"Phew, we finally made it!" Alex exclaimed, breathing heavily as he and Zack walked into the bustling school compound. Students streamed in from all directions, some gliding in on sleek floating vehicles, others balancing on humming hoverboards, and many more parking e-bikes at the gates.
"Yeah, we made it right on time," Zack agreed, a wave of relief washing over him as he took in the familiar sights.
"So, shall we go? The ceremony starts in five minutes," Alex said, tapping his digital watch.
Zack took a deep, steadying breath. "Yep. Let's go."
They moved forward, joining the river of students flowing toward the center of the academy grounds. There, a sea of teenagers buzzed with electric anticipation, all gathered before a massive, elevated podium. The air itself seemed to vibrate with a cocktail of nerves, excitement, and raw hope.
"Alex! Zack!! Over here!"
A girl's voice cut through the chatter. she waved energetically, standing with two others a girl and a boy.
"Wassup, Mia. Looks like you guys beat us here," Zack said as they navigated through the crowd.
"Well, what do you expect? But you still made it on time," Mia replied, pushing her glasses up her nose. She had kind eyes and a warm smile, her braided brown hair swaying and she had an oval face and a kind of petty body size but her blossoms and well you know, were in good size.
"But you two look… kinda messed up," the girl beside Mia, observed, her golden eyes scanning their disheveled state.
Zack and Alex glanced down at their rumpled clothes and dirt-smudged faces.
"Oh, this? Well, we got into a little trouble," Zack said with a sheepish grin.
(Who the hell calls getting beaten up over a cat 'a little trouble'?!) Alex screamed internally, his smile strained.
"Zack, why don't I help you fix your hair?" Zoe offered, her voice sweet.
"Yeah, sure thing," Zack agreed, stiffening slightly as she stepped closer.
She reached up, her fingers gently smoothing his jet-black hair. Zack felt a flush creep up his neck.
Zoe was, to put it simply, breathtaking. Her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with almond-shaped eyes that shone like liquid gold and bright pink lips which gave her a seductive look as her perfectly carved face complemented her beauty more.
she wasn't that tall just having an average height and she wore a pink top which held her ample melons in place a sight to the eyes to behold and a skirt with floral designs which seemed above her knees exposing her white thighs a little, a feast for the eyes for one not to miss, also she wore a pair of golden earrings and applied a little makeup which boosted her beauty more and her body was a dangerous one to look at
Her presence was a magnet, drawing glances and whispers from across the yard.
(Argh! Why right in front of me!) Alex's heart gave a painful squeeze. Life felt uniquely unfair.
"Man, isn't that the school beauty, Zoe?"
"Yeah, that's her. I'd give anything to talk to her for just five seconds."
"In your dreams. She's a silver talent. And the guy she's fixing up? That's Zack Lyon. The only diamond talent in the whole school. Number one."
"Damn, she's unreal."
"Her… blossoms are a national treasure."
"Ah, why is life so unfair?"
"Oi don't blame life instead blame yourself for not been able to awaken a silver talent or gold" another boy tells him coldly
"alright you whose talking do you have a silver talent?"
"I don't but at least I have a bronze talent unlike that trash iron talent you have" the boy says with a smug
"hey who you calling trash, am going beat you up right now" the other says as he gets annoyed.
"well come then, because am going to put you were you belong" the boy said confidently and cracking his knuckles as he got ready for a fight and they both got into a fight. And many boys were staring daggers at Zack who didn't notice as he was busy discussing with Zoe who kept teasing him in the process. This scene was unbearable for most boys as their hearts ached.
The envious murmurs crescendoed around them, a background hum to Zoe's gentle teasing.
"Looks like I'm forgotten," the boy standing behind Mia said dryly.
"Nah, it's not like that, Ben! How could I forget you, bro?" Zack grinned, turning his attention to his friend.
Ben, with shoulder length brown hair and watchful brown eyes, gave a slight nod. He was well built, though Zack stood a shoulder taller.
"Since we're all here, the ceremony should start any second now," Mia said, looking around.
"STUDENTS OF GLADDEN ACADEMY!" A powerful, amplified voice boomed across the grounds, silencing the crowd.
All eyes shot upward to a man standing on a platform hovering in the air above the podium.
"I WELCOME YOU ALL TO YOUR AWAKENING CEREMONY!"
His voice was a physical force, commanding absolute attention.
"Today is the day you have been waiting for! The day your true journey begins! Today, you choose the path your life will take!" His words echoed, bouncing off the buildings. "It marks the beginning of your journey to become Abilitans to go beyond the limits of ordinary people!"
