Year 2225.
Today was an important day for all graduating students in the Federation, Ash included.
This year he turned eighteen, and with that came graduation from school and the chance to awaken his trait.
Ash knew that almost all those who awakened good traits were those children of awakened individuals. They could feed their children resources since they were young—mana stones, beast meat, rare medicinal plants—to strengthen their bodies before they awoke.
But he didn't need an amazing trait. An average was already good enough for him, he just needed something to support himself and his family.
Ash's fist clenched as he thought about his little brother and their situation. Suddenly, Ash felt a slap on the back of his head, and his body contorted to the front.
"Trash, why such a nervous expression? Relax, low-life people like you can only awaken trash traits. Hahaha!" taunted an eighteen-year-old boy, the very image of a classic bully.
He had a broad, muscular build. His short, dark hair was neatly styled, a sharp contrast to the cruelty in his eyes and the smug smirk plastered on his face.
The way he carried himself, shoulders squared and chest puffed out, screamed arrogance, while his tone dripped with mockery, leaving no doubt that he thrived on belittling others.
The other two close to him responded to their friend's laugh and laughed together while looking at Ash.
Ash wanted to retort, even fight back. He didn't like to be bullied, but what could he do? He didn't have power, talent, or a good family background. Even if he told the school, they would just ignore him.
He had done exactly that in the past, and the results disappointed him.
Tristan and his two idiot friends have been bullying him for years since he first came to the school. He told the teachers, but they did shit, and the bullying even got worse. From then on, he decided to ignore it and put up with it.
Almost two hundred years have passed since the first awakened individual appeared, and only power was respected now—weaklings like him could only be servants to the strong.
He ignored the bullies and went on his way to the location where the awakening would take place. All the graduating students from Crystalmouth's School 15 would be there—a whopping four hundred students.
As he made his way through the school corridors, he couldn't help but remember his years here. They weren't pleasant—he studied just enough to have passing marks while working himself to the bones outside school.
Ash arrived at the school's auditorium. There he saw a middle-aged looking man who happened to be School 15's Dean. By his side was a crystal globe pulsing mana on top of a pillar—this tool would connect them to mana, awakening their traits.
He proceeded to sit on the closest empty seat he could find. His time at school was a lonely one, Ash didn't make any friends here, so it didn't matter where he sat.
"Good morning students, you are all well-informed, so I won't say much. Come here and place your hand on the crystal ball one at a time. After this, a status tool will be given to everyone, so you can track your trait and skill evolution. Remember, even if you awaken a bad trait, traits can be evolved, so there is no need for despair."
'Yes, traits can be evolved, but how many resources are needed for that? Would poor people even have this chance?' Thought Ash.
Ash observed student after student going to the podium and getting their traits. Some were happy, others dejected, and some even despaired.
He was so nervous that he didn't pay much attention to others, only thinking about the possible trait he would get. That was until he saw her going to the podium—Layla Frost. In his vision, she was the epitome of perfection. The most beautiful girl in School 15, also coming from a prestigious background.
Her figure was also divine, the most amazing pair of boobs Ash has ever seen—yes, he was a cultured man who loved big boobs.
Ash was her classmate for the last 3 years, and the only reason was because private education didn't exist within the Federation, only public schools.
They came from completely different worlds, and despite having shared the same class for the last three years, they barely had any interactions. This was just his one side crush on her.
Layla was just like her last name—a cold beauty.
She went to the podium expressionless and put her hand on the globe. A powerful mana current came from her, and soon her results were out—SSS-Rank Trait, [Archmage].
[Archmage]: Loved by mana, can easily learn all spells.
Ash sighed. This was the power of having a good background. Even if she had talent, it was only possible to awaken such a power trait directly if one had been fed with resources since birth—and high ones at that.
"Congratulations. Your father will be very pleased with such a result," said the Dean, smiling at Layla.
Layla nodded and went to her seat, ignoring the crowd murmuring, clearly surprised by her trait. That will probably be the only SSS-rank trait that will appear on Crystalmonth this year. No more than 3 of those appeared each year across the whole Federation.
"Ash Riverbane," called the Dean.
Ash heard his name and gulped. 'At least D-rank, at least D-rank. Please, God, I've never asked you anything. Just give me a D-rank trait.'
He put his hand on the globe, and a mana reaction was barely felt. The results were soon out—F-rank Trait [Weak]
[Weak]: Weak body, somewhat strong will.
Ash's face went pale when he saw his results. 'What the fuck is this? Is that a trait or a curse? Even F-rank talent shouldn't be so bad!'
Laughs started echoing from the crowd. Even those who got F and E-rank traits were relieved seeing Ash's trait. Humans in bad situations find relief in seeing a peer in an even worse situation.
"What a thrash trait. Has anybody ever seen a worse?"
"Hahaha. Thrash will always be thrash. What did he hope for?"
Layla observed the situation in silence, she could not help but click her tongue in irritation. 'Humanity is almost going extinct, but they are still worried about showing their superiority…'
This wasn't an ordinary F-rank trait at all—it was almost impossible to find something worse.
Weak body? Obviously a curse. Strong will? What's the use of that if you could be easily killed?