"Alright—students of Red Leaf City, listen carefully."
Officer Bart's voice echoed through the Awakening Center, firm and practiced. It was the kind of voice that came from repeating the same rules year after year, to faces full of hope that rarely remembered him afterward.
"Form a single line and come forward one by one to awaken your talents. No pushing. No cutting. And don't even think about forcing your way ahead." His sharp gaze swept across the crowd. "Any disputes or trouble will result in immediate disqualification from this year's Awakening Ceremony."
The murmurs died down.
Before him stood dozens of young men and women, all freshly eighteen. Some held their heads high, trying to look confident. Others couldn't stop fidgeting, hands clenched tight, as if gripping the last threads of certainty they had left. For most of them, today wasn't just a ceremony—it was a verdict.
Bart had seen this scene countless times.
Every day, another batch.Another group of dreams waiting to be judged by the glow of a crystal.
Let's see if this one's worth remembering, he thought, letting his eyes linger for a moment longer.
He wasn't expecting miracles. Officer Bart was too grounded for that. S-rank talents belonged in tavern stories and drunken boasts, not small cities like Red Leaf. Still… even a decent B-rank—or a rare A—would make the day worthwhile.
And might earn him a nice bonus on top.
"Alright," he said, clapping once. His gaze landed on a girl near the front, her hair tied neatly into a ponytail, back straight despite the tension in her shoulders. "You. Ponytail. You're first."
She stiffened, eyes widening for a split second before she nodded.
"The rest of you, line up behind her," Bart added. "Keep it orderly."
Starting with a girl was tradition. Bart liked to tell himself it was courtesy. In truth, it was mostly habit—but no one ever complained.
He folded his arms as the line slowly took shape.
----
"Hooof… I'm so nervous. Wish me luck, guys!"
The boy who spoke looked like he could wrestle a bear—broad shoulders, thick arms, a round face that tried very hard to look brave. His legs, unfortunately, didn't share the confidence, trembling as his eyes fixed on the crystal sphere ahead. It sat quietly on its stand, faintly shimmering as the first girl stepped forward.
"Shut up, Fatty," someone whispered sharply. "You're making it worse."
The speaker was his complete opposite—tall, thin, and pale, with glasses perched crookedly on his nose. He adjusted them again, trying to steady himself, but his fingers shook too much to hide his nerves.
"You guys are such cowards."
A girl's voice cut between them.
It was bright and clear, carrying none of the fear that filled the air. She leaned forward, hands on her hips, eyes practically glowing with excitement.
"Kael," she said, snapping her head toward the boy beside her. "What do you think? What kind of talent am I getting?"
Kael looked at her.
He wasn't striking at first glance—just clean features, calm eyes, and a posture that felt a little too steady for his age. Ordinary… and yet not quite. There was something restrained about him, like someone who watched more than he spoke.
His gaze lingered on her.
She was unmistakably energetic—short hair tied carelessly, body coiled like she might bolt at any second. It wasn't that she acted like a boy. She simply hadn't learned how to sit still.
Kael nodded once.
"If I had to guess," he said, "combat-type beast affinity."
Her eyes lit up.
Then—smack!
She slapped his shoulder hard enough to make the skinny boy flinch.
"Of course!" she laughed. "You get me! I'm definitely becoming a legendary beast tamer!"
Her voice carried farther than she meant it to.
Several heads turned.
Including Officer Bart's.
He sighed and glanced back. "Miss," he said evenly, "please keep your voice down. The ceremony hasn't even started. Celebrate after you awaken."
His expression stayed neutral.
Another dreamer, he thought. Let's hope reality isn't too cruel.
"I—I'm sorry!" she blurted, face turning red as she bowed slightly. "Sorry!"
Kael watched her for a moment, then shook his head.
"Relax, Sarah," he said quietly. "Just wait."
She nodded fast, suddenly very interested in the floor.
"…Okay."
----
Finally, the first girl stepped forward.
Her movements were stiff as she raised her hand toward the crystal. Up close, it felt heavier somehow—smooth, cold, faintly humming beneath her skin. She swallowed.
Please… just something useful, she prayed. Anything that gets me into a good university.
She didn't want glory. Didn't want monsters or battlefields. Stability was enough. Safety was enough.
She placed her palm on the sphere.
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
Buzz.
Purple light exploded outward, washing over the platform. Several students gasped, shielding their eyes as energy rippled through the air. Above the crystal, glowing runes snapped into place, forming a floating panel.
[ Congratulations ]
[You have awakened a B-Rank Talent ]
[ Talent: Nutrition Optimization ]
[ Affinity: Beast / Self ]
Silence.
The girl froze.
B-rank?
Beast affinity?
Officer Bart straightened sharply.
The crowd erupted.
"A beast talent?!"
"On the first try?!"
"B-rank?! That's insane!"
"She's ridiculously lucky!"
"Blessed by the Goddess or what?!"
"Remember her face—connections matter!"
At the center of it all, Mara stood unmoving.
This wasn't what she wanted.
There was no excitement. No pride.
Only confusion.
She wasn't a fighter. Strength, to her, had always meant security—not blood or danger.
Her luck felt… wrong.
"Quiet!" Bart barked, snapping the room back into order.
The noise faded.
"Miss Mara," he said, checking the hovering name. "Proceed to the designated area. Your talent will be registered after the ceremony."
Professional. Controlled.
But his posture gave him away. A B-rank beast affinity didn't show up every day.
Mara nodded and moved aside, still dazed.
Kael watched her.
Unlike the others, he wasn't surprised.
Luck matters more than effort, he thought. Compatibility decides the rest.
Since transmigrating into this body three months ago, he'd learned that much at least.
Sarah's temperament made combat almost inevitable. Whether fate would indulge her was another matter.
Apparently… it had.
"Nutrition Optimization," Kael murmured. "Support-type."
Not impressive at a glance.
Potentially terrifying later.
The crystal dimmed, returning to its quiet glow.
The line advanced.
Kael stepped forward.
He took a slow breath.
Please don't let my luck be as bad as last time.
Even as the thought formed—
He didn't fully believe it.
----
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