"Phew, finally we made said it!" Alex said out loud as he and Zack walked into the school compound and other students arriving too, as some arrived on floating vehicles, hoverboards and e-bikes.
"Yeah we sure did arrive right on time" Zack breathed a breath of relief.
"So, shall we go now, because the ceremony is starting in about five minutes" Alex looked at his digital watch as he spoke to Zack who took in a breath.
"Yep, let's go" And both of them walked forward as ahead at the center of the academy grounds was a sea of students gathered before a huge podium and the air buzzed with teenage chatter as today was the day everyone had been looking forward to.
"Alex! Zack!! Over here" A girl called out to them as she waved at them as they made their way through the sea of students, walking towards the girl as standing with her was a girl and boy.
"Wassup Mia, looks like you guys made it before us" Zack said to the Girl who waved at them as they approached them.
"Well what do you expect, anyway you guys still made it on time" The Girl named Mia replied to him, she had a long brown hair which was braided and light brown eyes as she wore a pair of glasses which hung on her nose perfectly and she had an oval face and a kind of petty body size but her blossoms and well you know, were in good size.
"but you two look kinda of messed up" The girl standing beside Mia spoke to Them both as she looked at them carefully prompting both of them to look at themselves and finding their hair a mess and little dirt stains on their faces.
"Oh, about this Zoe, well we got into a little trouble" Zack said to the girl named Zoe as he smiled.
(Who the hell calls been beating up all because of a cat a damn little Trouble!!!) Alex screamed in his mind.
"Zack, why don't I help you fix your messy hair" the girl named Zoe said to Zack.
"yeah sure thing" Zack agreed and she placed her hand on his hair and he became flustered as she arranged his messy hair.
The girl named Zoe had a long blonde hair which she let fall freely and some of the hair draping over her shoulders and having a pair of almond eyes which shined like a pool of gold under the sunlight and bright pink lips which gave her a seductive look as her perfectly carved face complemented her beauty more.
she wasn't that tall just having an average height and she wore a pink top which held her ample melons in place a sight to the eyes to behold and a skirt with floral designs which seemed above her knees exposing her white thighs a little, a feast for the eyes for one not to miss, also she wore a pair of golden earrings and applied a little makeup which boosted her beauty more and her body was a dangerous one to look at.
(Argh! Why in Front of me!) Alex could not bear the sight as he felt like life was unfair to him.
"man isn't that the school beauty, Zoe?"
"Yeah of course she is the one, man how wish I could just talk to her for a few seconds"
"in your dreams bro, do you think she will even spare a glance at you, bringing the fact that she has a silver talent and the guy she is holding is the number one in our school and the only person with a diamond talent in the entire school"
"damn she is very pretty and beautiful"
"her chests are really a sight worth seeing man"
"Ah, damn it, why is life so unfair to me" a boy laments
"Oi don't blame life instead blame yourself for not been able to awaken a silver talent or gold" another boy tells him coldly
"alright you whose talking do you have a silver talent?"
"I don't but at least I have a bronze talent unlike that trash iron talent you have" the boy says with a smug
"hey who you calling trash, am going beat you up right now" the other says as he gets annoyed.
"well come then, because am going to put you were you belong" the boy said confidently and cracking his knuckles as he got ready for a fight and they both got into a fight. And many boys were staring daggers at Zack who didn't notice as he was busy discussing with Zoe who kept teasing him in the process. This scene was unbearable for most boys as their hearts ached.
"Looks like I am forgotten" the boy standing behind Mia voiced out.
"Nah, i'nt like that Ben, how could I forget you my bro" Zack grinned as he spoke to the boy whose names turns out to be ben.
The boy named Ben wore a white top with a black jacket on and a blue jean trouser and his shoulder length brown hair fluttering under the morning breeze and his brown eyes looking straight at Zack with his arms folded.
He was average in height but Zack was a shoulder taller than him and his body frame was a well built one.
"Since we all are here, the ceremony should be starting any moment now" Mia looked at them all as she spoke.
