The city of Astralis was alive with excitement. Today was Awakening Day.
For most people, it was the most important day of their lives. At sixteen years old, every citizen would undergo the Awakening Ceremony and discover the Talent hidden within their soul. That Talent would determine everything: their future, their status, their wealth, and their power. A strong Talent could turn a commoner into nobility overnight; a weak Talent could condemn someone to a life of absolute obscurity.
Thousands gathered around the enormous plaza at the center of the city. Parents watched anxiously, teachers whispered predictions, merchants placed frantic bets, and students tried to hide their shaking hands.
Among them stood Kai Raven.
Unlike the others, he wasn't nervous. He was excited. For years, he had dreamed of becoming a Hunter—the protectors of humanity who explored dangerous dungeons, fought monsters, and defended the world from threats beyond the dimensional gates. Every child admired them, but Kai wanted it more than anyone. He wanted strength, he wanted adventure, and he wanted to become someone important.
"You're unusually calm."
Kai turned to see a silver-haired girl standing beside him. Luna Frost. She was the top student of their class—beautiful, talented, and popular. Everything Kai wasn't.
"I've been waiting for this day forever," Kai replied with a grin.
Luna smiled gently. "I hope your Talent is good."
"I hope so too."
Before Luna could respond, a loud voice echoed throughout the plaza. "The Awakening Ceremony will now begin!"
The crowd immediately fell silent. An elderly man wearing golden robes stepped onto the stage. It was Headmaster Orion, one of the strongest Hunters in the kingdom. His mere presence radiated an oppressive power.
"Today," he announced, "you take your first step toward your future."
Behind him stood a massive crystal nearly ten meters tall: the Awakening Crystal. One by one, students were called forward. Each placed their hand on the crystal, and each received their cosmic verdict. Some celebrated, some cried, and some stood frozen in shock.
"Marcus Stone."
A muscular boy stepped forward and touched the glass. The crystal glowed brightly, projecting large, shimmering letters into the air:
B-Rank Talent: Stone Skin.
The crowd erupted in applause as Marcus grinned triumphantly. His future was secure.
More students followed. C-Ranks, B-Ranks, and occasionally an A-Rank. Then came Luna's turn.
The plaza grew deathly quiet. Everyone knew she was special. She approached the crystal and placed her hand upon it. Instantly, the crystal exploded with a blinding silver light, forcing people to shield their eyes. Gasps filled the air as the results manifested:
S-Rank Talent: Frost Sovereign.
Silence gripped the crowd, followed by pure chaos. An S-Rank—the highest tier most people would ever see in their lifetimes. Teachers stared in disbelief, parents cheered, and students burned with jealousy. Headmaster Orion simply smiled and nodded. "Outstanding."
Then came Kai's turn.
"Kai Raven."
He stepped forward confidently, his heart pounding like a war drum. This was it—the moment he had waited for his entire life. He walked up to the towering artifact and placed his palm against the smooth, cold surface.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then, a pathetic, weak gray light flickered within the crystal. It was dimmer than even the worst C-ranks, looking like a dying ember. Kai frowned, a cold pit forming in his stomach as the crystal displayed its final verdict:
F-Rank Talent: Analysis.
The entire plaza fell silent. Then, an explosion of cruel laughter erupted.
"An F-Rank?"
"Seriously? Analysis?"
"What kind of useless Talent is that? Is he going to read the monsters to death?"
Kai's face went completely pale. F-Rank was the lowest possible rank, but worse yet, it wasn't even a combat or production Talent. Analysis was a support ability so fundamentally weak it was practically worthless. His dream didn't just crack; it shattered instantly.
The whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire—mockery, disappointment, pity. All of it stabbed deeper than any blade. Even Headmaster Orion looked away, his expression laced with quiet disappointment.
Kai slowly removed his hand, his legs feeling like lead. Years of dreaming and hoping vanished in a single, agonizing moment.
What Kai didn't know was that deep within his soul, something had gone terribly wrong. Or perhaps, terribly right.
As his despair reached its absolute peak, a hidden, ancient seal cracked within his consciousness. A cold, mechanical voice echoed from the darkness of his mind.
[Condition met: Absolute Despair reached with unyielding soul willpower.]
[Infinite Evolution System activated.]
Kai froze. The laughter of the crowd suddenly muted, and the world around him seemed to slow to a crawl. A translucent, glowing screen materialized directly before his eyes.
INFINITE EVOLUTION SYSTEM
Host Detected: Kai Raven
Primary Function:Unlimited Evolution.
Current Talent:Analysis (F-Rank)
[System Notice: Possible Evolution Paths Available.]
Kai stared at the floating interface, his breath catching in his throat. His heart, which had been heavy with grief, suddenly hammered with a new kind of shock.
"...What?" he whispered.
The screen flickered, text pulsing with a dangerous violet light.
>Would you like to evolve your Talent?
>YES/NO
With trembling hands and a sudden surge of desperate hope, Kai reached out and mentally selected... YES.