructed.
Following the command, Mason raised his shaky hand and pressed it against the orb. A few seconds passed and then the orb began to glow accompanied by the low hum of the engine.
A holographic screen materialized above the engine displaying the results.
[Name: Mason Jerry
Rank: D-rank Talent Awakener]
"Mason has awakened!" someone exclaimed.
"He actually did it!" another voice chimed in.
"The first one to take the test actually succeeded!"
The students whispered among themselves. Even Mason stood there, dumbfounded, unable to believe what had just happened.
"Mason, you have successfully passed," Master Sylvester congratulated him before calling the next candidate. "Lina Harper."
Lina stepped forward, her face painted of hope and anxiety.
She placed her hand on the orb but after a few tense moments, there was no reaction. Fear washed over her face as the orb remained dark and refusing to lit up.
"Failed. Next!" Master Sylvester announced.
*Sobs*
Lina fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She hadn't awakened nor had she become a martial artist.
The next person approached the engine.
"Failed!" Master Sylvester's voice rang out again.
"Congratulations Ben, you awakened a C-rank talent."
"Not bad. Leo, congratulations on becoming a martial Artist."
".... Martial Artist."
"Martial Artist.."
"... Liliana, E-rank talent."
"Failed."
....!
The continuous ringing of "Martial Artist" from Master Sylvester filled the air. Few awakened as Talent Awakeners, most became Martial Artists.
"Next..."
A white-haired boy walked slowly to the front, his face calm and devoid of worry.
"Ohhh, it's Ethan's turn now."
"I'm sure Ethan is going to awaken as a Talent Awakener, probably as an A-rank or even higher."
"Indeed. He is the best amongst us and it is normal that he will awaken a high rank."
"He is going to shock all of us."
"....."
The students whispered among themselves clearly holding the boy in high esteem.
How could they not? He was the most outstanding student in their class.
The orb brightened the moment Ethan's hands touched it.
The unexpected happened...
...The students were immediately stunned.
[Name: Ethan Ryan
Rank: Martial Artist (peak rank)]
"How did it happen?" they wondered in confusion.
The best among them did not awaken as a Talent Awakener but as a Martial Artist.
Even Master Sylvester couldn't help but sigh in shock and shake his head in pity for him.
Surprisingly, Ethan's expression remained unchanged as if nothing could shake his composure.
"Good seedling," Master Sylvester thought to himself, impressed by Ethan's calm state.
"Congratulations, Ethan. This is the beginning of your rise to glory," Master Sylvester said, his voice filled with confidence in the boy.
"I greet you, Master Sylvester. Thank you for your kind words," Ethan replied with a slight bow before stepping away.
Ethan was known for his quiet and calm nature.
"E-rank."
"Martial Artist."
"Passed with a D-rank....."
"Failed."
"Max, next. Step forward."
"Now, it's this honored one's turn," an arrogant voice called out from the back as Max heard his name.
Max made his way to the front, radiating an air of superiority.
The students in his path quickly moved aside and those who were too slow were roughly shoved to the side by him.
"Awww! It's this bastard again," one of the boys who had been pushed muttered through gritted teeth, though he didn't dare raise his voice.
"The big bully is taking his turn."
"What's going to be his result?"
"I hope he doesn't awaken. If the heavens answer my prayers, I'll roll round the academy twenty times."
Max didn't care about the students whispers even when he overheard them.
"Watch me as I become the highest-ranked Awakener, you bunch of weaklings," Max sneered.
"Enough. Get on with it," Master Sylvester said, tired of the arrogant boy's statement.
Max stepped forward and placed his hand on the orb.
At first, the orb didn't light up or show any signs of activation.
Some of the students sighed in relief.
"Davis, get ready to roll around—"
Boom!
Suddenly, the orb emitted a loud disturbing sound and the next second, it shone with a blinding light that filled the entire room.
What?
This is impossible!
Almost all the students stared in disbelief with their mouths agape.
Even Master Sylvester's eyes darted between the orb and Max, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "This boy..." he thought.
Just then, two figures rushed into the room.
They were both upper-class masters who had sensed the commotion and arrived in an instant.
[Name: Max Draven
Rank: S-rank Talent Awakener]
The room fell silent as the talent engine revealed the information.
An S-rank Talent Awakener? Such a rare and powerful talent.
"Good, good, good," one of the newly arrived masters laughed, breaking the tense silence. "Our academy has just gained a monstrous talent."
The students were still in shock.
Why him? Why not someone else? Some of them couldn't help but feel bitter, wishing Max had never awakened.
"The heavens are truly unfair," they thought.
"Hehe, I told you all that you can never compare to me. Now, my words have been proven true," Max's arrogant voice echoed through the room.
Master Sylvester, the students and even the newly arrived masters were stunned.
No one had expected Max to awaken such an extraordinary talent.
"Too bad his twin brother isn't an Awakener."
"Why are you even talking about that weakling?"
"Shut up! You still have the nerve to talk when you failed the Final Awakening yourself."
"Are you comparing me to that trash? Forget Awakening, anyone here could easily deal with him."
"Max congratulations, you passed. Since you have the highest rank, come with us," one of the figures said kindly, even though they saw Max's arrogant behaviour.
Clap, clap, clap...
The other man clapped to regain everyone's attention. "Master Sylvester, please continue with the test."
"And to all the students, keep working hard," he added.
With that, Max followed the two figures out of the room.