Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

Alex stood there, stunned to the core of his soul as he looked The Whisperer in the eyes.

'Huh?'

But strangely, the soul sucking, terrifying event he was expecting didn't come.

'Aren't I supposed to die when I look at The Whisperer?'

Alex questioned, clearly confused.

The Whisperer looked like a twisted figure of what was once an ordinary old man.

His spine was twisted a complete 180 degrees, with his torso facing the opposite direction of his legs.

However, his deep, stunning red eyes were the most striking feature, as Alex couldn't take his eyes away from them.

Just as the tension seemed to pass, The Whisperer started to morph.

His body twisted and squirmed, causing his already deformed body to become unrecognisable.

'What's going on?'

However, he didn't have to ruminate any further as the morphing Whisperer disappeared into thin air a few seconds later, like it had never even been there.

'What was all that about?'

A bright, shimmering light appeared in the air where The Whisperer had just vanished, startling Alex out of his daze. He squinted at the light, which gradually formed into a system window prompt.

[Assessment Complete]

'Is this… the AI overseer?'

Alex wondered, cautiously stepping closer to the floating window.

He looked at the text that began to scroll across the screen.

[Subject: Alex]

[Strategy assessment result: Pass - full marks.]

[Congratulations on passing the Strategy assessment! You are currently ranked 1st on the rankings for this assessment.]

Alex blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing. His result was better than anything he could have possibly thought it might be.

'First? I'm ranked first?'

His heart pounded in his chest as he re-read the message, a sense of disbelief mingling with overwhelming relief.

Shortly after his results were shown, the world around him began to blur and distort. Alex felt a sudden tug, like a hook pulling him from the depths of a dream. The familiar sensation of waking up washed over him, and he opened his eyes once again in the chair of the VR pod.

"Finally!"

The word slipped from his lips with a mix of relief and exhilaration. He flexed his fingers, feeling the strength of his real body return.

Every muscle, every fibre of his being thrummed with power. The talents and abilities of an Awakened filled him, a stark contrast to the frail human shell he had inhabited for the past seven days.

He stood up, feeling the floor solid beneath his feet, appreciating the sheer physicality of his movements.

Seven days in there as a normal human had given him a new appreciation for the strength Awakened possessed.

'I'm really back, it's not a trick,' he thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

It gave him a new perspective on his life, and he realised how lucky he really was to have made it as far as he did in life.

Just the struggle he went through to kill The Whisperer was a reminder to not take what he has for granted.

A new determination surged through him.

He wasn't just back; he was better. The assessment had tested him in ways he hadn't expected, forced him to use his mind in ways he had never done before. He had come out stronger from it, more resilient.

He looked around the room, taking in the familiar sight of the VR pods and the other students who were beginning to stir. Some looked relieved, others confused, and a few still seemed lost in their virtual worlds.

All of them had been through similar experiences, the struggles and triumphs each of them had experienced in this strategy assessment would be eye opening for the majority of these students, as it highlighted their shortcomings, as well as made them aware of the fact that even when things seemed overwhelmingly stacked against them, with enough wit and intelligence, a plan could be made to overcome this.

"Alex," a voice called out.

He turned to see Professor Will and an unfamiliar looking old man approaching. Their expressions were unreadable, but there was a glint of something in the old man's eyes that Alex hadn't seen before. Was it approval? Respect?

He didn't know.

"Well done," Professor Will said, his tone even but with a hint of respect. "You've passed with full marks and achieved the highest rank, it's not every year we see such a result."

Marshal Velen nodded, a rare smile breaking his usually stern demeanour. "You've shown exceptional ingenuity and resilience, kid. Few have taken such an unconventional path and succeeded."

Alex inclined his head, acknowledging the praise from Professor Will and Marshal Velen, aka the unfamiliar old man.

But he felt a pang of cynicism. Praise was rare, but it was usually just a prelude to more demands, more expectations.

"What's next?" Alex asked, cutting to the chase.

Professor Will exchanged a glance with Marshal Velen before answering. "You'll have some time to recuperate, as the test is still ongoing for some students, and then we'll discuss your future. There are opportunities for someone with your talent."

Opportunities. The word hung in the air, heavy with promise and uncertainty.

Alex nodded, understanding the unspoken implications of him showcasing his potential. More challenges, more risks. But this also meant more rewards.

As the professors walked away, leaving him to his thoughts, Alex reflected on the test, particularly the end where The Whisperer showed up in the blank space and disappeared just as suddenly.

'Whatever.'

He glanced at the other students again, wondering how they had fared. Though he could tell from a glance with one look at their expressions.

Some were smiling, grinning from ear to ear.

Others were downtrodden.

Did they take the conventional routes? Did they find easier paths than him?

In a world where everyone was selfish and driven by their own ambitions, he knew that standing out was both a blessing and a curse.

"Time to move forward," he murmured to himself, wanting the time to pass quicker so he could see how he had fared on the overall first years ranking.