'Gifted eye!'
Liam immediately used his skill to peek through Kurt's status panel.
Name: Kurt Ian Howards
Age: 16
[Status Window]
Rank: E
Strength: E+
Agility: E
Stamina: E
Mana: E-
=Authority=
[Mountain Tyrant]
Skills:
>Tiger Deity Physiology [A]
The user either is, or can turn into a tiger deity, a god or goddess reigning over tigers.
>Ambient Energy Manipulation [S]
The user can harness, channel or absorb the power of surrounding energy sources. They are able to manipulate/harness visible or invisible existing energy that's form can be varies, such as projecting natural elemental energy of the planet. The received energy can be used to strengthen one's self or for combat purpose.
>Autumn Manipulation [SSS]
The user is able to create, shape manipulate and induce the season of autumn and the powers/forces it represents: harvest, hunt, preparation and festivals, melancholy and introversion. It also influences rot, decay, tiredness, and withdrawal.
"..."
Liam was speechless. Kurt look toward him for a moment and looking his stunned look, he just snorted before walking passed Liam.
Liam snapped back from his thoughts after seeing his actions and breathe heavily. He started walking inside the elevator.
Kurt never look back at him again and he also didn't expect him to.
The elevator's door opened and Liam's calm face changed to an annoyed one. His face is filled of black lines.
This is so unfair! Why is it so detailed?! Mine only have one sentence on him and Kurt's skills' explanation has a whole essay?! This motherfucking system! I smell discrimination! The system is so bias!
At the same time, a certain bird tilted her head. She felt like someone is cursing her.
***
Liam arrived at his room and immediately find a cubicle in the middle row. Middle rows are for extras while the front and last row is for the main leads. This is the rule of the world.
After finding a seat, he immediately regretted it.
Why, you ask?
Because he just heard a voice beside him.
"Hi." the voice is small and seem shy.
Liam turned his head to saw a man with light brown curly hair and dark brown eyes. He has a mole below his left eye and his smile was a little awkward.
There's no doubt. This is Lorthon! Lorthon Wayne!
Liam wanted to used gifted eye again but he realized he still has two more test after this. He clicked his tongue inwardly.
Because of this, his smile was a little stiff and seem irritated. Lorthon misunderstand this as hating him and his eyes became red.
He had been greeting anyone who sat beside his cubicle but everyone who saw him will either be shocked or annoyed. He doesn't understand. Is it because he's younger? Or that his parents are normal people?
Lorthon who had never been jealous of other people was baffled.
This was already the seventh time and his mentality collapse. He just wanted to make friends. Lorthon felt wronged.
On the other hand, Liam was startled when Lorthon suddenly became gloomy and look like he was about to cry.
However, he realized that his expression just now was a little inappropriate and immediately try to clear the misunderstanding.
"Ah, no, no! Why are you crying? I was just shocked..."
Lorthon heard this clearly but thought that the person just pity him that's why he's saying this. Nevertheless, the seed of hatred growing in his heart was supressed and was nipped to the bud instantly.
His face lightened and Liam almost wished he have a sunglasses after he saw the bright sun shining beside him.
So bright!
"R-really? You're not lying? Lying is bad!" he threatened him.
Liam chuckled at this childish remark. Lorthon is only thirteen. Three years younger than him. He's actually the first one in his list. Liam wanted to save this person.
Lorthon Wayne is a son of two D-rank Heroes. His sister have a small bakery shop and his family is very simple. However, when his mother was pregnant on him, she accidentally saved the son of an Grade 9 beast.
Grade 9 beasts can battle five S-rank heroes without being in the losing end. It have high intellect and is on a different league than Grade 8 beasts.
The beasts were a gentle one and wished to give her a blessing.
Grade 9 beasts and above can give a blessing called beast mark. This beast mark will allow them to break through their innate potential and change their fate. Lorthon's mother who was a D-rank hero at that time can become an A-rank real quick after he receive the blessing. Additionally, depending on the beast, their affinity with elements will increase.
However. Lorthon's mother refused. She asked for the beast to give the blessing to her son instead.
The beast were surprised and touch at the same time. She is also a mothers and can understand the other's thoughts.
That's why she blessed Lorthon who was inside his mother's stomach at that time. This blessing increase his potential and his affinity to elements.
However, Lorthon's authority was originally supposed to be for manipulation elements too. At a result, his authority upgraded and evolved to what it is now.
From what Liam remember, Lorthon's authority should be [Heir of Nature]. His extremely high affinity towards nature made them acknowledge him as their heir.
In the future, he will be able to grow just as powerful as Lorelei but this bright future was cut off after he fell in love with Lorelei.
Lorelei was the only one who befriend him on his darkest times and the only one who was willing to be his friend.
Due to this, he fell in love with Lorelei but Lorelei don't love him. He knew this and never dared to confessed. It goes on like that for years.
So after they graduated, they met again in the time of catastrophe. Lorthon was part of the Hero Association while Lorelei was part of Union. They were teamed up.
Lorthon never forgot about Lorelei and was still in love with her.
While saving someone, Lorelei almost got killed but was saved by Lorthon. However, the attack that hit Lorthon killed him. Even in the last moment, he only muttered 'thank you're to Lorelei. His deep love for Lorelei was never known.
Liam who never understood love before was shocked. He wasn't able to forget it even after now.
"You're Lorthon right? I saw you in the news. You're the youngest man to ever awakened his authority in the whole world. You're amazing." he praised with a sincere smile.
Lorthon was bashful and his cheeks were a little red and he kept biting his lips to stop himself from smiling. With his childish round face, Liam couldn't help but want to pinch his chubby cheeks.
"I'm not really that amazing..." his words are humble but Liam could see his tail standing up to the sky.
He's still a child after all.
"I don't think so? You're awesome, Lorthon. Ah, by the way, I'm Liam. Liam Austine Terron." he extend his hands toward Lorthon.
Lorthon stare at it and look hesitant. But Liam was patient and waut for him to shake it. Lorthon look away while slowly extending his hand to shake Liam's.
It was a very cute gesture that even Liam's heart is warmed.
Lorthon also want to introduce himself but immediately stop when he saw a middle-aged man wearing the Milan Academy's professor uniform.
Liam turned his head when he saw Lorthon take back his hand awkwardly while pointing to the front.
He saw a bald middle-aged man. His lips were curved up slightly even though he's not smiling making him look friendly. Other than that, his looks are ordinary.
But no one here dared to underestimate this professor. Being able to become a professor in Milan Academy meant he was atleast A-rank.
Immature G-rank, F-rank, or even E-rank would never be able to beat him even if there's hundreds of them. They will be a little annoying to kill but will be dead either way.
"Good morning to everyone. I'm Train, your guide for today's test. I'm sure Miss Bianca has already explained the rules to you and that you already checked the information in your badge but I'm going to repeat them again for those who didn't understand or hasn't check your badges yet." he walked in the middle of the room with a kind smile on his face.
"First, no cheating of course. Second, the allotted time is one hour only. There will be a bell to signal the end of the exam and after you hear it, the computer in front of you will immediately shut off. Next, put the noise cancellation headphones to your ear and don't be noisy. Then if you're done answering before the bell, you will be given 15 minutes to check it before the computer shut off. Lastly, you are not allowed to left your cubicles before the bell unless I said so." he spoke in one go with the kind smile never leaving his face.
His voice is neither fast nor slow and everyone can understand what he's saying.
Is he not out of breath? Liam wondered.
"These are all in your badge. Do you have any questions?"
""No sir!""
Everyone seriously responded.
Train smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction.
"Good. Then please, put your headphones on. The exam will start in a moment."
***