Chapter 8: Variant

"So, if I understand correctly, I have two talents in the first circle, and no high potentials in either the first or second circle?" I asked, trying to clarify the aura reading that she had just explained to me.

"Exactly," she replied, a smile curling at the corners of her lips as if she were pleased with the progress of the conversation. "The aura reflects your personality and your environment, so it will guide your future choices. I foresee a promising future for you in capital administration. With two talents in the human-human interaction circle, you'll definitely thrive in an organization or group, provided you nurture them. Congratulations."

"Ha, thanks," I muttered, feeling somewhat underwhelmed. She had said all the right things, but I couldn't shake the frustration building inside me. It was all well and good to be told I had a future in administration, but where was the glory in that?

How the hell am I supposed to become dominant if my talent is just sitting behind a damn desk?

I clenched my fists, the thought of a mundane office job gnawing at my insides. A career in capital administration sounded like a gilded cage, a life of spreadsheets and meetings, of making decisions for the sake of profit—no thrills, no excitement. Just routine.

"If you manage to work in the capital, you could earn a lot of money," she added casually, as if the prospect of wealth might be enough to make me forget the unease gnawing at my gut.

"Great," I replied sarcastically, though the words felt hollow. Sure, money was important, but that wasn't what I was after. I wasn't interested in sitting in an office for the next thirty years just to accumulate wealth. Fame, power—those were the things that mattered.

But she didn't understand that. She was just another person who saw the aura as a way to secure a comfortable life, to keep their heads down and avoid trouble. But I had bigger plans.

I leaned in a seat next to us, trying to keep my thoughts from spiraling into frustration. Haaa, well, pull yourself together, Mickael. I have to find out more about the aura. Without it, I'll never gain the fame I deserve.

Everyone who's famous enough has some sort of connection to the aura. It's how they stand out, how they rise above the masses. And I wasn't about to let myself be left behind.

"Where could I learn more about it?" I asked, my voice steady, though my mind was racing.

"In the capital," she said with a knowing look, "it's pretty easy to build a network of connections. That's where all the major aura users gather."

Yes, that's it—the capital. The biggest hub for aura users in the country. If I could tap into that network, I might just stand a chance of rising above the rest. I had to go there, I had to learn from the best. There was no other option.

"Thanks, ma'am," I said, standing up abruptly. "I must go now."

"Uh... I see. Good." Her voice trailed off, but I was already on my way out. I could tell she wasn't pleased—maybe she expected some token of gratitude, or perhaps she thought I might offer something in return for the information she gave me. But I didn't care. I had my own path to follow now, and I wasn't about to be distracted by niceties.

At the trolley stop:

I stood by the platform, waiting for the trolley that would take me to the capital. So, what was the capital called again? Let me check the trolley list of cities to see if one of them stands out... Ah, there it was—Westway. There you are, cutie. I couldn't help but feel a small rush of excitement. This was it—the beginning of my journey. Westway. The city where all the connections were made.

As I scanned the platform, I noticed another guy standing a few feet away. He looked around my age, maybe a little older. He was dressed well, but there was something else about him—an aura of quiet confidence. I could sense a certain amount of ambition radiating off him. Interesting.

"Hi, are you going to Westway, the capital?" I asked, striking up a conversation.

"Yeah, how did you know?" he replied, raising an eyebrow. He seemed intrigued but a little guarded.

"You radiate ambition in your eyes and your attitude," I said, without hesitation. "A guy our age with that much ambition is bound to be headed for Westway."

"Uh, okay..." His tone shifted, and I could tell he was sizing me up. Maybe he thought I was a charlatan or something. I didn't care.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Mickael. What's your name?" I extended my hand, hoping to gauge his reaction.

"Ivaar," he said, shaking my hand firmly. "Pleased to meet you, Mickael. Are you headed to Westway too?"

"Yeah," I said. "I just finished the exam. I'm going to the capital to learn more about the aura."

"You're not stalling?" Ivaar asked, his expression suddenly more serious. "After I passed the exam, I went straight home to think things over. But you don't seem to be considering your options much. If you're going for the aura, you must be looking to join a renowned club."

"A club?" I repeated, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation. "What's that?"

"Wait, you took the exam and don't know about the clubs?" Ivaar sounded almost incredulous.

"Didn't your parents tell you? Clubs are where people go if they want to build a career. They have instructors and facilities to help you improve. It's where the best go to get ahead."

Well, that was unexpected. A daddy's boy. I could feel a pang of annoyance, but I hid it behind a forced smile. No, my parents never told me about clubs—so what? I wasn't going to let that stop me. If I had to figure it out on my own, then so be it. But I wasn't opposed to getting a little help along the way.

I decided to play along. Ivaar seemed to know what he was talking about, and he could be a valuable source of information. Maybe I could learn something from him after all.

"I can see you know your stuff," I said, taking a step closer. "Do you mind if I tag along to Westway with you?"

"No, of course not," he said quickly. "I don't have any friends my age anyway. I guess you're 16 like me?"

"Yeah, thanks again, my friend." I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

Hahaha, great. Golden goose captured.

And so, just like that, I found myself on the trolley, heading toward Westway with Ivaar at my side. This could be it—the break I'd been waiting for. If I could learn more about the aura, connect with the right people, maybe I'd finally be able to make my mark.