Chapter Nine: Awakening the Power

Ma Cang was momentarily stunned, a sense of foreboding rising within him as he quickly retreated. In that instant, a dazzling sword light sliced through the air—a D-class short sword named "Allure," flickering with an eerie blue-red glow.

Despite Ma Cang’s desperate attempts to dodge, the blade still grazed his left shoulder, leaving a vivid red wound.

“So fast... How can he be this fast? This human’s physical development has surpassed ten percent. It’s not just speed—his strength as well.”

Ma Cang’s face turned ashen; he understood the gulf between their abilities. There was no way he could win against his opponent now. He might as well consider the other as someone with an unlocked ability already.

Many onlookers’ eyes lit up, recognizing the immense power behind Xia Yan’s strike.

His strength had far exceeded the limits of the human body—by a considerable margin, just like his speed.

“What’s going on here? I’ve never heard of anyone whose physical development surpassed human limits before unlocking their ability.”

“Even among those with unlocked powers, you usually need at least twenty, even twenty-five percent brain development to push your body past ten percent.”

“This guy’s playing by his own rules!”

“No wonder Lady Gong Kui allowed them to fight. Turns out this transfer student’s physical development is downright terrifying.”

Even those with unlocked abilities looked on in surprise. After sizing up Xia Yan’s strength, they realized that even among ability users, he was at least above average—perhaps even higher.

But this guy hadn’t even unlocked his ability yet! If he did, just how powerful would he become?

Could it be that he’s another member of the “Agency Management”?

Xia Yan remained composed, studying Ma Cang, intent only on ending the fight. He needed to knock his opponent out without striking any vital points—otherwise, it wouldn’t be a spar, but a killing.

In a flash, Xia Yan reentered the fray, his Allure slicing at Ma Cang from a confounding angle.

“Can’t block it—he’s too fast.” Ma Cang’s eyes widened in alarm. In a surge of blood and adrenaline, his body suddenly expanded, swelling to at least two and a half meters tall; his appearance turned monstrous, neither fully human nor beast.

“He’s from the werewolf clan,” several members murmured, surprised. It was rare indeed for someone to awaken their bloodline before unlocking an ability.

“It’s said that werewolves can’t fly when their bloodline is activated, but their physical stats get a massive boost.”

“Looks like the fight might be even now. With the bloodline awakened, the werewolf’s physical development might just match the transfer student.”

“Hard to say. With such low brain development, the werewolf’s bloodline boost will be brief. Once he burns out, he’ll lose for sure.”

“Yeah, poor guy. Normally, in this state, he’d have a guaranteed win against someone without an unlocked ability. But unlucky for him, he ran into this transfer student who defies all logic—he’s completely outmatched.”

For Xia Yan, this was his first time facing a werewolf. Their bloodline boost made Ma Cang’s reflexes much sharper; he even managed to dodge Xia Yan’s slash.

But Xia Yan wasn’t concerned. He still held the upper hand and could dictate the pace. It was clear that ending the fight in seconds was no longer possible; a drawn-out battle was inevitable.

Maintaining his overwhelming speed advantage, Xia Yan pressed his attack. However, the werewolf’s defense was formidable—a sword strike at forty or fifty percent power barely broke the skin.

In truth, Xia Yan wasn’t going all out, not in front of so many people. Both his strength and speed were carefully reined in.

The onlookers were speechless at the scene before them.

“He’s a freak…”

“Yeah, even facing a bloodline-awakened werewolf, he’s still dominating.”

“With no ability unlocked, this is just unnatural. His physical development must be at least eleven percent.”

“I’d say at least twelve.”

“Maybe even thirteen.”

Physical development, in fact, was far more advantageous than brain development. After all, abilities appeared only at fifteen percent brain development, but physical development was considered monstrous above ten percent.

Half a minute passed.

Xia Yan waited, biding his time for the werewolf to exit his berserk state—then victory would be his.

“No, I can’t lose. How could I possibly lose?”

Ma Cang was in disbelief. Even in his werewolf form, he was being suppressed, unable to even counterattack. It wasn’t that he was too weak—the other was simply too strong.

“No, I can’t lose,” Ma Cang raged inwardly. “Lady Gong Kui is watching. If I lose, she’ll be disappointed. It’ll be nearly impossible to join her side in the future.”

“Lady Gong Kui is here. I absolutely cannot lose. How could I lose!”

Driven to near-madness, Ma Cang’s mind suddenly cleared. It was as if he sensed something, a thread of insight that he quickly seized upon. In his mind, a flame ignited, and a strange energy surged through his body.

Stunned at first, Ma Cang was soon elated beyond measure—he had unlocked his ability!

“My power—I’ve done it!” Ma Cang cried out in wild laughter, his werewolf form receding.

The onlookers were stunned as well; none had expected that under certain defeat, the werewolf would awaken his ability.

Originally, the two were competing for a single “ability awakening test” slot. Xia Yan had the victory in hand, but now that the werewolf had awakened his power, the contest was rendered moot. Still, many felt that even with his new ability, unless it was a direct counter to Xia Yan, the werewolf stood no chance—the transfer student’s physical prowess was simply too overwhelming.

