"Amo, you can definitely do it. C-rank is nothing for you!"
Chen Darong's voice rang out from behind, brimming with encouragement.
Several students nearby exchanged skeptical looks. Jack? C-rank? Impossible.
If awakening a C-level ability were that simple, Tianhai City wouldn't have gone hundreds of years without producing even a single B-level mutant. Class 1 students smirked openly. To them, Jack might awaken something—probably F-level, maybe E if fortune smiled—but certainly not C.
Some of the civilian students kept their doubts to themselves, but even they watched Jack's back with a quiet, worried air. Deep down they still hoped he could at least awaken at E-level. If a commoner like Jack achieved that, maybe the media and society would finally show a little respect for ordinary people.
---
A Quiet Determination
Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Jack walked toward the awakening tester at a measured pace. Inside, he called to the presence that only he could hear.
System, can you help me hide the ability of Conqueror's Haki?
The reply mattered more than anyone in the hall could guess. Because Jack wasn't just on the verge of awakening—he was on the verge of becoming something the world had almost forgotten.
S-level powers were the highest known tier. Even in the entire Extraordinary Era, they were rare enough to be legends. A sudden appearance of an SS-level existence would shake not just Tianhai City, but the entire Federation. Governments, mega-corporations, and shadowy organizations would scramble to control him—or eliminate him.
And that was just the human side.
Intelligent monster clans, ancient enemies of humankind, would see a double-S awakening as an intolerable threat. They would infiltrate human society and destroy him before he could grow into his power. History was full of such quiet assassinations—Jack had read the records himself.
Yes, in theory the Federation might offer its strongest protection. But "in theory" wasn't enough to bet his life on.
Better to be cautious.
I'll show them only the S-level Shock Fruit first, Jack decided. That's enough to gain the Federation's attention and protection, but not enough to push the monsters into all-out war. S-level is rare but not unique; it sits right at the edge of what they'll tolerate.
"It can be hidden," the System's cold voice confirmed.
Jack released a slow breath, relief washing through him.
---
A Teacher's Encouragement
Seeing that breath, Wang Zhou mistook it for nerves. "Jack," the kindly teacher said, "you are the most exceptional student from an ordinary family we've seen in years. Be proud. Even if your awakening isn't as strong as Zihao's or Lin Ting's, it will not be poor. Relax."
The normally aloof director of studies—who seldom addressed students outside his own class—had spoken twice to comfort him. That alone was telling.
"Thank you, Director. I'm fine," Jack replied with a small, mysterious smile.
He stepped forward and placed his hand on the tester.
Eighteen years of relentless effort had led to this single moment. Today, he would show every skeptic that his hard work had not been in vain. He would prove that he was not merely the strongest in physical fitness at No. 3 Middle School—he would become a name known throughout Tianhai City, perhaps throughout the entire human race.
---
The Light Rises
Buzz!
A vast ray of light erupted, dazzling the hall. In an instant it outshone the glow that had accompanied Tang Zihao's C-level awakening.
"What the—what is that light?!" someone shouted.
"It's brighter than Tang Zihao's! Could this be… beyond C-rank?"
"I watched top-city ceremonies last year," another student said, voice trembling. "Even B-level elemental awakenings weren't this bright. Could Jack… be awakening B-level?"
"Oh my god. Is this civilian student about to create a miracle?"
The crowd collectively held its breath. Teachers and students alike stared at the slim figure on the platform, eyes wide, hearts pounding.
B-level!
Even in the greatest cities, B-level abilities were noteworthy. For Tianhai City, which hadn't seen a B-level psychic in centuries, it would be historic.
---
Beyond All Expectation
But the spectacle was far from over.
Buzzzzz…
The already dazzling light pulsed again, brighter, stronger. The column of radiance didn't stop at the hall's ceiling—it tore straight through it.
One hundred meters.
A thousand.
Ten thousand.
The blinding pillar shot upward until it seemed to pierce the very sky.
Throughout Tianhai City, citizens looked up in awe and fear at the endless beam of white light.
"Oh my god! What's happening?!"
"Is this a monster invasion?"
"No—look at the direction. That's No. 3 Middle School. Could this be… the awakening test?"
"Impossible. You're saying that light came from a student? That's insane!"
---
The Announcement
Inside the Awakening Hall, the principal, Huang Chongguang, stood frozen, his mouth open as he stared at the sky-splitting glow.
Then the tester spoke in its calm mechanical voice:
"Jack from Class 2, S-level special ability—effect unknown."
Silence.
The light slowly faded, leaving an almost painful quiet in its wake.
Huang Chongguang blinked, disbelief etched on his face. "S… S-level? Did I hear that right?"
No. 3 Middle School had actually produced an S-level awakener.
Slap!
The principal smacked his own cheek to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Pain stung his skin. The tester's display still gleamed with a single golden letter: S.
"It's real… it's really S-level!" Huang cried, laughter breaking from his chest. "My school has produced an S-level! Hahahaha!"
His jubilant voice snapped the audience out of their stupor. Heads turned back toward the platform, toward the young man who stood calmly where the blinding beam had originated.
---
Reactions of Shock
A chorus of sharp intakes of breath followed.
"Jack… awakened an S-level ability?"
"And a special type at that—rarer even than elemental powers!"
"What a monster…"
That last word was on every mind: monster. Only someone with S-level power deserved the title.
Tang Zihao's handsome face twisted with disbelief. "S-rank? Him?" The gap between his own proud C-level and Jack's impossible S left him reeling, as though the ground itself had vanished beneath his feet.
Lin Ting's complexion drained to pure white. Her body trembled, teeth chattering despite the warm air.
Chen Darong, by contrast, practically exploded with joy. He leapt from his seat, waving his arms wildly, dancing in sheer excitement like an untamed monkey. All memory of his earlier nervous boasting vanished in the thrill of his friend's triumph.
---
Jack stood on the platform, composed amid the chaos, the golden S on the tester glowing like a new dawn for Tianhai City—and perhaps for humanity itself.
To be continued…
---