Talent Awakening: I, the Weakest Awakened, Start with Dragonfire Spell

[Soul Devour(SS-level active skill) ]

[Level: 1]

[Attributes: Targets a single entity, releasing a Soul Chain that binds the target. Unless dispelled by an attack, the Soul Chain remains indefinitely. While the Soul Chain is active, it draws 5% of the target's attack power, converting it to the user's attack power. Every 5 seconds of connection drains 1% of the target's HP, transferring it to the user's HP. If the user's HP is at its maximum, it overflows to MP. If the target is slain while linked by the Soul Chain, the user's Soul Theft count increases by 10.]

[Cooldown time: 60 seconds]

[Consumption: 1100 mana points] 

[Proficiency: 0/100]

"Wait, what?! If I slay a target while they're bound by the chain, my Soul Theft kill count goes up by 10?"

"This skill... it's related to the Soul Theft ability?"

Reading this line, Howard's pupils sharply constricted. 

If he had previously believed that the academy was rewarding him, or perhaps someone had inadvertently left a SS-level skill book in the special Storage Bag, now he was certain: this skill book was undeniably left for him by Wales.

With this realization, Wales' behavior started to make sense.

Howard's mind raced, murmuring, "Of course! He must have discerned that I've mastered Soul Theft, which explains his behavior towards me! If he's providing me with a complementary skill book, it suggests he's familiar with Soul Theft, or perhaps Soul Devour? He might even have attained a considerable level of proficiency with it. Otherwise, how could he be a mentor within the Holy Abyss Academy?"

"But what's the connection? Why would he, a complete stranger to me, gift such a potent skill book?"

The deeper Howard pondered, the more perplexed he became. 

After a moment's hesitation, he resolved to seek out Wales and clear up this mystery.

Having tidied up his belongings, Howard was just about to descend the stairs when he saw Abby approaching head-on.

"Howard!" Upon spotting him, Abby energetically lunged forward, beaming, "I was just about to call you out for a stroll and a meal, and here you are. Seems like our hearts are truly in sync!"

Seeing Abby brimming with such enthusiasm, Howard chose not to reveal his original intent. After all, she was his lady and deserved to be indulged.

As for seeking out Wales? There was no immediate rush. Being a mentor within the academy, Wales wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Deep within, Howard grew more curious about the hidden secrets following Soul Devouring.

Thanks to Glyn's earlier introduction, both Howard and Abby had learned how to dispel the mist. 

With their student cards in hand and by whispering the incantation, the fog would dissipate.

Navigating through the mist, Howard and Abby found themselves back in the bustling city. 

Even though the street they were on was specifically designed for those who had awakened their talents, as dusk settled, it remained dotted with numerous figures.

At this moment, a building that had kept its doors shut during the day was now illuminated with lights.

It was unmistakably a tavern!

The tavern had no signboard, nor a name. 

Yet many awakened, clad in armors and leathers, jovially entered with laughter and camaraderie, creating a ceaseless flow of patrons.

Compared to the tavern, the buildings of the major guilds didn't see much activity, with only a few sporadic entries.

All along the way, the individuals Howard and Abby encountered seemed particularly rushed, barely even noticing the two.

This caught Abby off guard. 

With her beauty, though not earth-shattering, it was enough to leave many momentarily entranced in Saint City. 

This stark contrast naturally filled her with confusion.

The reality was neither a slight on Abby's appearance nor a testament to an abundance of beauties in Adia City. 

Rather, the people had simply become desensitized!

While the defenses of Adia City were as robust as a fortress, those who wished to reside and seek protection within its walls also bore responsibilities.

Every awakened individual who had opted for the Combat Class after their class selection had to venture outside the city once a week to gather sufficient spoils of war. 

Failing to do so would lead to penalties and a reduction in household resources.

Thus, the inhabitants of Adia City, having faced life and death situations, had long grown numb inside.

A stunning beauty, or even hundreds, thousands of them, wouldn't hold a candle to a monster's carcass in their eyes!

Of course, this situation spared Howard and Abby a lot of potential troubles.

Navigating the streets without hindrance, they soon found themselves amidst a surging throng, where thousands had converged.

Drawing from his memory, Howard first located the General Store and sold off the materials and equipment he had previously acquired, only to pocket a mere 27 gold coins.

