SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 49: Meticulous Thinking!

The wind, or perhaps just the collective sharp intake of breath from hundreds of recruits, shrieked across the field.

Daniel, positioned near the back of the assembled crowd, feigned a deep interest in an unusually uninspiring cloud formation drifting across the dull grey sky.

He even attempted an innocent whistle, but it came out sounding suspiciously like the dying squeal of a small, terrified rodent.

Nyx, his Shadow Wolf Pup familiar, wisely remained silent and motionless in his pouch, probably calculating the odds of her owner being turned into a fine paste.

A brave, or perhaps suicidal, senior recruit with a surprisingly intact datapad stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously.

"Uh, D-Director Thorne, sir," he stammered, holding up the datapad.

"We, uh, cross-referenced the energy signatures from the... incident... with the simulator logs from yesterday.

The power output matches... well, it matches Aspirant Daniel Vance’s session where he... uh... interrogated the other Adamantium Golem.

And then there was the... spirited discussion between Aspirant Vance and Aspirant Ayra Sand earlier this morning that caused... significant structural reverberations."

All eyes, including Director Thorne’s now dangerously narrowed gaze, swiveled towards Daniel.

The collective stare felt like a physical weight.

Daniel offered a small, sheepish wave. "It was a very spirited discussion, sir," he offered weakly.

"Misunderstandings were had. Resolved now, mostly."

Director Thorne looked as if he might explode, his face shifting through various shades of purple. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

He took a deep, shuddering breath that didn’t seem to calm him in the slightest.

Then, unexpectedly, a flicker of weary resignation passed across his face.

He couldn’t exactly expel his record-breaking, SSS-Talent, S-Grade skill-wielding, Level 5 statistical anomaly.

Nor could he afford to provoke the White Lotus family, who were undoubtedly major Academy sponsors and Ayra Sand’s powerful backers.

The paperwork alone would be a nightmare.

"Fine then," he ground out, the words sounding like gravel in a cement mixer.

"Fine! Very well. The spirited discussion has brought our pillar-testing segment to an early close.

The Freshmen Impact Challenge is, therefore, cancelled!"

A collective groan went up from some of the more optimistic recruits who’d hoped to show off.

Thorne ignored them. "Consider it... an impromptu demonstration of why some of you," his gaze flickered towards Daniel again, "need to learn the meaning of the word ’restraint’ before you accidentally de-orbit the entire platform!"

The assembled recruits exchanged nervous glances. The sheer power Daniel and Ayra had casually unleashed was terrifying.

Whispers rippled through the crowd: "Did you see the pillar? It looked like it got hit by a miniature sun!" "And Ayra Sand... Stage Three Tyrant Body... they say no one’s controlled that before!" "Vance matched her... what IS that guy?"

Director Thorne, for his part, seemed to be mentally calculating repair costs and the potential for early retirement.

He recognized that Daniel’s SSS-Talent and record-breaking scores signaled the potential of a future top-tier expert, and possibly a leader for humanity.

But at the moment, all he saw was a walking, rapidly escalating budget concern.

"Instead," Thorne continued, pulling himself together with visible effort, "we will proceed directly to the briefing for Phase Three of your assessment.

Listen carefully, as your survival, and potentially the survival of your future teammates, will depend on it!"

He gestured towards a large holographic display that shimmered into existence behind him.

"Phase Three will take place in a unique sub-dimension connected to the Astral Verge known as the Taiji Basin.

It is an environment of extreme elemental contrasts and equally extreme dangers."

The display showed a vast, circular basin, surrounded by towering mountains.

A colossal, serene lake dominated the center, but an S-shaped mountain range split the basin into two distinct halves, one side enveloped in shadows and emitting a cold, dark light; the other bathed in a warm, vibrant glow.

"Upon entry into the Taiji Basin," Thorne explained, his voice regaining its usual stern authority, "each of you will receive either a Yin Card or a Yang Card.

You will be teleported into designated starting zones within your respective elemental region.

Teams of three are mandatory for Phase Three. I repeat, mandatory. The threats within the Taiji Basin are designed to overwhelm individuals and uncoordinated groups."

A murmur of apprehension went through the recruits. Mandatory teams? This changed everything for lone wolves like Daniel.

"Your primary objective," Thorne declared, "is to acquire both a Yin Card and a Yang Card. Only by possessing a matched pair can you activate the extraction portal and proceed to the next stage of this assessment, which will be... Level Four qualification."

He let that sink in. "Killing the indigenous Fierce Beasts within the Taiji Basin will offer approximately a ten percent chance of them dropping a card corresponding to their region.

Trading, or other... acquisitions... from fellow aspirants are also, shall we say, within the parameters of this assessment."

A few grim smiles appeared amongst the more ruthless-looking recruits.

"However," Thorne raised a hand, silencing the growing whispers, "these Yin and Yang cards serve a far more crucial purpose than mere progression.

They are the keys to your second great opportunity for power: Class Transition!"

The recruits leaned in, intrigued. Talent Awakening was the first step, but Class Transition? This was new information for most.

"As you progress to higher levels within the Tower and the Astral Verge," Thorne elaborated, "you will find that raw talent and attributes, while vital, have their limits.

True mastery requires specialization. Class Transition allows you to refine your awakened potential, unlocking specialized skill trees, unique attribute growth paths, and powerful new abilities.

Think of it as choosing your true calling, Berserker, Elementalist, Healer, Assassin, Guardian, and countless other esoteric paths."

The holographic display shifted, showing stylized representations of powerful, specialized Vanguards.

"The Yin and Yang cards you collect can be exchanged at designated nexuses within the Taiji Basin for a Class Transition Certificate.

The more matched pairs of cards you accumulate, the greater the quality and range of Class options available to you.

A single pair might grant access to a basic, foundational class. Multiple pairs could unlock advanced, hybrid, or even legendary hidden classes."

He paused for emphasis.

"Your Talent Awakening was your first chance at power. Class Transition is your second. Do not squander it."

The excitement in the air was detectable now, overshadowing the earlier fear. A second chance to define their path, to gain specialized power, this was a game-changer.

"Therefore," Director Thorne concluded, his gaze sweeping over the hopeful, anxious faces, "choose your teammates with extreme care.

Complementary skills, trust, and strategic cohesion will be paramount. Once your teams of three are registered via your Nexus Interfaces, you will be cleared for entry into the Taiji Basin.

You have six hours. Make haste! And for the love of all that is dimensionally stable, try not to break anything else before you leave!"

With a final, pointed glare at Daniel (who was studiously examining a loose thread on his new A-Grade Phantom Edge Striking Wraps), Director Thorne turned and left the training field, already appearing to need a strong drink and a long vacation on a planet without SSS-Talents.

The recruits, filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, quickly began the intricate process of forming teams.