My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 3 3: My Talent Was Called Generator (As Cool As It Sounds)

The Awakening Room measured a plain ten by ten, boasting sleek gray walls, floor, and ceiling.

A towering mirror dominated its center, reaching ten feet tall and three feet across, its face utterly empty.

I approached it cautiously, halting right before it. At first, nothing stirred. Then, a soft blue light throbbed along the mirror's borders.

Gradually, my image started to emerge, beginning at my feet. The light climbed steadily, uncovering my legs, body, and limbs until at last, my full figure gazed back at me, captured flawlessly.

I anticipated what would follow, and it demanded all my willpower to remain motionless and suppress my urge to yell in thrill.

'Come on, speed it up already.'

My reflection met my stare for several seconds, and briefly, I could've sworn a sly grin flashed across its features. Suddenly, the picture burst into sparkling azure motes. They floated mid-air, twirling like miniature constellations, then rushed from the mirror directly into my forehead.

BOOM.

In a flash, everything faded to white, and I closed my eyes on reflex. Upon reopening them, a radiant blue panel floated directly before me.

I beamed, balled my hands, and drew in a steadying breath before examining the display.

[Status]

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Name : Billion Ironhart

Race : Human

Class : N/A

Laws : N/A

Level : 0

Talent :

- Generator 1

- Essence : 0/5

Attributes :

- Strength: 8

- Constitution: 7

- Dexterity: 9

- Psynapse : 7

Unused Stats: 0

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"What?"

I scrubbed at my eyes and peered at the panel once more.

A Talent?

For me?

I possess a talent?

'Impossible. Absolutely impossible. A talent? For me?'

My pulse raced wildly as the truth struck like lightning.

I yelled inwardly.

'I POSSESS A TALENT!'

I inhaled deeply and shook my head clear.

"Okay, steady yourself, Billion. Maintain that image."

My gaze fixed on the Talent entry.

Hardly able to trust it.

Across the whole world, just 10 to 12 individuals were openly recognized as having a talent. Including any concealed ones, the total stayed under 30 or 40.

And here I was, joining their ranks.

I breathed out, a gradual smile spreading over my lips.

I stroked my chin, zeroing in on the talent shown ahead.

'Generator 1? What sort of talent could that be? And Essence at 0/5…'

The term generator ignited some ideas in my thoughts, though I had to verify them properly.

I resolved to inspect my talent properly once back home, avoiding any chances here.

I waved away the panel and headed for the exit, choosing to leave and allow the rest their opportunity.

Upon exiting, I sensed the change in the atmosphere.

Every gaze fixed upon me.

I stood tall, closing the door after myself.

Surveying the expressions nearby, I grasped their assumptions. They figured I'd failed the awakening.

'Sorry to disappoint, but I rarely flop.'

I met Daniel's look and nodded briefly. His stare held on me as I moved past.

Stepping down from the platform, I returned to my spot.

My eyes connected with Steve's, and I flashed him a swift wink, plenty to signal success.

He nodded subtly back.

Thus, I took my seat, and the awakening proceeded.

****

I called up my status panel anew, this time delving into the remaining details.

Race, Class, and Laws appeared basic enough.

No shocks there.

Next, my attention settled on the attributes.

I had to concede, the results pleased me greatly.

This marked the payoff from academy drills. All of us had devoted years to grinding toward 10, the maximum before awakening.

Yet, two aspects irked me.

Psynapse: 7

And my Dexterity… not quite 10.

I'd driven myself mercilessly, dashing until my thighs burned like iron, navigating courses at furious paces, dodging blows before they landed fully. Daily, I sharpened my instincts, refined my steps, compelled my form to accelerate and cut keener.

Undeniably, I outpaced everyone in my group—by a wide lead. Still, after all that effort, I fell short of the top. For now.

'Infuriating.'

I reviewed my attributes, dissecting each mentally.

Strength — Pure bodily might. It gauged the power behind lifts, shoves, blows. Greater values meant fiercer impacts, heavier loads, and more dynamic actions.

Constitution — A blend of stamina, toughness, and healing. It supplanted Vitality and Regeneration, assessing damage tolerance before collapse, fight endurance, and wound mending speed.

Dexterity — Core for nimbleness, synergy, and poise. It governed velocity, responses, and accuracy. Elevated levels yielded keener instincts, fluid motions, and quicker attacks or dodges.

Psynapse — Cognitive sharpness, response tempo, recall, and perception.

I let out a breath and gripped my hands tight.

'Solid. Yet insufficient.'

I turned my attention to the Class area.

The upcoming milestone for us involved Class Selection, a pivotal phase in advancement. All would pick their initial class at level 25.

And from tomorrow onward, our aim: hit level 25 rapidly over the coming year.

For afterward, we'd integrate into the Empire's forces officially.

This year positioned us as trial soldiers, not yet committed, beyond mere students. Our deeds and abilities here would shape class options open to us.

To sum up, this year shaped our futures.

Then came the Laws area.

It stayed irrelevant for ages, until Level 150. That's when grasping natural laws would aid shattering that barrier.

Currently, my priorities lay elsewhere.

Each level through 25 would award five free stat points for assignment as desired.

The true hurdle: choosing allocations wisely.

***

I caught Daniel announcing Steve's name, and my attention sharpened.

I observed Steve enter the Awakening Room, intrigue swirling in my head. Might he gain a talent as well?

Should he, then us paired… we'd rock the Empire to its core.

Shortly after, Steve emerged. His gaze locked with mine at once.

He grinned: casual, assured, eyes half-shut.

I returned the smile.

I knew he'd awakened.

But if his included a talent like mine… that awaited discovery.

Gradually, each person entered the Awakening Room and finished their ritual.

Daniel stood firm, posture rigid, embodying discipline. A true soldier.

I observed my fellow graduates enter the awakening room sequentially. Some exited with sparks of elation in their stares, while others slouched out with downcast eyes brimming with tears.

In our realm, awakenings succeeded about 70%—all bound for military service.

Before long, the ceremony ended. All resumed positions, and soft whispers rippled among them, some joyful, others laden with sorrow.

Daniel advanced, securing the blue door with a key prior to addressing us.

"To those of you who have successfully awakened, I congratulate you. I wish you all the strength you'll need to grow, to fight, and to protect our world from the threats it faces. And to those who did not awaken, I wish you luck in supporting our world from within, ensuring we live to see another day."

His eyes roamed over us before he went on.

"Your probation period starts tomorrow. Today is your last chance to say your goodbyes to your families and to your batchmates. Graduates from across the empire will be mixed into different units and sent to different places around the world for the probation training."

Then his eyes moved, fixing on the front row.

"Units will be formed based on your graduation rankings. There would be two types of units, the normal ones and the elites. The elite units will undergo the most dangerous probation training. Your lives will become hell for the next year because the Empire demands strength—enough to protect yourselves and those around you.

Also we've recently received reports that the casualty rate among the elite units during probation has risen to 60%."

The mood grew heavy following that revelation.

"That's all from me," Daniel wrapped up.

"Be here in the morning. It's time for you to grow up and face the real world."