The hall was alive with nervous chatter as cadets lined up, the tension almost suffocating.
Each of them already knew they had a Super gene, but this was the moment that would define their future. Talon and Jason found themselves near the back of the line, thanks to Jason's classic inability to pick up the pace.
"Nice going, Jason," Talon said, crossing his arms. "Now we get to stand here and wait while everyone else finds out how awesome they are."
Jason smirked. "Hey, patience builds character."
Talon rolled his eyes. "Tell that to my nerves."
At the front of the line, the first cadet, a girl with a razor-sharp gaze, approached the chamber door. It opened with a soft hiss, and she stepped inside. The wall turned black, concealing everything happening beyond it.
The room fell silent, the crowd holding its collective breath. A moment later, the wall turned transparent, revealing the orb's glow, a dull gray.
Common. The most frequent rank. The girl emerged from the chamber, her expression calm but her presence... different.
A faint pressure hung in the air, like being in the sight of a predator.
It was very unpleasant, Talon felt like he had to fight, or run, for his life.
Talon's skin prickled, and he shot Jason a glance. "You feel that?"
Jason nodded, his grin fading slightly. "Yeah. Feels... weird."
Principal Kellen stepped forward, his voice cutting through the buzz. "What you're experiencing is the aura of a newly ascended Super. It's the mark of someone who has taken their first step beyond ordinary humanity."
The girl paused as Kellen addressed her directly. "Learn to control it. Without practice, your energy will extend outward, affecting those around you. Focus on drawing it back in."
She closed her eyes, her brow furrowing as the sensation faded. The Solaris Concord representative wasted no time approaching her with a data pad, already discussing terms for sponsorship.
None of the other representatives seemed interested.
"Efficient," Jason whispered. "Bet they've got contracts pre-filled."
The line moved steadily, each cadet stepping into the chamber. Some chose to press the button, making their results public, while others kept the wall opaque.
Talon noticed a pattern: those from influential families often kept their ranks private, their air of mystery doing most of the talking.
Meanwhile, the corporate reps practically swarmed around any green lights like vultures on fresh prey, offering them loads of benefits and contracts.
Then came a moment that shifted the entire atmosphere. The orb behind one cadet lit up in a vivid blue glow. The room went dead silent for a heartbeat before the whispers exploded.
"Rare," Jason said, his voice filled with awe. "That guy's about to be swimming in sponsorships."
Talon watched as the blue-ranked cadet was surrounded by representatives in an instant, their polished smiles barely hiding their greed. The boy's overwhelmed look made Talon smirk slightly, though the jealousy gnawed at him.
"Poor guy," Talon muttered. "Must be so hard to be that special."
Jason snorted. "Don't worry, we'll show them what special looks like soon enough."
As they neared the front of the line, the tension grew heavier. Jason's turn was up, and he turned to Talon with a grin. "Wish me luck."
"Don't trip," Talon said, earning a laugh before Jason disappeared into the chamber.
The wall stayed black, signaling Jason's choice to keep his rank private. When he reemerged, his face was calm, though his usual swagger was intact. He gave Talon a quick thumbs-up, which only made Talon more curious.
"What'd you get?" Talon asked, leaning closer.
Jason smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
'Oh it has to be good if he reacts like that,' Talon thought, happy for his friend.
Before Talon could press further, a familiar voice stopped him cold.
"Talon."
He turned to see Mira approaching, her expression serious as always. She glanced around before speaking in a low tone. "Your mother sent me. I'm to accompany you into the chamber to verify your rank for the family."
Talon's jaw clenched. Of course, she'd find a way to meddle. He forced a smile. "Great. Let's make it a family affair."
Mira didn't react to the sarcasm. "Just remember, whatever you awaken as, it's not just about you. The family's reputation is on the line."
Talon gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."
He didn't bother explaining what he intended to do. He had already made up his mind. He would press the button, make his rank public, and seize whatever opportunity came his way. Let them watch, he was done with their control.
'And to have her in the room, watching as I press that button to take sponsorships and step away from all their control… Oh, that will be all the sweeter,' he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he waited.
Finally, Talon's was called forward. His heart pounded as he stepped forward, his thoughts a jumble of anticipation and defiance. He paused briefly, taking a deep breath before stepping into the chamber, Mira close behind him.
This was it. Whatever happened next would define everything.