The academy grounds were buzzing with the excitement of the first assessment, and Alex couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of anticipation and dread. The students before him had already showcased their powers—abilities that were nothing short of extraordinary. Alex stood to the side with Miranda, who was as wide-eyed as he was.
The students who had gone before had used elemental powers, each more impressive than the last. There were flames that engulfed the air, water that shaped into fierce, controlled whips, and even a student who summoned wind strong enough to lift her off the ground. It was clear: this was no ordinary school.
"Man, these guys are incredible..." Miranda muttered, her eyes fixed on the last student to finish.
Alex was in agreement, but there was something gnawing at him, something deeper than the awe that washed over him. What if he couldn't measure up? What if his new abilities weren't enough? The ghoul within him was still unpredictable, and he hadn't quite figured out what he could do yet.
Then, it was time for the next student—Zane Voltwell.
A hush fell over the crowd. Zane's reputation preceded him. The Voltwell family had long been known for their connections, their power, and their dominance in the war against the alien species. And Zane? Well, he was the heir to it all.
Zane stepped forward confidently, his posture perfect, his eyes scanning the crowd. As he walked, every step seemed deliberate, every movement measured. The students, particularly the girls, couldn't hide their admiration as they watched him.
Alex didn't blame them. Zane's confidence was undeniable. His striking appearance only made it more apparent—chiseled features, tousled brown hair that seemed to always fall perfectly into place, and eyes that seemed to crackle with energy. He wore the academy uniform with an air of superiority, like it was tailor-made for him. Zane had it all: looks, charm, and power.
"Zane Voltwell, ready for your assessment," Helen called out, her voice cutting through the whispers of the crowd.
Without a word, Zane raised his hand, and with a sudden flash, a bolt of lightning arced from his palm, splitting the air with a crack so loud it seemed to shake the very ground beneath them. The crowd gasped, watching in awe as the lightning danced in his palm, flashing brightly in every direction.
Zane's eyes sparkled with a dangerous glint, the unmistakable sign of a powerful ability user. The sheer force of the lightning alone was enough to make the students take a step back.
"Is this the full extent of your power, Zane?" Helen asked, her voice steady but impressed.
He smirked, closing his hand around the lightning, letting the energy dissipate. "That's just a warm-up. I haven't even used half of it."
Alex, standing off to the side, couldn't help but be fascinated by the display of raw power. Lightning coursed through Zane's veins, and the way he handled it so effortlessly made Alex wonder if he'd ever be able to command such power himself.
"Impressive," Miranda murmured, her voice full of admiration.
Alex felt a sharp pang of insecurity. He was still figuring out how to control the ghoul abilities inside him, but Zane? Zane was in a league of his own.
As the assessments continued, Alex's mind began to wander. He couldn't help but think back to when everything had changed for him—the day his life was turned upside down. He could still feel the surge of power coursing through him the moment he was attacked by that ghoul, his body shifting as his ghoul blood awakened. The transformation had been sudden, overwhelming, and completely out of his control. The physical enhancements he once had, the powers he'd used to rely on, were gone.
What had happened to them?
The thought made his stomach twist with unease.
Trying to push the thoughts away, Alex focused on the moment. He needed to figure this out.
Then, without warning, the system's familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[System: Welcome, Host. Would you like to check your skills?]
Alex's breath caught in his throat. He had forgotten the system even existed for a moment, too caught up in his swirling emotions. But now it was back, its presence always lurking just beneath the surface. He had avoided checking it since his transformation, not wanting to confront what he'd become.
But now, with the other students showcasing their abilities, the weight of it all pressed on him.
He closed his eyes and focused on the system interface, willing it to appear.
The system displayed a series of menus in his mind, like a ghostly hologram only visible to him.
Name: Alex Kairo
Race: Halfling Ghoul
Strength: 15
Stamina: 30
Agility: 16
Hunger: 20%
Energy: 90
Then came a new section he hadn't noticed before—the Skills tab
He hesitated, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. His heart pounded as he navigated to the skill list. This was the moment of truth. He had no idea what powers, if any, he had left.
As he opened the section, a list appeared in his mind, far simpler than he had anticipated:
Skills:
Physical Enhancement: Increased strength, speed, and endurance beyond human limits.
Regeneration Level 1: Rapid healing of wounds and injuries and re-growth of part of the body
Enhanced Senses: Heightened senses—sight, hearing, smell—sharper than before.
Half Starvation Mode (Level 1): Increases overall stats by 10% when hunger level is above 50%.
Alex blinked, taking in the information.
These weren't the abilities he had hoped for, but they were still powerful in their own right.
Physical Enhancement: His body felt stronger, faster, and more durable than before—his ghoul side had enhanced him beyond normal human limits.
Regeneration Level 1: That explained the healing he'd experienced since his transformation.
Enhanced Senses: His senses had grown far sharper—he could hear the softest whispers from across the field, and his sight had become far more acute.
Half Starvation Mode: A skill that was both a blessing and a curse. It would help him, but at what cost?
It was clear that his abilities were tied to his hunger, and with that realization, Alex felt a surge of determination. He might not be as powerful as Zane, but he had his own strength.