As I sit up, still bewildered, a voice breaks the silence.
"Hey! You… you have a skill!"
I glanced up at them. "I'm sorry what – "
"I SAW IT! There was this weird aura around you just now" he exclaimed.
I blinked a few times, then a smile spreads across my face. "I have a skill?"
I laughed heartedly. "Wait, really? I actually have a skill?"
"What's all this commotion about?" a sister spoke as she got closer to us. "Is something going on here?"
The trainee straightens up. "U-uh, we were just talking about Iris… I think she…she might have a skill!"
The sister looks at me, clearly unsure whether to be intrigued or doubt.
"A skill, you say? I'm not sure… I've never seen a low tier have one before. Plus, the device never lies."
She steps closer. "Show me."
I quickly shake my head. "I don't even know how to use it! It just happened!"
Before the sister can respond, the sound of footsteps interrupts. I turn to see Exian entering the hall, followed by several other high priests.
"What's going on here? Why are the low-tier trainees still in the main hall?" one of the priests asked.
The sister straightens up, "They were just… done cleaning. I'll handle it."
The priest's gaze sharpens, but he doesn't press further. Exian glances at us for a brief moment, his gaze unreadable. He says nothing but his eyes linger for a moment before he continues toward the meeting area.
The sister notices this and quickly signals to us. "Out. Now. You've caused enough disruption."
***
It's afternoon and I find myself alone in the garden, the soft rustle of the leaves and distant sounds of the temple creates a peaceful atmosphere. However, my thoughts are rather elsewhere.
"I can't believe it… I have powers. I really have powers"
[You seem surprised. Isn't this what you wanted?]
"Well, I didn't think it would actually happen! One moment I was cleaning and the next, I'm falling and boom! Magic"
[You have a habit of describing oddly and too… flashy.]
"Whatever- "
"AHHHH"
I was taken aback by the noise and as I looked up, someone was plummeting from the tree above.
My eyes widened. "WHAT THE –?!"
Thud. The red-haired person crashes into the ground. They laid there for a moment, groaning dramatically.
"Why… must gravity always betray me?!" the person spoke.
They rolled over and looked at me with an exaggerated expression of defeat.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "Who are you? And what are you doing up there?"
The person tilts his head and shrugs. "Chill. I'm Kai Koichi. High tier, by the way"
He stood up as if falling out of a tree was just a normal part of his day.
Kai Koichi feels familiar…
!!!
------
Profile
Name: Kai Koichi
Age: 17
Height: 152cm
Weight: 42kg
Tier: High
Skill: Intermediate
Host: None
Titles:
The headache of the Kai line
The young genius of the Kai line
-----
[He has two titles yet conflicting one another]
Forget that. Bro is a high tier yet has a skill of a moderate.
[The voice inside your head laughs]
Koichi notices the small smile tugging at the corners of my lips and raises an eyebrow.
"Wait a second… are you smiling? Must be because of my charm, huh? Am I really that handsome?" he spoke as he strikes a pose, as if expecting something.
…
"Are you trying to pose or are you like a male bird tying to impress? Because, honestly, that is damn unattractive."
Koichi froze on the spot. "Okay, okay, I get it! No need to ruin my whole vibe.
At least I'm not talking to myself like some crazy person."
I blink at him, caught off guard. "I'm not crazy…just…working through my thoughts."
"Thoughts? You're like OMG I HAVE POWERS!" he mimics an exaggerated version of mine.
I rolled my eyes, but can't help a small laugh. "Well, I didn't exactly scream it. But yeah… it's a big deal for me"
"Why? I mean, looking at you. You're like…a moderate tier."
Just moderate? Damn
I smiled bitterly. "Honestly speaking, I'm a low tier."
…
…
.
He laughed for good 5 minutes.
I sighed. "Okay are you done?"
"Yea but wait, wait… show me your skill. I'm curious now." He leaned in.
"Uhmm I have no idea how? It just happened." I explained.
Koichi doesn't seem fazed by my answer. "Try again. Skills have something to do with our mindset. What's inside us resonates outside. If you're all over the place, your skill will be too."
He steps back and extends his hand, focusing as a gust of wind swirls around him, picking up the leaves nearby. The air feels lighter and calm.
"See? If I'm overflowing with calmness, my skills mirrors that. It's easier to control."
I watch in awe. "Wow… that's amazing"
Koichi noticed me and grins. "Pretty cool, right? Now your turn. Try it!
What do you feel?"
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I focus on my emotions. "I feel…"
"EXCITED LIKE A STAR ABOUT TO GO SUPERNOVA!!"
"YEAH? GO ON BE A SUPERNOVA AND SHOW ME THAT SKILL!"
I took a deep breath and imagine myself like a star about to explode with power. I stretch my arms out, channeling all my energy, feeling it surge within me.
Okay here goes nothing…
There's a moment of suspense. I feel the power in my chest, the excitement rising and I could see the energy flowing through my veins like volts of electricity.
"IRIS!"