As Alan began to return to his seat after his awakening, the next name was announced: *Brod Kyle*, the son of the Kyle family's heir. The Kyle family was renowned throughout the continent for their immense power and influence. They were one of the few families that could rival the Johnsons in terms of prestige and strength. Brod, however, was known for his arrogance, and today was no exception. This was his second awakening—a rare feat that only a handful of individuals ever achieved. While most people awakened their powers once, a select few could undergo a second awakening, unlocking even greater potential.
Brod strutted onto the stage with an air of superiority, his every movement dripping with confidence. The instructor placed a hand on his shoulder, and after a brief moment, a fiery light began to emanate from Brod's body. The flames that surrounded him were not ordinary—they were the mark of a rare, high-level flame ability. Among a million awakeners, only ten had the chance to unlock such a rare ability. Brod had just joined that elite group.
The audience erupted into murmurs of awe and admiration. The Kyle family, already powerful, now had another reason to boast. Brod's father, Jain Kyle, stepped forward, his chest puffed with pride. "Good job, my son," Jain said, clapping Brod on the back. "As a descendant of the Kyle family, you haven't disappointed us." His words were laced with satisfaction, but his gaze soon shifted to Alan's parents, particularly George Johnson. A mocking smile crept onto Jain's face as he added, "Well, George, what did your son awaken? We didn't see anything remarkable. Or is he just as useless as the rumors say?"
George's expression darkened, but he held his composure. "It has nothing to do with you," he retorted sharply.
The tension in the air was palpable, and just as it seemed like the situation might escalate, Alan spoke up. "I have awakened as a mentalist," he said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Jain raised an eyebrow, his mocking smile widening. "Oh? A mentalist, you say? That's a rare profession indeed. But do you know how many resources it takes to nurture such a talent to its fullest potential? And from what I hear, your family is just a small branch of the Johnson family. Do you even have the means to support him?"
George's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Alan interjected. "We will manage it ourselves," he said, his tone firm and unwavering.
Jain chuckled, clearly enjoying the exchange. "You're still as arrogant as ever, George," he said, shaking his head. "Hmph," George snorted, refusing to engage further.
Jain turned to leave, but not before issuing a challenge. "We'll meet at the examination area later. Let's see what your son can do," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. Brod, who had been standing silently beside his father, shot Alan a smug look. "I'll see you at the examination area," he said, his tone laced with arrogance.
Just as Brod turned to leave, a sudden, overwhelming aura filled the room. It pressed down on Brod with such intensity that he stumbled, his face contorting in discomfort. Jain immediately released his own aura to counter the pressure, his expression a mix of anger and fear. His eyes darted to the source of the aura, and they landed on Lucy, who was standing beside George with a cold, steely gaze.
"What do you mean by this?" Jain demanded, his voice trembling slightly. Despite his anger, there was a hint of fear in his eyes. He knew better than to provoke Lucy. She was a disciple of one of the top ten powerhouses in the world, and the consequences of angering her mentor were unthinkable. The top ten powerhouses were bound by rules that restricted them from using their full power, but when it came to protecting their disciples, those rules often went out the window.
Lucy's aura receded slightly, but her eyes remained locked on Jain. "It's fine," Alan said, stepping forward. He could feel how angry Lucy was, and he knew that her intervention could escalate the situation further. Lucy took a deep breath, her aura calming down, but her gaze remained sharp.
Jain, however, couldn't resist one last jab. "Hmph, hiding behind a woman. You're really a coward," he said, directing his words at Alan.
Lucy's eyes flashed with fury, but before she could react, Alan spoke again. "You're really good at provoking others," he said, his voice cold and measured. As he spoke, the temperature in the room dropped noticeably, sending a chill through everyone present. The air grew heavy, and for a moment, it felt as though the entire school was enveloped in an icy grip.
Alan's mind raced as he considered releasing a fraction of his power to put Jain and Brod in their place. But just as the thought crossed his mind, the AI's voice echoed in his head, reminding him of the consequences. *"Alan, be careful. Unleashing even a fraction of your power here could have catastrophic consequences,"* the AI warned.
Alan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The temperature in the room gradually returned to normal, and the tension eased. "Let's see you at the examination area, then," Alan said, his tone calm but firm. With that, he turned and left the hall, his family following close behind.
---
The examination area was a vast, open space designed to test the abilities of newly awakened individuals. It was equipped with state-of-the-art technology to measure power levels, control, and potential. The area was divided into sections, each tailored to different types of abilities. As Alan and his family arrived, they were greeted by the sight of dozens of students and their families, all eager to showcase their newfound powers.
Brod and Jain were already there, standing near one of the testing stations. Brod was surrounded by a group of admirers, all fawning over his rare flame ability. Jain stood nearby, his arms crossed and a smug expression on his face. When he saw Alan and his family approaching, he couldn't resist another jab.
"Well, well, look who decided to show up," Jain said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let's see if your so-called mentalist abilities are worth anything."
Alan ignored the comment, focusing instead on the task at hand. He stepped into the testing area, his mind calm and focused. The instructor handed him a device that would measure his mentalist abilities. Alan closed his eyes, visualizing the energy within him. He carefully controlled the flow, ensuring that only a fraction of his power was released.
The device began to glow, its readings skyrocketing. The instructor's eyes widened in shock as the numbers continued to climb. "Incredible," the instructor muttered, barely able to contain his excitement. "This is one of the most powerful mentalist awakenings I've ever seen."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as word of Alan's performance spread. Even Brod, who had been basking in the attention of his admirers, couldn't help but glance over, his expression a mix of surprise and irritation.
Jain's smug smile faltered, but he quickly recovered. "Impressive," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But let's see how he fares in a real test."
The instructor nodded, signaling for the next phase of the examination to begin. Alan stepped into the combat simulation area, where he would face off against a series of virtual opponents designed to test his control and combat skills.
As the simulation began, Alan's mind was a whirlwind of focus and precision. He moved with a grace and efficiency that left the onlookers in awe. Each opponent was dispatched with ease, and by the time the simulation ended, Alan had achieved a perfect score.
The crowd erupted into applause, and even Jain couldn't hide his begrudging respect. Brod, however, was seething. He stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "Let's see how you fare against me," he said, his voice challenging.
Alan met his gaze, his expression calm and composed. "Bring it on," he said simply.
The stage was set for a showdown between the two young awakeners, and the crowd watched with bated breath as the two prepared to face off. The examination area had become a battleground, and the stakes had never been higher.