Ethan Fray showed his ability next. His attribute is ice, and his control was truly impeccable. It was as if I was watching a master in his craft. The gallon of water he brought instantly turned into ice upon mere contact, which means his power is stronger than I imagined.
He was able to command the ice just like how Vice Mayor Aina did with her fire; the ice followed his movement as though it had its own mind. The temperature inside the training room decreased, and everyone rubbed their arms to fight the cold.
Vice Mayor Aina said out of the blue, "Those brothers are really talented."
I turned my head to her, confused. The vice mayor continued, "Alexiz Fray is Ethan's younger brother."
Woah. No wonder Ethan looked familiar when I saw him. The silver hair is their family's trademark, I guess. But Ethan's eyes were blue, and the younger Fray who looked like an older man reincarnated inside a child's body, had red eyes.
Commander Kyle chipped in, "Those two awakened at the same time, upon witnessing the death of their parents. So, the research and development ruled that the awakening process has something to do with the environment and the extreme emotions released by the body."
Vice Mayor Aina Evans added, "A situational awakening. Not everyone awakened like them, but there's a possibility that those who experienced that situational awakening are stronger and have a higher rank."
Kyle, "Right now, the rank hasn't yet been determined. But given that both of them were ranked A, the sequence of the alphabet as the basis on which is stronger might be true."
I looked ahead and watched Ethan tidy up the floor, "Which ranks are the both of you?"
Vice Mayor Aina, "A."
Kyle, "A."
So, then, it means there are only two S-ranked for now. Daniel Bran and me. My thoughts wandered to the person, and I decided to ask for any information about him later. Wait, this commander beside me is in the military!
I faced the commander and asked eagerly, "Hey, Commander Kyle, do you know someone at the 6th Infantry Division, Private 1st Class Daniel Bran?"
Kyle's brow twitched. He turned his head to me and glowered, "How did you know that person?"
What? Why did he look irritated?
"I think we awakened at the same time; he was separated from his troop, so he headed to the City of Alpas to reunite with them—
"What did you say?!"
I almost slapped the commander's face for his sudden outburst. I mean, I was speaking calmly, and he startled me.
Commander Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered angrily, "That fool! Alpas is a red zone! Monsters roam everywhere, and he still decided to…!" He glared at me, "And you didn't stop him?"
"I didn't know about the emergency alert. We were inside a barn on the outskirts of Bradis, and he seemed determined to go, so I didn't stop him."
Shit. I felt utterly guilty. He was with a kid. Dammit. If I had known about the alert, would I have picked the child instead? I feel disgusted with myself.
Kyle stomped away with a scowl on his face. I watched his retreating figure surrounded by blazing fire. I turned to Aina and looked at her quizzically.
Vice Mayor Aina answered nonchalantly, "Bran is his half-brother. They are brothers with different fathers."
Woah. What a small world.
"…you know Daniel?"
Aina averted her eyes and didn't answer. What's with her?
"Sir Atlas! How did I do?"
Ethan ran to me, smiling widely. Man, he's already aware he did well; is he fishing for compliments? The Fray brothers are funny; the older one looks childish, while the younger one looks like he has seen everything.
I commended him for a job well done, and he shyly walked away. My gaze landed on Felix, whose head was bowed, but his side profile was frowning, and his hands balled into fists. What's this? Did I sense jealousy?"
However, when Ethan reached him, Felix lifted his head and smiled proudly, "Dude~ you're amazing!"
Oh. Maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps, he was only sulky because he failed. I shrugged my shoulders and just ignored them. Once Edgar took the stage, everything in the arena flew. If we hadn't clutched tightly on our clothes, I'm afraid the room would have been a pigsty running around in panic on their birthday suit.
I glared at Edgar, who just clumsily scratched the back of his head and grinned innocently. I sighed. This one learned how to manipulate the source around him, but because it was infinite, he failed to control it.
The bigger the source, the stronger the power required.
I told him that, and he seemed to understand easily. The balloons he brought as props all popped because the wind he inserted inside was too much. I asked him to practice a similar way to Felix, but both of them did not succeed.
Felix has more power inside him, while Edgar has a vast source. One needs to control what's innate, and the other needs to control his surroundings.
Then, Lovi came forward. I gaped at her. So, how the hell is she going to show her progress? Contrary to my concern, she brought injured people from the medical facility. I saw Ryder entering with a cast on his arm and bruises on his face, followed by a few awakeners behind him.
"What happened to you?"
Ryder answered, "Training. I broke an arm, and some ribs punctured my organs. Surprisingly, I'm not dying. I was resting in the medical facility when that lady appeared and offered to heal us out of the blue. So, I came with them."
I chuckled at his nonchalance, "Man, who did you fight that got you injured like that?"
"The commander. He fought with me earlier, then he said he'd come here and watch after beating me to a pulp," Ryder glanced around, "I don't see him here, though?"
"He left already."
Lovi called from the stage, waving at them, "Sir Vaughn! Please line up here!"
Ryder leaned in and asked worriedly, "We're not going to be a spectacle here, are we?"
I laughed. I think they will.
Lovi cleared her throat and began, 'So, Sir Atlas, you told me to practice meditating and going to church, but I'm an atheist, so I'm not sure what to do at first."
The heck? She should have told me then!
Lovi continued, "So, I began training with the injured, healing wounds from small scratches to big cuts. After three days of doing that, I found a significant change. Before, I could only heal one person at a time, but today, I'll show you my limit."
Lovi opened her palms and stretched them toward the seven awakeners in the center. The ground beneath them glowed white, and strips of white light floated straight from the ground, like straight pendant lights coming from the floor. They hit the awakeners, and it got absorbed in their bodies.
Ryder looked amazed. He unwrapped the bandages on his arm. The swelling had gradually decreased, and he was able to move it painlessly. The other awakeners looked better as well.
I applauded Lovi. She trained alone and found ways to increase her power on her own. She's a diligent and positive person.
I still can't believe that she's an atheist. I might have sounded like a jerk when I told her to pray and visit the church.
I should apologize for running my mouth. However, before I could even perform my closing speech for the presentation, the entire room was suddenly bombarded with a loud noise from the speakers.
"CODE RED!! CODE RED!! A DOOR HAS APPEARED IN DISTRICT C OF OSCA!!"
Before I knew it, everyone rushed towards the entrance. But instead of the nostalgic fear and helplessness they felt when the red door appeared, these awakeners were all brimming with excitement.