Daniel kept his expression carefully neutral, mimicking the awe and speculation rippling through the crowd around him, even as his mind raced, dissecting the implications of [Soul Assimilation].
He re-read the description mentally, over and over, committing every word to memory. Assimilate the fundamental essence... It sounded almost metaphysical, yet the effects were concrete: enhance objects, gain EXP and attributes from creatures, absorb skills from fallen Awakened.
This wasn't just a combat talent; it was a comprehensive growth engine. His potential wasn't tied solely to fighting prowess but to his ability to interact with and absorb the very fabric of the Verge itself.
The mention of "Assimilation Charges" and regeneration over time indicated a limit, a resource he'd need to manage carefully.
He couldn't just absorb everything constantly. And the phrase "further potential unlocked through exploration, application, and understanding" hinted at depths he couldn't yet fathom. Could he combine absorbed essences? Could he enhance living things? Could he assimilate environmental energies? The possibilities spun wildly in his head.
Around him, the initial shock of Rostova's announcement about the S+ rank Talent gave way to recruits focusing on their own newfound abilities, the reality of the assessment setting back in. The diverse range of reactions painted a vivid picture of the Awakening lottery.
"F-grade 'Night Vision'," a lanky boy nearby grumbled, activating it and blinking. "Great, the nebulae just look slightly less blurry. Barely useful unless this place gets pitch black."
"Check it out! D-grade 'Stone Skin'!" another recruit, a stocky girl with bright pink hair, cheered, rapping her knuckles against her forearm, which now had a faint grey, rocky texture. "Finally, some real defense! Maybe I won't get shredded instantly."
A thin young man sighed dramatically, looking down at his hands as a faint, calming blue aura pulsed around them. "E-grade 'Soothing Aura'. Fantastic. Guess I'm designated emotional support llama for whichever C-grader decides to adopt me." His friend chuckled nervously.
The varied power levels were stark. F and E grades offered minor utility or situational buffs. D-grades provided tangible, though limited, combat or defensive advantages. C-grades, like the one Jaxon Rex possessed, were the baseline for true combat effectiveness and guaranteed Academy admission. B-grades, like Seraphina's [Precognitive Glimpse], were rare game-changers, marking individuals for leadership tracks.
And then there was Daniel's SSS-grade, an outlier so extreme it felt like a different category altogether. He knew, instinctively, that revealing it would paint a massive target on his back.
Envy, fear, unwanted attention from the Academy command, potentially even hostile interest from powers within the Verge they hadn't even been briefed on yet, secrecy was paramount.
Suddenly, a loud CRACK echoed nearby, startling several recruits. Jaxon Rex stood grinning, his fist buried halfway into one of the smaller crystalline rock formations. Faint wisps of kinetic energy, like heat haze, smoked off his knuckles.
He pulled his hand back, revealing a web of deep fractures in the crystal. "C-grade [Kinetic Impact]!" he crowed, flexing his hand, clearly reveling in the attention. "Simple, effective, powerful! Anything gets in my way, I'll just punch right through it! This assessment is going to be a cakewalk!"
Several nearby recruits, mostly those who had awakened F or E-grade Talents, gathered around Jaxon, their expressions a mixture of awe and envy. His raw display of destructive power was undeniably impressive at this initial stage.
"Wow, Jaxon, that's amazing!"
"With power like that, you'll definitely get Rank 1!"
"Can I stick with you? I got 'Enhanced Lung Capacity'. I can... uh... shout warnings really loudly?"
Daniel watched the scene unfold, a slight frown touching his lips. Jaxon's talent was strong, no doubt. A direct, forceful offensive ability was valuable.
But Jaxon's immediate arrogance, his assumption of easy victory based on one successful test against an inanimate object, sent warning bells ringing in Daniel's mind.
The Verge, from everything they'd learned, was deceptive. Power was relative, and overconfidence was a swift executioner. Compared to the subtle, potentially limitless growth offered by [Soul Assimilation], Jaxon's straightforward punch felt... limited. Powerful now, perhaps, but Daniel suspected its growth potential might be shallower.
