"You have finally awoken... Aiden," said a voice. Aiden looked towards the direction of the voice and saw a giant white and black bird with fiery plumage staring at him.
"Who are you? What are you? And where am I?" Aiden asked.
"I am you, or rather, a part of you. I won't go into detail since I'm not that strong yet. We are in your dream landscape. I am here to tell you to become stronger. I can feel the @€#%^#@ getting closer, so you must reach the pinnacle of your world. Your world's time is running out, and remember, do not trust-"
Aiden woke up abruptly, finding himself lying on a white bed.
"What was that bird saying? Reach the pinnacle of this world? I don't even have a Gift. How does it expect me to become strong enough to reach that level?"
Remembering what happened before he lost consciousness, he almost jumped out of bed.
"Wait, shouldn't I be dead? I'm sure that I was burned alive!! Did someone manage to heal me? No, there's no one with a Gift strong enough to heal me completely in the school, and there's no way reinforcements arrived so fast. That leaves me with only one option..."
"Status," Aiden muttered.
```
RANK: E
□Name: Aiden Ouroboros
□Age: 16 years old
□Race: Phoenix + Human
□Gift: Celestial Pyre Phoenix SSS+
◇HP: 2600/2600 ♤MANA: 3400/3400
☆Boons: [Divine Body]~Genius~[Phoenix Immortality]~Hardworker
¤Flaws: [Phoenix Arrogance]~Battle Maniac~Skeptical
Stats:
STR: 20
END: 26
AGI: 19
WILL: 34
CHA: S+
Skills:
Passive
Fire & Heat Immunity MAX
Cold Resistance (3/5)
Martial Arts (3/5)
[Super Regeneration (1/3)]
[Divine Sense (1/4)]
[Language Comprehension MAX]
[???]
Active
[Beastification (1/3)]
```
Tears started filling Aiden's eyes. He had wanted a Gift for so long, and here it was! An SSS rank Gift, no less. He was overjoyed, but he immediately wiped the tears from his face, took a breath to calm himself down, and said inwardly, "The bird said that I needed to become the strongest in the shortest time possible. So, I need to join the Noxus Academy. Fortunately, they don't have Gift measurement devices since it's not a Gift-biased academy. I should..."
While Aiden was thinking about a method to increase his strength exponentially before applying for the academy, he didn't notice someone entering the room.
"Humph, look at him, thinking deeply about something. Sorry, buddy, but I must do what I was paid for," thought the intruder. The man slowly approached Aiden, undisturbed thanks to his Gift, [Shadow Veil], an E-rank ability that allowed him to hide in the shadows. He was two meters away from his target when Aiden suddenly jumped out of bed and asked, "Who's there!?"
Just before the assassin could get any closer, Aiden felt a feeling of danger similar to what he experienced at school. He quickly located the intruder using [Divine Sense] and kicked him in the guts, causing the man to fall to the ground in extreme pain. Aiden followed up with a kick to the neck, rendering the assassin unconscious.
"Is someone here?! An assassin broke into my room!" Aiden shouted.
### | 30 MINUTES LATER |
"Aiden, are you okay?!" his mother asked worriedly.
"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry, Mom."
"Is that a Stigma?!" his father exclaimed, pointing to a symbol on Aiden's chest.
"Oh, I didn't notice," Aiden replied, pulling off his shirt to reveal a giant ۞ symbol on his chest.
"Do you know the meaning of this?" his father inquired.
"No, our family never had any stigma, so I never bothered looking up their meanings."
A stigma was a rare find, indicating high compatibility between the user and their Gift. It also carried another meaning that the user would have to figure out to use their ability to the fullest.
"It's not [Devil's Feet]," stated his father.
"Yeah, it's a Beastification ability, and it's higher ranked than our family ability."
Aiden was forced to keep his mouth shut since he wanted to avoid leaking information. There were far too many Gifts out there, and he couldn't be sure if someone was listening to their conversation.
"Dad, I want to join the Noxus Academy," Aiden declared.
Hearing Aiden's words, Lenn almost tripped on the floor. "W-wait, you can choose any academy. Why Noxus?"
