Chapter 2: Hidden
Enzo froze when he heard his own name.
The first.
That was the fate of the student everyone doubted the most.
The promising students would naturally be called last to build anticipation.
He let out a sigh.
With every eye fixed on him, he had no choice but to step onto the stage.
The moment Rebecca Morgan’s gaze fell on him, breathing became difficult.
Even her casual glance carried an invisible pressure that disrupted the flow of blood through his body.
She frowned slightly when she saw him but remained as indifferent as ever.
This was certainly not the first time they had met.
Back when his father was still alive, Enzo had seen her visit their house several times to see him while he was recovering.
"Place your palm here," one of the instructors said, pointing at the crimson stone inside the suitcase.
With his back facing the audience, Enzo pressed his palm against it.
A sudden electric sensation spread from the stone throughout his body, making him tremble slightly.
Everyone watched with anticipation.
Despite their pessimism toward him, no one had lost interest in the Awakening process.
Yet...
Nothing happened.
"Failed? Or did he awaken a Hidden Talent?" someone joked with a chuckle.
"Don’t be ridiculous. Hidden Talents are just myths."
"Wasn’t it said that his father possessed one? No one ever figured out what his Talent was, yet he seemed capable of doing almost anything."
DING!
(System Activated!)
(Hidden Talent Awakened: Gamer!)
Standing on the stage while waiting for everyone’s reaction, Enzo was startled as a translucent status panel appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Enzo Muller]
[Level: 0]
[EXP: 0/100]
[Talent:]
Gamer (Hidden)
[Strength: 9] [Agility: 7] [Intelligence: 5] [Vitality: 7]
[SP: 100]
[Skill:]
Attribute Resonance (S)
[External Power: None]
(Gamer Talent: This grants you access to a gaming interface within the System, allowing you to play the real world as if it were a game by controlling characters you create with a mouse and keyboard. Your own level will always match the highest level among your characters.)
(Attribute Resonance: A skill that allows you and your character to borrow each other’s Attributes!)
(SP: System Points are obtained by killing certain monsters. They can be used for Gacha draws that provide various rewards to strengthen you. If luck is on your side, you may even obtain Talents of a higher rank.)
(Attributes:
Strength: Determines your physical strength and the power of all your attacks!
Agility: Determines your movement speed and attack speed!
Intelligence: Determines your thinking speed, overall perception of the world, and the amount of Mana Energy you possess!
Vitality: Determines your, stamina, endurance, recovery speed, and overall physical durability!)
(Notice: The first character you create will automatically receive an S-Class Talent from the System. Every character after that must obtain their Talent through Gacha.)
"Enzo, what are you waiting for? You failed."
The principal’s voice echoed through the venue, snapping Enzo out of his daze.
He had no idea what expression he should wear.
He even wanted to shout that it was impossible, but he knew that would only make everyone laugh at him for refusing to accept reality.
Maintaining a confused expression, he quietly stepped down from the stage.
The pity.
The ridicule.
The mockery.
He no longer cared about any of it.
He hadn’t failed.
In fact, he had succeeded far beyond anyone else present.
Still, he remained silent.
This had to stay secret for now.
"So you’re Enzo Muller..."
A middle-aged man suddenly approached him.
Judging by his attire, he was part of the Awakener Association’s delegation.
"You are?" Enzo asked, not recognizing him.
"I’m your uncle’s friend, Paul Walton. I’ll be taking you to work at the Sanctuary. If you agree, you’ll come with me after this."
"Really?" Enzo was slightly surprised, even though his uncle had already mentioned it.
"So, what’s your decision?" Paul asked bluntly.
"Alright..." Enzo nodded.
"Wait here, then."
Paul turned and left.
"Enzo, are you sure?" Bella asked after overhearing their conversation.
Worry filled her eyes.
Working at the Sanctuary paid well, but in the end, it was still a job serving the Awakeners.
"I’ll go no matter what," Enzo replied.
If he didn’t go, where else could he go?
"Next... Nicolas Wilson!"
The principal called out once more.
The large young man strode toward the stage, flashing Enzo a mocking grin as he passed.
He looked completely confident, even quickening his pace once he stepped onto the stage.
Without waiting for instructions, he immediately placed his palm on the crimson stone.
The moment his body trembled, brown light burst from him before transforming into brown vein-like patterns covering his entire body.
The screen behind the stage immediately displayed his Talent.
(Nicolas Wilson: Giant Body, B-Class Talent!)
A B-Class Talent was already considered exceptional.
After all, obtaining an A-Class Talent required passing all three Awakening Trials, and only a handful of students ever managed that feat.
As Nicolas stepped off the stage, he lifted his chin proudly.
"Hmph!"
He snorted at Enzo, who had absolutely no interest in watching but had no choice except to remain standing.
C-Class and B-Class Talents made up the majority, proving the academy’s outstanding standards.
However, no one had awakened an A-Class Talent yet.
That was simply too rare.
Even those who passed two Awakening Trials had only a slim chance of obtaining one.
Out of nearly a hundred students undergoing Awakening, it wasn’t until about an hour later that the elite group of only three students finally took the stage.
"Bella Muller..."
She was the first among the elite students to be called.
The moment her name echoed through the venue, Bella visibly grew nervous.
She was already guaranteed to awaken an A-Class Talent.
But who wouldn’t dream of awakening an S-Class Talent instead?
Only those blessed with one could truly stand among the elite of all Awakeners.
Enzo silently prayed that Bella would awaken an S-Class Talent.
She was the only family member who genuinely cared about him.
If she succeeded, no one would be happier than he was.
Bella slowly walked onto the stage, making the instructors wait.
She didn’t move until they instructed her to.
But the instant her hand touched the crimson stone, brilliant light erupted from her body, forming the phantom image of an armored woman behind her.
The appearance of the figure unleashed a powerful gust of wind across the stage.
"What...?"
The audience was astonished.
Nothing like this had happened before.
(Bella Muller: Knight Master Transformation, A-Class Talent!)
Silver letters appeared across the giant screen.
The instructors nodded with satisfaction.
Bella, however, forced a smile.
As extraordinary as it was, this wasn’t the result she had hoped for.
"If an A-Class Talent is already this incredible, then what would an S-Class Talent look like?" someone wondered aloud.
"S-Class Talents are simply too rare. No one in Z City has awakened one since Rebecca Morgan. Back then, the entire city experienced a small earthquake."
"Will someone awaken an S-Class Talent today?"
"Highly unlikely. It’s actually more common to see someone awaken two A-Class Talents than a single S-Class Talent."
"Congratulations..." Enzo said sincerely after Bella returned.
He could clearly see the disappointment on her face.
"I thought I was special," she murmured. "Turns out I’m not."
"You’re already amazing," Enzo replied.
"No... not really. An A-Class Talent only looks impressive, but in reality..."
Her words were interrupted by George.
"You think you’re going to awaken an S-Class Talent?" Enzo asked.
Normally, he wouldn’t have dared speak to George like that.
Not anymore.
His response surprised George and everyone standing beside him.
"Enzo, you’re not qualified to speak," Nicolas sneered.
George, however, patted Nicolas on the shoulder, signaling him to stay quiet.
"Enzo, now I understand why you failed," George said indifferently. "You have no ambition. I’m not saying I’ll definitely surpass Bella, but determination plays a huge role. If you already think an A-Class Talent is the pinnacle, then you never had any chance of awakening an S-Class Talent."
Enzo silently pondered those words without responding.
If that were true...
Then why had he awakened a Hidden Talent instead?
"Next... Felix Gibson."
The principal’s voice echoed across the venue once more.
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