Jianghai No.1 High School, Awakening Plaza.
The crowd was bustling with noise.
At the center of the platform, a massive awakening array slowly rotated. Pale blue runes spread outward like ripples, covering the entire area.
Today was the annual Awakening Day.
The day that decided one's fate.
"Next—Lin Feng."
The examiner's voice echoed clearly across the entire plaza through the amplification device.
In an instant, countless gazes focused on him.
Lin Feng stepped out from the crowd.
His expression was calm.
But only he knew—
His breathing had grown slightly heavy.
At eighteen, awakening one's profession was the only dividing line in this world.
Some would awaken powerful classes and rise to the top.
Others… would fall into mediocrity.
Lin Feng stepped into the center of the array.
Buzz—!
The light flared brightly!
Magic gathered in the air, forming layers of energy currents that wrapped around him.
A few seconds later—
The crystal lit up.
The examiner glanced down and raised his voice slightly.
"Class—Mage."
The crowd immediately stirred.
"A mage? That's not bad!"
"Elemental class, high ceiling!"
"This kid got lucky."
The discussions rose one after another.
Lin Feng let out a small breath of relief.
At least—it wasn't the worst outcome.
But the next moment—
The examiner's expression suddenly changed.
"Next—elemental affinity."
The array activated again.
This time, however, the light was extremely weak.
Almost… nonexistent.
A line of text slowly appeared on the crystal:
[Elemental Affinity: 0]
The air fell silent for a brief moment.
Then—
It exploded.
"Zero?!"
"A mage with zero affinity?!"
"What kind of talent is that?!"
"Isn't that basically useless?!"
"Hahaha, what a joke!"
Laughter and mockery flooded the plaza.
Lin Feng stood still.
He did not argue.
He simply stared at the number.
Since childhood, he had never felt any elemental energy.
This result was not unfamiliar.
But—
Seeing it declared in front of everyone…
Still stung.
The examiner shook his head.
His tone turned cold again.
"Next—initial skill determination."
Buzz—
The array lit up for the third time.
This time, there was finally a faint response.
A trace of crimson light slowly gathered.
Three words appeared on the crystal:
[Fireball]
After a short silence—
Even louder laughter erupted.
"That's it?"
"Fireball? The most basic skill?"
"And he has zero affinity!"
"So he's stuck with that forever?"
"He can't even learn advanced skills, right?"
"That mage class is basically half wasted."
Lin Feng said nothing.
He slowly raised his right hand.
Buzz—
A fist-sized fireball appeared in his palm.
The flame was weak.
Ordinary.
Unremarkable.
Lin Feng stared at it in silence.
Then—
At that exact moment—
The fireball trembled slightly.
As if… it was breathing.
Lin Feng's pupils shrank slightly.
Before he could react—
A childish yet clearly dissatisfied voice echoed in his mind.
"You're way too weak."
Lin Feng: "?"
He suddenly looked down.
The fireball in his palm—
Seemed to be looking at him.
"With this level, how did you even survive until now?"
Lin Feng's mind went blank.
The fireball… was speaking?
The next second—
The fireball left his palm.
Whoosh!
It shot into the air.
It paused midair—
As if it was judging something.
Then—
It accelerated suddenly!
Straight toward the testing target!
Boom!
Hit!
But it did not disappear.
It paused briefly.
Then—
Turned back!
And struck again!
Boom! Boom!
Multiple hits!
The entire plaza fell silent.
"Second control?!"
"The fireball can turn back?!"
The examiner stared at Lin Feng.
"Are you controlling it with mental power?"
Lin Feng: "…"
He wasn't.
But a voice sounded in his mind:
"Your accuracy is too low."
"I'll train for you."
The next second—
The fireball shot out of the plaza.
"I'm going to farm monsters."
"You're slowing me down."
Lin Feng stood there.
Only one thought remained in his mind—
…My skill just went out to level up on its own?