Smith's test results caused a huge stir.
Double S-level abilities!
He was the only one in all of Huaihai City to awaken such rare potential.
Unfortunately, these two top-tier abilities happened to be considered the most useless superpowers ever recorded. What should have been a moment of glory became a city-wide joke.
As Smith walked back to the waiting area, countless mocking gazes followed him.
On the podium, the instructors who had been observing the awakening ceremony looked at him with a mix of disappointment and pity.
"A good pair of S-level abilities… completely wasted," one teacher muttered.
"Don't worry," said another, an older man with round glasses and a plump belly, who rubbed his bald head and chuckled. "No matter how useless the abilities are, S-level is still S-level. At least we'll get our government bonus for producing a high-tier student."
This man was Wang Daochuan, the principal of Huaihai University. His relaxed attitude was in sharp contrast to the somber expressions of the other faculty.
"Haha, the principal has a point," another teacher quickly chimed in, forcing a smile.
Wang Daochuan glanced at the staff and gave a serious warning. "Nobody mentions the exact type of his powers to outsiders. If anyone asks, just say he awakened a pair of S-level abilities and that further information is confidential. We'll keep the joke hidden until the funding comes through."
"Yes, yes, of course!" the teachers nodded hastily, not daring to object.
---
Meanwhile, the awakening ceremony continued.
"Beast Transformation—Rhino Type—C-level!"
"Special System—Puppetry—B-level!"
"Special System—Illusion—B-level!"
The crowd gasped again as two B-level Special System awakenings appeared in a row. The teachers on the stage grew visibly excited. Unlike common elemental or beast-based powers, Special System abilities were much rarer—and more versatile. These two B-levels were currently the strongest awakenings of the day… if one excluded Smith's so-called "wasted" S-levels.
Smith glanced toward the two students who had awakened Special System abilities. A man and a woman, seemingly a couple. He didn't pay them much attention.
His focus was on something far more important.
He was still studying his new system interface.
"Open status panel," he said silently.
---
[Host]: Smith
[Abilities]: Wood Element, Spiritual Eye
[Life]: 100
[Spiritual Energy]: 100
[Realm]: Level 1 - Beginner
---
In this world, psychics were ranked from Level 1 to Level 7, and each level was divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced sub-stages.
Level 1 and Level 2 users were considered "normal."
Level 3 and Level 4 users were qualified to be instructors.
Most teachers at Huaihai College were in this range.
Level 5 and above? Those were high-tier combatants, extremely rare. The strongest known psychic was currently Level 7, though rumors spoke of people surpassing that limit.
Huaihai College had only one Level 5 individual—Principal Wang Daochuan himself.
Smith's eyes shifted to a new option on his interface: [Store].
"Open store," he said.
A moment later, an entire menu of items appeared in front of him.
---
[Wood Release: Tree World Descent] – S-Rank Skill
Requires 10,000 Spiritual Energy to use
Exchange cost: 10,000 Energy Points
[Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique] – S-Rank Skill
Use: 10,000 Energy Points
Exchange: 10,000 Points
[Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique] – S-Rank Skill
Use: 10,000 Energy Points
Exchange: 10,000 Points
---
There were dozens of Wood Release techniques listed, and Smith's eyes lit up with excitement. These weren't just powerful—they were legendary.
Unfortunately, he had no way of affording any of them right now.
He scrolled further down the list and saw cheaper options:
---
[Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall] – D-Level
Consumes 10 Spiritual Energy to use
Exchange cost: 10 Points
[Wood Release: Serial Pillar Technique] – B-Level
Consumes 30 Spiritual Energy
Exchange cost: 30 Points
---
The list continued.
Smith chuckled. "Well, I guess Wood Release truly depends on the user. Hashirama could crush the Nine-Tails with his bare hands, and another guy might use it to grow bonsai trees."
He turned to the Sharingan section.
---
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Base Form (No Abilities)] – 1,000 Points
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Amaterasu] – 7,000 Points
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Tsukuyomi] – 7,000 Points
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Kamui] – 20,000 Points
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Kotoamatsukami] – 20,000 Points
[Mangekyo Sharingan – Susanoo] – 30,000 Points
---
These were even more expensive.
Smith looked at his current balance: 1 Energy Point.
He let out a helpless sigh.
"So, System… how do I earn more Energy Points? Can I convert Spiritual Energy?"
---
[System]: Energy Points must be obtained through rare items, such as beast cores, high-quality spirit stones, or other high-energy materials. You may also complete system-assigned tasks to earn points.
---
Smith squinted. "Hmm… fair enough."
"Oh, right. Other systems give a newbie starter pack. Where's mine? Gonna give me one as a show of goodwill?"
---
[System]: No.
---
"What about a loan system? Can I borrow, say… 1.8 million Energy Points?"
---
[System]: Also no.
---
Smith: "…"
He felt utterly betrayed by his own system.
Just as he was arguing with it internally, a sudden burst of light exploded from the stage.
Two brilliant rays shot into the sky, piercing the clouds.
"This… this can't be…"
"Another Double S?!"
Gasps erupted all over the plaza.
Smith was also distracted by the commotion and looked up.
On the awakening stage stood a stunning young woman in a flowing yellow dress. Her beauty was undeniable—elegant, cold, and composed. She looked like a goddess descended from heaven.
"S-Level Ability: Special System – Holy."
"S-Level Ability: Elemental – Water."
The crowd went dead silent.
Then—
Chaos.
"Did I see that right?! Holy attribute S-level?!"
"Outrageous!"
"Holy plus Water? That's basically the strongest possible combo!"
The teachers all stood up in unison.
The Holy Attribute was extremely rare, even among the Special Systems. It was known to be mysterious, sacred, and immensely powerful.
There were only a few known Holy users in the world, and even then, their power levels had never exceeded A.
This was the first recorded S-Level Holy power ever.
And to top it off, it was paired with Water—a powerful element used for both control and support. It was already considered far superior to Wood in every measurable way.
The students' attention gradually turned back to Smith.
In their eyes, his Double S awakening looked pitiful in comparison.
Smith, however, didn't care.
He wasn't jealous. He wasn't bitter.
Instead, he was curious.
"Holy and Water, huh… That's a pretty insane combo," he muttered to himself.
The girl on stage wasn't just beautiful—she was famous.
Her name was Yan Yue.
She was widely recognized as the number one campus beauty at Huaihai University. A goddess in both brains and looks.
During her years of study, she had consistently held the highest theoretical scores in school.
Now, with her supernatural awakening, she had become the undisputed number one.
And her background?
Shrouded in mystery.
Rumors whispered that she belonged to a royal family.
As the cheers erupted for her awakening, Smith stood in the crowd—calm, unmoved.
He didn't need applause.
He had Wood Release and Sharingan.
One day, they would see.
The same people mocking him today would look up in fear and awe.
pàtréóñ(Gk31)