Chapter 1: Awakening of the Talent—Traveler (EX Rank)

"Chen Luo, the benevolent Chen, please help me out. I need these paper stars by tonight, but I really don't have enough time. Can you fold a few for me?" A girl smiled as she piled the already cut strips of various colored papers in front of Chen Luo.

Although her tone was one of request, she showed no sign of embarrassment, as if she didn't expect him to refuse.

"Sure," Chen Luo nodded calmly.

"Thanks." The girl gave a perfunctory thank you and quickly returned to her seat.

"Why don't you ever refuse anyone? The next class is with our homeroom teacher. If she catches you folding stars in class, you'll be in big trouble," Chen Luo's desk mate stretched lazily across her desk, her curves accentuated as she spoke to him.

"It's fine as long as I don't get caught, right?" Chen Luo, sitting by the window, propped his chin up with one hand while looking at the large pile of paper strips.

This pile didn't look like just a few.

"No wonder everyone calls you 'benevolent Chen.' You really are..."

Chen Luo's desk mate had tried helping him refuse these kinds of tasks before, but he never turned anyone down.

"Why fight a losing battle when the king himself is on their side?"

"You're awful, making Chen Luo fold stars for you. Didn't you say such birthday gifts for a boyfriend should be handmade for sincerity?" her desk mate whispered after she sat back down.

"Come on, you know I'm all thumbs. Today's the last class, and tomorrow is his birthday. How could I finish in time?" she retorted.

"Then why don't you fold them tonight?"

"I have to catch up on my shows tonight! Besides, Chen Luo doesn't mind, so why should you? He's 'benevolent Chen,' always willing to help."

"Well, still…"

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. The history teacher, who was also their homeroom teacher, entered the classroom, bringing instant silence.

...

Chen Luo was folding the paper stars while absentmindedly staring in the direction of the teacher. It looked like he was spacing out, but if you looked closely, his eyes were focused on a specific spot in front of him.

Unfortunately, with it being the homeroom teacher's class, no one dared to look around. It could get you in serious trouble.

99.9%.

"Damn it, what kind of crappy talent stops at 99.9%? It's just taunting me." Chen Luo sighed, staring at the floating number in front of him while folding the stars.

"Hopefully, the awakened talent isn't something like 'benevolence.' That would drive me crazy."

As he silently complained, Chen Luo thought about the story behind his 'benevolent Chen' nickname.

"And that girl, if it's a gift for your boyfriend, shouldn't you fold it yourself? I'm not your boyfriend." Chen Luo's hearing was excellent; he had overheard the girls' conversation.

Despite his grumbling, Chen Luo continued folding the stars for the sake of his talent awakening.

The mysterious talent awakening interface had been appearing in front of Chen Luo for a long time. If he traced back, it probably started around the time he earned his nickname.

It began when he threw away a bag of trash for someone else, and the awakening progress jumped by 0.1%. That's when he realized he was in for a lot of work.

"Good grief! Do I have to do a thousand good deeds to awaken this talent?"

"Who would want such a task? Not me... but for the sake of this unknown talent, I'll bear it for now."

Chen Luo later discovered it wasn't as straightforward as doing a thousand good deeds.

Sometimes, his efforts didn't count if the person didn't appreciate them.

However, there was some good news: significant acts of kindness increased the progress more than just 0.1%.

For instance, when he intervened in a bullying incident in the restroom, using a mop to assert dominance and then teaching the victim this defense method, his progress jumped by 0.25%.

Although a thousand good deeds seemed achievable over time, it was much harder in practice.

As a student, he had limited opportunities and time to help others.

After sacrificing much of his free time, Chen Luo finally reached 99.9%.

When he finished folding 66 stars, his hands trembling from exhaustion, all the paper strips were used up.

Under Chen Luo's expectant gaze, the last tiny fraction of the progress bar filled up.

"I've said it before, the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties were chaotic times, not a golden age!"

"No, the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties were wild and beautiful."

"In that era, boys could be as beautiful as girls, and girls could fight on the battlefield! Even boys could fall in love with boys..."

"Bang!" Chen Luo's head hit his desk.

"Sun Lian! Look, you've upset Chen Luo!" The young history teacher, lightly made-up, pointed at the still unmoving Chen Luo, his head on the desk.

"???" Sun Lian was confused.

How was this her fault?

"Chen Luo, are you alright?" The history teacher asked with concern.

Chen Luo's desk mate was even quicker to check on him.

"Chen Luo, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just a sudden headache." Chen Luo raised his hand slightly while holding his head, indicating he was still alive.

"Glad to hear that. Sun Lian, have your parents call me later. Look at what you've done to him." The history teacher glared at Sun Lian.

Sun Lian was baffled as she received the bucket of stars Chen Luo passed over secretly.

Could it be that making him fold the stars caused his headache?

Feeling guilty, Sun Lian didn't argue and accepted her fate.

As the history teacher resumed lecturing, Chen Luo rubbed his head while listening to the voice in his mind.

[Ding! Talent awakening progress bar full. Awakening talent now.]

[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining EX-Rank Talent—Traveler.]

[As someone who refuses to be ordinary, you will embark on a journey, exploring the unknown realms of the world. Born a traveler, you are destined not to stay in one place for long; even the world cannot confine you forever. Your willingness to help others will bring unexpected surprises.]