Monster Hunters

Chapter Six

Talented

"Are you ready to get awakened??", Nikita's voice resounded through Jacob's mind. Looking at the large building in front of him, Jacob knew that this was his starting point. Taking another deep breath, Jacob nodded, his expression gradually getting calm.

"Then follow me", Nikita said, and led the way.

Trailing silently behind her, Jacob looked at everything they passed by, all the beeping sounds of automated machines serving as music ushering him into the world of Awakeneds.

He could not help but feel a little self-conscious, because every other person passing by looked sophisticated, while looked like a typical high schooler from earth.

Shrugging it off, Jacob shifted his gaze forward, but soon came to a halt; for he couldn't find Nikita anywhere. Looking around in a panicked manner, he still couldn't find her anywhere. Coming to the realization that this might be a test, he calmed down. Looking around one more time, he asked the system in his mind; 'System, is there any trace of Nikita nearby??'

**Yes, She is behind the pane of glass in front of host.

She is also watching you**

Hearing the system, Jacob confirmed his thoughts. But since the existence of the system was a secret, he couldn't reveal the fact that he knew where she was, because he couldn't even see any glass in front of him. If not for the system, he wouldn't have been able to know that there was a pane of glass in front of him.

Shuffling through his memories, he retraced his steps and returned to the reception hall.

Walking towards a random receptionist, he greeted him politely and asked; "I'm here to take the Awakening test, can you please point me towards the Testing Centre??"

The receptionist looked at him and asked; "Name??"

"Jacob, Jacob Nicholas", he replied

"Wait, are you the Nicholas' kid??", shocked the receptionist asked.

"Yes, I am"

"Kid, I'm sorry about your parents death, it came as a shock when we heard it, it was pretty unfortunate what happened"

"Thank you"

"Are you coping well??, your parents made quite a lot of friends here, you can ask any of us if you need anything"

"I'm good, thank you, can you please point me towards the Testing Centre??"

"Wait a minute kid, you want to take the Awakening test??"

"Yes, I just told you that", Jacob said exasperatedly, wondering why someone this slow could be accepted as a receptionist.

"You do know that taking the Awakening test depends on talent, right??. I mean, although the talent of parents does not determine the talent of their kids, it would still be quite a stretch for you to have the talent, not that I'm mocking you or anything kid"

Rolling his eyes, Jacob wondered whether this was also a test, to determine how strong his will was.

"Thank you, I know that, but I still want to give it a go"

"Kid, I know the person in charge of interviews for receptionist's post, I can put in a good word for you, and you might even be given the post of an assistant receptionist straight away. You know how your parents climbed up from being mere cleaners to assistant receptionists, you can directly skip the cleaning job", the receptionist said, acting all gracious and righteous.

"Can you just give me a map of the building??", Jacob said, resisting the urge to punch the receptionist in the face.

"Young people sure are rash, if you insist, then follow me", the receptionist said and stood up, muttering "Ungrateful", under his breath.

Following the man, Jacob made sure to keep the receptionist straight in his sights, in case the awkward situation repeats itself.

Turning a corner, the receptionist stopped and dipped into a respectful bow. "Greetings to Young Master Tianis"

Looking at the person called Young Master, Jacob saw a young man, looking to be around his age, pitch black hair, muddy brown eyes, a slightly crooked nose and a straight jaw. The man seemed to radiate arrogance just by standing there. As Jacob was looking at the the man, Tianis was also looking at Jacob. Seeing how Jacob dared to look him straight in the eye and did not bow, Tianis got annoyed.

"Who is this", Tianis asked the receptionist

"Oh, him??, he is here to take the Awakening test. He is the Nicholas' couple's only son"

"Oh, Merely the son of assistant receptionists, daring to take the Awakening test, does he think this is a joke or what??", Tianis said, not bothering to mask his disdain for Jacob.

"I also told him, Young Master Tianis, but he refused, saying he wants to give it a go, since he doesn't know the immensity of the heavens, I decided to let him see for himself", the receptionist replied, not even sparing a glance at Jacob. Amused, Jacob stood with his hands in his pocket, looking at them, the way people look at monkeys playing around in a zoo.

