The Villain's Shopping System

Chapter 29: Chapter 28 - Luminite Crystal

Luminite crystals have become famous since the days when the first awakened ones started making inroads into the interdimensional portals.

This unusual ore can somehow not only create electricity, but can sense and absorb it. The Luminite crystals are the result of Luminite that has been exposed to energy for a long time. For this reason, these crystals are very rare compared to more ordinary.

Furthermore, Luminite crystals, for some reason, react to the touch of the Awakened Ones. There are theories that Awakened Ones emit different gravitational or energetic vibrations than ordinary humans, but this has not been proven to date.

Like anyone born after the Red Night, Kaito is already familiar with this famous and coveted ore thanks to the Mandatory Teaching Academy, but this is the first time he has seen one personally. So as he follows Mr. Fisher's instructions and sits down on one of the couches, he stares at the crystal with anticipation.

Knowing which rank it fits into is not something that bothers him. In fact, he is looking forward to it.

Mr. Fisher watches Kaito intently, noticing his anxiety. "I am aware that being an Awakened is the dream of many young people, but don't get too excited, young man." says the manager with a calm tone of voice.

"What do you mean?" Kaito asks, confused.

"You are not the first and nor will you be the last boy who gathers money to come here to take this test. However, believe me when I say that you would already know if you really were an Awakened." He states, taking a seat on the couch across the table.

Kaito looks at him intently and doesn't say a word. There is no reason to reveal more about himself than Mr. Fisher needs to know, no reason for Kaito to say what his powers are, nor what made him believe he should take this test. He just nods and extends his hand towards the crystal. Immediately, Kaito feels a slight vibration of energy as his hand gradually approaches the crystal surface, and when he finally touches the Luminita crystal, a warm sensation runs through Kaito's right hand. Then the unexpected happens. The crystal begins to glow intensely, emitting a dazzling, shimmering luminosity.

Mr. Fisher is completely stunned. His eyes widen and his serious expression gives way to one of pure amazement.

The glow is so strong that it illuminates the entire meeting room, leaving Mr. Fisher and even Kaito momentarily dazzled. Such an intense reaction from a Luminite crystal is very rare and therefore so unexpected.

When the light dims, they both open their eyes, stunned by the spectacle they have witnessed. The crystal continues to glow a little, emitting a resplendent golden hue, as if pulsating with a powerful energy.

For his part, Mr. Fisher is visibly shocked and unable to hide his surprise. He stares at the crystal and then at Kaito with his eyes revealing a mixture of admiration and bewilderment.

"That... that's amazing..." Mr. Fisher, still stunned by the crystal's intense reaction, says with his voice trembling with amazement.

Kaito is equally surprised by the crystal's reaction. Since he is only at level 6, he was expecting something more normal, but it seems that the crystal doesn't measure the current strength, but rather the latent potential of the awakened one. In any case, this whole reaction was contrary to what Kaito expected, so his heart soars with excitement.

The manager abruptly stands up and walks around the table, observing Luminita's crystal with admiration. "I have never seen such an intense reaction before. Kaito Zhao, you are an awakened of exceptional level! I... I've never seen that color in the patterns! My supervisors will go crazy when they hear about that! Wait here for a second, I will call a witness so we can conduct the test one more time!" He states, excitedly, and immediately leaves the meeting room.

Upon hearing Mr. Fisher's words, the smile that was slowly emerging on Kaito's face disappears completely, as he begins to think of all the heightened attention he will now receive if his powers become public.

With his mind agitated, Kaito looks at the glowing Luminite crystal in front of him. As he stares at the item, he thinks that he doesn't want to have his life invaded by the unwanted attention of others, nor to become a guinea pig for scientific experiments. He has already recovered an arm from scratch, so if scientists discover that he has such an ability, they will surely want to study him.

In addition, Kaito remembers the stories of other exceptional awakened ones who had their lives changed dramatically after being discovered. Many received fame and recognition, but others were persecuted and feared. He does not know how his story will unfold and the uncertainty

"I don't want to become a lab rat." Kaito says to himself and extends his hand again in the direction of the crystal. "There must be a way for me to forge a result, or try to control this 'energy'."

However, before Kaito can even make a test, as he ponders how he will forge the test, Mr. Fisher returns to the room, accompanied by a witness, the same receptionist as before.

The manager is overjoyed and excited, but Kaito notices that the witness seems more analytical and skeptical.

"Kaito, we are going to conduct the test one more time with a witness present. I want to make sure the results are accurate and unquestionable." says Mr. Fisher, encouraging Kaito to repeat touching the crystal.

Kaito feels his heart race and reaches out for the crystal again. As his hand approaches the shiny surface, Kaito closes his eyes and concentrates on controlling the energy it emits. He tries to focus his mind on a single thought: to remain inconspicuous, like a tree in the middle of a forest full of other trees.

Surprisingly, when Kaito touches the crystal this time, the reaction is more subtle. The glow emitted is less intense, and the resplendent golden hue is replaced by an unglamorous light green.

The witness, who is watching, almost laughs at Mr. Fisher's frustrated reaction, who seems confused and disappointed by the result. Kaito, on the other hand, feels a mixture of relief and happiness.

The receptionist, with a discreet smile on her face, this time is much more polite and says:

"Kaito, don't worry about Mr. Fisher's reaction. Mistakes are absolutely normal, and since the detection system is visual, it happens that we confuse the references. Still, congratulations, you have been evaluated as an awakened rank D. You are the first awakened from the Forgotten Zone in some time and can officially become a Duelist. Come with me, please, I will confirm your data and guide you through the rest."

Kaito nods, takes one last look at the look of shock on the manager's face, and follows the receptionist out of the room.