Chapter 16 - Innate Ability

In TOC, it was described how the usage of innate abilities worked. For instance, the hunter would need to clear his mind and envision himself in an empty void. Through intense concentration, the hunters were said to witness the formation of a complex design resembling a planet.

Following the instructions outlined in the TOC, Alex began to feel his innate ability. After some struggle, he found himself in the void described in the TOC.

However, upon arriving in the void, Alex was taken aback by an unexpected sight. Unlike the description in the TOC or anyone else in this world, he could see two designs instead of just one.

"Are both of them my innate abilities?" Alex questioned himself, trying to find meaning in his unusual situation. According to the TOC, every individual could possess only one innate ability; even the protagonist, Damien Ashcroft, was constrained by this rule.

Alex decided to test one of them and, with his mind, activated it.

Suddenly, Alex's entire world was turned upside down, and in an instant, he found himself sprawled on the floor.

"What the fuck was that?" Alex pondered, unable to decipher what had happened and what his innate ability was.

Alex decided to test it again. In an instant, he found himself ten meters ahead of his previous position, suspended in mid-air, hurtling towards the floor.

"Could this be what I think it is?" Alex wondered and proceeded to experiment with his ability multiple times to confirm if he was right or wrong.

After a series of crashes into floors and walls, Alex finally became certain: "My innate ability is teleportation."

In the world of TOC, there were numerous innate abilities, but Alex had never heard of anyone possessing a teleportation ability. Teleportation in TOC was typically achieved through the use of devices and powered runes.

Countless teleportation gates existed around the world, but utilizing these gates always came at a steep cost compared to other transportation options, such as mana trains and mana hovercrafts.

Even mages who specialized in space magic and boasted a remarkable affinity for the element of space had been unable to attain the skill of teleportation to this day.

Alex's eyes widened suddenly as the realization sank in: "I should have guessed that my innate ability would be teleportation."

Recalling the end of Volume Two in TOC, where Silas first appeared, it was mentioned that Damien couldn't sense Silas' appearance and disappearance. Damien had assumed it was due to a side effect of his skill.

Alex mused thoughtfully, 'So it wasn't that Damien couldn't sense it; rather, Silas wasn't moving fast, he was using teleportation.'

After this realization, Alex decided to test his ability. However, he soon realized that he couldn't control it perfectly.

"After some practice, I'm sure I can become proficient." He reassured to himself

Then, Alex decided to determine the range of his abilities in the F rank. After a few attempts, he discovered that his range was only 50 meters.

"It's not overpowered," he pondered. "But if I consider that I'm only an F rank at the moment, it has a lot of potential."

Alex calculated and reached the conclusion that in S rank and above, he could probably travel between cities around the world.

After discovering his first innate ability, Alex decided to test his other innate abilities, curious about what a person's second innate ability could be in this world.

Alex took a deep breath and relaxed himself after witnessing how his first innate ability affected his body, causing him to crash around. Then, he finally activated his second ability.

Alex closed his eyes, waiting in anticipation for something to happen, but nothing occurred. Sensing that something had gone wrong, Alex opened his eyes, only to see a floating screen appear in front of him.

[ Fortified Wall ]

[ It can prevent any damage and leakage of mana ]

It was telling him the description of the wall. "What is this?" Alex pondered.

Alex's excitement surged, and he began to engage in a conversation with himself.

"Perhaps..." he murmured.

"No, there were no mentions in the TOC," he denied.

"But if I consider myself an anomaly," Alex added, aware that his very existence contradicted the TOC as a transmigrator.

"There's no harm in trying," he attempted to persuade himself.

"I am alone, so no one will see or know," Alex reassured himself.

"Though, I haven't confirmed that yet," he added, recalling how he was able to inhabit the body of the original Alex, who had died in the version of TOC he had read.

"I am straying away from the point," Alex reminded himself. He didn't want to enter that rabbit hole again.

"To hell with it," he exclaimed, surrendering to his impulse, and then he began.

"System Status," Alex exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room, only to be met with the unchanged display on the floating screen.

Looking at the screen, Alex thought with a sense of helplessness 'Do I really have to say that?'

"Oh, powers beyond, I beseech you to heed my call and honor my command! Turn void into matter and bestow upon me the formidable power of the system," Alex hastily murmured, his face flushing red.

Upon realizing that nothing had changed, Alex composed himself as if nothing had happened. Under his breath, he muttered, "Based on the results of logical experiments, it appears I do not possess a system."

Alex paced around the room and thought, 'If it isn't the system, what is this?'

Then, Alex suddenly saw the screen change while passing by the mirror, so he stopped and stood in front of it, closely examining the altered screen.

[Alex Hart]

[Innate Abilities]

[Teleportation: Instantly transports both living and inanimate objects between two locations within a certain range.]

[Analysis: Thoroughly analyzes various objects and individuals, gaining valuable insights and understanding.]

After reading the screen, Alex finally realized what his second innate ability was. "It's an analyzer!" he exclaimed.

'While it may not directly aid me in combat, having this ability allows me to discern other people's innate abilities, essentially revealing their trump card,' Alex carefully analyzed.