Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Energy degree
This was a gift from her parents. Many would dream of attending this school and taking the test, but he didn't. I just wanted to get tested anywhere and go home.
With slow, calm steps, he followed the path to a line, where a cluster of young people met.
In her mind, she just wanted peace and comfort. He even tried to lower his head to avoid eye contact.
However, as soon as he got in line, a girl, who was in front of him, looked up and greeted him cheerfully. - Hey!
"Hi," Leonardo replied dryly. It was clear that he didn't want to open a conversation.
- What's your name, Rumpled-Clothes Boy? - The girl proved to be much more persistent and excited than I expected. Until I provoked him.
But not even a small smile appeared on his face. In fact, this was the worst kind of person for Leonardo to talk to that day. Even though the girl had everything to be charming and charming, he still kept the same expression as he got out of bed.
- Leonardo Klevic. - Again, he replied dryly.
It was almost possible to see a vein dilate in the young woman's temple, but she still kept a cute smile on her cheerful face.
Five seconds passed, with her smiling, not opening her eyes, in his direction.
He looked at her, and she at him.
A shameful silence lasted.
Her lips trembled, until she couldn't take it anymore and yelled: - Aren't you going to ask my name?!
The scream made him start. As rude as it sounded, Leonardo just wasn't having a good day, so he responded dryly. Obviously, I wasn't there to talk or seek new friends.
So, squeezing one ear, he asked: - Why then didn't you say your name before asking mine?
- Out of politeness, of course! - answered. - Who says the name before asking the person's first? - It was her logic.
"What logic is this?" In Leonardo's mind, only that question passed. But, with all the patience that was left, he asked: - What would your name be, Girl-overexcited?
- Huhuhu. Glad you asked. My name is Charlotte Veneditte. She placed her hand at chest level, lifted her chin and closed her eyes with a proud smile.
As much as Leonardo disliked this type of person, he knew the history of the Veneditte family well. But for some reason, all that spunk Charlotte exuded bothered him a lot.
So, as if it were no big deal, he kept his face indifferent and said nothing.
The queue continued to lengthen and proceed slowly. However, Leonardo continued to look at the building he was heading towards, while Charlotte still continued to look at him, waiting for some reaction.
After a while, he couldn't take it anymore.
- Serious! Nothing? Nothing?!
A certain joy surged inside the boy, as if he had enjoyed seeing her react like that.
So, making it clear that he sounded sarcastic, he said, "Nothing, Charlotte Veneditte."
- Do you know! You knew and you didn't say anything!
- Did I need to say? - He asked. - Do you walk down the street questioning everyone if they know your family? For someone with so much class and education, it doesn't seem as bright.
It was visible to see the red color appear on Charlotte's face. This was an upper-class school, a school for rich and famous families, so I was hoping to make a friend of the same age, but all that was dry answers, sarcasm, and an insult.
In Leonardo's view, all the girl wanted was to show off. It was mildly irritating, but I had no intention of offending her.
"Yes, constructive criticism" firmly proposed that it did something good, and, as a gift, she would avoid continuing the conversation with him.
Charlotte was a blonde girl, slightly tall and not sporting luxurious clothes. Right now, she wore a knee-length dress, airy and light, that didn't show off her curves or physique.
She didn't like to be looked at with ulterior motives, so it wasn't like wearing more revealing clothes. When she saw the boy behind her, who didn't even look at her body or try to start a conversation, she saw an opportunity to talk better.
Right now, she was trying to hold back her urge to grab his shoulders and yell at him.
As much as he liked to be recognized, based on his family's merits, it was just family pride, not to feel superior, but to know what people knew as good deeds from his parents.
She took three deep breaths, closed her eyes and turned, waiting to walk.
More and more young people started chatting and mingling, even the other girls in front of Charlotte started talking to her.
Leonardo just wanted to go home and play something with his friends, but while he was thinking about the game's quests, he heard a man scream.
- Next!
When he noticed, Charlotte had already entered and was being tested among the many rooms.
He followed the path and stopped in front of the security guard who called him.
- Data? - he asked, waiting for Leonardo to pass the data on his nelink.
Without thinking too much, Leonardo activated the sharing of the nelink, a common tool, which was attached to the neck, like a metallic choker, where he could project the digital hologram in front of him.
