The world had always been unfair.But on the day of the Talent Awakening Ceremony, that unfairness carved itself into flesh.
Rain lashed down upon the silver roofed hall of Aurum Academy, the most prestigious awakening site in the eastern domain.Hundreds of children stood lined up in rows, eyes wide with anticipation, anxiety, and fear.They were the age of thirteen,the year the world revealed what they were worth.
"Next.Zayn Solborn."
That name echoed through the hall like a whisper trying to scream.It wasn't a noble name.Not even a merchant's son.Just another orphan,taken in by the academy's bottom tier scholarship program.The room shifted as some kids looked at him with amusement while others barely noticed.
Zayn walked forward silently.His boots were soaked.His heart was a war drum.
He stopped before the golden crystal, floating atop an obsidian pedestal.Around it danced shimmering runes that tasted the air for potential.This crystal would define the rest of his life.
"Place your hand on the crystal."
The instructor looked half asleep.To him, this was routine.Just another zero to file away.
Zayn inhaled and pressed his palm to the cold surface.
The runes paused.The light inside flickered once.
Then nothing.
Silence thicker than the storm outside wrapped the room.
The instructor blinked and tapped a glyph on his armband."Retrying scan."
Again Zayn placed his hand.
Again the crystal did nothing.
And then...a small red symbol flickered in its center.
A whisper rippled through the hall.
"Red glow...?"
"...That's not even a recognized color."
"Does that mean defective...?"
The instructor frowned for the first time that day.Then he tapped again.
This time, a number appeared above the pedestal.
[Talent Index: 0]
Gasps.Snickers.One child let out a full laugh before biting his lip.
The instructor stared for a long moment before muttering,"Impossible...it must be broken."
But the second crystal said the same.
[Talent Index: 0]
No class.No affinity.No potential.
In this world, you could be talentless and still survive.But to be a zero?That wasn't talentless.
That was cursed.
Zayn stood frozen.His face didn't react.His breath didn't falter.
Inside though...something cracked.
Not because of the number.
But because for a brief second...as his hand touched the crystal...
He heard a voice.
Low.Ancient.Speaking in a language no one should understand.
But he understood it.Every single word.
"You are mine now.Devour and rise."
A scream erupted behind him.One of the other students had collapsed.
Blood dripped from the boy's ears.
People rushed to help him.A few glanced at Zayn as if he had caused it.
But Zayn didn't move.Didn't speak.Not even when the instructors pulled him aside.Not even when they told him he would be expelled from the awakening program and given a laborer's badge.
Not even when they called him "a mistake."
Because in his mind...the voice had spoken again.
"The world took your worth.I shall give you a greater one.Devour."
And deep in his chest...something stirred.
Hungry.