The Awakening Hall buzzed with excitement as the test resumed and Class 2 students stepped onto the platform one by one. Yet, after witnessing the shocking appearance of an S-level superpower, the audience and the reporters in attendance found the rest of the proceedings almost dull. Unless another S-level talent appeared—a possibility everyone knew was astronomically low—the remaining awakenings were destined to feel anticlimactic.
On the raised dais, Principal Huang Chongguang sat upright, a faint smile on his face as he surveyed the crowd. Then he leaned forward and spoke into the microphone, his voice warm and resonant.
> "Student Jack, after careful consideration, the school has decided to award you a scholarship of one million yuan!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience. Huang Chongguang's eyes were fixed solely on Jack as he continued with an even brighter smile.
> "And that's not all. We also wish to grant you the title of Honorary Mentor of No. 3 Middle School!"
Jack blinked, momentarily stunned. A million yuan was already an astonishing reward, but the honorary-mentor title took him completely by surprise.
He knew exactly what that position meant. An honorary mentor enjoyed the same status as the principal—perhaps even higher in certain respects. More than an administrator, an honorary mentor served as a symbol of the school's pride and strength, the face of No. 3 Middle School to the wider world.
The title carried influence and privileges far beyond its ceremonial nature: full management rights within the school and none of the tedious responsibilities. By any measure, it was worth far more than the monetary prize.
To Jack, the title itself wasn't essential. He would leave Tianhai City sooner or later, and his ambitions stretched far beyond a single school. But Principal Huang's enthusiasm was unmistakable, and it would have been needlessly cold to refuse. A nominal position cost him nothing, and it would show goodwill toward the school that had nurtured him.
Jack inclined his head with a small smile. "Thank you, Principal. I'll gladly accept."
Huang Chongguang's face lit up like a lantern. Overjoyed, he reached discreetly behind his chair and retrieved a small metal box, shielding the motion with the podium's guardrail so that no one outside the stage could see.
> "These items aren't expensive," the principal said softly, handing the box to Jack, "but they're very useful for someone who's just awakening his superpowers."
Jack caught the subtle gesture and the careful secrecy. He met Huang's eyes, understanding perfectly: this was a personal gift, an investment of goodwill.
He accepted the box without hesitation. At this early stage, anything that could accelerate his growth was welcome. Besides, Huang Chongguang had been nothing but sincere. The first person to invest in me, Jack thought. Why wouldn't I accept?
Huang exhaled in quiet relief when Jack took the box. In the principal's mind, an S-level super-ability all but guaranteed admission to one of the top five universities. From there, Jack's path could lead to becoming a diamond-level expert—perhaps even an extraordinary awakener or a king-class powerhouse, if the global battle against the invading monsters went well.
The contents of that metal box represented half a lifetime of Huang's personal savings. Yet he considered it a trivial price for securing favor with a prodigy whose future might shape the world itself.
Better to offer support now than wait until he's untouchable, Huang reasoned. When Jack stands among kings, a simple greeting from him will make all this worthwhile.
He could hardly suppress a triumphant smile. "Student Jack, you must be tired. Would you like to rest for a while? I'll send word when representatives from the five universities arrive."
Jack waved lightly. "I'm fine. I'd like to stay and watch the rest of the ceremony."
The principal nodded, still beaming, as Jack settled back in his seat. Inside, Jack's heart was equally light. A million yuan, a mysterious metal box, and the prestige of honorary mentor—he could hardly complain.
---
With the formalities over, Jack opened his system interface, invisible to anyone else.
Host: Jack
Cultivation: Black Iron Realm, 1st Star
Superpower: Shock Force (S+), Conqueror's Haki (S)
Martial Arts: None
Energy Points: 11
Character Template: Edward Newgate (click to view details and unlock levels)
In a single day, he had advanced from ordinary human to Black Iron One Star. Wisps of spiritual energy now coursed through his body—the unmistakable mark of an awakened individual.
Earlier, he'd asked the system an important question: Was the psychic energy of this world connected to the Shock Fruit's power?
