Chapter 2 - Twin Talents

[You have awakened the Taboo Talent: Immortal]

"What?!" Qin Tian's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. He was momentarily frozen in shock.

"Taboo Talent??? I've never heard of such a talent level before. The strongest talent I knew was Mythical, hailed as the pinnacle of human potential."

In this world, the humans of Earth had already ventured throughout the Solar System, establishing colonies on every planet. It is said that the Supreme Human Federation was also conquering the neighboring stars even right now. You can say that the Federation never stopped having campaigns and expeditions ever since Earth received feedback from the Global Lords game. This was due to the fact that the population of Earth received a sudden increase in numbers, and the fact that other people have extraordinary powers that could transform a planet to be suitable for human habitation.

As a result, the Federation's population had swelled to an astronomical figure, reaching hundreds of billions. As the origin of humans, Earth is still home to the strongest and richest families in the Federation. It can be said that Earth is the heart of the federation. This is why Earth could also be called the cradle of geniuses. Yet in the past century, fewer than a hundred Mythical Talents had been recorded, each one a legend in their own right. But none had ever heard of a talent level surpassing Mythical.

'Could they have hidden it? Or is it because of my traverser status that I was granted this golden finger?' Qin Tian pondered, his thoughts racing.

[Immortal (Taboo Talent)]

[Description: The only Taboo Talent. There will never be a replica of this talent in any period of time]

[Attribute 1: Transforms and evolves the initial territory and starting race related to the Lord to gain [Immortal] characteristics.]

[Attribute 2: All the things that the Your Majesty gets in the future, including troops, treasure chests, will also be transformed and evolved to gain [Immortal] Characteristics]

[Attribute 3: Transforms the Lord's path of cultivation to Immortal cultivation]

[Attribute 4: (Locked)]

[Attribute 5: (Locked)]

[Attribute 6: (Locked)]

[Attribute 7: (Locked)]

[Attribute 8: (Locked)]

"Eight attributes?! The strongest Mythical Talents I've heard of only had two attributes. Talents at the Legendary level and below typically have just one attribute." Qin Tian's excitement surged, his pulse quickening. This meant he possessed a quadruple advantage over Mythical Talents, even though only three of his attributes were currently accessible, with the others sealed.

He scrutinized the attributes of his Taboo Talent and found himself grappling with disbelief.

"What? This is a Forbidden Talent?! I thought it would be far more powerful than the Mythical Talents, which can include attributes like Ten Times Multiplier, where everything they receive is tenfold compared to others…"

"But what exactly does [Immortal] characteristic mean?" Qin Tian's mind whirled with possibilities. "Could it be akin to those immortals in the novels I've read? Immortals like the Heavenly Jade Emperor and others? If so, if this really transforms my initial race and territory into something similar, could I start with a race that has the potential to become Sword Immortals?"

[Ding! Because you have a Taboo Talent, you will automatically gain [Concealment] ability]

[Concealment (Special Skill)]

[Active Ability: Can change any personal information perceived by everyone]

"What? Taboo talents also come with a bonus skill? Hmm, this special skill is probably meant to help me hide my talent, right Heavenly Dao?"

[Ding! Your Majesty is correct! This special skill is especially given to Your Majesty to conceal his talent. When you leave the Awakening Space, the crystal will glow with a black light, which will attract attention from even the higher-ups of Your Majesty's world]

Qin Tian felt strange. He heard that the Heavenly Dao was some sort of robotic existence, and operates like a machine. But now, the Heavenly Dao was like a sentient being and was able to have a conversation with him, and even called him Your Majesty with a hint of respect.

"Perfect! I can downgrade the quality of my talent so that I will only seem special to others."

Imagining the vast possibilities, Qin Tian couldn't help but speculate about his future.

"Calm down, whooo, calm down. Who knows what will really happen. I need to stop getting ahead of myself and analyze my abilities more. Speaking of which, now that I have finished getting my talent, shouldn't the Awakening Space collapse by now?" Qin Tian felt puzzled.

[Ding! Detected that you have two souls]

[Drawing second Talent…]

[You have awakened the Uncommon Talent: Music Genius]

[Ding! Immortal Talent (Taboo Talent) is evolving talent…]

[Music Genius (Uncommon Talent) becomes Music Immortal (Divine Talent)]

[Music Immortal (Divine Talent)]

[Description: Transforms the user's connection to music into a divine level, allowing the user to harness the power of sound and rhythm in ways that transcend ordinary understanding. It is said that those blessed with this talent can wield music as both a weapon and a means of creation, forging melodies that resonate with the very essence of the world]

[Attribute 1: Grants a 1000% increase in learning and comprehension speed for anything related to music]

[Attribute 2: Amplifies attributes by 300% when using music-related weapons or techniques]

[Attribute 3: The user can manipulate sound waves to do almost everything. Can also be used as a defensive or offensive attack]

[Attribute 4: (Locked)]

At this moment, Qin Tian was too shocked to speak even anything. Just as Qin Tian was about to speak, the Heavenly Dao System suddenly started counting down.

[Leaving the Awakening Space in 5…]

[4…]

[3…]

Qin Tian hurriedly activated his newfound [Concealment] skill, masking his [Immortal] talent and downgrading the [Music Immortal] talent from Divine to Mythical.

[2…]

[1…]

The brilliant white light surrounding him vanished as if swallowed by a black hole. The Awakening Space faded, and the familiar surroundings of the hall came back into view.

