Ethan couldn't believe his luck. He'd come to this reunion expecting a night of awkward small talk and maybe some decent food, but instead, he'd unlocked a rare ability: Airborne Movement.
He knew what that meant—flight. While he didn't have wings like the rumored "Seraph," being able to fly was still a game-changer. People with flight abilities were highly sought after in the evolving world. Some had even signed million-dollar contracts just for delivery services.
"Of course," Ethan thought with a grin, "I'm not about to deliver takeout. But it's nice to know I can fly away if things get messy—or chase down something that's trying to fly away from me."
As he mused over his new skill, Lynn noticed him grinning like an idiot.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about something funny," Ethan replied, snapping out of it. He scooped up the freshly boiled shrimp from the pot, but as soon as he tried to eat one, the heat stung his mouth. He quickly pushed the bowl toward Lynn and winked. "Too hot. Mind cooling these down for me?"
Lynn gave him a curious look. "How did you know I have ice-based powers?"
Ethan froze for a split second. Damn, almost slipped up. He rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. "Come on, Lynn. Everyone knows. You think Ned wouldn't blab? He's got the gossip on everyone in class."
Not far away, Ned suddenly felt like he was being talked about. He shot Ethan a glare from across the room, but Ethan conveniently ignored him.
Lynn seemed unconvinced but let it slide. She raised her hand, and with a soft touch on the bowl, a white mist of frost curled around the shrimp. In seconds, the temperature dropped, cooling them to perfection.
"Lynn, you're the best," Ethan said with a satisfied sigh.
Their classmates were watching, jaws practically hitting the floor.
"Did she just use her A-tier ice ability to cool his shrimp?"
"Ethan must've saved the world in a past life to get this kind of treatment."
"This guy's luck is unreal. What's his secret?"
Meanwhile, Ged was visibly fuming, his face turning an alarming shade of red as he watched from across the room.
As Lynn gracefully cooled the food, she turned to Ethan and asked, "You've awakened a talent too, haven't you?"
Ethan paused, then gave a small nod. "Yeah, you caught me. I did."
"I can tell. You seem a lot more confident than before," Lynn remarked.
"Well, you've always said I had thick skin," Ethan joked.
"Thick skin doesn't mean confidence," she replied. "But tonight, you seem... grounded. Like you've found your footing."
Ethan shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I think my talent's decent. It helps, you know?"
He peeled a shrimp and casually handed it to Lynn. "Go on, try it. I'll tell you more after you eat."
Lynn hesitated for a moment, glancing around at their classmates who were now blatantly gawking. Eventually, she gave in to Ethan's urging, using her chopsticks to take the shrimp. The murmurs and envious stares intensified as she did.
Satisfied, Ethan peeled another shrimp for himself and said with a smirk, "My talent? It's just enhanced physical strength. I can probably leap tall buildings in a single bound."
Lynn narrowed her eyes. "If you're that strong, you could train with my family. We could help you refine your ability."
Ethan leaned back, pretending to be shocked. "Wait, are you trying to recruit me? My demands are pretty high, you know."
"What would those be?" Lynn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know... something like becoming the family's heir—or the son-in-law, maybe?" Ethan said with a grin, clearly teasing.
Lynn's expression grew serious, and she fell silent. The playful mood turned heavy.
"Relax, it's just a joke," Ethan said, sensing the tension. "No need to take it personally."
"You wouldn't meet my family's expectations," she replied softly after a long pause.
Ethan nodded, understanding her unspoken meaning. He wasn't offended; he knew his current standing didn't carry much weight in their world. If he wanted to change that, he'd have to prove himself through action, not words.
Lynn seemed to sense his shift in mood. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself.
The awkward moment was interrupted when one of their classmates clapped his hands loudly, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone! Since we're all here and in good spirits, how about we show off our talents? You never know—someone might spot something impressive and offer you a chance to join their team!"
The idea was met with enthusiastic cheers.
"I'll go first!" a student volunteered eagerly. He demonstrated his ability to change the color of his skin, shifting from pitch-black to snow-white, and even turning bright red and blue. The crowd clapped and laughed, marveling at the display.
"Too bad it's just for show," the student said with a sheepish grin. "Not exactly combat-worthy."
"Hey, you'd make a great spy," someone joked, earning more laughs.
Other students stepped forward, showcasing minor talents like growing their hair rapidly or momentarily increasing their height. Some had combat abilities—one could lift several hundred pounds with ease, another had razor-sharp teeth and claws, and a third had skin tough enough to withstand knife attacks.
But the real highlight was Ged. He demonstrated his super-speed punches, each strike creating a booming shockwave that echoed throughout the room. The crowd gasped in awe.
Still, despite the impressive display, Lynn remained indifferent, barely acknowledging Ged's performance. His frustration was palpable.
Meanwhile, Ethan slipped away to find Ned, who was loitering near the dessert table.
"Hey, you said you had a secret to share with me," Ethan said, nudging Ned with his elbow. "What's the deal?"
Ned crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "Oh, so now you remember me? You've been busy living the high life with Lynn."
Ethan laughed. "Come on, are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Me? Please!" Ned scoffed, though his flushed face said otherwise. "Fine, I'll tell you. But you better be ready to be blown away."
"Oh, I'm ready," Ethan said, intrigued.
Ned glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in conspiratorially. "Let's just say... I've got a talent that's going to make me a legend."