"I have to become strong as fast as possible, and Noxus is the best one for this," Aiden explained.
With a pained expression, Lenn reluctantly agreed, with the condition that Aiden could complete a Gate of rank E.
"Okay. How long was I out?"
"Three days."
"Oh, it seems like my awakening took a long time."
"So, you have to go to school tomorrow. The doctors already checked your body, and you are completely fine. You just needed to wake up."
"Okay, let's go home. I'm already tired of being here."
### | DAY AFTER |
Returning to school, Aiden felt everyone's gaze on him and heard murmurs.
"Is that a new student? OMG, he is so hot."
"No, are you stupid? There's no way a new student when school is about to finish. It must be Aiden."
"I heard he awakened his Gift."
"You guys weren't there when he started burning. There was no trace left of his body except for a handful of ashes, then his body started reappearing from them like... a Phoenix. Did he... Nah, that would be too much."
Ignoring the lustful gazes from the girls and the envious ones from the boys, our main character entered his class, greeting the stunned professor.
"Ouroboros, is that you?" the professor asked.
"Yes, sir. I just got discharged from the hospital."
"Well, that's good. You had a speedy recovery," the professor said, smiling.
Aiden didn't buy his fake smile for a second.
"These are the same people that treat Giftless people like crap or are too egotistical to help," Aiden thought.
Murmurs started again in the classroom.
"He must have awakened that trashy Family Gift."
"Are you dumb? How can [Devil's Feet] revive you from the dead?"
"Yeah, you guys weren't there when he started burning. There was no trace left of his body except for a handful of ashes, then his body started reappearing from them like..."
"A Phoenix? Are you seriously insinuating that he awakened a Mythical Beastification? There's no way that trash like him got such a super Gift. He's not worth it!"
Silencing the class, the professor started, "Today is a bit special. The school decided to host a surprise tournament. You guys will be participating in an obstacle race. If you are thinking about your parents' approval, don't worry. They already knew and approved it. And obviously, the girls and boys will be separated."
Hearing the last part, some of the males groaned in displeasure, already imagining the girls running with sweat on their bodies.
"Don't worry, girls. I will protect your innocence with my powers as an author!" the narrator interjected playfully.
Giving a stern look to the discontented students, the professor continued, "You will be allowed to use your Gifts to reach the finish line. However, anyone who uses their Gift to hinder other participants will be disqualified."
The runners with Gifted abilities smiled upon hearing the professor's words. They felt that the win was already in their pocket.
"Runner-type Gifted, you have to remember that this is an obstacle race. If you get stopped by any of them, you are out. Wipe those smug smiles off your faces."
The race would start in one hour, and the students would be escorted to a bus in a few minutes.
"Professor, why are we in front of a gate?" one student asked.
"Our school got very lucky and managed to reserve a gate for the competition," the professor explained.
"Damn, it must have cost a lot of money. They are certainly trying to get something out of this," Aiden thought to himself.
"Okay, let's enter the gate," the professor said.
[Registering participant: Aiden Ouroboros. Welcome to the running field," the system announced.
"Wow, I could feel the mana traverse through my body while crossing the gate," Aiden mumbled, contemplating the implications of this discovery.
Unbeknownst to Aiden, he was being observed by someone nearby.
While lost in his thoughts, Aiden noticed a presence nearby. He turned his head and locked eyes with a girl standing a few meters away. She had a mischievous smile on her face.
"Hey there, Aiden. Ready for the race?" she teased.
Aiden raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her confident demeanor. "I didn't expect to see you here, Lily. Are you participating too?"
Lily chuckled. "Of course! I couldn't resist the opportunity to show off my speed. Plus, I heard there's a special prize for the fastest runner."
Aiden smirked. "Well, you better watch out because I won't let you claim that prize so easily."
As the participants gathered near the gate, the professor explained the rules of the race. They would have to navigate through a series of challenging obstacles, including slippery terrain, swinging pendulums, fire walls, and even balls appearing out of nowhere. The course was designed to test their agility, speed, and ability to overcome unexpected hurdles.
