52 Exposed
Alex practically had money bags for eyes when he thought about what kind of rewards he would get for exposing his Flame 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 time 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 time since he had arrived back in the federation.
This was also the first time he'd opened the panel outside the Primordial Expanse.
[Details]
Name: [Alex]
Age: [17]
Talents: [Soulforge], [Flame(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 Flame 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 remember absorbing quite a lot of energy from that soul orb…'
His shock and confusion would have to wait for another time 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 met anyone from a mining colony either. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
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 scheme]
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 became very excited.
'Combat techniques!'
When he read that, what came 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 Flame, and it's at D+ rank."
As he spoke, he conjured up a small flame in his palm and started playing with it.
"From what I can tell so far, Flame allows me to incorporate the fire element into my attacks, and even directly manipulate it like this."
Kyla was mesmerised as she watched the small orange flame dance around Alex's palm like a harmless little butterfly.
The only person she had ever met with an elemental talent like this was her master, and he was incomprehensibly strong!
'This kid will overtake me in no time…'
When he was done explaining, Alex only had one question to ask. "By the way, does this mean I've already met the 'control over an element' requirement of reaching B rank?"
He had been curious about this ever since Kyla had revealed this information to him.
Since he could already control flames due to his talent, didn't that mean he wouldn't have that bottleneck when he reached C+ rank?
"Of course not. You may have an elemental talent but you aren't controlling the flame yourself."
But Alex's happy expression was quickly drowned out. It was like Kyla's words poured cold water all over him. Even his flame died out the moment 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 element yourself, without the help given by the Primordial Expanse. The only help this talent provides you is raising your aptitude for the fire element, giving you an easier time when you reach that point in the far future."
'Tsk. Just as I was getting my hopes up.'
It seemed that ever since Alex met 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 mentally 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 time I've been monitoring the energy levels in this room. The density of the flame you displayed showed a constant D+ rank the whole time."
'Right. The association wouldn't give out rewards without being sure first.'
"So… about my reward."
It was time to get what he came for.
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