Megacity I, Sector III.
The sun beamed down on Aegis Academy as it reflected off the cracked cement of the plaza where the graduating class of 235G huddled.
It had been a couple of centuries since the apocalypse, and traces of what happened could be found all over the city.
Everyone was nervous as they all stood ready for what might as well have been an ancient ritual.
This was the Talent Awakening Ceremony—the day they'd learn their worth.
Talents were supernatural abilities awakened during the dawn of the apocalypse, and they were crucial to survival in this hellish world. It was with these powers that humanity drove back the creatures that had invaded their world, establishing a foothold in this chaotic world.
Everyone knew that Talents had ranks, from F to SSS. The higher the rank, the better life they had guaranteed ahead of themselves.
The crowd fell silent at the sight of a man wearing blue robes strutting to center stage. Magister Vance, an old Headmaster with a bunch of grey hair, raised his staff in the air with a blue orb at its tip.
Behind him floated a giant blue crystal swirling with nebulous energy.
"The first student," echoed Magister Vance's voice throughout the plaza. "Jace Thornton!"
A lanky boy with a mop of brown hair walked forth slowly with pale cheeks. He grabbed hold of his red-headed friend's shoulder, the stocky Leo.
"Wish me luck, Leo," Jace croaked with anxious tonality.
Leo let out an uneasy laugh as he squeezed Jace's shoulder more than before. "Knock 'em dead, buddy!"
With his heart beating in his throat, Jace stumbled forth to the crystal, placing his hand atop the cool surface with some reluctance. The air tingled in response to his touch.
The crystal flashed bright blue, so bright that everyone thought they would go blind, but then they saw that Jace's body emitted the exact same glow.
A holographic system window appeared in front of Jace displaying his name, followed by a letter: C, glowing incessantly.
"Jace Thornton! Awakened Talent... Enhanced Strength Rank C!"
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Despite not obtaining an A- or S-rank Talent that everyone dreamed about, Jace obtained a C-rank Talent that was still manageable for a good life.
Jace's chest puffed up as he ran back toward Leo, initially anxious but now beaming with confidence.
"See that, Leo?" Jace bragged with a huge smirk on his face. "I got a C-rank Talent! Looks like I'm going to join the big leagues."
Leo forced a thin smile in response. "Yeah, well, when you're living the life, don't forget about your old buddy."
Jace scoffed at his remark like it didn't matter. "Don't worry, bro. I'll find room for you in my new life… maybe as my equipment cleaner."
Magister Vance cleared his throat as he prepared to move on, returning attention to himself. "Next up, Amelia Rose."
A girl with reddish-brown hair approached next. She seemed calm, unlike Jace, as if she were prepared for or had accepted whatever destiny had in store for her Talent Awakening. She placed her palm against the crystal, and silence filled the entire plaza as the same light show radiated upon her and the crystal as it had before. It was still blue; however, when the floating window appeared above her head: D.
"Amelia Rose—Awakened Talent: Elemental Manipulation (Fire) (Rank D)."
Magister Vance proclaimed disappointment while everyone else turned upset. A D-rank Talent wasn't enough for a decent job or luxury; however, Amelia reacted differently than expected. Eyes narrowing in concentration, she flicked a spark in her palm and watched the flame dance, neither shocked nor excited.
Magister Vance continued calling out names; however, amid all the nervous chatter within the crowd was a beautiful girl with long golden hair and purple eyes who tugged on Alister, a boy widely known for his raven hair and striking yellow eyes.
"Alister," she spoke timidly, as if afraid, "do you think I'm going to get a powerful Talent?"
Alister shook his head with a smile for reassurance, yet didn't want to discourage her either way. "I wouldn't know, Yanzi, but it's said that awakenings are completely random despite prior training."
Yanzi's smile faltered into a frown as shadows darkened her cute face. A powerful Talent would be all she'd need for her guaranteed future here in Megacity; after all, what was the point of looking pretty if she couldn't afford to properly take care of herself?
"Don't worry, Yanzi!" A voice came from a guy standing beside them, with a somewhat bulky frame—Chase. "You haven't gone yet! Hold your chin up."
Yanzi responded with another thin smile on her face. "You're right, of course. Besides," she said as she grabbed hold of Alister's hand tightly against her chest, "I have my good luck charm right here."
Alister felt warmth creeping onto his cheeks. "Yanzi! Stop saying things like that," he stuttered in embarrassment.
Chase chuckled in response and replied, "I mean, she's not wrong! Being friends with the top student this year has got to rub off on us! We're bound to be something!"
Alister felt his blush deepen as everyone turned their attention toward him; he was used to it by now, being labeled a prodigy with excellent combat training and one of the best control of mana reserves ever held in their young lives. Everyone expected him to be something at this year's Talent Awakening Ceremony, that that pressure weighed heavy on him.
