"The Awakeners are divided into two categories. Those who awakened on the Day of Awakening are called Blessed Awakeners, and the people who awakened later—or are even awakening now—are called Late Awakeners."

"Does that mean people can still turn into superhumans?" I asked, curious.

"Hmm, but there is a difference between the two," Aryan said as he continued the lecture with a serious expression.

"Based on the mana they exude, the skills they can use, and their physical prowess, Awakeners are ranked from E-Rank to S-Rank.

If an E-Ranked person awakens, he can rank up to EE-Rank, EEE-Rank, all the way to CCC-Rank. But that's the limit of these Awakeners. No matter how much they struggle, they can't break through this limit. However, a B-Rank Awakener can reach S-Rank through enough training and battle experience."

He took a brief pause to let me digest all this information before continuing.

"Now, as for the difference between the Blessed and Late Awakeners—the former were all awakened with B-Rank prowess, some even had A-Rank. However, there isn't a single record of a Late Awakener awakening with B-Rank mana. All of them are in the lower ranks, from C to E."

Aryan expected a look of disbelief or even a barrage of questions from me. However, what I asked wasn't something he expected in the slightest.

"So are you a Blessed or Late Awakener?"

He gave me a dumbfounded look for a couple of seconds and answered with a sigh,

"I'm the former one..."

"Your rank?"

A smug smile appeared on his face as he revealed it, his nose almost elongating with pride.

"Your elder brother here is currently at AAA-Rank."

"Tsk, what are you getting all smug about? You aren't even an S-Rank," I replied, my voice laced with disappointment.

"Y-you brat!! Underestimating me without even knowing the depth of the ocean!" he snarled, obviously offended.

"People at AAA-Rank are only in double digits in the whole country. And as for S-Rank, there are only eight in India!"

"Oh, is that so..." I replied nonchalantly.

"You are awesome, Elder Brother."

Keeping a straight face, I clapped my hands to irritate him further.

"Aghh..." Veins bulged on his forehead as he tried to suppress the anger within him.

"If you weren't a patient, I would have beaten the shit out of you!"

"Oh really? Then I would have called the Awakeners Association," I replied, shrugging.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself, took out his phone, and typed something into it.

After a moment, the door of the room slid open and three men in black tuxedos walked in.

The one at the center carried a long, thin suitcase, while the others beside him wore backpacks large enough to fit a person inside.

"Oy, geezer, you really called thugs to beat me up!?" I shouted, jumping behind the bed.

"Th-thugs!?" the man with the suitcase stammered at the sudden ridiculous title.

"My name is Zheng Li. We are from the Awakeners Association," the handsome man at the center introduced, placing the suitcase on the floor. He had fair skin and short black hair styled in a two-block cut.

"Awakener Singh called us to test if you are an Awakener."

I turned to my brother and whispered,

"Isn't he from China? Why is a foreigner in the Awakeners Association?"

Before my brother could reply, Zheng Li answered, having heard my whisper.

"The Awakeners Association in each country has some foreigners invited to improve relations between nations."

"Sorry for my rudeness," I murmured, slightly embarrassed.

Zheng Li opened the suitcase and took out a torso-sized cylindrical transparent crystal.

The two other men also opened their bags and began connecting monitors and other devices to the electric base of the cylindrical crystal.

"Please wear this. It will help pull out the mana from within you," Zheng Li said, extending a glove toward me.

"Why am I having this test? I don't think I'm an Awakener."

"You may not be aware of it since you were unconscious at the time, but I clearly witnessed awakening particles absorbing into your body on the Day of Awakening. Your regaining consciousness must be because you are a Blessed Awakener," Aryan revealed, placing the glove-shaped gadget in my hand.

As soon as I wore the glove, I felt the Soulforce within me being pulled toward my arm.

"Please touch the crystal."

I extended my hand forward and placed my palm on the crystal.

For a couple of seconds, everyone stared at the monitors, their eyes filled with expectation.

The crystal began glowing faintly and then suddenly stopped the next second.

The excitement on the officers' faces faded, replaced by clear disappointment.

"You may remove your hand, Mr. Singh," Zheng Li said.

I took my hand off the crystal, handed the glove back to Zheng Li, and asked,

"So what's the result?"

"You are indeed an Awakener, Mr. Singh. However, the rank shown on the monitor is E-Rank."

"It's completely unprecedented. Isn't he the first Blessed Awakener with E-Rank talent?" one officer behind Zheng Li whispered.

"Isn't he a disgrace—"

"Dare say another word!"

Aryan growled, his sharpened glare fixed on the two officers as the entire room filled with suppressive Soulforce.

"I-I apologize for my junior's rudeness, Awakener Singh," Zheng Li said, stepping in.

"I will make sure to punish them once we reach the association."

"Please forgive us for the offending remarks, Awakener Singh," the officer behind Zheng Li blurted out with a ninety-degree bow, their faces drenched in sweat.

"I'm only letting it slide because of Officer Li. Grab your stuff and get out!"

The officers packed their equipment and walked out in hurried steps.

"I will personally invite you and Mr. Singh for dinner later and properly apologize. I hope this incident doesn't affect the relationship between the Awakeners Association and the Black Raven Guild," Zheng Li said, extending his hand for a shake.

Sigh… "Why would you hire incompetent people like them in the association?" Aryan said, shaking Zheng Li's hand.

"You are asking that when you already know the answer," Zheng Li replied with a saddened expression before taking his leave.

As soon as they left Aryan turned towards me and said, trying to comfort me, "Don't let this weigh on your mind. Nobody can look down on you while I'm here."

However, I couldn't understand what made him think I was feeling down. I couldn't even understand half of what had just happened.

"What are you saying, geezer? Why would I weigh anything on my mind?" I asked, completely clueless.

He gave me a surprised look, then replied with a smile,

"Have some rest. I'll come back tomorrow."

The door closed as he stepped out, leaving me alone in the large room once again.

"I never had so much free time in the past one year and four months," I murmured in a saddened voice.

"I'm not used to this emptiness—"

Ding…

"Reboot of the system completed successfully!"

"Initializing Vivi…"

Ding…

"Greetings, Host! My name is Vivi. I am your personal assistant and guide to unlocking your true potential."

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