Twin brother II

In Novus Academy, within an abnormally large, windowless room with only one door serving as both entry and exit.

At the front of the room stood a young man around 28 years old, clad in a full black long robe. His presence exuded an aura like that of a mighty general, commanding respect and attention from all in attendance.

His sharp gaze swept over the fifty students before him, as if he could see through their very souls.

The room was so silent as the students stood still, their eyes fixed on the man in front of them.

"Finally. It's your turn, class 008, for the final awakening ceremony."

"So, congratulations to all of you for making it this far."

"This final test will determine the path you are destined to follow."

"Remember all the teachings and training you have received. GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT."

The young man, known as Sylvester, paused, his sharp eyes scanning the room once more. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

"Yes, Master Sylvester!" the students responded in unison, their voices echoing with determination.

"And one more thing before we proceed," he added, his voice lowering slightly but remaining no less commanding.

"Keep this in your heart: passing the first test, which is the potential test, does not guarantee that you will awaken a talent."

His words struck like a bomb in the hearts of the students. The quiet room erupted into murmurs and gasps as panic spread among them.

Some exchanged worried glances, while others struggled to suppress their racing hearts. Only a few remained truly calm.

"Quiet!!!" Master Sylvester's thunderous voice followed, instantly restoring silence to the room.

"Why the panic? If you're not confident in yourself, then get out of my sight!" his angry voice resounded against the four corners of the room, making the students tremble under its force.

The students wondered in confusion: 'Were Master Sylvester's earlier words meant to encourage or discourage us?'

While some wanted to question him, they feared his severe punishments if they did.

Master Sylvester silently sighed. He knew the truth—passing the first potential test didn't guarantee success on either path.

It only offered a chance for later. Still, it was better than failing altogether, which meant no hope at all.

"No more fooling around. Let's get to the real deal."

"It all depends on you now. I hope you all give it your best."

With those final words, Master Sylvester vanished from his position.

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared at the center of the room, standing before a massive engine.

The students watched in awe, their faces filled with admiration and amazement at his incredible display of skill.

Master Sylvester was a B-rank Talent Awakener, renowned for his ability—Teleportation.

The engine beside him was the Path Awakener. At its center lay a red orb that would be used for the awakening.

"Now, let the process begin," Master Sylvester declared, his expression turning serious.

"Mason Jerry, step forward."

A boy stepped out from the crowd, his hands visibly trembling.

"Place your hand on the orb," Master Sylvester instructed.

Following the command, Mason raised his shaky hand and pressed it against the orb. A few seconds passed, and then the orb began to glow, accompanied by the low hum of the engine.

A holographic screen materialized above the engine, displaying the results:

[Name: Mason Jerry

Rank: D-rank Talent Awakener]

"Mason has awakened!" someone exclaimed.

"He actually did it!" another voice chimed in.

"The first one to take the test succeeded!"

The students whispered among themselves. Even Mason stood there, dumbfounded, unable to believe what had just happened.

"Mason, you have successfully passed," Master Sylvester congratulated him before calling the next candidate. "Lina Harper."

Lina stepped forward, her face a mix of hope and anxiety.

She placed her hand on the orb, but after a few tense moments, there was no reaction. Fear washed over her face as the orb remained dark.

"Failed. Next!" Master Sylvester announced.

Sobs

Lina fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She hadn't awakened, nor had she become a martial artist.

The next person approached the engine.

"Failed!" Master Sylvester's voice rang out again.

"Failed!"

The continuous ringing of "failed" from Master Sylvester filled the air. About five students had failed to awaken.

"Next..."

A white-haired boy walked slowly to the front, his face calm and devoid of worry.

"Ohhh, it's Ethan's turn now."

"I wonder if he'll awaken, and if he does, what rank he'll be."

"I'm sure he's going to shock all of us."

"....."

The students whispered among themselves, clearly holding the boy in high regard.

How could they not? He was one of the most outstanding students in their class.