It was primarily the high-level monsters that yielded more gold coins. 

Coupled with the reward from the Holy Abyss Academy, Howard still had about 60 gold coins on hand – a veritable fortune for the common man.

"The earnings are scant without slaying Extraplanar creatures. It seems I'll need to find ways to defeat more high-level bosses, or Extraplanar Creatures in the future," mused Howard, his pressing need for gold directing his thoughts towards these extraplanar beings.

Collecting his thoughts, Howard, accompanied by Abby, located another store, this one specializing in magus gear.

As individuals could select different classes, leading them to utilize distinct equipment and weapons, corresponding specialized shops naturally emerged.

"Esteemed guests, how may I assist you?" As Howard and Abby entered, a young woman dressed in black stockings and a short skirt approached them with the utmost courtesy, stating, "Our store offers everything from Bronze-grade equipment to Epic-grade equipment!"

Even though Adia City is the mightiest fortress in the Jano Province, the highest grade of equipment available for purchase is merely Epic-grade, showcasing the rarity of high-tier equipment.

To acquire Legendary-grade or even Supreme Artifact-grade equipment, one would presumably need to visit the core cities of the Alliance.

"Do you have Epic-grade equipment for sale?"

Upon hearing this, Abby's eyes sparkled. 

After all, her parents were renowned magnates in Saint City, and they had endowed her with a significant sum, giving her the confidence to inquire.

Just as the young saleswoman thought she'd encountered a major client, Howard interjected, "There's no need to look at the Epic-grade. How much of the same Bronze-grade equipment do you have?"

As his words settled, the saleswoman couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her mouth. 

Her interest in Howard and Abby waned as she casually responded, "We have quite a lot of Bronze-grade equipment. I haven't really taken stock."

Even in a world where the law of the jungle prevails, salespeople still earn commissions. 

Selling an Epic-grade piece certainly earns more than a Bronze-grade one, and with that, the saleswoman's enthusiasm noticeably dipped.

"Could you check if you have any Bronze-grade wrist guards? If you have 60 or 120 of them, just bundle them up for me. I'll take them all," Howard said, paying no mind to the young woman's previous demeanor. "Also, what's the lowest grade of skill book you have, and what are the available options?"

Hearing this, the young lady's eyes widened in astonishment. "Honored guest, did you just say you'd take them all?"

While the profit from a single Bronze-grade equipment might be minimal, the commission from selling hundreds at once could rival that of an Epic-grade piece.

In an instant, the saleswoman's entire body trembled with excitement, her eyes intently fixed on Howard.

"That's correct," Howard affirmed with a nod. "Please answer my question: What's the lowest-grade skill book you have on offer?"

Snapping back to reality as if from a dream, the young woman hastily replied, "Honored guest, the lowest we have is the D-level skill. We have various skills including Earthfire Blaze, Frostbite Assault, Cyclone Spell, Stonefall Spell, Thunderflash, and others from different elements."

"How many copies of Cyclone Spell do you have?" Howard inquired directly.

At this point, having already mastered the SS-level skills of Electro, Pyro, Geo, and Cryo, Howard immediately set his sights on the Pyro skill.

"I'll check. Honored guest, please wait a moment," the young woman said, bowing gracefully before heading to the back to inspect their inventory.

It wasn't until the young woman left that Abby murmured, "Howard, why are you buying low-grade equipment and skills? If you're short on money, I have plenty."

"It's not that," Howard replied softly. "For me, the lower-grade equipment and skill books are more valuable."

Seeing Abby about to question further, Howard quickly took her hand, urging in a hushed tone, "Trust me. Don't ask more."

"Alright." Abby, her hand held by Howard, refrained from probing further, though confusion lingered in her heart.

In a short while, the young lady returned, bearing a jade tray upon which rested two Storage Bags.

With utmost respect, she spoke, "Honored guest, we have sixty-five Bronze-grade wrist guards and sixty-seven copies of the Cyclone Spell. How many would you like?"

"I'll take them all. How much will that be?" Howard's decisive words immediately brought a gleam of excitement to the young woman's eyes.

Had Abby not been standing beside Howard, the saleswoman might have been tempted to offer him a round of heartfelt applause – a gesture of appreciation and an attempt to foster a bond, hoping he'd return to purchase more equipment and skill books in the future.