"It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming. On days like these, kids like us should be... exploring dungeons!"
"Fal, we have the awakening ceremony today. Also, did you take that line from somewhere?"
"Huh?"
"And awakened can't access dungeons yet."
"Well, there are challenge dungeons... ."
"Do you want to die?", Rex was exasperated with his friend.
"Haha... .", Fal rubbed the back of his head, brushing off the subject.
The two boys arrived at the school's awakening sight. They were immediately the center of attention. The first and second of the year commanded at least that amount of respect. Regardless of the talent they would awaken, they would have some measure of success.
Rex had been the top of the class for a while now and Fal was second. While Rex was the straight laced well-behaved student, Fal's reputation was that of a slacker or rather a delinquent. He had missed too many classes after all. Fal didn't really care in any case. His aim was beyond school anyway. The whispering around them continued anyway. Fal was already thinking about which challenge dungeon to go to after awakening. He was close to clearing one anyway.
"Some people are already so far ahead. I wonder what grade talent they will awaken."
"Heh, who knows, talent bestowal is completely random, they could end up with just a C rank talent or something."
"They would probably still succeed with a C rank talent. Only something like an F rank talent would stop them in their tracks."
"Hahh, F rank talents are as rare as S rank talents."
"I wish I got an S rank talent too..."
"Keep daydreaming!"
"Look, Avery just arrived! This is going to be good!"
The crowd suddenly quietly as Avery pompously made his entry with his posse. Avery had been losing to Rex and Fal all these years. How could the heir of a prominent family bear to have so many setbacks due to two commoners. He clashed with them and even employed some underhanded tactics. But, he never gained the upper hand.
"Fal, Rex. Just watch today! Getting ahead is not just about grades. Today, I will surpass and make you grovel", Avery gnashed his teeth while his entourage jeered at his victims. "My dad got me a luck blessing. With this, my victory is assured."
Rex was dumbfounded by this, even Fal had his interest piqued. A luck blessing would guarantee you an A rank talent with a 10% chance of getting an S rank talent. Luck blessing was not impossible to get. You could exchange it at the guild but the price was equivalently high. It seemed like Avery's family had depths more unfathomable than previously thought.
Avery puffed out his chest with satisfaction at the reaction he was getting, especially from the two commoners. His father even told him that if he would get an S rank talent, he would rise to the top of the human world. He turned around and left before Rex or Fal could reply. Avery was looking forward to the ceremony.
"I hope we get some good talents. Although if you get something weird, you would probably be happier, right?"
It was thought that Fal relied on Rex's help to maintain his second place. The reality was that Fal was a bit of a maverick. In addition to truancy, he had messed around too much even risking expulsion a few times. Rex kept tabs on his friend so that he doesn't go too wild. Fal didn't have to reply for Rex to know his thoughts. Rex sighed.
At this point, everyone stood straight as the principal made his entrance. The sky was tainted in crimson as he descended from above riding a flaming phoenix. The principal nonchalantly stood alone on the stage. Then, the professors came. Teleporting. Shapeshifting from a wolf. Emerging from the shadows. The students were mesmerised by this display, everyone vowing to become as awe inspiring as their educators.
"Around five hundred years ago, the war against the demons started. The heroes of the human world fought their best against this invasion. However, it was not enough. We were on the brink of defeat but then the system appeared. The fight hasn't ended. It has just moved. We fight in the dungeons and defeat the invaders! Today in the eighteenth year of your life, you do not just become adults and gain your talents but also become soldiers in this war. You have already seen the work of the demons and demon cult. It is now time to do your part and stop them."
"Regardless of your talent, you will gain your status board. You will not die when you go into challenge dungeons. At level 10, you will gain your Class. So, do not give up! Do not forget a C talent with a few derivative skills and a matching Class is on par or better than a B talent with a mediocre Class. It is told only 2 people have ever got SS talents. But S grade talents could still rival them. So do not give up!"
"Let's not keep the suspense up much longer. I know you all are impatient to gain your talent."
Students started lining up one by one as their talent was read on stage and relayed to the crowd. The magic orb ruthlessly displayed the student's talent destroying many students' dreams... .
[Tough Skin] Grade D
[Charming Face] Grade E
[Sharp Senses] Grade D
Students walked away with disappointed eyes and slumped shoulders. Some had given up already. Even if they worked hard, they would only end up third grade.
Where some fall, others rise instead.
[Summoning Link] Grade A
"With a summoner Class, I will be invincible!!"
[Swordsmanship] Grade B
[Fire Affinity] Grade B
"Hmm, you can be take a fire mage Class or an elemental swordsman Class." The assassin professor at the examination stage couldn't help comment.
Soon, it was Avery's turn. He strutted to the stage with great confidence.
[Ancestral Possession] Grade S
"Haha, with this talent, I can invite heroes of the past to lend me their strength! Do you have any hope of beating this, Rex? Fal?"
The crowd buzzed in excitement for the rare appearance of an S class. His arrogant demeanor and rude remarks were disregarded because of his limitless potential. Even the principal stroked his white beard in acknowledgment.
Avery went down the stage prepared to gloat at Rex and Fal's result. He didn't wait for long until Rex went up nervously. It seemed like the seconds stretched out forever. Then, the results were shouted out to the crowd by the staff.
[Monster Encyclopedia] Grade S
The crowd erupted not expecting the second Grade S talent. Rex was in shock himself before he composed himself and went down.
The ceremony continued as only a few students were left.
"Someone got a [Trainer] talent. Do you think this support talent will be helpful?"
"Avery's talent sounds like it has no ceiling. He really hit the jackpot!"
"Jane, the school belle got the grade A talent [Ice Princess]. Maybe, beautiful people do get the best talents?"
In the distance, Jane stood aloof on the side. As someone from an elite family, she had a cold gaze holding most people at bay. It seemed like her talent described her perfectly. At this point, some elite students joined her.
It was finally Fal's turn. He walked with a confident smirk onto the stage. The crowd held their breath fully expecting another S Grade talent. The orb scanned Fal's talent. The assassin professor had a double take and even started checking if the machine was working properly. He looked at Fal, hesitating to talk.
Meanwhile, Fal looked at the crowd. He spoke clear enough for the whole crowd to hear.
"My talent is [Cloning]." Fal's smile widened. "Grade F."