"You all are humanity's future." A burly elderly man's voice rang across the amphitheater.
"So do not feel too defeated if you fail to awaken, or if you awaken a support-based Talent. We still need auxiliary citizens for various roles."
"That said, depending on the type and grade of Talent you awaken—"
"You may earn admission into one of the eight prestigious clans, or be selected by one of the guild representatives present here today."
"With all that said, I wish you all good luck on your awakening!" The burly man had on a black trench coat, with a thick mustache.
*Such a blabbermouth.*
The man descended the dais at the center of the vast amphitheater, swarming with hundreds of thousands of teenage hopefuls.
Some wore expressions of uncertainty.
Others brimmed with confidence.
But all of them burned with passion.
*Let's get this thing started already.*
The mustached man took his seat atop one of the several raised platforms for dignitaries.
Then a middle-aged man in a tailored suit and monocle ascended the dais.
"You will proceed according to your citizen Tiers."
*How inventive.*
"Tier Zero citizens, please ascend," he said, adjusting his monocle.
*The rest of us can go screw ourselves in the meantime, I guess.*
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"The Tier Zero elites!"
"My world… what do you think they'll be like?"
*Probably spoiled shitheads.*
"I heard their Talents never fall below B-grade!"
"B-grade? I heard it's never below A-grade!"
Soon, the amphitheater fell into silence as nine teenagers stepped down from their clan-assigned raised platforms.
They wore exquisite outfits, adorned with gleaming artifacts, each radiating privileged confidence.
*They look ridiculously flashy.*
As they gathered on the dais, whispers erupted again.
"So this is the difference between Tiers?"
"Kyaa! Young Master Ryan is so handsome—I want his babies!"
"Keep dreaming!"
"I wonder what the princess will awaken!"
"Right? After all, she's 'His' granddaughter!"
*I wonder who they are talking about.*
"Quiet!" the monocled man bellowed. The chatter died instantly.
"Ryan Carbbrudeen, please approach the awakening monolith and place both palms on its surface."
A red-haired youth stepped forward with swagger, a crooked smile on his face.
*That's such a huge ego for someone so young.*
*…Wait. Aren't we the same age?*
*My thoughts are getting messier by the day.*
Ryan Carbbrudeen approached the massive otherworldly vertical pillar at the center stage. It shimmered in deep blue hues, like stars trapped in stone.
He placed both palms against it.
Nothing happened at first.
Then the monolith vibrated.
Its color shifted—white, brown, red, orange, yellow, green—
Before a brilliant blue beam shot into the sky.
*Wow… what does blue mean?*
"What?!"
"An S-grade!"
*Ah. Thanks for the clarification, random stranger in the crowd.*
"It's an S-grade Talent!"
"How can the heavens be so unfair?!"
"Young Master Ryan, please marry me!"
The amphitheater erupted in awe, jealousy, and reverence.
"Ryan Carbbrudeen, S-grade Combat Talent: Path of Flames," the monocled man announced aloud from the bold texts displayed on the monolith.
High above, on one of the many raised platforms. Sat a middle-aged man on a throne-like seat.
He had fiery red hair, exuding supreme authority.
And to both his sides sat two stern-looking, beautiful women—one with crimson hair, the other snow-white.
Alex Carbbrudeen.
Monarch of Flames.
One of only eight SS-grade Talents on the planet.
A proud smile crossed his rugged face as he watched his grandson.
"As expected of the patriarch's bloodline," his retainer, an elderly man with a gray goatee, said reverently.
"Hahahahaha!" Alex erupted in laughter, that thundered in the platform, as his aura was subconsciously released.
The raised platform trembled violently. Weaker clan members collapsed, bleeding from their eyes and noses, while stronger ones struggled to stay conscious.
However, the two women beside him—and his retainer—remained unfazed.
Alex then reined in his aura as he took note of his collapsing clan members.
"You always know what to say, Bagarst," he said warmly.
"I live to serve, my lord," Bagarst replied with a deep bow.
"Let's keep watching," Alex said, eyes gleaming. "Something interesting may happen."
"Besides… 'His' descendant has yet to take the stage."
Back on the dais, Ryan returned to the group, chest puffed out. He glanced toward a golden-haired girl among them, hoping for a reaction.
She didn't look at him.
Her gaze remained fixed on the monolith.
Ryan's smile soured. "You'll acknowledge me soon enough," he muttered.
The remaining Tier Zero awakenings proceeded quickly.
Four B-grades.
Three A-grades.
Only Ryan had achieved an S-grade.
Finally, the golden-haired girl stepped forward.
Whispers surged again.
"Oh my god—is that her?"
"She's so beautiful!"
"What do you think she'll awaken?"
"Nothing below S-grade, that's for sure!"
*She really is beautiful… but why does she look so familiar?*
*Ah. Who cares.*
"Isolde Caeloryndraxion, approach the awakening monolith."
She walked ahead with measured steps and placed both her palms against the monolith.
The colors surged violently, ending in a brilliant blue explosion that dyed the sky.
The crowd erupted once more, both on the amphitheater grounds and dignitaries on the raised platforms.
"Another S-grade!"
"As expected of His Majesty's granddaughter!"
"Truly remarkable!"
*Oh. Another S-grade. Good for her.*
"Isolde Caeloryndraxion, S-grade Combat Talent: Sword Heart."
Unlike the cheers around her, Isolde frowned. She turned and left the dais without a word.
"That concludes Tier Zero Citizens," the announcer said. "Tier One Citizens, please ascend."
*Man… how long is this going to take?*
---
Ten days later.
*Fuck me.*
The awakenings had dragged on relentlessly.
But the clans and guilds remained. They had to secure new promising talents.
And such talents could appear from any Tier.
Most participants had failed.
A few awakened F to B-grade Talents.
Only three A-grades appeared after the Tier Zero Citizens.
Now, the final Tier Citizen awakenings were approaching their conclusion.
The Tier Sevens.
Or as they are more commonly referred to as 'The Watchers"
Those from the border cities nearest to the lands lost to the infected during the first trials.
"Lucian Draemir, approach the awakening monolith."
*Finally.*
*My turn.*
I staggered onto the dais.
I'd spent every saved credit on a bootleg shuttle just to reach Starlight City.
No one mentioned the ceremony would last ten fucking days.
I have had nothing to eat since arriving.
I blame my bad luck.
After all—
I am the unluckiest human alive.