Arin sat on the floor of his room, staring at his glowing Skill Panel. His heart raced with excitement. Observation had reached its maximum level, Talent Copy was ready, and his newly unlocked skill, Mental Insight, hummed softly in his mind.
But as he studied Mental Insight, he noticed something strange. Unlike his other skills, there was no mastery bar, no percentage, no progress tracker.
"Wait… this skill doesn't have a mastery level," he muttered aloud.
A soft chime rang in his mind, followed by the system's voice, calm but with a hint of amusement:
"Correct. You are not in a fantasy world, Arin. Some skills naturally have limitations. Mental Insight cannot be measured like your other skills—it improves through experience and use, not numbers."
Arin blinked, a small smile forming on his lips. I see… so it's not about percentages or levels. It's about practice and real-life application.
He leaned back, thinking. Over the past months, he had trained his Observation skill to perfection, learning to notice even the smallest details about his peers. Now, Mental Insight would allow him to go further—understanding people's reasoning, intentions, and behavior patterns. But unlike his other skills, it wouldn't show progress numerically. He would have to learn from experience, slowly sharpening his ability over time.
A sense of determination settled over him. The path forward was clear. Observation had unlocked the door, Mental Insight had given him the key, and now it was time to step into the world.
It's time… he whispered to himself. Time for a talent hunt.
Arin clenched his fists, excitement and focus mingling in his chest. With Talent Copy ready and Mental Insight guiding him, he could finally begin choosing the right people to observe and learn from. One wrong choice could waste his once-per-year opportunity—but careful analysis, combined with patient observation, would ensure he made the perfect decision.
For the first time, Arin felt the true weight of his growth. The skills he had trained so far were no longer just for himself—they were tools to understand others, analyze potential, and make strategic choices.
"This is it," he said softly, a determined grin spreading across his face. "The real growth begins now. Step by step, observation by observation, I'll find the talent I need… and make the most of it."
Deep inside, his system pulsed faintly, as if approving his decision. The next stage of Arin's journey had begun: the talent hunt.