"Students of Gladden academy, I welcome you all to your awakening ceremony!!!"
A man's voice booms around the entire place and everyone takes their gazes to man standing on a hovering platform in mid-air, above the podium.
"Today is the day you have been waiting for! The day your true journey begins! Today, you choose the path your life will take!" His words echoed, bouncing off the buildings. "It marks the beginning of your journey to become Abilitans to go beyond the limits of ordinary people!"
He paced the floating platform, his gaze sweeping over the thousand-strong crowd. "We live in a Golden Era, an era of endless opportunity. But this peace was bought with the blood and sacrifice of humanity five hundred years ago, when the world was plunged into chaos. You are the future. You are the next guardians. Train hard. Grow strong. Because after today, your future is in your own hands. You will learn you have been frogs in a well. Beyond our walls lie countless worlds, realms of untold danger and wonder in the forgotten lands and beyond the gates!"
He finished, his voice dropping to a resonant, motivational tone. "In life, you must climb step by step. No matter how many times you fall… do not give up! Get up, dust yourself off, and improve!"
The silence held for a beat, then the grounds erupted. A thunderous wave of cheers and applause crashed against the podium, the students' fervor ignited.
"Alright everyone please bring it down" the man spoke and the cheers and claps subsided.
The man smiled, raising his hands for calm. "Alright, everyone, please! Bring it down." The noise subsided to an excited hum. "Now… let the Awakening Ceremony… BEGIN!"
The hovering platform glided away as a final, deafening cheer rose from the students.
"I can't wait to awaken my ability" Alex was ecstatic
"At least finally the wait is over" Said Mia as in her eyes was longing as the moment everyone had finally arrived.
"Finally, it begins" Zack spoke as a smile formed on his face.
Then a woman climbed onto the podium before the students, the woman stood before the student and her eyes carried a vibrant sharpness in them as she looked at the crowd of students.
"Alright everyone whenever you hear your name please step forward for your awakening" the woman spoke sharply as she held a tablet in her hand as the device held the names of the entire students.
"Well everyone the awakening phase begins now" as the woman finished his sentence the podium on which she stood suddenly rumbled as from the center of the large podium arose a pedestal in which a clear crystal orb was placed on it as wires were connected beneath it into the pedestal and wonderous speck of purple colored energy dancing in harmony, gently around the Orb.
Expressions of all kinds were seen the face of the students as they saw the crystal orb some were of confidence, fear, hope, anxiety, skepticism and happiness.
Looking at the tab in her hand the woman began to call the students names.
"first up, Roselyn Robertson" the woman's voice echoes loudly.
Then from within the crowd walked out a girl wearing a pair of glasses and she had side swept red hair swaying behind her as she walked gracefully towards the podium and her icy green eyes were focused on the crystal orb.
She ascended the podium and coming before the crystal orb which lay gently on the pedestal pulsing with bane energy and every eye were on her.
"place your hand on the orb" the woman instructed her and she obeyed.
"okay, now do not resist the bane energy flowing into your body instead receive it and let it flow through your entire body"
The woman told her and she took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the specks of bane energy danced towards her as the energy gently circulated around her body.
Suddenly green motes of light began to gather around the orb and around her, then the crystal orb glowed bright green and then a huge holographic screen appeared before her as everyone could see it.
[Name: Roselyn Robertson]
[Age: 17 years]
[Gender: female]
[Talent: Silver]
[Ability: Nova energy manipulation (S rank)]
[Abiltiy Class: Nova energy manipulation (Universal)]
The information was displayed on the holographic screen floating above her and the entire crowd had their jaws gapping as they could not believe their very eyes as they looked at the S-rank boldly written on the screen.
"oh my God, she awakened an S-rank ability"
"Not just an S-rank ability but she also awakened a sliver talent!!!"
The entire crowd of students were shocked.
"that's one big awakening" Alex exclaimed in surprise
"I couldn't agree less with you" Zack acknowledged his words.
