Huaguo, Jiangnan Province, Fifth District, Ninth High School.
"The Awakening Ceremony is about to begin. I'm so excited!"
The entire third teaching building buzzed with discussions about the same topic.
"Crazy, today's the day all high schools hold their unified Awakening. Nervous?"
In a 200-square-meter classroom on the fourth floor, a short, dark-skinned student with unremarkable features nudged his drowsy deskmate.
"Why be nervous? Will nerves magically grant me an SSS-tier talent?"
The one called "Crazy" stretched lazily.
"Crazy, aren't you even a little excited?"
Black Monkey (Heihou) eyed his classmate Yun Feng suspiciously.
"I *am* excited. See? I'm *totally* excited."
But Yun Feng's face betrayed no enthusiasm.
The two had been classmates since elementary school. Black Monkey knew Yun Feng too well—always lethargic, indifferent to everything. He'd hoped today's Awakening would spark some change, but Yun Feng remained unchanged.
*How could I not be excited? I've waited ten years for this.*
This was Yun Feng's true inner monologue.
**Ding~~~**
The bell rang, and students scrambled to their seats.
**Click-clack~~~**
The sound of high heels echoed down the hallway.
All eyes turned to the door, especially the boys, craning their necks. Even the languid Yun Feng glanced over.
A tall, impeccably proportioned woman strode into the classroom—Li Yanqing, Class 3-32's homeroom teacher. Dressed in a sharp black pantsuit with a white blouse, her gold-rimmed glasses and loosely tied hair exuded authority.
"Students, today is the Unified Awakening Day. Pull yourselves together!"
No one needed the reminder. Every student sat ramrod straight—except one. Their futures hinged on this moment: dragon or insect?
"I've waited **25 days, 4 hours, and 7 minutes** past my 16th birthday for this!"
"Bet you'll still flop. Haha!"
"Shut up! Even my worst's better than your best!"
Whispers crescendoed into heated debates.
"God, let me awaken an S-tier talent!"
"Why not aim for SSS-tier? Even your dreams lack ambition!"
"I'll settle for B-tier. Just not E or F…"
No one dared imagine a low-tier talent. A strong Awakening meant power, prestige—everything.
Li Yanqing let the chatter continue until her gaze landed on Yun Feng, slumped over his desk like a wilted plant.
*This kid… still the same.*
She sighed internally.
"Enough!" The room fell silent. "You know the stakes. Three centuries ago, our ancestors bled to forge this world. Yet danger remains—new rifts spawn stronger monsters, and existing ones grow restless."
"Humanity needs fresh blood to hold the line. **You** are that hope."
"Whatever talent you awaken today, never lose your warrior's heart. Only then can you ascend."
Her speech ignited the class. They practically vibrated, ready to charge into rifts and slay monsters.
"Zhang Xingyu, lead everyone to the field for the ceremony."
Yun Feng's eyelids fluttered as Li Yanqing exited.
---
**Awakening Grounds**
The field teemed with buzzing students, all eyes locked on the golden monolith atop the stage—the Awakening Stone.
**Ahem.**
An elderly vice principal stepped forward. His soft cough somehow echoed across the grounds.
"Today marks your Awakening. May you grasp the talents you crave. Let's begin."
Yun Feng blinked. No long-winded speech? Unprecedented.
Class 1-1 filed onto the stage. A boy pressed his palm to the stone—**blue light erupted.**
"Long Hui: B-tier Talent—Elemental Fire."
"Solid start! B-tier's one in a hundred here."
"Lin Hu: D-tier Talent—Elemental Thunder."
"Damn! High-burst lightning… wasted on D-tier."
The procession continued—mostly D and C tiers, occasional Bs.
"Zhao Yafang: A-tier Talent—Elemental Ice."
The crowd erupted.
"An A-tier! In Class 1-1!"
"With training, she'll be unstoppable!"
Teachers swarmed Class 1-1's advisor with congratulations.
Class 2-1 followed—no A-tiers but five Bs.
Then Class 3-1, 4-1…
Hopes soared and crashed. No E/F-tiers yet. Ninth High screened students by parental talents—most parents were D-tier or higher. Low-tier awakenings here were rare.
**BOOM!**
**Crimson light** exploded from the stone, drenching the field in red.
"WTF?! **S-tier!**"
"Class 5-1, Shangguan Xue: S-tier Talent—Phantom Dancer."
The announcer trembled. Ninth High hadn't seen an S-tier in years.
All eyes locked on the stage—a girl in a white dress, hair tied with a butterfly bow, stood like a princess.
"S-tier! Our school actually produced an S-tier!"
Teachers wept with joy. An S-tier elevated the school's status, attracting better students.
**WHOOSH!**
A pressure wave flattened the crowd.
A man with **flaming wings** hovered above—the principal.
"From today, I'll personally train her."
With a flap, he and Shangguan Xue vanished.
"Lucky bitch…"
"Shut up! You'd kill for D-tier attention!"
---
"Final class: 3-32."
"Crazy, our turn!" Black Monkey nudged Yun Feng.
"Zhang Xingyu: B-tier Talent—Beastform Tiger."
A strong opener.
...
"Next: Zhou Quan (Black Monkey)."
"Crazy, I'm shaking!"
**Zhou Quan: A-tier Talent—Extreme Speed.**
"Crazy! Did you hear? **A-tier!**" Black Monkey bounced back to Yun Feng.
"Future big shot, remember me when you're famous."
"You'll outshine me, Crazy."
"Final candidate: Yun Feng."