Chapter Three : Copying my First Talent

[Enroll in the Bronx Academy and secure your future now]

[Want to be a beast hunter and live a good life, Bronx is the way!]

[Registration ends in a week time]

"Huh, another floating advertisement. I wonder how long it would have taken my world to get to this stage". He said to himself while weaving through the market he just entered.

He thought about Bronx Academy. The third and lowest Academy in the city.

Bronx was where the commoners and anyone who couldn't afford to go to Pearl ended up in.

Pearl was for the wealthy folks and the elites of the city, your good money could buy you a spot in it.

And lastly was Ruby Academy. One could only get in with a high talent rank, which must be at least a B Rank.

Upon getting home, he did his registration for Bronx Academy, got a smart watch delivered to him from the school as he prepared for the resumption date after informing his sister of his decision. As usual, she was exceedingly glad.

A week later, on a Monday morning under the gaze of the scorching sun, a lot of students trooped in after scanning their identity card. They were all directed by staffs to the assembly hall for an orientation session.

It wasn't boring since it was very brief, but there were two important things Jake noted.

Firstly, was the ranking system and reward points.

The other had to do with the boarding system. Since human nature hasn't changed even in another world or timeline, segregation still existed. That's your Talent grade would determine which hall you would be in.

'Beep!'

A holographic message popped out of the screen, which only he could see.

"Report to Class C Jake French".

"ohh"

He muttered softly, while still walking casually as other students could be seen bustling around. But then there were some who were just like him; just dragging their feet, so they don't stay put and look idle.

Going through his schedule, first was a meeting with his class room teacher, after that was a two-hour lesson and then dorm room allocation.

Politely knocking on the door, he peeped in before entering. Before him was everyone, already seated and the home room teacher standing before them, immaculately dressed with a pretty smile.

"Jake right ?"

She asked while he closed the door.

"Yes ma'am "

With all attention on him he wasn't distressed.

"I guess you saw my message" she asked, this time turning around to face him properly.

"Oh yes, I did. Didn't know I was invited for a gathering, I would have hastened my pace". He said curtly.

"You weren't invited Jake, you ought to be here. Move in and take a seat, yeah the last one at the back".

"Thanks"

With a brief bow, he walked to the back of the classroom.

"Good morning once again guys. Now you all are complete. We can start with the personal introduction, I would go first, then you my dear, till the last person has spoken. Understood ?"

"Yes ma'am "

There was a uniform chorus from everyone.

"Call me Miss Sherly, your home room teacher. My talent rank is C and my ability is my business."

Taking a moment to laugh at her own joke, she continued.

Next was a dark haired boy with big glasses, he stuttered at first, but with Miss Sherly reassuring smilies he was soon sailing smoothly, like a new vessel.

This continued until it got to Jake turn. He stood up and for a moment gazed upon them all, then to Miss Sherly before speaking.

"The name is Jake French. I just have two things in mind; to provide for my sister and the other to take life easy. My talent rank is F".

As he sat down, the whispering and comments stood up.

"F Rank?"

"An F rank that's late for class, and doesn't want to put in the work ?"

"That makes five of 'em."

"it would be fun seeing them failing and dropping out".

Miss Sherly stared at Jake curiously. She noticed how the other students who were also F Rank, were embrassed to say their rank out loud, but the young man didn't care at all. He casually said it like it wasn't his.

"Alright that will be all for this session. After our lesson, you can meet up with those that have caught your fancy, for now, everyone shut it"

Immediately, decorum was restored.

"I would be taking you on the course energy essence".

"Every one has at most two months to know it, if not you would be dropped. To be a beast hunter, one must know how to absorb the energy essence, either the free one in nature or from beast cores."

There was whispers which quickly hushed down

"Without it, you can't grow your energy essence pool and thus you can't use your abilities.

Also your Talent rank would determine how easy and fast you can absorb this energy essence, the higher the faster. But it doesn't mean the F ranks can't do it too."

Looking briefly at Jake, she continued.

"But what you need to know is this, follow my instructions and between three weeks, most of you would get a hang of it and even the late bloomers wouldn't reach the two months."

Quickly she listed the steps and explained each in details, taking her time, while answering any questions the students had for the next two hours.

"Alright, that's it for today. Tomorrow we shall continue. Until then, report to your dormitory".

"All Rank E and F would be in the bronze dorm, C and D in the silver, A and B in the Gold dormitory. For now, the Gold dormitory is locked as no first year with such talent have reported in. So you know what to do, find your way around the campus and settle down. You have the day off".

Just as she finished, almost everyone was elated as some folks quickly rushed out to see their new abode. Jack was in no hurry as he quietly walked out of the class and headed for his hall.

Two weeks flew by like the lifespan of a pygmy gobies as all the students had settled down and everyone was focused on learning how to absorb energy essence. For the first years, there was only one Rank C at the moment, a pretty blonde who had quite a lot of admirers because of her beauty and being the top dog amongst her peers, and as usual, some were willing to lick her ass. Far as Jack was concerned, he needed her for one thing, and that's to test his special ability once again and copy the highest rank he had come across so far.

"At last, a good specimen has arrived" He said to himself, when he overheard some girls talking about how pretty she was. Some were already betting on the new girl, Priscilla to be the first to pass the energy essence absorbing test.

Today was the day he choose to copy Priscilla talent. Waiting at the center square, resting behind a pillar and well out of sight, he popped a candy as he waited for her arrival.

"Oh there she's, the school princess"

He chuckled to himself, as he spat out what was left in his mouth into a waste bin and made his way towards her. He had to avoid been suspicious as she had a lot of followers, including the paranoid ones that wouldn't want a strand of hair to be hurt on their majesty head.

With a big smile plastered on his face, he got closer to the little gathering that was increasing in numbers. He could hear her pleasant voice exchanging greetings with both friends and strangers. Standing on his toes, he stretched his right hand as his body weight pushed into another male fan in front of him.

"Sorry I just want to stand closer to her majesty" He said politely with a flattering tone.

"ohh, of course".

The young chap immediately gave way for Jack who was surprised but nevertheless accepted the kind gesture.

'That easy?' he thought as his finger tips grazed her arm briefly and lightly, without the girl’s noticing.

"Cold"

He mumbled as he felt slight shivers down his spine.

Ding!

[ C Talent Rank Copied.]

[Do you want to activate it? ]

[Yes / No]

It worked!