The interior of the Awakeners Association branch buzzed with lively activity, catching Adam off guard.
From outside, the building had seemed quiet, so he expected a calm atmosphere inside, but to his surprise, it was the complete opposite.
The spacious hall was filled with movement and chatter, and most of the people present looked quite young.
It didn't take Adam long to understand why. These were most likely new Awakeners, just like him. With only two Awakeners Association branches in Woodstone City, it made sense that many would gather here despite their rarity.
This week marked the nationwide Awakening Ceremony, and most of the young people filling the Association were probably fresh Awakeners from Harbor City.
By the end of the day, the influx of new registrants would likely slow down, leaving the next few days far quieter.
Adam's gaze swept across the crowd. From a quick estimate, there were at least thirty students present—a remarkable number, considering they all came from just nine public and private schools across Harbor City.
As he observed the bustling scene, Adam quietly joined one of the shorter lines leading to a reception table.
Though unsure of what to expect, the presence of others his age gave him a rough idea of the process. The air was warm with the scent of too many bodies in one space, and the low hum of countless voices added a restless energy to the room.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't too long. After twenty-eight minutes, Adam stood at the front of the line with only one person ahead of him. Behind him, the queue had grown even longer as more Awakeners filed in.
While he waited, his phone vibrated softly in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
[$5000 has been transferred to your account 31******89, XXXX Bank International, from Blessing Lucy! Your current account balance is $10,600!]
Adam's eyes widened slightly. 'Five thousand dollars? That's a lot.'
A mix of warmth and discomfort filled his chest as he stared at the message. His mother's monthly salary was around $7,000, excluding occasional bonuses. Sending him more than seventy percent of her income at once was a huge gesture, especially since it was already mid-June and her pay usually came at the start of the month. This amount could easily be a quarter of what she had left to live on.
Even back on Earth, $7,000 wasn't much when supporting a family.
Despite his concern, Adam couldn't help but feel an intense warmth rise within him, wrapping tightly around his heart. He felt truly loved in this world, something he had rarely experienced before. Back on Earth, he had fought cancer alone, with no one by his side.
The memory strengthened his resolve. Adam clenched his fist slightly and made a silent vow to change his family's life and take care of them.
Yet, doubt quietly crept into his mind.
'Is becoming an Awakener truly life-changing for the average person as everyone claims?'
All his life, people had spoken of Awakening as a one-way ticket to success, but the exact details were hazy. Beyond the promise of power, the way it transformed lives remained a mystery to most.
Still, one thing was undeniable: power brought wealth. And with his unique ability, the Life Simulator, he could make the most of that opportunity.
Lost in thought, Adam didn't realize it was his turn until a calm voice snapped him back to reality.
"Good day, sir. What can I do for you?"
The receptionist, a composed woman in her late twenties, greeted him with a professional smile. Her calm demeanor eased the tension in Adam's chest, helping him reply smoothly, "I'm here to register."
"As?" she asked, her gaze flicking briefly to his school uniform.
Usually, students came to register as either newly Awakened individuals or as rare prodigies who had reached Rank One as Cultivators while still in school. Though today was the National Awakening Ceremony, she didn't want to assume too quickly.
"Yes, I'm here to register as an Awakener," Adam confirmed.
"Oh, I see," she said, unsurprised.
She began asking him a series of standard questions—his name, age, address, and even his bank account and phone number. Adam answered each one without hesitation.
The entire process turned out to be much quicker and simpler than he had imagined. Soon, they reached the most important part.
"Adam, you possess a unique talent, yes?"
Adam nodded.
"What is the name of your talent?"
He paused briefly, then answered calmly, "My talent name is Life Simulator."
The lady's brows furrowed as she turned toward her monitor and began scrolling through the registry of known abilities.
After a few moments, her expression grew serious. "We have no record of a talent called Life Simulator, so I'll need to ask you a few more questions."
Adam gave her a polite smile. "Go ahead, miss."
She nodded and signaled to a coworker.
Within minutes, a middle-aged man stepped out of the elevator. He wore a black suit, his expression composed. His neatly combed hair and the glasses framing his sharp eyes gave him an air of quiet authority.
He glanced around briefly before walking toward them. Without acknowledging Adam, he spoke to the receptionist, "You may proceed with the questioning."
Seeing Adam's puzzled expression, the receptionist offered a wry smile. "This is Luke. He's one of the organization's lie detectors. We don't want people lying about their abilities."
Adam understood her reasoning, though a flicker of unease lingered.
Would they uncover the full truth behind his talent?
As the questioning resumed, a hint of tension coiled in his chest.
"Your talent, Life Simulator, does it affect the rate at which you increase your strength?" she asked.
Adam's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't hide it.
Should he reveal that his ability could push him to the peak of the world with enough time?
His mind raced for a convincing response, but before panic could take over, his white talent activated on its own.
A cool clarity settled over him as the system guided him on what to say next.