At that time, the security guard read: - Leonardo Klevic, birth… 07/05/119… Brazil, Santa Catarina… Come in, room 25.
He nodded and entered, heading to the test room.
He passed many metal doors, numbered and silent, as if no one existed there.
As soon as he passed door 25, he came across a slender woman in office clothes. But what should have been charming about her was strangely dangerous; his gentle smile looked like a wicked smile, taking the person's full attention.
- What's it? Won't you sit down? - Asked the woman in surprise, but sounding like she noticed the reason.
At the time, Leonardo came out of his trance, nodded and sat down in the chair.
A young teenager would easily be caught in this woman's smile, so it was natural for him not to notice that he was standing like an idiot at the door.
- Nice to meet you, I'm Isabela. I would like to ask a few questions before taking the test.
It was the usual procedure for a test agent. Before actually starting, it should write down how the teenager's expectations are and, as soon as it is done, predict where it would fit best.
He just nodded.
- What do you intend to do if your Energy Degree is high and your Auct is up from Unusual Class? - She started asking him the most complex question.
The Energy Grade, or just Grade, referred to how long and how well a person was able to use their Auct - their super-ability. Besides being the true parameter for how much your Auct could evolve.
Auct was literally a person's gift. Some rare cases showed that even having a powerful Auct didn't prove anything if the person didn't have a corresponding Grade to use.
The opposite also occurred. A weak Auct wouldn't do any good, even if the person has a very high Energy Degree - which were extremely rare.
The most common cases were people with a low Grade and a weak Self. That's why there are so many people in their ordinary careers, even with superpowers.
Without thinking too much, Leonardo replied: - Honestly, if there is the case, I do not intend to help our country. This path is too dangerous. - The truth behind that answer was years of sadness for losing someone important.
"Uhum… I see…" She happened to sharpen her gaze, but not known any reaction beyond, and just noted it on the display attached to her side on the table. - As obvious as the answer seems, I need to ask… What if the opposite is true? If you have Low Grade and a Common or Lower Auct?
This question will be more complex for Leonardo, not because of difficulty, after all, he knew that the possibility of this was low - because of his parents - but for a moment it interested him.
For a second, a faint smile appeared on that sleepy, pale face.
So, his answer was: - Wouldn't it be interesting to try to change that?
- Like this? Isabela asked curiously, resting her chin on her hand.
- People give adjectives for everything... Weak, strong, high, low, rare, common... But... isn't that defined because of its real usefulness to people? If it's convenient, it'll be rated good, if it's inconvenient, it'll be called horrible... Wouldn't it be wonderful to change that? - Again, he smiled when he finished speaking.
- Léric, I take it? - Isabela asked, with great interest. - It's a great view, but there were only three cases of this, Leonardo.
- And you doubt there's more? The first took decades of years, but the other two came just two decades apart. We are the greatest proof that someone overcomes once, other people start to accomplish even more.
- You speak beautiful, Leonardo. I would like to see you prove it. Anyway, let's continue the questions. - His answer was sincere, but taking into account that this came from a teenager, his words were almost ignored.
The following questions were simple, careers, thoughts and experiences. All of them, Leonardo continued to answer without thinking much or expending many words.
Anyway, it's time for the test.
Isabela took out the Energy Degree meter. It was practically a small metal box, with a screen, for counting the energy, and a red gem attached on top.
This gem was taken from one of the many Portals. It served to accumulate energy and glowed more as energy was inserted. Its red color indicated that it was a mid-level gem, capable of powering up to Grade A energy. Something only a reputable college could afford.
Without waiting too long, Leonardo reached out, squeezing the yolk and did as he had been taught all his life: feel the energy flow through his body and lead him to the place he should.
At that time, a gem began to glow weakly, and the only thing that changed was the increased numbers on the box's screen.
1, 2, 3... 40... 80... 120... 190...
It started to increase, but very slowly, it was obvious that the energy in Leonardo wasn't running strong, it was a steady stream, but still calm.
Seeing this delay to increase, feeling weaker and weaker, not keeping your calm, getting apprehensive about the result.
When he got to 400, he stopped, and Leonardo was already panting.
Isabela sighed and smiled, saying and noting: - Grade D-.
His Grade was no biggie, even if his Auct made up for it, it was still a painful way to boost energy, even if just a little.
It was really bad. Much worse than expected.
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