Whispers were heard among the students as they were shocked. In a canopy at the side of the podium seated were guests from various abilitan academies who here to collect the students with high ranking abilities into their academies.
A woman with a long brown which was tied into a bun and her deep brown eyes glued towards Roselyn who was still in shock over the high ranking ability she awakened, the woman's presence exuded an aura of terrifying might as she crossed her leg leisurely as the other guests were planning to send their people over to see if they could rope her into their academies.
"She is mine everyone, go and get yours" the woman said coldly as she didn't even spare a glance at the others.
"isn't that woman from crystal field academy"
"yeah am sure of it"
"I heard the she is known as the fierce tiger of Crystal Field academy and many people in the academy fear her"
"I even heard she had beaten up two up abilitans at the Core crystallization phase for angering her" the guests whispered among themselves as everyone decided not to get in her way.
A wide smile curved on Roselyn's lips as happiness was evident in her eyes.
"congrats Roselyn, you have officially become an abilitan" the woman holding the tab congratulated her and an aura of proudness was seen around her as she descended down the platform.
"Up next, Johnathan Dan" the man called the next person up and so names after names were called and Zack watched as his heart skipped a beat each time he thought of his awakening.
[Name: Dennis Clover]
[Age: 17 years]
[Gender: male]
[Talent: iron]
[Ability: Earth manipulation (C rank)]
[Ability Class: earth manipulation (Elemental)]
A holographic screen floats above a boy as his hand was placed on the crystal Orb and the orb glowing a brown color as shards of rock spread on the surface of the orb.
Retracting his hand, the shards of rocks on the orb turns into mist and evaporates and the expression on the boy's face was that of intense happiness even though it was a C-rank ability but it was a good thing and that meant a good future.
"congrats Dennis, you are now an abilitan" the man congratulated the boy named Dennis and the boy went down the podium with a wide smile on his face and getting to his friends who congratulated him and the man takes his focus back to the tab and calls the next name.
"Alex Bale"
Alex was called next.
Alex stood before the mechanical device as the floating orb radiated with energy and he gently placed his hand on the Floating orb.
"Sizzle! Sizzle!!" Then Alex's hair floated as red lighting sparks began to sizzle around him and his body radiating with a red aura as the lighting struck around him and in the mist of the sparks of lighting an orange aura began to swirl around the red lighting strikes.
In the blink of an eye the lighting sparks and strikes became faster with each passing second the lighting strikes became faster than the speed one takes to blink his or her eyes and the lighting sizzling in all directions.
Even the personal on the podium had to stay away from Alex as his abilities Manifested and the holographic screen was projected with his information.
[Name: Alex Bale]
[Age: 17 years old]
[Gender: Male]
[Talent: Sliver]
[Ability: Lighting manipulation (Red) (S-rank), Acceleration (SS-rank)]
[Ability class: Lighting manipulation (Elemental) Acceleration (Universal)]
When the crowd of students saw Alex's Information, they had to ask themselves questions even most of the guests had an expression of surprise.
"How can a silver rank talent have two abilities" one of the guests said with disbelief.
"You don't see this everyday" a man spoke as his face held surprise.
"It's not just because of his talent, let's say luck because for silver talent to have two abilities is one out of a million, its rare case to occur but seeing a silver talent with two abilities is super rare" a middle-aged man explained.
"Hell! ya got to be kidding, this guy awakened two abilities"
"Bro please finger me, am dreaming right" a boy said with disbelief to his
"Not just that, but an S and SS rank abilities, like WTF!!"
Gasps and murmurs spread through crowd of students instantly as their jaw dropped as they stared at the holographic projection wide eyed with shock definitely written on their faces.
Alex lips curved into a big smile as he looked at the holographic screen, a surge of happiness flooding inside of him like never before.
Alex strode back to Zack and the others with a smile on his, he had shocked his haters, this was a life changing event for him and his family.
"Yo Bro you really blew the charts" Zack beamed with happiness for Alex as he approached them, both of them exchanging a bro hug.
