Talent Awakening

A woman dressed in a pink kimono approached them, visibly upset by their presence behind the school. She was attracted by the loud noise the girls made while arguing.

"Judging by your uniforms you are all final year students aren't you? What are you doing here? Normally I'd punish you for sneaking around but we don't have time for that, the selection is about to begin."

Her presence demanded respect, each word that left her mouth exuded the authority she possessed. This woman is the current principal of the Xen Academy, Principal Hana.

"Go to back to the selection class now!"

Taken away by her authority, the five students left the backyard immediately and ventured into the school through the back door.

They had no idea where they were going but given their destination was already announced, they searched the tags nailed above each door till they came across a door that had the tag [Selection Hall] nailed above it.

Pushing the door open, their eyes met with the eyes of 25 other students seated row by row. In front of their seats was a wide table with a man standing behind it and two teachers besides him, resting on top the table was a medium sized golden orb.

"You're late, please take a seat." The man announced, instructing the five students as Principal Hana entered after them.

They all filled the remaining seats left, completing the final year class that were summoned here.

"Now that you're all here let's begin." The man cleared his throat, silencing the soft murmurs that filled the air.

"My name is Alister Vance, the two besides me are my associates, I'm an agent of the Soul Hunter's Association, you could also say I'm a recruiter. I'm sure many of you had long awaited for this day, but before we can proceed. I'll have to inform you on what is about to happen, the process of your Talent Awakening."

"As aforementioned, you've all awaited for this day. That means you have considerable knowledge about Talents, but how much do you know? Well it doesn't matter how much you knew, it's my job to educate you." Vance spoke, his voice echoing throughout the classroom.

"We humans, we all possess a soul, however with that soul comes the energy to keep it alive. Some call it willpower, but it's true name, is the Soul-Energy."

Murmurs arose from among the students, they were all puzzled by his explanations.

"Soul-Energy?"

"That's right." His thunderous voice silenced the students once more, clearing the doubts in the air.

"Soul-Energy is what keeps our soul alive by sustaining it, although we can't sense it because it is dormant in our bodies, providing only enough power to sustain our souls. But do you know that this energy can be drawn to the surface?"

"Sir, how's that possible?" One of the confused students questioned.

"That's where this orb comes in, this orb is referred to as the Orb Of Awakening. It draws out an individual's Soul-Energy to the surface and awakens what we call a talent, or more preferably Soul-Type. However this condition can only be fulfilled if the individual posseses enough Soul-Energy to awaken a Soul-Type."

"Sir." A gentle voice arose from the back. Mizuko raised his right hand in the air, paying the proper respect to his elder.

"What happens if someone with a high Soul-Energy is unable to awaken a talent?"

His question peered into the mind of each and every individual present.

"Oh?" Vance stuttered.

It wasn't everytime he came across a student with sharp reasoning and such a high level of intellect to have thought that far.

"A scenario like that is highly unlikely, but if such should occur, the individual would most likely die. The job of the Orb Of Awakening is to draw one's Soul-Energy to the surface, if one is unable to awaken a Soul-Type. He'll die of his energy depleting, like I said Soul-Energy is the force that sustains the soul. If it's completely diminished, the soul shall cease to exist."

His answer sent chills down each and everyone's spine, who knew awakening one's talent posed a great risk? Their only prayers, is to not fall victim to bad luck.

"That's all the information I can share with you now, we will now beginning the selection. Let the Talent Awakening begin."

His decision not to explain further is based on certain criterias. It is not assured if everyone will awaken a Soul-Type. So disclosing information about Soul-Types and the Soul-Hunter's Association without certainty is pointless, if they do awaken, they'll be sent to the Soul Academy where they'll be enlightened even more.

This whole process, the selection was all aimed at one thing. Recruiting capable individuals who will enroll in the Soul Academy in order to become outstanding Soul-Hunters.

In this era, Soul-Users referred to super powered beings who awakened their Soul-Types.

"Once you hear your name, step forward and place your hand on the Orb." He instructed.

The nervous murmurs of the crowd grew intensely as Vance boomed, "The first student, Miyuki."

The girl he called forth, Miyuki, stood from her seat and approached the desk.

As she walked gracefully towards the Orb, whispers followed behind her.

"The principal's daughter." A student's mumbled.

"She's the most popular girl in school and also the most skilled amongst us."

"She's also as hot and busty like her mother!"

"Quiet!" Principal Hana exclaimed, veins bulging continuously out of her forehead, if it were any other comment she'd be fine with it.

'Seriously, they don't even bother to hide their lustful eyes in front of the proctor.' Hana thought.

"I wonder what her Soul-Type will be." Another student whispered.

Arriving at the desk, she placed her dominant hand on the Orb confidently and immediately the air cracked with energy.

The Orb pulsed with an intense golden light, a glow which covered both Miyuki and the Orb.

Instinctively, they all shielded their eyes with their arms from the pulsating light.

As the light died down, a shimmering system HUD window materialized in front of her with the specific inscription "A" written on it.

Only she could see it, however the Orb had the ability to reveal her Soul-Type the moment of her awakening.

"Miyuki — A-rank Soul-Type — The Knight Soul-Type, Light Manipulation." Vance announced, leading to a thunderous cheer from the students.

"Yeah!"

"I expected nothing less from the principal's daughter."

In this world, Soul-Types varied according to ranks, it ranged from F-rank which is the lowest and weakest of all, to SSS-rank which is the highest and strongest Soul-Type of all.

Vance cleared his throat, silencing the students as he called forth the next student. "Next, Ren Drear."

'What!?' Ren exclaimed in his thoughts. "I'm already next!?"

With a slight gulp, he stood to his feet and approached the desk. Mei, Yui and a large number of people chuckled at him. The Ren they knew was daring and always a gogetter, despite his behavior some still found him charming due to his good looks.

He arrived at the desk and placed his dominant hand on the Orb.

The light show commenced, the body of Ren and the Orb glowing brightly. As the light dissipated, another system HUd window only visible to him materialized in his line of vision. On the window was the letter "C" inscribed.

"Ren Drear — C-rank Soul-Type, Elementalist Soul-Type — Pryokinesis."

"C-rank Soul-Type? That's not bad at all!" He thought, he expected a B-rank Soul-Type but at least C-rank wasn't far fetched.

"Not bad."

"Yeah, I hope I'm as lucky as he is."

Once again the thunderous voice of Vance cut through the voices of the students as each were nervous to hear their names. "Mei Suki."

A nervous Mei rose to her feet, moving gracefully at will towards the Orb.

"There's another beauty!"

"Not only is she one of the class's finest, she's also second in grade to Miyuki."

Arriving at the desk, she placed her dominant hand yet again on the Orb and the same light show repeated itself.

"Mei Suki — B-rank Soul-Type, Sub-Elementalist Soul-Type, Ice."

"Whoa!!!"

"B-rank!? Soul-Type!?"

It was the expected outcome, after all she was second to Miyuki in terms of overall performance.

"Daichi Ryuu, please come forward." Vance stuttered, harboring the intentions of fastening the selection process.

"Alright! It's my turn!" A young boy, possessing a muscular physique and a well toned body moved swiftly towards Orb. With fiery eyes, he placed his dominant hand on the Orb.

Once again the light show which represented an Individual's Soul-Energy rising to the surface reenacted, as it died down, Vance's eyes wavered in utter disbelief.

".... Daichi Ryuu, No Soul-Type."