2025-04-23 01:53:28Kyle blinked, still staring at Lia and that flickering candle like it was something out of a dream.
“Lia…” he whispered.
His sister beamed, cheeks a little flushed now thanks to the potion working through her system. “Ta-da~ How do you like the surprise, birthday boy?”
The frosting was a little smudged, the candle half-melted and flickering — but to him, it looked perfect.
“You… got me a cupcake?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Lia nodded, her fingers playing with the edge of her blanket. “It’s not much. I helped old Mrs. Yola sort her junk every evening this month. She gave me one as thanks. I saved it for today.”
Kyle blinked fast, throat tight. “Lia…”
Lia smiled, holding it out with both hands. “Hurry, before it melts all the way!”
He blinked a few times, then slowly leaned forward, eyes fixed on the flame.
“Make a wish,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kyle closed his eyes.
'Please… give me a real chance this year. Just one. I don’t care how small it is. I'll fight for the rest.'
Then, he blew out the candle.
A soft puff. The flame vanished.
Lia clapped her hands, and Kyle gave her a sheepish grin.
“Should I ask what you wished for?” she teased.
“Nope.” He leaned back. “If I tell you, it won’t come true.”
“Fair enough. But I hope it’s about me becoming the strongest Soulbound in history.”
Kyle chuckled. “Obviously. That’s wish number two.”
He picked up the cupcake, pulled out the candle, and looked at the little hardened cake.
“Half for me…” He carefully cut it with the edge of a spoon. “And half for the best sister in the world.”
Lia giggled. “The best sister in the world only wants her brother to eat it!”
“Oi,” Kyle said, pretending to frown. “You sure you don’t want it?”
Lia pouted, she felt if she said no now, her brother would be sad. She wanted her brother to be happy.
So, she didn't resist. Kyle handed her the slightly bigger piece.
“Hey, this one’s fatter!”
“You noticed,” Kyle said, winking. “It’s yours, little girl.”
Lia smiled and took a bite. “Thanks, Old bro.”
It was a little dry, a little sweet but perfect at that moment.
After the last bite, Kyle sighed and leaned back. “Man… if I die tonight, I’ll die happy.”
“Don’t joke about that,” Lia said, hit at his arm lightly with the spoon.
Kyle grinned and sit down on tool. “Okay, okay. Now dinner time.”
On the table, two bowls of noodle soup waited, steam curling gently into the air.
Kyle picked up his bowl and, after a moment, scooped the poached egg out of his and dropped it into Lia’s.
Lia blinked. “You just…hey!”
“Birthday boy’s orders,” Kyle said casually, sipping his broth. “You get the egg.”
“But I…”
Lia cut the egg in half and passed to Kyle's bowl.
“Okay then. Happy birthday to us both.”
Kyle wanted to argue, but he couldn't bring himself to disappoint his sister. So, he smiled and patted Lia's head.
“Thanks for every thing, Lia.”
Lia gave him a wink. “Chef’s rule. Guests first.”
They started eating, slow and steady, letting the warmth of the soup settle deep into their bones. The radishes were soft, the potatoes mushy, and the broth had that faint taste of boiled roots and salt. Nothing fancy. Nothing extra.
But to Kyle, it tasted like home.
Then…
Ding~
His spoon paused in the air.
“… Did you hear that?” he asked, confused.
Lia looked up. “Hear what?”
Before Kyle could answer, his vision blurred.
[Establishing connection…]
[User Identified: Kyle Wren.]
[Linking to World Evolution System… Please remain still.]
Everything went white.
Kyle found himself standing in a space that had no end, no floor, no ceiling. Just glowing white everywhere. Like someone had dropped him into a blank canvas.
“… What the hell?” he muttered, spinning around.
Suddenly, a panel blinked into existence before him, floating in mid-air.
[Initializing User Profile…]
[Assigned ID: WES-918276.]
[Welcome to the World Evolution System., Kyle Wren. Congratulations on reaching the Awakening Age.]
Kyle stared at the glowing texts popping up one after another. He felt excited as he pressed the glowing next button to see the next instructions.
[All individuals of awakening age are given one chance to draw their Talent.]
“So it’s really happening… my awakening.” He let out a shaky breath. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
A gift box rotating within the screen below which a button pulsed with warm glow.
[DRAW TALENT]
He hesitated. His heart pounded.
Kyle rubbed his hands nervously. “Okay… okay, c’mon. Something good. Something strong.”
He reached forward and touched it.
The box started to rotate and spun faster till it got blasted and a single orb floating on the screen.
His instinct told him, he needed to touch the orb. So, he touched the dimly glowing orb on the screen.
The orb flashed.
Ding~ Ding~ Ding~
A string of words came to life one by one.
[Congratulations! You have awakened the Talent successfully.]
[Talent: Bubble]
[Rank: None]
Kyle stared. “… What?”
“Bubble? That’s it? No rank? Not even E or F?”
He felt like someone had just punched him in the gut.
“…BUBBLE?” He shouted into the empty space, throwing his hands up. “Is this a joke?! Is someone watching me right now?”
There was no reply. Just the gentle blink of the panel, like it didn't care what was the person was feeling.
Kyle ran his hands through his hair. “Bubble, A talent that is neither fall into known talent list and also have no rank. What am I gonna do with that? Play with kids?”
He slumped down or what felt like down, even though there was no floor.
His heart thudded with disappointment. He could already hear the mockery if anyone found out. Even Dustborns with flame sparks or weak healing had something. They could at least work outside using their power.
And he got… this.
But then, another screen flickered on.
[Would you like to unlock your Personal Stat Panel?]
[Y/N]
He stared at the screen quietly.
“… Sure,” Kyle muttered. “Might as well see how screwed I really am.”
He tapped [Y].
Kyle stared forward till another screen popped up in front of him.
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