Bab 2: Marina

[Name: Vincent Magnus]

Rank: Tier 0

Origin Power: 1300/1300 (a/n: mana)

Force: 1 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense)

Speed: 1 (Overall affects the agility and reaction speed)

Mental: 1 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics)

(a/n: 1 is average value of a normal person)

Skills:

● Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique

(Proficiency: Adept)

● Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept)

Talents:

● C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement

● SSS - Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter

Are these my personal attributes?

Vincent couldn't believe his eyes. Was this his cheat ability for transmigrating? As cliche as it seemed, he was thrilled!

He could check his stats without a device, and he had two talents! A C-Rank talent comparable to a District Leader, and an unheard-of Triple S rank talent!

In his 17 years, Vincent had never known anyone with an SSS rank talent. Even if someone had one and kept it secret, it didn't change the fact that his future was limitless!

I might have endless potential, but I'm still weak. I can't let anyone know about my talent!

"He actually awakened!"

"Who is he?"

"He's in our class! He never talked to anyone. We thought he had no hope, but he awakened…"

Among the shocked faces, Greg was fuming. He felt like his spotlight had been stolen.

The instructor approached Vincent.

"Congratulations on your successful awakening, student Vincent Magnus!"

"Thank you, Instructor," Vincent replied calmly, his face unchanging.

He'd expected the change in the Instructor's attitude now that he'd awakened.

The Instructor, unfazed by the short response, smiled and asked, "Can you show us what Talent you awakened?"

Vincent's expression remained neutral. He knew it was mandatory to reveal his awakened talent, so he'd already decided which one to show.

He held out his hand, and a hologram interface appeared.

"C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement?!" the Instructor exclaimed.

"What? A C rank talent?"

"He awakened a higher rank than Greg, who's from an Origin Warrior Family?"

"Is this the start of a new legend in our district?"

The students buzzed with excitement.

High above, Leo frowned. Something felt off. He had a C-rank talent too, but his awakening was different from Vincent's.

Despite his suspicion, Leo was happy. It was good news for the district.

Vincent looked up, watching District Leader Leo descend slowly.

"Congratulations on awakening, Young Hero." Leo said.

"Thank you, District Leader Leo, but I don't deserve that title."

"Don't be modest. Our talent ranks might be the same, but your talent has a brighter future than mine."

The Instructor gaped in surprise. "What do you mean, District Leader?"

Vincent stood calmly, curious about Leo's words.

"Origin Power is the key to the Origin World. It's the life force of everything there. It's also called mana, powering all lifeforms in the Origin World. With Origin Power, you can use skills and techniques. Vincent's Talent lets him increase his Origin Power and attack strength." Leo explained.

Vincent was enlightened. He hadn't known his talent could do so much.

"Thank you for teaching me, sir."

"Don't mention it."

Vincent felt uneasy as the District Leader gaze lingered on him.

"Is there something else, District Leader?"

Leo paused, thinking. "Would you like to consider joining my Flame Tower guild?"

Vincent was about to refuse, but Leo quickly added, "Don't say no yet. I know your talent doesn't match our guild, but we have a special spot for someone like you. You can skip the assessment. I want to recruit you directly."

"We'll help you start in the Origin World. You'll get 2 million astrum credits yearly, a villa in the 10th District, and skills and armaments for your rank to boost your strength. Think about it."

Vincent fell silent. The offer was tempting. He only got a few hundred credits monthly from his student support.

The villa in the 10th District was surprising too. He was currently renting a house in the 12th District.

From what he knew, they lived in a huge Ark with 12 Districts. The 12th District was on the edge, prone to monster attacks and crime.

Moving to a safer district was appealing!

But what tempted him most were the promised skills and armaments. These were vital for Origin Warriors, especially beginners like him.

Skills and armaments weren't sold openly. You had to use special trade routes, and they were incredibly expensive.

Even the lowest-ranked skills or gear were hard to afford.

As tempting as it was, Vincent didn't agree right away. He only knew a bit about the Origin World.

He knew there had to be a catch. Nothing in life was free.

Even death could be demanding.

"Thank you, District Leader. I'll think about it carefully."

Leo nodded, not pushing for an answer. "No pressure. Just focus on preparing for the Origin World. Use your new awakener credits wisely to buy things that'll help you survive there."

"I understand."

"Good. You can go prepare on your own now."

"Yes. I'll take my leave then, Instructor Pen, District Leader."

Vincent quickly left the awakening center, feeling the mixed gazes of the students on his back.

Greg glared at Vincent, fuming. He couldn't believe a nobody had stolen his thunder!

Vincent Magnus! You'll pay for humiliating me!

"Find me everything about that brat." Greg hissed.

----------------

Vincent didn't go home. He took a hover taxi, run by AI.

Neon skyscrapers blurred past as he traveled. Minutes later, the taxi door opened, and Vincent stepped out in front of a towering building.

Origin Warrior Association.

It was just a branch in District 12, but it showed the association's power and influence.

Two 3-meter tall mechanical guards stood at the glass entrance. They looked like Transformers from Earth, painted dark green.

