The Awakening Test

The city of New Terra buzzed with life as the morning sun cast a golden glow over towering skyscrapers and military installations. Today was an important day—Ability Awakening Day.

Every year, all sixteen-year-olds underwent an ability test to determine their potential. Those who awakened strong abilities were scouted by top academies, while the weak were sent to lower-tier military divisions.

And those who awakened nothing… were cast aside.

Draven Xyros walked through the school gates, his hands in his pockets. His body still felt strange after last night's battle. His wounds were completely healed, and deep within him, he could feel the Hellborn System pulsing—alive.

But something was bothering him.

When he killed that Voidbeast, its corpse vanished. That wasn't normal. Had the system… consumed it?

> [SYSTEM LOG UPDATED]

[Void Essence Absorbed: 2 EXP]

Draven narrowed his eyes.

The system could absorb Void Essence? That wasn't how human ability systems worked.

Before he could think further, a voice snapped him back to reality.

"Look who it is—the weakling who's about to fail his awakening."

Draven sighed before turning around.

A group of students stood behind him, their uniforms crisp, their smug expressions even sharper. The one in the lead was Zyrek Faeron—one of the top students in their class.

Tall, well-built, and arrogant, Zyrek had always looked down on Draven.

Draven remained silent. He wasn't the same powerless kid anymore, but now wasn't the time to reveal that.

Zyrek smirked. "I'd say good luck, but we both know you won't awaken anything."

The students around him laughed.

Draven simply walked past them.

Soon, they would see the truth.

The students gathered inside the large awakening chamber—a massive facility with advanced scanners and energy detectors. At the front, instructors in military uniforms monitored everything.

One by one, students stepped up onto a circular platform surrounded by glowing blue symbols.

> "Activating Awakening Scan."

A surge of energy engulfed each student as their abilities awakened.

The first student, a girl with long silver hair, stepped forward.

A second later, a holographic screen displayed her results.

> Name: Sylvia Vren

Ability: Ice Manifestation (Level 3)

The students clapped. A Level 3 ability was above average. She would likely enter an elite academy.

One by one, the students went through the test. Some awakened Level 2 or Level 3 abilities—a few even Level 4 or 5.

Then came Zyrek Faeron.

As the scan activated, a powerful wave of energy burst from him. The air crackled with raw power.

The results flashed on the screen.

> Name: Zyrek Faeron

Ability: Kinetic Overdrive (Level 6)

Gasps filled the hall.

"A Level 6?!"

"That's on par with military officers!"

Zyrek grinned, turning to face Draven with a smug look. "I wonder what your result will be, weakling."

Draven ignored him.

The instructors called the next name.

"Draven Xyros."

Silence filled the hall.

Most students expected nothing. Draven had never shown signs of ability before. If he failed here, he would be labeled powerless forever.

Taking a deep breath, Draven stepped onto the awakening platform.

> "Initiating Scan."

Blue energy surrounded him, scanning his body, searching for an ability signature.

Seconds passed.

Then… something went wrong.

The blue light flickered.

The holographic screen glitched.

> [ERROR]

[UNIDENTIFIED ENERGY DETECTED]

The instructors frowned. "What's going on?"

Draven felt a sudden surge of heat in his chest—his system was reacting.

> [SYSTEM OVERRIDE ENGAGED]

[HIDING HELLBORN SIGNATURE…]

[FAKE RESULT GENERATED]

The screen flashed again.

> Name: Draven Xyros

Ability: Minor Energy Control (Level 1)

Laughter erupted across the room.

"A Level 1?"

"Even worse than I thought!"

Zyrek smirked. "Guess you really are trash."

Draven stood there, his fists clenched.

The system… lied?

It faked his result?

> [SYSTEM MESSAGE: It is not time to reveal your power.]

Draven took a deep breath. He understood now. If people knew he had something beyond normal abilities, he would become a target.

For now, he would play along.

But one day… they would all see the truth.

After the test, students were sorted into military training groups. Since Draven's ability was Level 1, he was placed in the lowest division—the ones expected to become basic foot soldiers.

As he sat on his bed in the dorms, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

> [QUEST UNLOCKED: PROVE THEM WRONG]

Objective: Defeat a Level 4 opponent in a sparring match

Reward: Unlock 'Abilities' Tab

Draven smirked.

They thought he was weak.

They had no idea what was coming.