52 Exposed
Alex practically had money bags for eyes when he thought about what kind of rewards he would get for exposing his Fla talent.
On the other hand, Kyla was very skeptical regarding everything surrounding this. She didn't know what Alex wanted to disclose, but only things like talents and traits would entice the association to give out rewards.
'I knew this kid had potential, but if he even has a talent then I won't know what to think.'
It was commonly known across the entire federation that it was incredibly lucky for an awakened to obtain a talent when they first entered the Primordial Expanse.
Every talent was useful, even if it was F- rank.
But every awakened had a trait, and these traits could be upgraded over ti after achieving an impressive feat etc.
Only the stronger traits actually provided anything beneficial though.
Seeing that Alex was genuinely being serious, Kyla pulled out her tablet again and spoke:
"Well since you're so sure, then go ahead."
Since he had received her permission, Alex pulled up his details for the first ti since he had arrived back in the federation.
This was also the first ti he'd opened the panel outside the Primordial Expanse.
[Details]
Na: [Alex]
Age: [17]
Talents: [Soulforge], [Fla(D )]
Trait: [Rookie]
Trait Description: [You've finally got a foot into the ranks of people who actually know what they are doing.]
Rank: [Evolver]
Soul core: [E- 0%]
Quite a lot had changed since he last checked his details, but he already knew about his trait changing and his Fla talent upgrading beforehand.
However when he took a look at the completion percentage next to the tier of his soul core, he was shocked.
'How could it be 0%?? I clearly rember absorbing quite a lot of energy from that soul orb…'
His shock and confusion would have to wait for another ti though.
He couldn't delay Kyla for long.
"I have a talent I'd like to explain." He spoke up, waking both of them from their reverie.
With her curiosity peaked, Kyla urged Alex to continue.
"But first, I'd like to know what rewards you are offering for each rank of talent."
But Alex wasn't going to blindly give out his details without first knowing what he was getting in exchange.
The guide from when he first stepped foot in the association hadn't revealed anything about this, and he'd very much like to know before he proceeds any further.
"Why don't you take a look for yourself, that information is readily available on the association website." Kyla didn't want to bore him (or herself) with anymore of her explanations.
However Alex just pointed at his empty wrists and pockets, and spoke:
"I don't own a terminal."
Terminals were the most common personal computer device that people used in this day and age.
It can be equated to a much more futuristic version of a mobile phone from ancient Earth.
Alex had never earned enough to purchase one of these for himself — he only ever accessed the galactic net by renting out a static terminal in the public library.
Kyla was speechless.
She had never known anyone who didn't own a personal terminal. But then again she had never t anyone from a mining colony either.
She just accepted it and moved on.
"Take a look at this then."
She flipped around her tablet for Alex to see and on it was a webpage, specifically the one she was talking about earlier.
[Official Awakened Association reward sche]
Below are the rewards the association offers to Awakened who voluntarily choose to disclose very private information about their talents and traits to us.
Any and all information shared with the association will be kept strictly confidential.
Rewards:
F- to F rank talents: Up to 2 E- rank refined beast cores depending on the usage and rank of your talent.
E- to E rank talents: 1 E rank beast core or a resource of equivalent rank.
C- to C rank talents: A specially crafted weapon of your specification.
For any information regarding talents graded above B rank, please visit your nearest association branch to discuss with us in person.
When Alex read through the list of rewards, at first he didn't know what to make out of it.
But when he read up to the D and C rank rewards, he quickly beca very excited.
'Combat techniques!'
When he read that, what ca to mind was the lessons Kyla had given him during his physical test.
'Awakened with techniques are much stronger than those without.'
Upon realising he could obtain one of those techniques so soon, he didn't hesitate any longer.
"Is this place private?"
He asked Kyla, referring to the Aptitude test room they were still in.
"Naturally. This room is about as private as it gets in this building, without taking into account the real confidential areas of course."
Sighing a breath of relief and nervousness, Alex started revealing information.
"I have a talent, it's called Fla, and it's at D rank."
As he spoke, he conjured up a small fla in his palm and started playing with it.
"From what I can tell so far, Fla allows to incorporate the fire elent into my attacks, and even directly manipulate it like this."
Kyla was srised as she watched the small orange fla dance around Alex's palm like a harmless little butterfly.
The only person she had ever t with an elental talent like this was her master, and he was incomprehensibly strong!
'This kid will overtake in no ti…'
When he was done explaining, Alex only had one question to ask. "By the way, does this an I've already t the 'control over an elent' requirent of reaching B rank?"
He had been curious about this ever since Kyla had revealed this information to him.
Since he could already control flas due to his talent, didn't that an he wouldn't have that bottleneck when he reached C rank?
"Of course not. You may have an elental talent but you aren't controlling the fla yourself."
But Alex's happy expression was quickly drowned out. It was like Kyla's words poured cold water all over him. Even his fla died out the mont she spoke.
"You can only control your fire right now because the Primordial Expanse gifted that ability to you. To upgrade your soul core to B tier you need to take control of an elent yourself, without the help given by the Primordial Expanse. The only help this talent provides you is raising your aptitude for the fire elent, giving you an easier ti when you reach that point in the far future."
'Tsk. Just as I was getting my hopes up.'
It seed that ever since Alex t Rowan and now Kyla, all he ever did was get lectured by them about how stupid he was or how ignorant he was to how the world works.
He was grateful to them for explaining things to him when he asked, but getting constantly berated for his lack of common knowledge was ntally draining.
"By the way, how are you so sure I'm not lying about the rank of my talent?"
When Alex thought about the system where Awakened revealed their secrets to the association, he realised how easy it sounded to just lie about their rank for better rewards.
But he knew it couldn't be that easy.
Kyla just pointed to the room he was in, and Alex quickly understood.
"This whole ti I've been monitoring the energy levels in this room. The density of the fla you displayed showed a constant D rank the whole ti."
'Right. The association wouldn't give out rewards without being sure first.'
"So… about my reward."
It was ti to get what he ca for.
Reviews
All reviews (0)