"I can't believe I pulled it off, like bro! its like dream in fact pour me water to make sure this is reality" Alex was overjoyed.
"Bro wake up to reality, you are in it" Ben placed a hand on Alex's shoulder as he spoke.
"You really broke the charts, Alex!" Zoe said to him sweetly with a smile and he blushed.
"Alex you are a genius, one in a million" Mia said
"You flatter too much Mia" He replied to her with a smile
"next up Zack Grey Lyon" the woman called out loudly and Zack who seemed lost in thoughts was suddenly jolted by the call of his name and every single student took their gaze towards him.
The woman's voice rang out, sharper and louder than before. Every single student turned. A palpable shift occurred in the canopy.
"Ah, dear guests," Director Cromwell said, a pleased smile on his face as he adjusted his white coat. "Now you shall meet our academy's number one. Our sole Diamond Talent."
A ripple of intense interest passed through the recruiters. The military man sat straighter. The fierce tiger woman narrowed her eyes. Only an old man with snow-white hair seemed utterly calm, his deep blue eyes fixed on Zack with unnerving focus.
"The Lyon family?" someone whispered, the name dropping like a stone in quiet water.
Zack, jolted from his happiness for Alex, felt the weight of a thousand stares settle on him.
"Zack, it's your turn," Zoe whispered, her breath close to his ear, sending a different kind of shiver down his spine.
"Go on, bro. It's your moment." Ben gave him an encouraging nod.
"Good luck, brother in arms!" Alex patted his back, his own joy momentarily shared.
"Alright, guys. Wish me luck," Zack said, his smile confident. He turned and began the long walk to the podium. The crowd parted for him, their whispers a rising tide.
"That's him! The diamond!"
"What's he gonna get? SSS? X?"
"This is gonna be historic…"
Zack reached the pedestal. The crystal orb pulsed gently before him, the Bane Energy swirling in its core. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo of anticipation.
"Place your hand on the orb."
He did. The surface was cool, almost liquid.
"Let the energy flow."
Zack nodded. He closed his eyes, took the deepest breath of his life, and opened himself to the energy.
The purple motes drifted toward him, circling his hand and arm. He focused, waiting for the surge, the connection, the awakening he had dreamed of his entire life.
Five seconds passed.
Ten.
A minute.
A faint frown touched Zack's brow. He felt… nothing. Just a mild tingling where the energy touched his skin.
On the podium, the officials exchanged glances. The crowd's eager murmurs began to soften, replaced by a confused buzz.
Two minutes.
Three.
Zack's eyes flew open. He stared at the orb, then at his hand. The energy was circling, but it wasn't connecting. It was like trying to grab smoke.
(What's going on? Why isn't it reacting?)
Five minutes. The buzz in the crowd was now a loud hum of confusion. Director Cromwell leaned forward in his seat, his smile gone. In the canopy, the recruiters wore expressions of profound puzzlement.
Seven minutes. The whispers were now distinct.
"Is it broken?"
"Maybe Diamond Talents take longer?"
"Has this ever happened?"
A cold knot of dread began to tighten in Zack's stomach. He looked to the official, who simply gestured for him to keep his hand in place, her own face now etched with concern.
Then, a glow. A faint, red pulse from deep within the orb.
"Look! It's glowing!" a student shouted.
A ragged hope flared in Zack's chest. (Finally!)
The orb's light intensified, burning a harsh, warning red. Instead of the usual serene blue hologram, a screen the color of blood flickered into existence above Zack's head. The text that appeared was blunt, sterile, and devastating.
< ERROR>
< NO ABILITY DETECTED>
The words hung in the air, glowing red against the daylight. The confused hum of the crowd died instantly, swallowed by a silence so complete and heavy it felt like a physical pressure.
Zack stood frozen, his hand still on the now-dormant orb, staring at the message that had just shattered his world. The error text glitched once, as if even the system was confused, before solidifying into a final, cruel verdict.
< ERROR: NO ABILITY>