The orb brightened the moment Ethan's hands touched it.

[Name: Ethan Ryan

Rank: Martial Artist (Strong)]

The students were immediately stunned.

This was unexpected.

The best among them did not awaken as a Talent Awakener but as a Martial Artist.

Even Master Sylvester couldn't help but sigh and shake his head in pity for him.

Surprisingly, Ethan's expression remained unchanged, as if nothing could shake his composure.

'Good seedling,' Master Sylvester thought to himself, impressed by Ethan's unwavering heart.

"Congratulations, Ethan. This is the beginning of your rise to glory," Master Sylvester said, his voice filled with confidence in the boy.

"I greet you, Master Sylvester. Thank you for your kind words," Ethan replied with a slight bow before stepping away.

Ethan was known for his quiet and calm nature.

"Failed. Next!"

"Failed."

"Congratulations. You passed the test."

"Passed....."

"Failed."

The Talent Awakening continued. The majority failed to awaken.

Only a few managed to awaken as Talent Awakeners, while others became Martial Artists, giving them at least some hope compared to those who didn't awaken at all.

"Max, next. Step forward."

"Now, it's this honored one's turn," an arrogant voice called out from the back as Max heard his name.

Max made his way to the front, radiating an air of superiority. The students in his path quickly moved aside, and those who were too slow were shoved to the ground.

"Awww! It's this bastard again," one of the boys who had been pushed muttered through gritted teeth, though he didn't dare raise his voice.

"The big bully is taking his turn."

"What's going to be his result?"

"I hope he doesn't awaken. If the heavens answer my prayers, I'll roll around the academy twenty times."

Max didn't care about the students' whispers, even when he overheard them.

"Watch me as I become the highest-ranked Awakener, you bunch of weaklings," Max sneered.

"Enough. Get on with it," Master Sylvester said, tired of the arrogant boy.

Max stepped forward and placed his hand on the orb.

At first, the orb didn't light up or show any signs of activation.

Some of the students sighed in relief.

"Davis, get ready to roll around—"

Boom!

Suddenly, the orb emitted a loud, disturbing sound, and the next second, it shone with a blinding light that filled the entire room.

What?

This is impossible!

Almost all the students stared in disbelief with their mouths agape.

Even Master Sylvester's eyes darted between the orb and Max, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "This boy..." he thought.

Just then, two figures rushed into the room.

They were both upper-class masters who had sensed the commotion and arrived in an instant.

[Name: Max Draven

Rank: S-rank Talent Awakener]

The room fell silent as the information was revealed by the talent engine.

An S-rank Talent Awakener?

Such a rare and powerful talent.

"Good, good, good," one of the newly arrived masters laughed, breaking the tense silence. "Our academy has just gained a monstrous talent."

The students were still in shock.

Why him? Why not someone else? Some of them couldn't help but feel bitter, wishing Max had never awakened.

'The heavens are truly unfair,' they thought.

"Hehe, I told you all that you could never compare to me. Now, my words have been proven true," Max's arrogant voice echoed through the room.

Master Sylvester, the students, and even the newly arrived masters were stunned.

No one had expected Max to awaken such an extraordinary talent.

"Too bad his twin brother isn't an Awakener."

"Why are you even talking about that weakling?"

"Shut up! You still have the nerve to talk when you failed the Final Awakening yourself."

"Are you comparing me to that trash? Forget Awakening, anyone here could easily deal with him."

Max Draven—naturally, Alden's twin brother—had just awakened.

'Sammy, I will deal with you,' Max vowed silently.

"Max, congratulations, you passed. Since you have the highest rank, come with us," one of the figures said kindly, even though they saw Max's arrogant look. To them, it didn't matter.

Clap, clap, clap...

The other man clapped to regain everyone's attention, as all eyes had been fixed on Max. "Master Sylvester, please continue with the test."

"And to all the students, keep working hard," he added.

With that, Max followed the two figures out of the room.