Several days passed as Luke continued growing his card creation skills. His Original Card grew with his understandings.
Soon, the tests were over ans the day for results came.
"Mr. Luke Jaywalker, please step forward."
Dressed in his best, the young man walked towards the stage.
"Excellent job young man, my congratulations to a job well done."
Luke took his completion papers and left the building, his mother shortly behind. "What did you get?"
He smiled broadly as he handed the papers to Mia. "This son humbly gives his poor grades forward."
With a frown of annoyance, Mia scanned the papers. This young liar had managed to score 100's on all of his finals! The rascal!
With a big hug, she comforted the poor boy. "There, there, we don't always win. At least you graduated. Let's celebrate with some ice cream."
Luke was utterly confused. 'She actually thought…?'
She punched his arm viciously and left with papers in hand. With a trot, Luke caught up. He gave her a big side hug before walking down the halls of his former school. It was time for the real world.
Tonight was the Galactic Talent Ceremony. All he had to do was show up. Afterwards, he'd be free to use his savings to start his business and pave his future.
The two settled down outside a cafe amidst the busy population. Their orders were identical: waffle cone, two scoops of peanut butter cup, caramel at the bottom.
They laughed and conversed freely. Luke smiled. As in his past life, his mother was one cool, laid-back bean.
"So, are you excited about tonight?" Mia Jaywalker asker her son.
"In all honesty?" He licked the spoon again. "No, not really."
She looked to him inquisitively.
"No, it's not that I don't want to. It's that I don't really see the point."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I actually awakened already a year ago. My talent is called [Innate Spirit.] It allowed me to open my sea of consciousness earlier than everyone else."
Mia gasped. "Why didn't you tell me, you rascal?"
She pulled his ear.
"Easy, easy! I wanted it to be a surprise." He quickly explained. "I also thought dinner was a nice point."
Mia waited a moment before speaking tenderly. "…That's all your talent does?"
"As far as I can tell. That being said, it allowed me to create my original card and start on the path to the Card Creator profession."
"I already have enough money to start to rent space and start a business. All I need is your blessing."
"Of course, of course." Mia Jaywalker gently replied.
He smiled. The two of them continued their treats and walked around for a bit before they continued to the ceremony. The other students were nearly out of the graduation ceremony.
Eventually they found their way. Mia waited outside while Luke filtered into the glass dome alongside the other students. This was it. The Galactic Federation Talent Awakening Ceremony.
Luke walked forward glibly. It was his time to shine.
He and the other newly graduated students gathered around the Talent Orb. An old man with a wizened beard sat in front of it.
"Young ones. Today is a day of solemn gratitude for those who came before. I'd ask that we take a moment of silence to remember those we've lost in the great war against the Insects."
Luke lowered his head along the rest. He had a personal attachment to the war- his father.
"Now then," the old man started, his voice echoing quietly amongst those sheltered within the glass dome, "Calmly and quietly, decide for yourselves when you'd like to touch the orb. I have no list of names."
"From this moment on, each of you become an individual in this vast and powerful Galactic Federation."
"That being said," he said, his voice sharpening, "those who fight will go last. As I said, this is a solemn event, and we are to show honour to those who came before."
A young master paved his way through the crowd. With red hair and golden eyes, he was instantly recognizable.
Jan Buron, from the prestigious Buron family. Both their oldest and yet the only one still in local schooling.
A disgrace.