The examination hall stretched vast and silent, sunlight streaming through tall windows to illuminate rows of students hunched over their papers. The only sounds were the gentle scratching of pens and occasional nervous shuffling of feet. Ambrose sat in the furthest corner of the room, physically isolated from his peers in what he recognized as a calculated precaution against his Observation talent. A faint smile played across his lips beneath the black blindfold – their preventive measures were hopelessly outdated, his skills were already far ahead of normal observation and just a while back, they had advanced even further.
He gazed down at his examination paper, activating [Mind's Eye]. Instantly, information flooded his consciousness – not just the questions and answers, but the entire history of the document. He could see the instructor who had prepared it three days ago, working late into the night by candlelight, even the slight hesitation in their brush strokes when deciding between different question variants. The answers flowed from his pen with effortless precision. While his extensive study since arriving at the academy had already equipped him with this knowledge, why expend unnecessary effort when a more efficient path presented itself?
Within five minutes, Ambrose completed his exam. Rather than immediately submitting it, however, a spark of curiosity ignited in his mind. Could he accomplish what the instructors so feared? Not for any practical benefit – his paper was already complete – but as an exercise in pushing his abilities to their limits.
He tried using his enhanced sight but realized that he couldnt see much, after all, he couldnt see through people and many papers were flatly on the desk so he didnt have the best angle.
He closed his eyes behind the blindfold, tuning his enhanced hearing to the symphony of scratching pens. After ten seconds of careful calibration, he had isolated each distinct sound, filtering out all ambient noise, rustling clothes, nervous breathing, the occasional cough - until only the whisper of pen strokes remained. With methodical precision, he activated his abilities:
[Focus State](B) - Enables the user to maintain supernatural levels of concentrated observation indefinitely. The user can maintain unwavering attention for up to 24 hours with no degradation in performance, with a 90% reduction in the impact of external distractions. This state eliminates mental fatigue during observation tasks entirely, allowing for continuous detailed investigation. The user can maintain awareness of multiple focal points simultaneously while in this state.
[Pattern Recognition](A) - Accelerates the brain's ability to process and connect information to supernatural levels. The user processes visual patterns and sequences 400% faster than normal, instantly spotting irregularities in behavior and environment that others would miss entirely. This skill grants an almost prescient ability to link seemingly unrelated pieces of information, making it invaluable for complex problem-solving and prediction. The user can analyze multiple pattern streams simultaneously without mental strain.
In his mind's eye, a pristine white canvas materialized. Each pen stroke became a distinct line of data, categorized and sorted by its origin. His supernatural processing abilities separated and tracked dozens of simultaneous writing patterns, assigning each to its own mental whiteboard. The task would have overwhelmed any normal mind, but Ambrose's enhanced capabilities made it manageable:
[Thought Acceleration](A) - Dramatically enhances mental processing speed by a factor of 100. This massive acceleration allows for near-instantaneous analysis of situations, enhanced decision-making capabilities, and superior problem-solving abilities. Time seems to slow from the user's perspective as their mind processes information at heightened speeds.
[Time Perception](B) - Enhances the brain's ability to process information in real-time. Users gain enhanced ability to track multiple events simultaneously, along with improved situational awareness and superior reaction time to observed events. This skill also grants better prediction of immediate outcomes, allowing the user to stay several steps ahead in any situation.
As the examination progressed, Ambrose maintained his intense focus, transforming each captured pen stroke into coherent text in his mind. Context and pattern recognition allowed him to match answers to their corresponding questions, building a complete mental map of every exam paper in the room. The strain began to show – a thin trickle of blood leaked from his nose, staining the corner of his paper crimson – but he persisted, pushing his abilities to their absolute limit.
Finally, as the examination neared its end, Ambrose opened his eyes beneath the blindfold. "Success," he whispered, satisfaction evident in his voice. He had done more than just complete the test… Rising smoothly from his seat, he handed his blood-spotted paper to the passing instructor and strode from the room, leaving behind a sea of still-writing students.
…
Afternoon sunlight cast long shadows across the academy courtyard as Ambrose sat alone on a weathered stone bench, dabbing at his nose with a silk handkerchief. Each touch came away crimson, the bleeding showing no signs of stopping. The physical manifestation of his mental strain seemed almost trivial compared to the pounding in his head – as if someone had taken a hammer to the inside of his skull.
Through the haze of discomfort, he finally focused on the system notifications that had been patiently hovering in his field of vision:
[Ding! You have comprehended a large amount of information]
[Your observation talent has greatly improved]
[Ding! You have pushed yourself to the limit]
[You have reached [Mind Limit] using mind related abilities in this state is not recommended]
[Ding! You have pushed your mind beyond the limit]
[Intelligence +10]
[Skill [Mathematician] has been upgraded]
Despite the mounting pressure in his head, which felt ready to burst at any moment, curiosity drove him to check his skills panel. The moment it materialized before him, his eyes widened in shock:
[Mathematician](Unique) - A rare talent that fundamentally alters the mind's processing capabilities, granting exceptional mental powers and analytical abilities that transcend normal human limitations. This supernatural mathematical insight allows for complex calculations and analysis far beyond ordinary comprehension, enabling the user to perceive and manipulate abstract concepts through pure mathematical understanding. (Subskills: [Rational Mind](S), [Mental Fortress](S), [Perfect Recall](S), [Thought Acceleration](S), [Parallel Processing](S), [Time Perception](A))
"S-so many S ranks," he managed to think, the revelation too overwhelming for his overtaxed mind. The handkerchief slipped from his nerveless fingers as consciousness fled, his body slumping sideways on the bench. The last thing he registered was the cool stone against his cheek, and then darkness claimed him completely.