Vanessa walked towards David.

  “What do you mean he’s a one-cup Awakener? Don’t play games with me, David. I lose my temper very quickly,” she said, staring into his eyes.

  David couldn’t breathe well.

  “How could I forget the reason she’s called the Velvet Blade? Just her glare feels like I’m being strangled.”

  “M-M-Miss Vanessa, please calm down. I would never joke about something so important—especially if you’re involved,” David said, pointing at the computer screen.

  “He’s a one-cup Awakener. His energy level is at Level 1, but his energy reserve is already fifty-four percent full,” David explained.

  “If he was a two-cup Awakener, his energy level would at least be Level 2, or his energy reserve would still be below twenty percent. But it’s the opposite.”

  “Is everything okay?” James asked nervously.

  He was completely ignored.

  “What about the immense amount of energy he had to absorb before his cup awakened? He was already stronger than most people who haven’t awakened. And you’re telling me his limit is already determined?” Vanessa asked furiously.

  David continued checking the computer, looking for a loophole—but none was found.

  “I’m sorry, Miss. But his potential is that of a Level 3 Awakener at best. He can’t even become a high-level Awakener,” David muttered with his head down.

  “Tch. I wouldn’t be so upset if the kid was already a failure… but how about the press? This could affect our reputation and our standing in the AUN,” Vanessa thought to herself, panicking.

  “Call Uncle. NOW,” Vanessa shouted at Debola, who was standing by the door.

  A phone call arrived in Jacob Adewale’s office.

  The voice began explaining the situation.

  “Is that confirmed?” Jacob asked.

  “Tell Vanessa to be at my office this evening.”

  Jacob ended the call and walked towards his favorite spot.

  But this time, it was different—the air around Jacob was violent.

  He took a step, and the window cracked. His expression was composed, but the aura he emitted wasn’t. The entire office began to break apart—the window shattered, his desk split—the room could not withstand the energy he was releasing.

  “I have to fix this mess,” Jacob whispered.

  Meanwhile…

  “Miss, the Chairman said he wants you at his office this evening,” Debola whispered to Vanessa.

  They left the Awakened Association. The press flooded them with questions, but all were ignored as they entered the car.

  James looked very confused. He knew something was wrong, but couldn’t find the right time to ask for an explanation.

  The car drove back to the house.

  “You can get the breakfast you missed now. I’ll see you later,” Vanessa said as James got out of the car.

  James went back to his room and laid on the bed.

  “I wonder what’s going on… Oh no, are they going to kick me out now? Probably. I could already tell by their expressions that they’ve lost interest in me,” James thought deeply until he finally fell asleep.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Vanessa arrived at the Genesis Center and went to the Chairman’s office.

  She noticed people repairing the room. Jacob gestured toward them, and they started leaving.

  Vanessa took a seat.

  “I may have heard it over the phone, but this time, I want a detailed explanation of what they meant by James being a one-cup Awakener,” Jacob said, staring at Vanessa.

  Vanessa explained the situation again.

  “This is a problem,” Jacob said, fingers interlocked.

  “If I had barely shown interest in him, it wouldn’t be so bad. But now I’ve already admitted to the world that he had my backing.”

  “Nigeria is barely holding on as one of the 12 leaders in the AUN. Losing more reputation now would significantly reduce our standing,” Vanessa said fiercely.

  “I realize that,” Jacob said, tapping his fingers on the desk.

  “Energy ore, elixirs, Awakeners… These are the qualities that determine a nation’s rise as one of the 12 leaders. We may have them all—except one.”

  “A national Awakener,” Vanessa added.

  “Exactly. Just having one alone can shake the world’s balance of power. Even if we have the quantity to make up for quality, it doesn’t change our position as the weakest of the 12,” Jacob replied.

  “You want me to get rid of him? He’s just a kid,” Vanessa said, her expression tense.

  “Losing more reputation now will greatly hinder our standing, especially with the World Break conference coming soon. We can’t let this matter get out,” Jacob said, tightening his hands into fists.

  “I wouldn’t have come to this decision if it weren’t for my carelessness in making it public. But now the media knows too much.”

  ---

  The next day, James woke up and went downstairs to grab more of his favorite meat.

  “What are you doing here?” James asked, surprised to see Vanessa on the sofa again.

  “I didn’t know it was illegal to barge into my own house,” Vanessa replied.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” James said.

  “Is she already here to kick me out? I was planning to get as much food as I could,” James thought, panicking in his mind.

  “So, is there a reason you’re here?” James nervously asked.

  Vanessa stared at him.

  “I need you to clear another void break,” she said.

  “But I already awakened?” James looked confused.

  “Just do as you’re told,” Vanessa replied.

  “I haven’t had breakfast yet,” James pointed toward the dining table.

  “Whatever. I’ll wait,” Vanessa said, folding her legs.

  James had his breakfast, then went upstairs to change into his combat gear before heading out to the new void break.

  “Is there something wrong?” James asked.

  Vanessa stared at him before replying.

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I got my Awakening verified, it seemed like something was off. What does being a one-cup really mean?” James asked.

  Vanessa let out a deep sigh. “A one-cup Awakener is someone with limits, and they often never become a high-level Awakened.”

  “Is there that much of a difference between them?” James asked curiously.

  “The gap between each level is immense. Every level difference increases by tenfold. So, if it takes ten level one Awakeners to defeat a level two, it would take a hundred level twos to face a level three. And those three levels are for low-level Awakeners.”

  “High-level Awakeners start from level four and go up to level six. Do you understand the difference now?”

  James’ body tensed. “So does that mean I’m getting kicked out of your house?” His hands nervously rubbed against each other.

  “That depends on you.”

  The car arrived at a dome, where another void break was contained. James looked around but didn’t see any officials. He didn’t mind; he just did as he was told.

  “This void break should be easy for your level. If you can’t even clear this, then you’re not worth my attention,” Vanessa said, pointing at the dome.

  James nodded and went inside. The area was quiet, with only a little fog, and no creatures were visible.

  Then James heard the sound of the gate closing. He ran to the gate, trying to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

  “Is something wrong? Why is the gate sealed shut?” James yelled.

  Vanessa got into the car. Her phone rang.

  “How did it go?”

  “He’s in the middle of a city break—an environmental one. He shouldn’t be able to clear it without being a level three Awakener or having a perceptive-type Awakened in his team.”

  “I know it was a lot to ask, but you did good.” The call ended.

  “Tch,” Vanessa clicked her tongue.

  Meanwhile, James was still trapped in the dome.

  Fwoosh.

  “What was that?”

  Something moved past him, but he couldn’t see anything. The fog thickened.

  James drew out his sword. His movements were frantic as he kept looking around.

  Slash.

  Something cut his hand, but he still couldn’t see anything.

  Then James’ body began to throb.

  “This feeling, it’s the same as before.”

  “Who’s there?” James yelled.

  Suddenly, a bat like creature appeared, followed by more, swarming around James and slashing at him relentlessly.

  He didn’t have long to think—he had to do something if he didn’t want to die.

  His body began to throb again. Something was calling him. James was losing consciousness, but he had no choice. He ran toward the call; it was his only shot.

  James materialized a second sword and began swinging it around desperately. He was killing some of the bats, but not enough to clear a path. Instinctively, he materialized a shield and charged at the bats, clearing a path to run.

  The throbbing grew louder, and he stumbled toward the void crack. He had no choice—the bats were closing in.

  He jumped in, and his injuries began healing. When James woke up, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

  “An ancient chamber,” James whispered.