At that moment, the crystal beneath his hand pulsed with a radiant orange light. Gasps and murmurs erupted around him, spreading like wildfire through the hall. Eyes widened in astonishment, and whispers of disbelief filled the air.

"He… He awakened a Mythical Talent!"

"No way! Isn't that extremely rare?"

"Look at the orange light! It's definitely Mythical!"

"Who is he? How did he manage to awaken something so powerful?"

Qin Tian took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. The warmth of the crystal, still resonating beneath his fingers, grounded him amidst the rising tide of chaos. He could feel the intensity of countless gazes boring into him, each one filled with a mix of curiosity, envy, and awe.

In his mind, Qin Tian couldn't help but reflect on the recent turn of events. "So, the [Concealment] skill really worked. It made my Taboo Talent not appear, and also instead of revealing my Divine Talent: Music Immortal, it shows as a Mythical Talent. This should keep me under the radar…"

"I'm slowly becoming one of the protagonists I once hated, those low-key MCs.," Qin Tian mused inwardly, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "The protagonist hiding their true strength, biding their time… This might actually be fun. But who said that I will not reveal my true strength? I'll reveal a part of it so that I could get resources from the academy so that I could take this opportunity to rise amongst my peers."

The hall was now a buzz of frenzied activity. Students and instructors alike craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the newest Mythical Talent bearer. The whispers grew louder, punctuated by excited exclamations and speculative murmurs.

"Who is he? He looks unfamiliar. Which family is he from?"

"I bet he's from one of those hidden clans. They always have tricks up their sleeves."

"No way, he's definitely from a powerful family. Look at his composure. He's not even surprised by his own talent!"

"But why would a family that could awaken a Mythical Talent among their descendants allow him to study in this backward region?"

A group of instructors huddled together, their expressions a mix of astonishment and confusion.

"I can't believe it," one of them muttered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "A Mythical Talent in this year's batch? The principal will want to know immediately."

"We must report this," another added, her voice urgent. "This could change everything for Mystic Star Academy."

Qin Tian could feel the weight of their words and the gravity of the situation. He knew his supposed Mythical Talent would thrust him into the spotlight, but it was a necessary ruse. The real challenge was ensuring no one uncovered his true abilities.

Standing not far from the Awakening Platform, a group of students exchanged incredulous looks. Among them was Miss Nangong, the recently unveiled Legendary Talent, who watched Qin Tian with narrowed eyes. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and a slight tinge of suspicion.

"How could someone from this backwater region have a Mythical Talent?" she muttered, her voice barely audible but laced with an edge of disbelief. "And why didn't I hear anything about him before?"

Her bodyguards, all clad in black robes, shared glances of unease. One of them leaned closer, speaking in a hushed tone. "We should report this to the family. They need to know about any potential threats to Miss Nangong's standing."

Miss Nangong nodded absentmindedly, her eyes never leaving Qin Tian. "Who are you, really?" she wondered silently, feeling an unexpected flutter of apprehension.

Qin Tian seemed to felt Miss Nangong's gaze as he looked towards her and their eyes met. It was only for a moment, but Qin Tian couldn't help but sneer.

"Hmph, is a swan trying to eat toad meat? Oh wait, that sounds wrong…"

"Music Immortal…" Qin Tian mentally recited the attributes of his newfound talent, the implications of its power sinking in. "Enhanced learning speed, amplified attributes with music-related weapons… and sound manipulation." He paused, allowing a sense of wonder to fill him. "Music is more than just a form of art now; it's a tool, a weapon. I need to understand how to harness this power effectively."

He tried to visualize the possibilities. If he could manipulate sound waves, create barriers, and use music as a weapon, the potential applications were vast. His thoughts drifted to combat scenarios, envisioning how he could turn a simple melody into a deadly force.

"But I need to keep this hidden," Qin Tian reminded himself, his expression hardening. "I mustn't attract too much attention. My real strength lies in the Taboo Talent: Immortal, not just this Mythical facade."

As he walked, Qin Tian became aware of the attention he was drawing. Whispers followed him, students pointing and murmuring excitedly. It was both exhilarating and disconcerting. The spotlight was a double-edged sword; it provided a platform for him to excel but also invited scrutiny.

He caught a glimpse of a reflection in one of the hall's ornate mirrors, noting his own composed demeanor. "Stay calm," he instructed himself silently. "Act like this isn't a big deal. Blend in, but don't fade away."

From a distance, the instructors observed Qin Tian with a mix of admiration and trepidation. One of them, a seasoned talent evaluator, couldn't hide his surprise. "This year's batch is full of surprises," he remarked, his eyes following Qin Tian's every move. "First, a Legendary Talent, and now a Mythical Talent. Mystic Star Academy might actually regain some of its former glory."

Another instructor, who had been skeptical of the academy's future, nodded slowly. "We need to monitor him closely. A Mythical Talent could attract all kinds of attention—from both allies and enemies. We must ensure he's nurtured properly, and more importantly, protected."

The principal, a dignified figure with a presence that commanded respect who looked like those old immortals in donghuas but was wearing a tight shirt that showed his exaggerated muscles, had joined them, his gaze fixed on Qin Tian. He stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. "We'll need to assess his capabilities further. Mythical Talents are rare, and their true potential is often hidden. Prepare a comprehensive evaluation for him. I want to know everything about his abilities."

Just as the instructors were planning their next steps, the principal suddenly felt a ripple of immense energy sweep through the hall. His eyes widened in recognition.

"It seems that we can't keep this talent…"

The instructors who were talking suddenly gazed at the principal with shock and a hint of questioning.

"Heavenly Immortal Academy… They're here."