"This… this is my cheat?!"
Jack stared at the psychic stone in his palm. Its soft glow had already faded, yet his heart thrashed as if struck by a thunderclap. For eighteen long years he had quietly buried the childish hope of some miraculous "golden finger." He had given up on fantasies of a system or secret power.
But just now—moments before the awakening ceremony—his long-imagined cheat had stirred to life.
Activated.
All because of a single psychic stone.
Which meant… the system had always been there, dormant, merely lacking the energy to awaken.
For a few seconds Jack didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Fate had a twisted sense of humor.
Then a thought settled over him like a warm breeze: Better late than never. He'd crossed worlds as an orphan, surviving on sheer grit. A luxury like a psychic stone had always been out of reach. That he could awaken the system at all—on the very morning of his official awakening—was nothing short of providence.
With the perseverance he had sharpened over years of grueling training, and now with a genuine cheat in hand, Jack felt a surge of fierce confidence. I will reach the pinnacle of this extraordinary world.
He steadied his trembling hands and focused on the translucent blue panel shimmering before his eyes.
---
System Status
Host: Jack
Cultivation: None
Superpower: Shock Fruit (S+), Conqueror's Haki (S)
Martial Arts: None
Energy Points: 11
Character Template: Edward Newgate (Tap to view details or unlock stages)
Jack exhaled a low whistle. In an instant, he understood the general outline of this incredible system.
It was called The Strongest Template System—a mechanism capable of drawing character templates from countless worlds and planes, extracting the mightiest individuals, and letting the host unlock their abilities step by step. Not just imitate them, but eventually surpass them.
And his first novice reward?
The template of Edward Newgate, the legendary "Whitebeard," strongest man of the Pirate World.
Jack almost laughed aloud. In his previous life, he had watched that series with awe. Whitebeard, the towering figure who treated his crew like family, had always been his favorite—a giant of power and loyalty.
"System," Jack whispered in his mind, "have Whitebeard's Devil Fruit and Conqueror's Haki been converted into this world's superpowers?"
Ding!
Affirmative. Shock Fruit and Conqueror's Haki have been transformed into compatible supernatural abilities.
Not only transformed, but rated S-level—and the Shock Fruit even earned an S+ rating!
Jack's breath caught.
S-level. The legendary rank.
In this world, superpowers were graded from strongest to weakest as S, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Before today, Jack hadn't even dared dream of awakening a mere C-level ability. Among commoners, simply reaching D-level counted as extraordinary. D-level awakeners could enter top universities, receive rich resources, and train under expert mentors—true stepping stones to power.
And now? The system had granted him double S-level abilities.
If anyone found out during testing, he'd practically win life's lottery on the spot.
While Jack reeled, the system's calm, mechanical voice chimed again: Ding! World-rule adaptation complete. All external side effects removed.
Jack blinked. "Side effects… eliminated?"
Understanding struck like lightning. The infamous weakness of the Devil Fruit—its crippling vulnerability to seawater—was gone. His grin widened. "Perfect. System products really are top-tier."
---
Ceremony Begins
Still conversing silently with the system, Jack almost missed the booming announcement overhead.
"Dear students," a deep, steady voice resonated through the Awakening Hall, "your class teachers should have already explained the ceremony process in detail. I will add only a few words.
"First, relax. Do not resist the awakening due to nerves.
"Second, if you fail to awaken a superpower, do not lose heart. You may still take the liberal-arts college examination. With diligence, you can serve the nation as a scientist or researcher.
"That is all. I now declare the awakening ceremony officially begun!"
Principal Huang Chongguang concluded with a broad sweep of his arm. The entire hall—teachers, students, family members, and media—burst into applause.
Huang nodded in satisfaction, then turned toward an elderly man standing beside the main device.
This was Dean of Studies Wang Zhou, the man overseeing the awakening test.
At the signal, Wang Zhou activated the psychic tester in the center of the hall. The machine thrummed to life, a faint glow spreading across its surface. To awaken, each student would place a hand on the tester, allowing the stored spiritual energy to merge with their genes and rouse any latent powers. If a superpower manifested, the device would blaze with light and display the result. If not, it would remain dull.
Once the machine stabilized, Wang Zhou straightened, his gaze settling on the proud front row.
"Students of Class One, as tradition dictates, you will begin."
---
Class One's Pride
Class One—Wang Zhou's own class—was the school's pride. Every student came from an awakened family. Their parents were veterans of battle or research, their status a badge of honor. As Wang surveyed them, his chest swelled.
But then a flicker of doubt intruded.
Jack.
That boy from Class Two had dominated all three physical-fitness assessments, edging out even Class One's elite. What if he really awakens an ability stronger than my star pupils?
Wang shook the thought away. "Impossible," he muttered under his breath. Exceptional physical fitness might help, yes, but true superpowers depended on genetic heritage. His own students all had awakened parents—some even two generations deep. Jack was an orphan. He's probably not even the child of an awakener.
Comforted by his reasoning, Wang's confident smile returned.
"Zhao Hong from Class One, step forward."
A tall boy strode onto the platform, his face alight with self-assurance. He placed his palm upon the psychic tester.
For a moment, silence. Then a faint radiance bloomed beneath his hand.
"Zhao Hong," the machine intoned, "E-level ability: Body Strengthening."
A wave of applause and excited chatter swept the hall.
"Impressive! First on stage and already E-level. That surpasses eighty percent of his peers."
"With steady effort he'll make a top university for sure."
"No wonder Class One is competing with No. 2 Middle School this year."
"His parents are both E-level awakeners. Not surprising at all."
"Wonder what Tang Zihao or Lin Ting will get. They might even reach D-level."
Around the hall, eyes glittered with envy. Reporters scribbled notes and raised cameras.
Zhao Hong basked in the attention, a smug smile curving his lips. But soon his gaze drifted across the hall to the seats of Class Two.
To Jack.
A slow, taunting grin spread across Zhao Hong's face. "Hey, Iron Man Jack," he called loudly, making sure everyone heard, "your Class Two test isn't for a while. Why don't you crank out a few more push-ups? Maybe you'll awaken an S-level power if you sweat hard enough, hahahaha!"
Laughter rippled among Class One's students. Zhao Hong reveled in it, eyes glittering with mischief.
---
Jack's Calm
Chen Darong's face darkened. He shot Zhao Hong a glare and clapped a reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder. "Ignore that clown. I believe you'll awaken at least a D-level ability."
Jack didn't even glance at Zhao Hong. Instead he turned to Chen, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Darong, you need to raise your expectations. D-level? Come on. Congratulate me on awakening an S-level ability instead. When I do, I'll make sure to protect you."
Chen blinked. "…What?"
For a heartbeat he thought Jack was cracking under pressure. But the calm, almost playful glint in Jack's eyes told a different story.
Good grief. His friend was utterly unshaken—joking about S-level as if it were a morning jog.
Chen let out a helpless laugh. If Jack really awakens an S-level power, I'll swim the butterfly stroke through the city's sewage canal to celebrate, he thought, half in exasperation, half in admiration.
Jack simply leaned back in his chair, the faint hum of the system in his mind, and waited for his turn.
Something extraordinary was about to happen.
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