A new notification pinged universally across all Nexus Interfaces, interrupting the buzz around Jaxon. It was an official Assessment Mandate from Vanguard Command.
Assessment Mandate: Survive and Acclimate.
Minimum Requirement: Reach Level 2 within 7 (Seven) Terran Standard Days.
Failure to meet the minimum level requirement will result in immediate disqualification and emergency extraction from the Verge.
Ranking Metric: Kill Score. Calculated based on number and difficulty of creatures eliminated. Highest score secures Rank 1 and associated rewards.
Note: The Initiate's Ward timer is proceeding. Plan accordingly.
Level 2 in seven days. Daniel's mind immediately went to the EXP tables they'd studied. Reaching Level 1 likely required killing a handful of basic creatures. Level 2 would require significantly more, probably dozens, depending on the creature type. That meant hunting, engaging the alien wildlife, was unavoidable. Survival wasn't enough; proactive engagement was necessary. And the kill score metric added a competitive edge, pushing aspirants to take risks for higher rewards.
Daniel looked down at his own gear. The standard-issue training fatigues offered minimal protection. The key piece was the F-grade 'Initiate's Deflector Vest'. According to the specs, it provided a meager +10 Defense rating. Pitiful against anything more threatening than harsh language. His base defense, derived primarily from his Vitality score of 12, was likely around 10 or 12 points itself. A total defense in the low 20s was practically nothing. Time for his first real test of [Soul Assimilation].
He subtly shifted his position, creating a little space between himself and the nearest recruits, ensuring no one was looking directly at him.
Focusing his intent on the vest he wore, visualizing its structure, its material, and pouring his will into the concept of enhancement, he mentally triggered the talent. The familiar prompt appeared in his mind's eye, clearer this time.
No dramatic flash of light occurred, which was a relief. Instead, a faint, almost imperceptible white shimmer enveloped the vest for a brief moment, clinging to the fabric like static electricity before fading. It was incredibly subtle.
His Nexus Interface chimed softly, displaying a private notification.
[Nexus Assimilation successful on F-Grade Initiate's Deflector Vest.]
[Item Enhanced: Initiate's Deflector Vest upgraded to E-Grade.]
[New Stats: Defense +50.]
[Assimilation Charge Consumed (4/5 Remaining).]
Daniel subtly ran his hand over the vest. It felt… denser, somehow more resilient, though its outward appearance hadn't changed. A Defense rating of +50, combined with his base defense, pushed his total protection likely into the 60s. Still not incredible, but a massive improvement from before.
It might be enough to turn a lethal blow from a basic creature into a survivable wound. He also noted the charge consumption. Five charges total, one used. He needed to be judicious. Enhancing every random object wasn't feasible. He had to prioritize.
Meanwhile, Jaxon Rex, clearly high on his initial success and the admiration he was receiving, wasn't content with shattering small rocks. He spotted a significantly larger crystalline spire nearby, easily twice his height. "Alright, watch this!" he bellowed to his growing group of followers. With a dramatic roar, channeling energy into his palm this time, he slammed it against the base of the larger structure.
A much louder CRACK echoed across the field, and spiderweb fractures spread rapidly across the crystal's surface, pieces flaking off. It didn't shatter completely, but the damage was significant.
"See?" Jaxon declared, panting slightly but beaming with pride. "Nothing in this place stands a chance against pure power! Stick with me, follow my lead, and we'll all ace this assessment! Rank 1 is practically guaranteed!" He puffed out his chest, basking in the impressed and slightly fearful looks of the recruits around him.
Daniel merely shook his head inwardly, turning away from the display. Confidence was a vital asset in a place like the Verge. Arrogance, however, was a liability. Jaxon was broadcasting his power, drawing attention, and assuming the environment was just a collection of static targets waiting to be broken.
Daniel knew, with a certainty that chilled him despite the alien warmth of the Verge, that this place held teeth Jaxon hadn't even conceived of yet.
And Daniel planned to be ready when they bit. His own power was subtle, hidden, growing quietly in the background. Let Jaxon be the hammer; Daniel would be the shadow, learning, adapting, and assimilating.