"What exactly does it mean to use a skill?"
Nawa raised his hand high and shouted the question, face serious and sincere.
Every head in the hall snapped toward him.A beat passed—then came laughter, whispers, and sneers.
"Are you kidding? Someone still doesn't know what a skill is? How stupid can you be and still dare apply to become a Player?"
"He probably means he doesn't know how to activate one. He's not an Asashi student like us, so it's not strange if he hasn't been trained."
"Pfft. Just some nobody trying his luck in the One-Ness. At best he'll end up a labor-type Player. Why is he wasting time asking about skills?"
But the real reason Nawa asked wasn't ignorance.His mental ability—Telekinesis—was an outlier.
People believed telekinesis could only move objects externally.It was the only psychic ability that had never been properly developed into a formal skill.
That meant whatever technique he had created for himself might not be considered legitimate.If he used it incorrectly, he might break the rules.So he asked—just to be absolutely sure.
The female examiner blinked, realizing her oversight.
"My apologies. I forgot there are participants today who aren't from Asashi Academy. In that case, allow me to explain properly."
She paused a moment, then continued:
"A skill is the act of enhancing one's own combat abilities—speed, accuracy, power, defense—using the psychic ability one is proficient in. As long as you do not use external items or artifacts, it is considered valid."
She stepped toward the attack-testing field.
"I'll demonstrate."
She lifted her palm.In an instant, blue aura-like energy flowed from her body, condensing around her hand until it resembled a blade.
"This is Skill: Blade, a Rank C offensive enhancement.
It's based on the psychic ability Bio-Control, which allows a person to stimulate their cells to release aura and concentrate it in one point to amplify power."
"My base attack stat is around 350. Now let's see what happens when I add the Blade skill."
She surged forward.
BANG!
Her aura-wrapped palm slammed into the testing pillar.The machine shook violently, though it remained intact.
The number on the display shot up: 1,298
"As you can see, using a skill can multiply one's power by four or more. And if I used it on a weapon or artifact, the destructive force would increase even further.
This is how Players kill monsters whose hides are tougher than steel—even without advanced weaponry."
She turned to Nawa and sighed softly.
"Still… the One-Ness is incredibly dangerous. Even High-Rank Players can die if they let their guard down. If you are unsure of your own capabilities, it may be wiser to wait and grow stronger before stepping inside."
She truly hoped he would reconsider.She had personally approved his participation despite the irregularities in earlier tests.If he were to die in the One-Ness… some part of that would be on her.
But Nawa simply nodded—not in agreement to withdraw, but in acknowledgment of her sincerity.He knew better than anyone how deadly the One-Ness was.He had survived monsters far beyond his level only through sheer luck.
Yet he would not turn back.
As soon as the examiner finished speaking, a storm of chatter erupted among the Asashi students.They were discussing which skills to use for the test.Everyone wanted a Title.
Prestige aside, titles attracted powerful guilds.A title meant recognition—and recognition meant opportunities, sponsorships, and protection.
In the One-Ness, there were no police, no legal system.A Player without a guild was a sheep among wolves.
Guilds needed strong Players.
Strong Players needed strong guilds.
It was mutual dependency.
Nawa, however, wasn't particularly focused on guilds.
He needed money—money for his father's treatment.
Still, he very much wanted a title.Titles came with discounts and privileges…and after seeing the prices offered to Players, he wanted every advantage he could get.
He watched as the Asashi students took the field one by one, each using different skills.Speed boosters, defense amplifiers, accuracy enhancers—every type imaginable.
Most chose to test in the Attack Power section, where the machines were more advanced than anything Nawa had seen before.
Aside from measuring physical force, they could detect heat, cold, and various debuff-type energies, then calculate total output via AI.
Many students used skills similar to the examiner's demonstration.Some created intense heat or cold from their palms.Though none were as powerful as her, several still scored over 200, earning the title "One to Watch."
But none had yet crossed the 500-point threshold needed to become a "Newborn Genius."
Then suddenly the hall erupted in excitement.Natee stepped into the testing area.
The top student of Asashi Academy.
The one with the highest base stats today.
Everyone expected him to earn the Genius title.He lowered his stance, fists clenched.
A deep rumble emanated from his body.Red aura surged from him like boiling steam.
Vwoom… VWOOM!
"That's— That's Berserka Skill, isn't it!?"
A student shouted in disbelief.
"The red flame-like aura—yes! I've seen High-Rank Players use it! It boosts everything—attack, speed, defense—massively!"
"No way! Berserka is a Rank B skill. Even some High-Rank Players fail to master it! How can a second-year student use it!?"
Natee shot forward like a falling star.
BOOM!
His fist struck the test pillar with devastating force.
The number climbed rapidly— 989
With a base attack of 225,
Natee had scored over 700 points—far beyond any other candidate.
Cheers exploded across the testing hall.
In the past five years, tens of thousands had taken this exam,
but only a few dozen had ever earned the title Newborn Genius.
And today, Natee had joined that elite group.But the shock didn't stop there.The other three members of the Four Heavenly Kings also scored above 500, earning the same title.
Somchai used the High Defense skill, boosting his defense score over 500.
Mai, the big-eyed girl, scored nearly 700 in the speed test.
And the last girl—Ploy, whom Nawa strangely felt he'd seen before—used a Regeneration Skill.Her score: 725
Not quite Natee's level, but still extraordinary.It was the first time in history that Asashi Academy had produced four Newborn Geniuses in a single year.
Once their tests ended, the remaining candidates were far less impressive.
And before long, the final examinee stepped forward.
Nawa.