He paced the floating platform, his gaze sweeping over the thousand strong crowd. "We live in a Golden Era, an era of endless opportunity. But this peace was bought with the blood and sacrifice of humanity five hundred years ago, when the world was plunged into chaos. You are the future. You are the next guardians. Train hard. Grow strong. Because after today, your future is in your own hands. You will learn you have been frogs in a well. Beyond our walls lie countless worlds, realms of untold danger and wonder in the forgotten lands and beyond the gates!"
He finished, his voice dropping to a resonant, motivational tone. "In life, you must climb step by step. No matter how many times you fall… do not give up! Get up, dust yourself off, and improve!"
The silence held for a beat, then the grounds erupted. A thunderous wave of cheers and applause crashed against the podium, the students' fervor ignited.
The man smiled, raising his hands for calm. "Alright, everyone, please! Bring it down." The noise subsided to an excited hum. "Now… let the Awakening Ceremony… BEGIN!"
The hovering platform glided away as a final, deafening cheer rose from the students.
"I can't wait to awaken my ability!" Alex whispered, practically vibrating.
"At least the wait is finally over," Mia said, her own eyes shining with longing.
"Finally," Zack breathed, a confident smile touching his lips. This was it.
A sharp featured woman climbed onto the podium, a tablet in her hand. Her gaze was like a laser, sweeping over the crowd. "Alright! When you hear your name, step forward for your awakening. No delays."
As she finished speaking, the podium rumbled. From its center, a pedestal rose, and upon it sat a crystal orb, clear as glass. Inside, wondrous specks of purple energy, Bane Energy the same energy responsible for the catastrophe five centuries ago drifted and danced in a hypnotic ballet.
A collective gasp rippled through the students. Faces displayed a spectrum of emotions, confident smirks, pale anxiety, hopeful grins, and everything in between.
The woman looked at her tablet. "First up! Roselyn Robertson!"
A girl with side swept red hair and cool green eyes walked gracefully from the crowd. She ascended the podium, her focus entirely on the pulsating orb.
"Place your hand on the orb," the woman instructed. Roselyn obeyed. "Do not resist the Bane Energy. Let it flow through you."
Roselyn took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The purple motes swirled toward her, enveloping her hand and arm. Suddenly, green light burst from the orb, coalescing into a huge holographic screen above her.
[Name: Roselyn Robertson]
[Age: 17 years]
[Gender: Female]
[Talent: Silver]
[Ability: Nova Energy Manipulation (S-Rank)]
[Ability Class: Universal]
The crowd's reaction was instantaneous. Jaws dropped. A stunned silence was followed by a rising wave of shock.
"Oh my god… an S-Rank!"
"And a Silver talent! She's set for life!"
"That's one hell of an opening act," Alex muttered, impressed.
"Couldn't agree more," Zack said, his heart beating a little faster.
In the VIP canopy to the side, where representatives from top Abilitan academies sat, a woman with her hair in a severe bun leaned forward, her deep brown eyes locked on Roselyn. "She is mine," she stated, her voice leaving no room for argument. The other recruiters shifted uneasily; they knew better than to challenge the "Fierce Tiger" of Crystal Field Academy.
Roselyn descended the podium, a triumphant smile lighting up her face.
The process continued. Name after name was called. Zack watched, his pulse skipping with each new revelation.
[Name: Dennis Clover]
[Age: 17 years]
[Gender: male]
[Talent: iron]
[Ability: Earth manipulation (C rank)]
[Ability Class: earth manipulation (Elemental)]
The boy beamed with pure joy, a C-Rank was a ticket to a solid future.
"Alex Bale!"
Alex shot Zack a quick, nervous grin before striding up. He placed his hand on the orb.
Sizzle! CRACK!
Red lightning erupted around him, snapping and arcing off the podium. His hair stood on end as a red aura blazed. Then, within the storm of lightning, an orange glow emerged, swirling faster and faster until the sparks were a blinding, continuous burst.
The officials on stage took a step back. The holographic screen flickered to life.
[Name: Alex Bale]
[Age: 17 years]
[Gender: Male]
[Talent: Silver]
[Ability: Lightning Manipulation - Red Variant (S-Rank), Acceleration (SS-Rank)]
[Ability Class: Elemental, Universal]
The double reveal struck the crowd like a lightning bolt of its own.
"TWO abilities?! A Silver talent with TWO?!"
"An S and an SS?! Is this a joke?!"
"That's one in a million! A statistical anomaly!" a guest in the canopy exclaimed.
Alex walked back on unsteady legs, his face split by a disbelieving, ecstatic grin. The world seemed to blur around him.