The students eagerly put on the bracelets given to them, which would register their time and detect any attempts at cheating. With adrenaline pumping through their veins, they awaited the signal to begin.
As Aiden stood at the starting line of the race, he couldn't shake off the memories of how he was treated in the past. Being a Giftless individual, he had faced discrimination and contempt from his peers. The thought of trusting others and relying on their support seemed far-fetched to him.
The professor's voice broke through his thoughts, announcing the beginning of the race. Aiden tightened his grip on the bracelet, determination etched on his face. The obstacles that awaited him were not just physical challenges but also a chance to prove himself to those who had doubted him.
With a burst of energy, Aiden darted forward, his [Beastification] boosting his leg strength. He maneuvered through the obstacles with precision, leaping over hurdles and sliding under barriers. Balls appeared out of nowhere, threatening to knock him off balance, but he swiftly dodged them, relying on his instincts and [Divine Sense].
The spectators watched in awe as Aiden gracefully navigated the course. His speed and agility were undeniable, catching the attention of his classmates who had once dismissed him as unworthy. He could hear whispers of surprise and admiration spreading through the crowd.
Despite his reservations about trusting others, Aiden couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie among his fellow participants. They were all facing the same challenges, pushing their limits, and striving for victory. The race became more than just a competition; it became a test of resilience and determination.
As Aiden approached the wall of fire, he could feel the heat intensify. Flames licked at his skin, but he pushed through, his determination fueling his every move. He was no longer just racing against the obstacles; he was racing against the doubts and prejudices that had plagued him.
The slippery terrain posed a new challenge, threatening to slow him down. But with each step, he pushed forward, refusing to let it hinder his progress. The fire walls surged up, creating a daunting barrier, but Aiden found a way to pass through unscathed.
As the finish line came into view, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Aiden's veins. He sprinted towards it, feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. In the end, he crossed the finish line, not as the winner but as a testament to his resilience and unyielding spirit.
Breathing heavily, Aiden looked around at the spectators. He saw the surprise and respect in their eyes, realizing that he had defied their expectations. Their judgment had fueled his determination, and now he stood before them, proving his worth.
While Aiden's trust in others remained cautious, the race had given him a glimpse of a different perspective. It showed him that he didn't have to face his challenges alone, that there were those who could appreciate his abilities and support him. Perhaps, in this new world of gifted individuals, he could find allies and companions who would stand by his side.
The obstacle race had not only tested their physical abilities but also showcased the unique talents and Gifts of each participant. It was an entertaining and thrilling event that left the spectators in awe.
As Aiden reflected on the race, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was just the beginning of his journey towards becoming stronger, and he was determined to reach the pinnacle of his world, as the mysterious bird had urged him to do.
As he walked away from the race, Aiden couldn't help but smile. He had shown them what he was capable of, and in doing so, he had taken a step towards breaking free from the shackles of others' judgment. The road ahead might be challenging, but he was ready to face it head-on, fueled by his own determination and strength.
---
Back in the classroom, Aiden felt the weight of the race lift from his shoulders. He had proven himself, but the journey was far from over. The words of the bird echoed in his mind, reminding him of the urgency to grow stronger.
As the day came to an end, Aiden gathered his belongings, preparing to leave the school. His mind raced with thoughts of the next steps he needed to take. The Noxus Academy was his goal, and he was determined to get there no matter what.
Walking through the school halls, Aiden encountered Lily again. She had a playful grin on her face, clearly impressed by his performance.
"Nice job out there, Aiden. You really surprised everyone," Lily said.
"Thanks, Lily. But this is just the beginning. I have a lot more to prove," Aiden replied, his eyes filled with determination.
Lily nodded, understanding the fire that burned within him. "I get it. Keep that determination alive, and you'll reach your goals in no time."
With a final nod, Aiden left the school grounds, his mind focused on the future. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way. The words of the phoenix echoed in his mind, urging him to reach the pinnacle of his world.
As the sun set on another day, Aiden felt a sense of purpose like never before. The journey was just beginning, and he was determined to carve out his destiny with unwavering resolve.