Lost Origins: SS Ranked Awakening-Chapter 117: Opportunity

"That’s impossible!"

August said, his voice chocking with disbelief.

Michael who stood behind the machine was unable to say anything as there was no way the machine could have read him wrong. Even after working here for years and performing multiple tests of this nature, he had not once pushed the equipment here to their limits. At least not the way Kieran had just done.

"Run it again!"

August voice reached his ears, and he did as he was told.

He was also curious, wanting to know if this was a glitch, an error in the system. He was more willing to accept the possibility that despite all the resources and efforts put into the system, it had a glitch, an error, a malfunction, performing something as basic as an ability grading test.

Michael whose pride laid in this field was willing to accept that as an outcome over the possibility of what Kieran was. Alas, the results washed all those thoughts away, delivering the result way faster than before.

On the screen was a boldly written piece of information.

<<Grade: SS Rank>>

Seeing this again made the scientist feel helpless.

August could tell the results of the second test just by seeing Michael’s reaction.

Kieran on the other hand, simply watched the two other men in the room go through an emotional rollercoaster while concealing his confusion beneath his face.

After a few more moments of silence, Michael turned to August and said briefly before leaving,

"You know what to do!"

"Let’s leave kid!"

He said and Kieran trailed beside him until they arrived at the unit building.

"What happened?"

Kieran asked, unable to hold his curiosity after witnessing the reactions of his instructor and the man named Michael.

"Hmm, you must be confused since you had no one to tell you, and I didn’t want to let you know either until you awakened fully."

’A pointless precaution.’

August thought to himself.

"Well, it’s quite simple really, I don’t even know why the nobles houses put restrictions on such a light piece of information!"

His tone was filled with scorn, referring to some restrictions which Jake and Ruby had claimed to be placed on them.

"Anyways, just like in the normal human world, in the awakened world, not everyone is equal"

"Some people awakened with way more talent than the other and others with less. Over the years, a system was set up with helped categorize newly awakened kids according to the grade of their ability. In other words, potential!"

August started off, each point he have feeling reasonable to Kieran.

"After years of study and observation, a total of 6 grades were established, E-A grade."

"But that’s just five!"

Kieran stated the obvious, wondering if the instructor had made a mistake.

"Yeah, because beyond the A grade was another grade dedicated to people who exceed the norms. The S grade. S for special"

"Unlike the other grades, the abilities within the S rank aren’t really defined."

"What do you mean?"

Kieran asked, failing to understand the instructor’s unclear explanation.

"The S grade is just a place where a bunch of individuals with abilities surpassing the A grade level are thrown in. It doesn’t mean everyone in there is equal."

"Where does that put me then?"

Kieran asked, finally understanding the fact that he could be considered an anomaly, as the machine had graded him as an SS Ranked ability user.

He still didn’t know enough to comprehend why they were that shocked, no, beyond that even. They almost seemed terrified at his result.

"The strongest ability rank recorded so far was still an S rank. Well, until you, that is!"

"You know the rest. Each rank has within it 9 levels. And just because you wield a high ranked ability doesn’t make you outrageously strong. It only shows the latent potential your ability possesses and how far you might reach."

"A person with a lower ranked ability could still eliminate one with a higher rank, if done correctly"

"As for why you are so abnormal. There has never been a record of an ability surpassing the limits of the S rank, creating a whole new rank. Even the ancestors of back then all fell into the ends of the S Rank."

"You mean?"

Kieran asked, catching onto the hints August had just dropped.

"Yes. Your ability gives you the chance you need to reach the top. The path you take and how you get there is up to you though!"

Kieran let those words get through to him.

He had always felt like the concept of potential and talent was fucked up and rotten, but now he had been put in the same situation as that which he looked down upon.

Messed up or not, he had no intention of letting this go. This was the chance he had been waiting for, the opportunity he needed so desperately to catch up.

"The same system goes for the beasts too. E rank to S rank beasts roam all around this planet, so be careful on your next missions!"

"Thank you."

Kieran said, taking to his feet before August interrupted him with a strange look in his eyes.

"Where do you think you’re going? You still have to learn how to get the hang of your ability, and I’m here to make sure you do that to your best capabilities"

August said, his eyes curving in an innocent smile that unnerved Kieran deeply.

"Come, kid. We have some training to do."

....

Three figures; Liam, Ethan and Sabrina were seated on an empty table in the cafeteria with varying expressions.

Ethan had an extra naughty smile on his face while inspecting the serious look on Sabrina. Liam on the other hand was looking towards her with concern, buried deep within jis blue eyes.

"You still haven’t told me who inspired the haircut, Sabrina. I preferred the long hair, but this has a different vibe to it. I think I like it too"

Ethan broke the silence with his annoying words.

"Shut it. When did my father say he was coming over again?"