Xia Yan stepped back, watching the werewolf before him, his attack halted. The werewolf stood with eyes closed, apparently exploring his new power, and Xia Yan let him be.

About thirty seconds passed before Ma Cang opened his eyes, his face radiant with joy.

“This match is over, isn’t it?” Xia Yan’s voice was cold.

“Wait,” Ma Cang barked. “It’s not over yet.”

“Oh?” Xia Yan’s gaze turned icy and sharp.

“Unless you surrender, or one of us is knocked out, it isn’t finished.” Ma Cang sneered at Xia Yan. “And if you lose, you must give up the spot.”

“Why?” Xia Yan’s tone was dangerous.

“We agreed before the match: only the winner gets the slot. The loser has no claim.”

Ma Cang scoffed.

“If you lose, you don’t deserve it. If I win, I can give it up—but not to you.”

Ma Cang’s arrogance was palpable, as if unlocking his power had guaranteed his victory.

“I see...” Xia Yan seemed thoughtful.

“Understand this, boy: these are the rules of our duel,” Ma Cang growled. “Now, let me show you what my power can do. You’ll see just how vast the gulf between us really is!”

“No, there’s no need. It’s a waste of my time.”

Xia Yan shook his head, took a few steps back, and drew his D203 Frenzy.

He fired three shots. In that split second, Xia Yan’s instincts as a marksman told him exactly what the outcome would be.

Without another glance, he turned and strode toward the training room doors. The fight was finished.

A muffled grunt rang out—Ma Cang’s arm had been pierced by a bullet, flesh and blood spraying from the wound.

The D203 Frenzy was immensely powerful; if Ma Cang hadn’t transformed again in that instant, his arm might have been blown apart.

He collapsed, stunned, unable to comprehend why, even after unlocking his ability, he’d been crushed so completely.

The difference was simply too great—even with an awakened power, he stood no chance at all.

The crowd erupted in astonishment. None could believe that this transfer student, Xia Yan, was an even better marksman than close-combat fighter.

It sent chills down their spines—a werewolf with an awakened power couldn’t even dodge three shots. It was absurd.

Gong Kui, the top-ranked member of the organization, smiled faintly, a glimmer of wicked amusement in her eyes.

...

Ability Training Institute, Central Tower, 17th Floor—Ability Awakening Section.

Led by staff, Xia Yan entered the sealed chamber.

“Please put on the helmet,” the attendant instructed.

“What do I need to do?” Xia Yan asked.

“Not much. The supercomputer will simulate according to your personal data, perform extensive calculations, and then use that data and energy to assist you in awakening your ability. The process takes two hours—if you’re lucky, you might awaken within an hour, but if it goes over two hours, it’s considered a failure.”

“Understood,” Xia Yan replied, donning the helmet and sinking into a sea of kaleidoscopic colors.

Outside the chamber, Tao Lu waited, bored. As Xia Yan’s partner, she didn’t have to be with him at all times, but she was curious about the ability awakening process, so she’d decided to stay and watch.

The ability Xia Yan awakened would largely decide their future path together. She hoped he’d gain a strong combat ability.

“Hm?” Tao Lu glanced up to see someone approaching—Gong Kui.

She frowned; her impression of Gong Kui wasn’t particularly good, but not terrible either. If she had to rank Gong Kui, Lian, and Gu Yue’er together, then Gong Kui was the least objectionable of the three.

“Miss Tao Lu.” Gong Kui greeted her with a customary smile.

“What are you doing here?” Tao Lu asked, irritation showing.

“This slot was approved thanks to me,” Gong Kui replied with a smile. “So I wanted to come see for myself. I’m curious, after all.”

Tao Lu pouted, clearly displeased.

“Miss Tao Lu, would you two consider joining my team?” Gong Kui asked with a smile.

Tao Lu turned aside, listless. “What’s in it for us?”

Though she asked, it was clear she wasn’t very interested.

“For example... the lowest mortality rate for members. For example... I can assign your missions more reasonably,” Gong Kui said. “Your superior, Lian, has an extremely high casualty rate among his people. Take that ‘Reaper’ Gu Yue’er—her three previous partners were all under Lian’s command.”

“Why is it so high? Just coincidence?” Tao Lu asked sharply.

“I don’t know,” Gong Kui shook her head. “But I’ll look into it. Fortunately, Gu Yue’er’s fourth partner hasn’t run into trouble yet.”

“If trouble comes, or someone dies, your investigation will be too late,” Tao Lu retorted, turning away.

At that moment, the chamber door opened.

“Awakening already? It’s only been an hour.” Tao Lu was surprised.

“No, not even an hour—just thirty-seven minutes. Remarkably fast!” Gong Kui was astonished as well.

Xia Yan emerged from the main entrance, barely able to believe that he had awakened his power.

With a thought, flames layered over his hands, shrouding them in fire.

Another thought—his entire body was wrapped in flame, forming an armor-like substance.

A third thought—and countless flames detached from his body, swirling around him.

It was an elemental ability—Fire Element.

Xia Yan smiled with satisfaction. He, too, had awakened his power. He was one step closer to rescuing Ding Li, and now, with this newfound strength, he could better protect everything he cared about.