Chapter 14: The Awakening (3)

Chapter 14: The Awakening (3)

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"We'll continue with the awakening now," Miss Lauren said, breaking the awkward silence that had settled around them. Her voice was steady, a beacon of normalcy amidst the tension. "Sam, would you like to go first again?" she asked, her eyes softening as they met his.

The redhead nodded, stepping forward with a mixture of determination and trepidation. Miss Lauren extended her hand, allowing a faint glow of Cosnergy to flow from her fingertips into the orb. The orb levitated to the center of the classroom, hovering like a mystical sun.

Sam hesitated for a moment, the confidence he had shown earlier now wavering under the scrutiny of the two outsiders watching from the back of the room. Taking a deep breath, he placed his palms on the orb's surface. It felt warm, as if it had absorbed the heat of a summer day. The sensation was both comforting and disconcerting, grounding him while reminding him of the power he was about to unlock.

Two minutes passed in a hushed stillness, the classroom holding its collective breath. Suddenly, the orb shone with a brilliant blue light, casting an ethereal glow over Sam's face. His eyes widened in astonishment as he referred back to the talents' color grades, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Talent grade, A," Miss Lauren announced, her voice ringing with pride and admiration. "Congratulations, Sam."

Sam turned to his classmates, his expression still dazed as if he were in a dream. His steps were slow and hesitant, as if he were walking on clouds. "A-ranked. Nice one, Sam," Miles said with a broad grin, giving Sam a hearty pat on the back.

"Why do you look so dazed, though?" Mike asked, leaning in with curiosity, his eyes narrowing as he searched Sam's face for answers.

"I awakened a fire attribute," Sam replied, his voice uncharacteristically soft, almost reverent. He glanced down at his hands as if expecting them to ignite at any moment.

"Fire?" Miss Lauren repeated, her eyebrows knitting together in surprise. She stepped closer, her posture tense with disbelief. "Did you say you awakened a fire talent? Are you sure?"

"Yes," Sam confirmed, still processing the revelation. He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. "My basic skill is a fireball."

"But didn't he..." Brian began, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Miss Lauren. He quickly caught on, his smart and quick-witted nature serving him well. Miss Lauren didn't want the two outsiders to know. "Well, congratulations, Sam," he said, recovering smoothly, though his eyes flickered with curiosity.

The class buzzed with a mixture of excitement and unease, the air thick with unspoken questions. Sam's newfound talent shimmered like a beacon, casting long shadows of mystery and anticipation over the room. The students exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and excitement, while Miss Lauren's gaze remained thoughtful, her mind clearly racing with implications.

"We'll continue. I'll have to remind you that it's best to keep details of your talents to yourself, your family, and your future team," Miss Lauren said, her gaze firm and unwavering.

"Yes, ma'am," they replied.

Zephyr lips turn into a half smile, a renewed sense of respect for their astute teacher. He realized she must have also sensed something unusual about Sam.

"Good," Miss Lauren continued, shifting her attention to Miles and Mike. "One of you can go next."

However, the two boys immediately fell into a heated argument over who should have the first turn, their voices rising and overlapping in a chaotic chorus. As their bickering escalated, Mirabella saw an opportunity. With a confident stride, she stepped forward, bypassing the arguing duo to take her turn with the orb. The room fell silent as she placed her hands on the glowing sphere, eager to see what talent it would reveal.

Almost half an hour later, everyone had awakened. The results left the three teachers stunned, their faces mirroring the disbelief and astonishment now shared among the chattering students.

Zephyr glanced at the Sub-System-Users interface, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The plan was coming together nicely.

Mr. Axel quietly slipped out of the classroom, his expression a mix of shock and urgency. It was clear to anyone that the next hot topic in the school would be the extraordinary talents that had just been awakened. Mr. Akeem, though reluctant to leave, was gently escorted out by Miss Lauren, who then closed the door behind them. She pressed her back against it, taking a moment to let everything sink in.

When she had prayed for a chance to teach better students, she had never, even in her wildest dreams, imagined her students awakening like this. She paused, wondering if she hadn't truly woken up this morning and was simply caught in an exceptionally vivid dream.

However, as she opened her eyes and met the excited gazes of her students, her heart steadied. This was no dream. This was her new reality, her new beginning. Come what may, she was determined to nurture these heaven-sent students and guide them to stand at the pinnacle of the country.

Taking a deep breath, Miss Lauren straightened her posture, the weight of her newfound responsibility settling on her shoulders. This was the moment she had been waiting for, and she would rise to the occasion.

"Miss Lauren, what are we to do now? Can we test out our abilities?" Sam asked eagerly, his earlier disappointment at awakening a fire talent long forgotten. He was itching to try it out.

"Not yet," Miss Lauren replied, walking to the front of the class with an air of authority. "Before doing anything with your talents, you need to be sure that you won't lose control and hurt yourself, your environment, or those around you."

She paused, making sure she had everyone's attention. "This is especially important for all of you since each one of you has awakened one or two talents at or above A rank." Saying this, Miss Lauren couldn't help but smile. It all sounded so unreal. "I'll be handing out advanced Breathing and Cosnergy control manuals. These are the highest-grade manuals available, so you won't need to find replacements. Practice today, and tomorrow I will inspect your progress."

With a warm smile, she began distributing the manuals to each student, her pride evident. When she reached Zephyr and Conner, she placed the last two manuals in their hands and addressed them directly. "Collect yesterday's assignments and bring them to my desk. Conner, come with the attendance."

With a confirmative nod from them, Miss Lauren addressed the entire class with a warm, yet authoritative tone. "Alright, everyone, you can leave for the rest of the day to get an early practice."

Emily raised her hand hesitantly. Her voice, though timid, managed to cut through the noise of Miles and Sam's excited cheers. "But it's not dismissal time yet, Miss Lauren."

Miss Lauren offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, Emily, but according to school rules, a class teacher has the discretion to dismiss their students before the final bell. And remember, I'm not letting you go early to have fun—I expect you to use this time to prepare and work hard."

The students' chatter grew louder as they gathered their belongings, their excitement palpable. Miss Lauren's eyes softened as she continued, "Oh, and make sure to bring your training gear with you tomorrow. Have a good night's rest and come prepared."

As the door clicked shut behind Miss Lauren, sealing her departure, the classroom buzzed with a renewed energy. Sam, his face alight with enthusiasm, slapped his palms together and declared, "Okay, who wants to test their talents with me?"

Zephyr looked at his direction with a frown. "Shut up and turn in your assignment," he said, effectively cutting off the redhead's eager attempt to divert the group's attention.

Conner, already moving toward the back of the room where the desks and chairs were stacked, chimed in, "Let's rearrange the desks."

Zephyr nodded, turning in Sam's direction. "Can you help me, Sam?" he asked, gesturing toward the stack of desks. Sam, not thinking much of it, quickly replied agreed.

Meanwhile, Emily was glancing around with a mix of embarrassment and reluctance. "I've got yours, Emily," Conner offered when he saw her struggling to ask for help.

Within minutes, the classroom transformed from its previous clutter into a neatly organized space. Desks were aligned in tidy rows, and the assignments from the previous day were turned in.

The group worked in tandem, their movements synchronized like a well-rehearsed routine.

As they finished, Zephyr and Conner gathered the remaining books and supplies, preparing to leave. Zephyr turned to his peers, his tone carrying a note of authority. "You guys remember to check the system for any updates, and if you have any questions, make sure to ask Zero."

He looked pointedly at the clock on the wall, then at the students. "I'll lock the classroom when I return from the teacher's office, so you all better be gone by then."

With a nod, the students shuffled out, the room quickly emptying.