"What does he think my White Hunters guild is, an orphanage??, tell him to scram away while I'm still in a good mood", Tianis said arrogantly. Hearing the word, Orphanage, Jacob got angry;

"Who the hell do you think you are??, from what I know, people are allowed to come and attempt the Awakening test, so who are you to tell me to scram??", Jacob retorted angrily.

"Do you even think you have the qualifications to know who I am, talk less of you talking to me. You are nothing but a mere assistant receptionist's son, scram before I get angry", Tianis said, getting more arrogant by the minute.

Looking around, Jacob saw that the hallway they were in was getting crowded, with people stopping to watch the show.

"Why don't you make me scram??", Jacob said, ready to activate the Wind Walk skill, should things get messy.

"Alright, that's enough", a familiar charming voice broke the tension, looking towards the direction of the voice, Jacob saw Nikita. Hearing her voice, the people who stopped to watch the show disbanded, bowing respectfully and muttering "Miss", anytime they walk past her, it was obvious Nikita had more authority than Tianis.

"Miss Nikita, what a pleasure seeing you here", Tianis said, beaming with a fawning smile, no speck of arrogance present in his expression.

"Well, it's not a pleasure seeing you here, since I saw you harassing my guest", Nikita said, not moved by the fawning expression on Tianis's face.

"Guest, I didn't know you have a guest here, where is this guest of yours, if I might ask??", Tianis asked respectfully.

"My guest is standing right in front of you, and you humiliated him", Nikita said, clicking her tongue.

"Him??", Tianis said, pointing towards Jacob, disgust apparent in his voice.

"Let's go Jacob, the equipment is ready", Nikita said, no longer bothering to bicker with Tianis.

Following behind her, Jacob left the hallway, also not bothering to spare a glance at either Tianis or the receptionist.

'Who the hell does he think he is, daring to walk closely behind Nikita', Tianis thought, gritting his teeth in anger.

'I will teach him a lesson', Tianis swore, glaring hatefully at the place Jacob turned the corner. Scoffing, he flicked his sleeves and left.

Jacob followed Nikita inside a room, painted all white and with equipments poking out here and there.

"The Awakening test is quite simple, just walk up to that little orb there and place your hands on it. It would then change colour according to the Magic you awaken", Nikita said, introducing the process to him.

Nodding in understanding, Jacob walked up to the orb and took a deep breath.

"Place your hands on the orb on my signal", the attendant instructed Jacob.

Nodding again, Jacob waited as the attendant pushed some buttons on a screen in front of him. Beside Jacob, Nikita gave him a thumbs up.

"Okay, place your hands there", the attendant said.

Taking another deep breath, Jacob placed his hands on the orb. Almost immediately, he got a notification.

**Ding,

A foreign consciousness is trying to probe into host's spiritual sea, allow the probing??**

'Yes, allow it', Jacob said.

A few moments later, Jacob felt something, it felt as if someone was trying to connect him with something, letting go of himself, Jacob closed his eyes and let the connection take place.

"He awakened the shadow element", the voice of the attendant brought Jacob back to consciousness. Opening his eyes, he saw the attendant looking at the orb, looking down also, Jacob saw that the colour of the orb, which was originally white, had turned pitch black, indicating the shadow element. Feeling relieved that he had the talent, Jacob was about to remove his hands when he felt something connecting to him again. Almost immediately, the colour of the orb changed from black to silver.

"Holy Cow, he awakened the space element too, he's a double Awakener", the surprised voice of the attendant said. Nikita, who was always smiling was also stunned, her mouth wide open. 'Double Awakener??, wow', Jacob also thought, surprised and happy at the same time. As he was about to remove his hands, he felt something trying to connect again, but then, he got a notification.

**Ding,

An Unknown Entity has severed the connection between host and the orb**

___________________

'What the heck was that', Jacob thought, stunned.