Arin sat by the window, sunlight streaming across his desk as he stared at the bustling neighborhood outside. Children were playing, adults were hurrying to work, and everything seemed normal on the surface. But for him, it was different now. He wasn't just a child anymore—he was someone with tools, skills, and opportunities others couldn't even dream of.
His Skill Panel glowed faintly in his mind whenever he called upon it:
[Skill Panel]
Hard Work – Advanced
Movement Mastery – Advanced (98%)
Observation – Max
Enhanced Communication – Advanced (75%)
Sensory Domain – Intermediate (20%)
Talent Copy – Ready
Mental Insight – Passive
Arin's eyes lingered on Talent Copy – Ready.
The words pulsed like a temptation. Just one touch. One choice. And he could gain a talent from anyone he selected. But the system had made the rules very clear:
"You can copy the talent of any person. Can only copy once per year at Advanced level."
That meant if he wasted this chance, he'd have to wait another full year. He couldn't afford to be careless.
He tapped his desk with his finger, thinking deeply. The question isn't whether I can copy a talent—it's whose talent I should copy. What kind of ability would benefit me the most? And how can I be sure before I commit?
That was when his gaze shifted to his newest skill: Mental Insight.
Though it had no mastery bar, Arin could feel it working every time he looked at someone with focus. Subtle things he might have missed before—nervous twitches, hidden excitement, suppressed emotions—were more visible to him now. It was like seeing beneath the surface, into the gears and levers that made people tick.
But there was still one limitation: he could only see talents clearly in people around his age. Observation had removed that restriction recently, letting him sense older talents, but Mental Insight worked best when combined with close, repeated observation. He needed to test it, refine it, and see how far it could go.
And so, Arin made up his mind.
If I want to use Talent Copy effectively, I need to hunt for the right target. The first hunt begins today.
The next day at preschool, Arin walked in with a sharp focus. The classroom was filled with chatter, the hum of children's voices mixing with the teacher's instructions. Lyra was waving at him enthusiastically from across the room, and Kai sat in his usual spot, looking confident as ever.
Normally, Arin would have joined them right away. But today was different. Today, he wasn't just here to play—he was here to analyze.
He activated Observation first. The glowing lines of detail filled his vision, outlining the small quirks and abilities of the children around him. Most had Basic Talents—things like "Quick Learner," "Good Listener," or "Energetic." Nothing too remarkable.
But then he layered it with Mental Insight.
Suddenly, everything became sharper. He could sense who was paying attention to the teacher and who was pretending. He noticed which kids had a competitive streak hidden behind their smiles. He even saw which ones were anxious, insecure, or overly eager to impress.
It was like reading a book no one else could see.
So this is how it feels, Arin thought, his lips curling into a slight grin. This skill is more than just numbers. It's a way of understanding people at their core.
Arin's eyes fell on Kai, his self-declared rival.
Observation told him the facts:
Talent: Physical Vitality (Basic) → Level 3 Potential: Epic
Arin's breath caught for a moment. Epic Potential—that explained everything. Kai's growth ceiling wasn't normal. His Physical Vitality might have started as a Basic Talent, but his Epic Potential allowed it to evolve far beyond its original limit. He could one day reach Level 7, a threshold reserved only for rare prodigies.
Mental Insight added another layer.
Kai's mind was focused, sharp. Arin could feel his burning determination, the hunger to improve, the need to win. Every motion carried intent; every breath carried discipline. But beneath that drive was frustration—the quiet fear of being trapped at his current level.
Arin frowned slightly. So that's it. His talent hasn't truly awakened yet. He's still limited by his current stage… but his potential is screaming to break through.
He leaned back, deep in thought. Copying Kai's Physical Vitality now would only give him the Basic version, capped at Level 3. But if he waited—if Kai's potential pushed that talent higher—then copying it later could grant Arin something far more powerful.
He turned his gaze away, lips curving faintly.Not yet. Not him. When the time comes, and his talent evolves… that's when I'll make my move.
Over the next few days, Arin quietly observed every child in his class. Lyra, his closest friend, was naturally charming and empathetic. Her new talent, Emotional Resonance, let her connect with people easily, making others trust and open up to her. Arin found it fascinating, but it wasn't what he needed right now.
Some other kids had minor talents too: one boy had Stamina Boost, another had Rhythmic Sense, and a girl had Memory Recall. Interesting, but still basic.
And through it all, Arin's Mental Insight grew sharper.
He could now see not just their talents, but how they used them—how emotions fueled their strengths, how habits shaped their abilities. It was becoming clear to him: talent was only the beginning. Effort, choices, and mindset determined how far someone could actually go.
Still, no one stood out as the right choice.
One afternoon, as school ended, Arin and Lyra walked out together. Their parents were chatting nearby, and Arin's eyes drifted toward a small group of older kids playing in the park across the street.
He focused. Observation lit up faintly—and this time, it didn't block him.
For the first time, he could see the talents of children older than him.
One boy had Strength (Rare). Another had Analytical Mind (Rare). Their potential bars stretched further than anything he had seen in his age group.
Arin's heart skipped a beat. So it's true. Now I can see beyond my age. This changes everything.
He quickly layered Mental Insight over them. The information flooded in—ambitions, flaws, strengths. The boy with Strength was lazy, relying too much on natural power. The one with Analytical Mind, however, had a quiet determination, always watching, always thinking.
Arin's mind raced. If I could copy something like that… it would give me a foundation far beyond my current age.
But he stopped himself. Not yet. I need to be sure. I need to plan carefully.
That night, lying in bed, Arin stared at the ceiling.
His system had given him power, but it had also given him responsibility. One choice per year. No second chances. He couldn't just grab the first impressive talent he saw. He had to think long-term.
Did he want physical strength? Speed? Intelligence? Empathy? Each path had its uses, each could change his future drastically.
And then there was Kai. His rival might not have the best long-term talent, but his determination and potential were real. Arin couldn't ignore him forever.
Observation gave me sight. Mental Insight gave me understanding. And Talent Copy will give me the ability to choose.
His lips curved into a small, determined smile.
"The hunt has begun," he whispered into the darkness. "And I'll make sure my first choice… is the perfect one."
As he drifted to sleep, the system pulsed faintly, almost as if it too was eager to see who Arin would select.
The talent hunt was no longer an idea. It was real, and it had officially started.