Arin sat alone in his room, the soft evening light spilling across the floor. His mind was deep in thought.
Who should I copy first?
He had been considering Lyra, Kai, and a few classmates—but the more he thought, the more he realized something.
Wait… there's no age limit in the Talent Copy skill.
Unlike the previous restriction he assumed—copying only from people within one year of age difference—Arin noticed nothing in the system's description prevented him from copying the talents of older individuals.
His eyes widened.
That means… I could, in theory, copy the talent of anyone. Even adults. Even my teachers… maybe even my parents.
The possibilities stretched infinitely before him. The amount of knowledge, skill, and experience in the world suddenly felt reachable. He could grow faster than he ever imagined.
But then reality struck.
How do I know what talent to copy?
Observation could show him the talents of people around or below his age—but what about older people? He didn't have any way to see their skills, potential, or limits. He couldn't randomly touch someone and hope it was useful. That would be reckless.
Arin leaned back, staring at his Skill Panel again:
[Skill Panel]
Hard Work – Advanced
Movement Mastery – Advanced (98%)
Observation – Mastery (50%)
Enhanced Communication – Advanced (75%)
Sensory Domain – Intermediate (20%)
Talent Copy – Ready
He tapped his chin, thinking.
Maybe… maybe Observation isn't finished yet. If I can reach 100% mastery… maybe the system will unlock a new feature that lets me see the talents of older people too.
The thought made his heart race. A new layer of strategy, a new way to grow… it would completely change the way he used Talent Copy.
Arin clenched his fists.
"I'll do it," he whispered to himself. "I'll push Observation to 100. If there's a feature waiting for me, I'll unlock it. And then… I'll be ready to copy anyone, and truly grow without limits."
For the first time, Arin felt a mix of excitement and anticipation heavier than he had ever felt before. The path forward wasn't just about effort—it was about vision, planning, and patience.
And somewhere deep in his soul, Observation pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging the challenge ahead.
Arin smiled.
The next goal is clear: Observation 100. Hard Work, I'll rely on you… we're going even further this time.