The system's cool, mechanical voice had replied,
> "When the Shock Fruit converts into a superpower, psychic energy becomes one of the forces that activate the devil's power. Combined with your physical energy, it amplifies the fruit's strength. That is why your abilities exceed those of your peers many times over."
Jack had only one thought after hearing that: This system is incredible.
He tapped the character template again to review the details.
Character Template: Edward Newgate
Shock Power: unlocked 5%
Conqueror's Haki: unlocked 5%
Armament Haki: Basic, unlocked 10%
Observation Haki: Basic, unlocked 10%
Physical Skills: unlocked 10%
Guandao Technique: unlocked 10%
Note: In addition to regular training, you can speed up unlocking by killing monsters to gain energy points, or by completing randomly assigned tasks to earn unlocking experience.
Jack's eyes widened with delight. He had expected to grind each ability open through relentless effort, but the system offered a faster path.
A shortcut! he thought. That changes everything.
As more character templates appeared, unlocking them all through training alone would have been impossible. But if energy points and missions could accelerate the process, then mastery was only a matter of time and determination.
Energy points, thankfully, wouldn't be scarce. Psychic stones and monster hunts could supply them in abundance. And in this world, if anything was plentiful, it was monsters.
Satisfied, Jack closed the interface and turned his attention back to the Awakening Hall.
---
The sight that greeted him left him momentarily speechless.
The official testing had halted, and the six central rows of seats had been cleared to create an open space. Two students now stood in the center of the hall, facing off in combat stance.
One of them was his close friend—his sworn brother—Chen Darong.
Jack frowned. He'd been so absorbed in the system interface that he hadn't noticed anything happening around him. He hadn't even realized when Principal Huang had left his side.
Scanning the hall, Jack spotted the principal standing below, eyes locked on the impromptu duel.
Jack moved swiftly to his side and whispered, "Principal, what's going on?"
Huang turned, his face tight with frustration. When he saw Jack, a visible relief softened his features, as though a drowning man had found a lifeline.
> "Student Jack, you're finally paying attention!"
In hushed tones, Huang explained the situation. During the time Jack had been communing with his system, students from No. 1 and No. 2 Middle Schools had arrived unexpectedly. Word of an S-level awakening had spread like wildfire, and they had come to see the phenomenon for themselves.
Their arrival was anything but friendly. They had mocked and jeered, their words dripping with envy. They demanded that Jack—now celebrated as No. 3 Middle School's S-level prodigy—come out and "demonstrate his power."
Huang Chongguang had flatly refused. It was outrageous enough for outsiders to intrude on the ceremony; to demand a performance from the school's honorary mentor was pure insolence.
The visitors hadn't taken the refusal well, and a heated argument broke out.
That was when Chen Darong stepped forward. Newly awakened with a C-level elemental ability, Chen refused to watch his best friend be insulted. With fiery determination, he challenged the arrogant students from No. 1 and No. 2 to a live duel—right here in the hall.
Jack couldn't help the wry smile that tugged at his lips. So my good brother couldn't hold back his temper.
Still, his heart warmed. Chen was standing up for him, taking on the confrontation so Jack wouldn't have to. That loyalty deserved respect.
If the fight turned dangerous, Jack would step in without hesitation. For now, he decided to watch.
"No. 1 and No. 2 Middle Schools…" Jack muttered under his breath. "The so-called elite of Tianhai City? Let's see what they've got."
A C-level ability might not be the strongest, but Chen's spirit and courage made him formidable in Jack's eyes.
If they dare disrespect my brother Young Master Chen, Jack thought, a faint, dangerous grin spreading across his face, they'll find themselves flat on the floor before the day is out.
---
The Awakening Hall vibrated with tension as the duel began. Spectators from all three schools crowded the perimeter, their voices a low, expectant murmur. Chen Darong's eyes blazed with elemental light as he squared his shoulders against his opponent, a smug youth from No. 1 Middle School known for his flashy fire techniques.
Jack crossed his arms, watching intently. Whatever the outcome, one fact was clear: anyone foolish enough to slight Chen Darong—or Jack himself—would soon learn what it meant to challenge the pride of No. 3 Middle School.
---
End of Chapter 6
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