Vincent entered, and blue lights scanned his body. The red caution hologram disappeared.

You may enter, a voice said from nowhere.

He followed the red carpet to a spacious lounge and went straight to the information counter, where a beautiful woman in professional attire sat.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

"I just awakened. I want to register and get my rewards."

"Of course. Please fill this out, and someone will guide you to the registration office."

She waved her hand, tossing a hologram screen to Vincent. He quickly filled in his name, student ID, and age, then pressed the 'O' symbol.

"Little 13, please guide Mr. Magnus to the registration office," the woman called out.

A floating monochrome robot with '13' written on it appeared. In a small, girly voice, it said, "Mr. Magnus, this way please."

Vincent silently followed Little 13 for a few minutes until they reached the registration office.

He saw other young people his age seated in rows of chairs. He took a digital token with the number 24.

Half an hour later, his number was called. He entered a room and saw a red-haired woman in professional attire sitting behind a glass screen.

"Hello, Mr. Vincent Magnus. Please sit down."

"Thank you."

"You're here to register as an awakener and claim your district rewards, right?"

Vincent nodded.

"Alright, please put your hand in this hole. I need to confirm your awakening."

Vincent frowned. "Will that show all my awakened talent data?"

"Don't worry. This device just scans to confirm you've awakened. You had to reveal your talent name and rank at the awakening center, but everyone has the right to keep the specific effects private," she explained professionally, used to such questions.

Convinced, Vincent put his arm in the hole and felt a sting on his wrist.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Vincent Magnus. You're now officially listed as an awakened Origin Warrior of District 12. You'll receive fifty thousand credits, access to Astrum Origin Hub, a basic origin power meditation guide, and a basic origin power movement guide," she said.

"We've sent the credits to your bank account and the guides to your Astrum Origin Hub email. Log in with this.."

She handed him a visual ID card with his name, photo, Origin Warrior number, and rank (zero).

"This is your Origin Warrior License. Don't lose it, or you'll be penalized. Don't try to make fake copies either, or you'll be severely punished. We can revoke your registration if you do that. I've emailed you the rules for registered Origin Warriors. Please read them," she explained carefully.

"Is there anything else I can help with?"

"Yes, where can I learn the basics about the Origin World," Vincent asked.

"You can easily find that on Astrum Origin Hub."

"I see. Thank you."

"No problem. Anything else?"

"No, that's all."

"Great. Please give me a second of your time to rate your registration experience."

Satisfied with the quick process, Vincent gave five stars on the hologram screen and left the Origin Warrior Association.

He called a hover taxi home. He had a lot to prepare and research about his Awakened Talents, especially the SSS rank one!

After more than half an hour, the view outside the taxi became more urban. Though the world was high-tech, some areas lagged behind.

As night fell, Vincent arrived home. He scanned his fingerprint to pay the taxi.

His rented house was a three-story building, huge for one person. He used his fingerprint to unlock the door, and gem-like bulbs on the walls lit up the room.

As soon as he opened the door, a young voice called from inside.

"Is that you, brother?"

In the living room, Vincent saw his younger sister, Marina, wearing a thin white dress. She sat on the sofa, sipping soda and watching a huge holographic screen showing a handsome man.

"Watching that drama again?" Vincent asked.

"What's wrong? Jealous that I'm watching a handsome man other than my pervert brother?" Marina teased, bending her neck to look at him from the edge of the sofa with a smirk.

Her wet black hair swayed behind the sofa, her dress revealing the cleave of her growing chest.

Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Vincent's. Her oval-shaped face was graced with fair, light skin that seemed to glow under the room's soft light. Her eyebrows, perfectly arched, framed eyes that mirrored Vincent's in their captivating purple hue. Long, sweeping eyelashes added depth to her gaze, enhancing the allure of her eyes.

Her nose, small yet elegantly pointed, complemented her delicate features. Her lips, though thin, were plump and invitingly red, reminiscent of ripe cherries.

Vincent, now accustomed to his newfound little sister's behavior, ignored her teasing and asked, "Where is Sister Amara?"

Sister Amara was the actual owner of this three-story building. Vincent and Marina merely rented two rooms.

"Hmph, you're ignoring your sister and asking about another woman instead!" Marina huffed indignantly.

Vincent could only face-palm in response.

Initially, he had been overjoyed to discover he had a sister in this world, having been without family back on Earth. Now, however, he was beginning to have second thoughts.

With a sigh of resignation, he gently pinched both of Marina's cheeks.

"Alright, alright. Brother is sorry for ignoring the little princess," he conceded.

Though slightly miffed, Marina couldn't help but smile happily at the attention.

At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention.

"Oh, you're here, little Vincent," a feminine voice called out.

Still pinching Marina's cheeks, Vincent turned around. His eyes fell upon a short-haired woman standing at an impressive 170 cm. She was clad in a fitted gray sleeveless tank top that accentuated her curves, paired with form-fitting shorts that showcased her long, toned legs.

Her alluring appearance was further enhanced by the casual way she held a beer in one hand, exuding an air of confidence and relaxation.

"Sister Amara..." Vincent breathed, his eyes inadvertently drawn to her captivating presence.