As soon as Kian stepped into the Awakening portal, an overwhelming chill enveloped him, penetrating deep into his very essence.
Before long, he experienced a searing pain, akin to something being forcibly extracted from the depths of his soul; perhaps a dormant part of himself. The sensation was reminiscent of the way chicken tendons are drawn out.
Interestingly, this feeling, while intense, bore a strange comfort, as if he were shedding burdens he had long carried.
Just as the process neared its conclusion, something within him stirred, prompting him to instinctively open his eyes.
What he beheld sent shockwaves through his entire being.
He found himself suspended in a dark void, where a pair of enormous red eyes, the size of planets, locked onto his soul.
Panic surged within Kian; he yearned to escape at once.
However, in the next moment, he felt himself becoming encased in ice, frozen in place by the sinister glow of those eyes.
Kian realized that this presence intended to eliminate him, for he had witnessed something he should not have.
In his helplessness, he closed his eyes, resigned to await the inevitable. Yet, a deep sadness washed over him, as he even couldn't embark on the journey toward his love.
"Whoosh!"
In the next moment, Kian found himself on the other side of the portal when he opened his eyes.
He was unharmed, and the experience from that place felt like a bad dream.
However, there was something different within him that he could feel. He could even see some kind of text before his eyes, though he couldn't comprehend what it actually meant. It sounded similar to what the old Seer had just spoken.
[ Name: Kian Nova ]
[ Age: 18 (Soul) ]
[ Soul Force: 120 ]
[ Talent: Magical Millstone; Grade: Common ]
[ Magical Millstone: You can grind basic materials and reduce their weight after storing them inside. ]
Aengus presented himself before the gathered crowd, holding a hovering millstone. It looked very ordinary, circular in shape. Upon closer inspection, there was an entrance where one could insert materials.
Everyone was awestruck when the old man revealed Kian's talent—not because it was powerful, but because it was considered rather extremely trashy.
"Hahaha..." Laughter erupted among the crowd as they witnessed this comical scene. Despite possessing the highest amount of Soul Force among everyone present, Kian had received the worst talent imaginable.
It was the first time something so peculiar Talent had awakened among the thousands of participants.
"Man, that is hilarious! He's such a waste!" sneered one member of the Sin faction, mocking Kian.
"Muhaha, me too! I never imagined someone would awaken a millstone that's used by farmers in my world..." another added, joining in the ridicule.
Dragzul had already dismissed Kian as trash after learning the grade of his talent. He felt no need to take someone like Kian seriously. With his head held high, he looked disinterested, unwilling to waste any more words on the matter.
Ben and Silvy exchanged glances, both struggling to believe what they had just witnessed.
Silvy felt a wave of disappointment wash over her after seeing Kian's talent. Yet, a flicker of hope remained within her. Kian's impressive Soul Force could still be a deciding factor as well.
They didn't even know how to accurately compare their strengths in this new environment, so it would be unwise to reach any conclusions too early.
But some didn't seem to understand this.
They mocked Kian, gloating at his misfortune.
Ben was a little disappointed, but felt a sense of contentment and superiority at the same time.
Kian looked at the ordinary millstone in his hand and felt half of his hope vanish with the revelation of his common-grade Talent. And the gift they spoke of was nothing more than showing some numbers about oneself.
He was proven worthless once again.
"Again?
"Just why is this just happening to me? Just why?"
"What did I ever do wrong? Ugh, why does everything feel so suffocating?
"JUST WHY?"
He roared in his mind, finding everything so unfair to him. But he still did not want to show his weakness to others yet.
The old Seer's disappointment was evident, and Kian's mood fell to rock bottom.
He wanted to say something to vent his frustration, but seeing the boy's miserable expression, as if he had lost the will to live, made him pause.
"Don't give up yet, boy. You still have extraordinary potential in your Soul Force. Try to focus on growing it to close the gap with your peers. But it's still going to be tough without a good Talent. So you need to stay strong... Think of your goal, nothing else."
The old man showed a rare expression of kindness, which touched Kian's soul.
"Yes, that's right... I can still keep going... I would never forget the promise I made to her... I can't lose..." Kian clenched his fist with determination.
Kian gave the old man a grateful glance before heading over to Ben and Silvy's side. He was uncertain if they still wanted him in their team.
Contrary to his expectations, neither of them showed any signs of rejection.
"Dude, that must have been a hell of a ride for you. But don't worry, Kian. We're still on your side," Ben said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, though there was a hint of superiority in his tone.
"Thanks...."
Kian didn't mind; rather he was grateful for their acceptance. In this strange and unfamiliar environment, staying with them was the best option for now.
Silvy gave him an encouraging nod.
"Kian, don't give up! We still don't know what we'll be facing or what opportunities might come our way, so there's no need to see yourself as worthless."
Her kind words were infectious, and Kian felt he didn't deserve such kindness from these two strangers he had just met.
It felt too good to be true.
After he was deemed worthless in the Nova House, his former friends and so called brothers showed him nothing but disdain, bullying him relentlessly while he was too weak to defend himself.