Nervous chatter shifted like a wave across the crowd as Magister Vance yelled, "Yanzi Vance!"
Yanzi squeezed Alister's hand one last time as her purple eyes sparkled with hope and anxiety alike. "Wish me luck, darling," she whispered as she turned waving as she walked away.
"Y-yes! Of course!" he stuttered once more in embarrassment, this time louder than anticipated. Then he held his breath as everyone made eye contact with each other again, blushing.
"Good luck now, Yanzi!" Chase yelled as he waved at her.
As Yanzi walked gracefully towards the crystal, whispers followed her.
"There she is, the Academy's angel!"
"She's no angel, but a goddess!"
"The hottest girl this year, no doubt."
"I wonder what kind of Talent she'll get?"
"You know, it isn't fair that Alister is gifted with both the skill and the love of our goddess."
"I was heartbroken when I first found out they were a thing."
Arriving on stage, she placed her hand on the crystal, and the entire plaza held its breath. Again the light show erupted, covering Yanzi and the crystal the glow. But this time, the hovering window displayed a different symbol... a blazing "A."
The crowd gasped.
"An A-rank Talent!?"
It was a very rare and highly desired power, granting its wielder immense potential and a life of privilege. Magister Vance's voice rang out with a awe, "Yanzi Vance! Awakened Talent: Lightning Control Rank A!"
Yanzi's face lit up with joy. She ran back to Alister, smiling so brightly it seemed to light her whole face. Throwing her arms around him, she laughed, "Looks like your good luck rubbed off on me!"
Chase let out a low whistle, eyes wide. "Wow, Yanzi—congratulations! That's amazing!"
As the applause subsided, Magister Vance stroked his beard, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
If Yanzi, with her notoriously poor mana control, could awaken an A-rank Talent, then I can't help but wonder what our academy's prodigy, Alister, would awaken. The old man smiled slightly, the thought getting him excited.
Recently, monsters had become increasingly powerful, causing the city's top guilds to put pressure on the academies to intensify their training in order to increase the chances of awakening powerful talents.
Contrary to what some believed, a powerful talent would not be born in a weak vessel; as such, it was always necessary for students to be trained rigorously to enhance their chances. At least then, those who awakened weak talents would not be useless and could still manage a basic job if they secured a place as a guild member.
And so, Alister, with his well-toned physique, combat prowess, and excellent mana control, was surely destined to awaken a powerful talent—or at least everyone believed he would.
Magister Vance, growing more and more excited, decided to abandon the predetermined order, his voice booming through the plaza, "Alister Hazenworth!"
"Your time has come!"
Alister was frozen in place with his mouth agape. He hadn't expected the principal to call him up so soon, and he was overcome with a rush of excitement and anxiety all at once.
Now, with hundreds of eyes locked on him, the weight of their expectations pressed down.
He drew in a deep breath, straightened his back, and walked toward the crystal.
"You can do it, darling! I believe in you!" Yanzi yelled as she waved her hand at him, wishing him good luck.
"Go make history, bro. Awaken some bizarre talent that will leave everyone stunned in silence!" Chase said, clutching his fists, his body practically beaming with excitement.
Alister paused and gazed at them momentarily, then smiled, proceeding toward the crystal.
"Guess it's the moment of truth, huh?"
"I wonder what sort of bizarre talent he's gonna awaken. I mean, Yanzi awakened an A-rank Talent, right? Then he should at least awaken S-rank."
"How bizarre would it be if he awakens a trash Talent?"
"No way, don't be dumb."
"But you know, it would be kinda fun if he did."
"A prodigy with a trash Talent... it has a nice ring to it."
When his palm connected with the crystal, an involuntary gasp left his mouth. The blue hue he had come to know exploded before him—but this time, it changed. The color expanded, brighter, and brighter, and soon, a white light radiated so powerfully that it consumed every inch of the academy. \
Everyone screamed—everyone. They threw their arms over their eyes in a state of panic.
The light intensified, then condensed into the form of a colossal dragon, its wings outstretched, its roar echoing through the air.
The ground trembled beneath its booming roar. It was a talent awakening unlike any they had ever witnessed at an awakening ceremony.
As the light dimmed to nothing and the dragon dissolved into the air, leaving all present completely silent. All stood in awe, mouths agape at the crystal, eyes bulging. One thing was certain, though—whatever talent Alister awakmes, it must have been very powerful.
The principal wore an expression of shock as he approached the hovering window that displayed Alister's Talent. He cleared his throat, his voice barely a whisper, "Alister Hazenworth... his awakened Talent is…"