"Yo, bro! You blew the charts clean off!" Zack pulled him into a fierce hug, genuinely thrilled for his friend.
"I can't believe it… pinch me, pour water on me, something!" Alex laughed, his voice shaky.
"You're awake, man. This is real," Ben said, clapping him on the shoulder.
"You're a genius, Alex!" Mia cheered.
"You really broke the mold," Zoe added with a sweet smile that made Alex blush anew.
"Next up! ZACK GREY LYON!"
The woman's voice rang out, sharper and louder than before. Every single student turned. A palpable shift occurred in the canopy.
"Ah, dear guests," Director Cromwell said, a pleased smile on his face as he adjusted his white coat. "Now you shall meet our academy's number one. Our sole Diamond Talent."
A ripple of intense interest passed through the recruiters. a military man sat straighter. The fierce tiger woman narrowed her eyes.
But they was an Old man who didn't seem bothered as his female assistant stood beside him, the man wore a black suit which fitted him perfectly and his white hair was as white as snow an indication of his old age and his face having a few wrinkles and his deep blue eyes staring at Zack, even despite his old look his body vibrated an aura of youthful strength and his aura unseen to the naked eye boosted a deadly Might. his blue eyes fixed on Zack with unnerving focus.
"The Lyon family?" someone whispered, the name dropping like a stone in quiet water.
"what will someone from the Lyon family be doing here?" the woman from crystal field academy asked with surprise.
"I have no idea; you know how hard it is trying to pry for information from such families" Mr. Cromwell said with a sigh.
"what if he was expelled from the family?" a man asked.
"I doubt that, because someone with a diamond talent who never be kicked out of a family you know because we all know how precious and extremely rare a diamond talent is" the man in military uniform spoke
"I agree with you my friend" said Mr. Cromwell to the man on military uniform.
Zack, jolted from his happiness for Alex, felt the weight of a thousand stares settle on him.
"Zack, it's your turn," Zoe whispered, her breath close to his ear, sending a different kind of shiver down his spine.
"Go on, bro. It's your moment." Ben gave him an encouraging nod.
"Good luck, brother in arms!" Alex patted his back, his own joy momentarily shared.
"Alright, guys. Wish me luck," Zack said, his smile confident. He turned and began the long walk to the podium. The crowd parted for him, their whispers a rising tide.
"That's him! The diamond!"
"What's he gonna get? SSS rank? X rank?"
"This is gonna be historic…"
Zack reached the pedestal. The crystal orb pulsed gently before him, the Bane Energy swirling in its core. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo of anticipation.
"Place your hand on the orb."
He did. The surface was cool, almost liquid.
"Let the energy flow."
Zack nodded. He closed his eyes, took the deepest breath of his life, and opened himself to the energy.
The purple motes drifted toward him, circling his hand and arm. He focused, waiting for the surge, the connection, the awakening he had dreamed of his entire life.
Five seconds passed.
Ten.
A minute.
A faint frown touched Zack's brow. He felt… nothing. Just a mild tingling where the energy touched his skin.
On the podium, the officials exchanged glances. The crowd's eager murmurs began to soften, replaced by a confused buzz.
Two minutes.
Three.
Zack's eyes flew open. He stared at the orb, then at his hand. The energy was circling, but it wasn't connecting. It was like trying to grab smoke.
(What's going on? Why isn't it reacting?)
Five minutes. The buzz in the crowd was now a loud hum of confusion. Director Cromwell leaned forward in his seat, his smile gone. In the canopy, the recruiters wore expressions of profound puzzlement.
Seven minutes. The whispers were now distinct.
"Is it broken?"
"Maybe Diamond Talents take longer?"
"Has this ever happened?"
A cold knot of dread began to tighten in Zack's stomach. He looked to the official, who simply gestured for him to keep his hand in place, her own face now etched with concern.
Then a glow. A faint, red pulse from deep within the orb.
"Look! It's glowing!" a student shouted.
A ragged hope flared in Zack's chest. (Finally!)
The orb's light intensified, burning a harsh, warning red. Instead of the usual serene blue hologram, a screen the color of blood flickered into existence above Zack's head. The text that appeared was blunt, sterile, and devastating.
< ERROR>
< NO ABILITY DETECTED>
The words hung in the air, glowing red against the daylight. The confused hum of the crowd died instantly, swallowed by a silence so complete and heavy it felt like a physical pressure.
Zack stood frozen, his hand still on the now-dormant orb, staring at the message that had just shattered his world. The error text glitched once, as if even the system was confused, before solidifying into a final, cruel verdict.
< ERROR: NO ABILITY>