Another System?

The principal gazed at Alister with a sad look in his eyes. Running this academy for years, moments like these were a common sight for him now.

He knew it was never good to get one's hopes up before the awakening ceremony because hopes like that were often dashed. But when it came to Alister, a part of him wanted to believe things would be somewhat different. After all, he knew all the hard work the boy put in.

'Such a shame for such a radiant soul to be treated so poorly,'

He thought, knowing Alister's life had been far from easy. Before he had even become a student at this academy, he and his now bedridden sister were living in the wastelands, the world beyond the city's gates, densely populated by monsters.

It is still a mystery to this day how they were able to survive in such a world without talents. But the fact they did always made those who saved them that day believe they were nothing short of miracles. Their lives were preserved so they could one day lead humanity to greater heights.

Magister sighed, The Awakening Ceremony, was a day often exposed to the cruel realities of human nature. He cleared his throat, forcing a smile as he addressed the crowd.

"Alright, let's move on to the next student. Chase Turner, your turn."

Chase, wearing a stoic expression on his face, offered Alister a single, cold glance. "This is goodbye, Alister. Don't blame me for this. It's a decision I have to make." He then turned and walked towards the crystal, leaving Alister standing alone on the dusty plaza.

Yanzi lingered for a moment, her gaze lingering on Alister's downcast expression. "We can't be seen together anymore, Alister. It might give people the wrong idea." She said, before she too turned away, leaving Alister feeling utterly alone.

With a heavy heart, Alister turned to gaze as Chase placed his hand on the crystal. The familiar blue light erupted, bathing Chase and the crystal in its ethereal glow. This time, however, the light intensified much faster, pulsing with a white brilliance that momentarily blinded the crowd.

Magister Vance, his eyes wide with surprise, squinted as the light subsided. A collective gasp filled the air as a shimmering window materialized above Chase, displaying his awakened Talent.

"Chase Turner!" Magister Vance boomed, his voice filled with awe. "Awakened Talent: Absolute Zero (Rank S)!"

The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers and applause. An S-rank Talent, a powerful ability that granted its wielder immense control over ice! It was a rare and coveted power, a proof of Chase's exceptional potential.

Chase, a wide grin plastered across his face, raised his hand. A massive shard of ice suddenly materialized out of thin air, hovering above his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he shattered it into a million shimmering fragments that rained down on the plaza, sending chills down the spines of the onlookers.

Alister could only stare, a mix of emotions churning within him. Relief, for Chase had awakened a powerful Talent, and a flicker of envy, a feeling he quickly squashed. But mostly, he felt a need to work even harder.

"But would it ever be enough?" he wondered, gazing down at his open palms. Blisters from his training could still be seen. He had his doubts; after all, his hard work so far didn't get him what he wanted. He let out a sigh, deciding to let go.

Chase, his chest puffed out with pride, locked eyes with Alister. "That's how you awaken a Talent, Alister," he said, with a condescending tone.

Alister, however, no longer felt the sting of his former friend's words. He straightened his posture, an intense glint lingering in his eyes. "I just have to keep moving forward… just like I always do." he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. This awakening ceremony may not have gone as he planned, but it had ignited a fire within him. He wouldn't let their rejection define him. He would prove them all wrong, SSS-rank Summoner or not. He would find a way to carve out a life in this world.

Alister let out another sigh. He was a realist. Despite the lingering pain of being abandoned, he knew life rarely stopped to let you wallow. It was often easier to just let go, even if it was painful. He could get over the pain if he just ignored it. He had learned this lesson the hard way.

"Guess it's best I head over to the dorms and get my things ready to leave," he muttered, turning away from the excited crowd. Even the cheers for Chase seemed distant now, muffled by the sudden silence within him.

As he pushed his way through the crowd, a sudden, unexpected noise echoed in his head – a booming voice. Before he could react, a blinding flash erupted before him, and a bright yellow window materialized before his eyes.

[Host found, system binding…]

The words scrolled across the window in a strange, blocky font, accompanied by a series of progress bars that appeared to be loading.

'A system? What system? I don't understand, is this any different from the already existing talent interface?'

His mind raced with questions. This wasn't anything he'd seen before. He instinctively reached out, a finger brushing against the yellow window. Nothing happened.

[System binded successfully.]

[Congrats, you have gained the status of 'player'.]

[Ding!! Congrats to the player for awakening The Dragonforge - an overlord system.]

Alister's brows furrowed. 'Player? Overlord system?'

This was unlike anything he'd read about in the countless books consumed about Talents and monsters. A strange sense of unease settled in his stomach.

'What is this, some sort of talent window error? Is that a thing?'

'Alright, close the talent window.' the hovering yellow window stubbornly remained in place, causing him further confusion.

Taking a deep breath, he focused on the words it displayed. 'Dragonforge… overlord system… it doesn't sound familiar.'

Deciding to approach it another way, he recalled.

'The system window I'm familiar with is blue, and is used to display Talent information... Perhaps this system… could be completely different.' Thought seems bizarre, but it was the only logical conclusion.

With that thought in mind, he mentally called out, 'Talent window.'

Immediately, a familiar blue window materialized beside the yellow one. This one, however, held the information he was familiar with:

「Name: Alister Hazenworth

Age: 19

Talent: Summoner

Talent Rank: SSS

Talent Info: Allows the user to summon monsters from other realms to fight alongside them.

Talent rank bonus: (100% taming success rate).

- Strength: 1,806

- Agility: 2,193

- Intelligence: 2,451

- Endurance: 1,548

- Mana: 1,200

- Dexterity: 566

- Luck: 80

Total combat power: 11,260 (Rank E)

- †Summoning Power†: 100%」

Seeing the talent window materialize further confused Alister, 'Two system windows? How is this even possible? What is Dragon forge?'