Chapter 2: Shadow Monarch!
The phenomenon gradually dissipated, and the awakening device clearly displayed Alex Whitefield's result.
[Alex Whitefield: S-Rank Ability—Shadow Monarch]
Seeing this, Principal Arthur Higgins couldn't contain himself! He grabbed the Class 6 homeroom teacher standing next to him, lifted her up, and planted several loud kisses on her red lips, his excitement overflowing.
Although the preceding phenomenon had mentally prepared him, seeing the confirmation that Alex had awakened an S-Rank ability sent a tidal wave of uncontrollable joy crashing through his heart.
Two S-Rank Awakeners appearing at once? This was a miracle from the heavens!!
We're rich! We're rich!
"Principal Higgins, I don't think you brushed your teeth..." the homeroom teacher said, her face flushing red with embarrassment.
Principal Higgins coughed twice, put the teacher down with a sheepish look, and then turned to the students, cheering loudly:
"Alex Whitefield! S-Rank Darkness Ability—Shadow Monarch!"
The crowd below instantly exploded into an uproar.
"Hiss... An S-Rank Darkness ability? Looks like the duel in three days is going to be a real show!"
"Totally! A duel between S-Ranks? That kind of battle is a once-in-a-lifetime sight for us. We have to watch it!"
"I disagree. An S-Rank Darkness ability can't compare to Elara Vance's S-Rank Ice ability. It's even weaker than an A-Rank Lightning or Fire ability. The destructive power is miles apart!"
"Exactly. Darkness abilities are only good for sneak attacks and gathering intel. They can't handle the main stage. Look around—how many Darkness users actually shine in the spotlight? It's always the Lightning and Fire users dominating!"
"Besides, Alex is just an orphan. How can he compare to the resources of the Vance Clan? The duel in three days will just be slightly more interesting, that's all!"
Many people discussed it with sour tones, the smell of jealousy permeating the air.
It couldn't be helped. Alex not only had an arranged marriage with the school goddess but had now also awakened an S-Rank ability. He was a winner in life—how could they not be envious?
Hearing the chatter below, Principal Higgins patted Alex on the shoulder and comforted him. "Kid! Don't listen to their nonsense. An S-Rank Darkness ability is still S-Rank. It's not worse than the others!"
"Principal, do you also think my S-Rank ability is weaker than an elemental ability of the same level? Or even weaker than an A-Rank Lightning user?"
Alex countered with a question.
Principal Higgins was momentarily stumped. He stammered, "Well... I didn't mean..." After a few seconds of pause, he confessed, "Okay, fine. In terms of raw destructive power, S-Rank Darkness is generally considered weaker than Lightning or Fire. But I have high hopes for you, kid. Come to my office later to collect your S-Rank Prodigy Resources!"
S-Rank Prodigy Resources were subsidies specifically prepared for S-Rank Awakeners. Similarly, A-Rank Awakeners enjoyed A-Rank subsidies.
Alex simply smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Principal. In three days, I will prove how ridiculous the notion is that 'Darkness is weaker than other elements.'"
Darkness abilities are weak? That was nonsense!
It was just that those people didn't understand the true power of Darkness.
In his past life, in the manga and anime he watched, Darkness users were often jaw-droppingly powerful.
One line, in particular, had left a deep impression on him: "Arise."
Since he had transmigrated to this world and awakened a Darkness ability, he was determined to change everyone's perception of it.
Only good for sneak attacks? Only good for assassins and scouts? Weaker than Fire and Lightning? He would overturn it all!
He was going to make Darkness synonymous with the "Violent Destruction Mage" class!
"Good lad! I'll be waiting for you to make a name for yourself in three days!"
Principal Higgins patted Alex's shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement.
Regardless of the specifics, this was an S-Rank Awakener—the school's precious treasure. He had to protect him well.
Alex nodded. Just then, a blue light screen appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Alex Whitefield]
[Ability: S—Shadow Monarch]
[Realm: Awakened (+)]
[Combat Skills: None]
[Spirit Weapon: S-Rank—Death Scythe]
[Cultivation Method: Basic Ability Cultivation Method]
[Slaughter Points: 1000]
"System, does this plus sign mean I can add points to upgrade?"
[Yes, Host. The plus sign indicates that upgrades are available via point distribution.]
"Can I add points to upgrade my ability to SS-Rank?" Alex asked curiously.
In this world, the highest known awakening was S-Rank, though there were rumors of SS-Rank abilities existing. Naturally, the higher the level, the better and more powerful it would be!
[Yes. It requires 100,000 Slaughter Points to upgrade to an SS-Rank Ability. Additionally, the Host's Death Scythe requires 50,000 Slaughter Points to upgrade to an SS-Rank Spirit Weapon.]
Alex was excited at first, but then deflated.
Good news: The ability could be upgraded to SS-Rank.
Bad news: It cost 100,000 Slaughter Points!
The revolution was not yet successful; comrades still needed to work hard!
Next up, he needed to go outside the city to kill beasts and farm Slaughter Points!
Go big or go home. In three days, he would crush Elara Vance and restore the glory of the Darkness Class!
Although Slaughter Points could also be obtained by killing humans, he couldn't just go around killing people for no reason, right?
Closing the panel, Alex prepared to leave the stage and head to the Principal's office once the ceremony concluded.
Before he could step down, Principal Higgins grabbed him.
"By the way, Alex, have you sensed your Darkness Characteristic yet?" Higgins asked.
Alex turned back, looking puzzled. "What is a Characteristic?"
"A Characteristic is a unique capability exclusive to Elemental Abilities of S-Rank and above. Generally, every S-Rank Elemental Ability has one. For example, our Federation's Thunder God, Zeus Sterling—his S-Rank Lightning Ability's Characteristic is that his destructive power is several times stronger than other Lightning abilities! That is a Characteristic!" Higgins explained.
The strength difference between elemental abilities of the same rank often depended on the strength of their Characteristics!
Hearing this, Alex added another piece of knowledge to his brain.
He condensed dark elements in his hand, the pitch-black energy dancing and flickering in his palm.
What is my ability's Characteristic?
"No need to rush, Alex. Elemental Characteristics need to be discovered slowly!" Higgins comforted him.
Alex nodded and said gratefully, "Thanks, Principal. I'll head down now."
Higgins waved his hand with a beaming smile. "Go on."
Alex turned and walked off the stage, only to see quite a few girls staring at him with hearts in their eyes.
He was a bit confused. Sure, he was somewhat handsome, but not enough to make them act like that, right?
Of course, what he didn't know was that the scene of him sitting on the Shadow Throne earlier had already captured the hearts of thousands of maidens.
Benny Lane ran over excitedly. "Boss Alex! You looked so cool sitting on that throne just now! Hahaha, my two centimeters weren't wasted!"
"You really are my brother!" Alex patted him heavily on the shoulder.
Benny grinned, then deliberately put on a coquettish act. "Actually, I could be your girlfriend too. I can take a trip overseas and get a sex change... Aaaleex~" he said in a sickly sweet voice.
Alex's mouth twitched. He teased, "Sure, just remember to get 48E cups! We can suffer anything, but we can't let the bros suffer!"
Benny looked confused. "?" Is this bro for real?
"I think you're just hungry, Alex!"
Alex slapped him upside the head. As he looked up, he saw the Vance family butler walking over.
"Alex Whitefield, you did quite well! How about this: the duel in three days is cancelled. As long as you agree to marry into the Vance Clan and change your surname to Vance, our family will provide you with cultivation resources!"
Butler Hayes Vance spoke with his nose in the air, looking at Alex with an attitude of charitable pity.
(To be Continued)