Reborn Hero: The Talent Drain System

"Hurry the fuck up, loser!" A loud voice shouted from behind, followed by bursts of uncontrollable laughter.

Students stood in a long, orderly line, slowly shuffling forward to collect their dinner in the academy cafeteria.

Kael Voss, a sixteen-year-old boy, had already lost everything once — during the catastrophic monster invasion that wiped out his entire family.

No one truly understood how the monsters first appeared on Earth. Some claimed they came through a rift connected to the underworld, others blamed a failed portal experiment. Whatever the cause, the world has never been the same since.

The creatures brought unimaginable destruction. Humanity's guns, tanks, and missiles proved useless against them. The monsters wielded terrifying powers far beyond modern technology.

During the desperate war, thirteen individuals somehow awakened their hidden magical cores and gained extraordinary abilities. These thirteen became known as the Original Awakeners.

With their guidance, the surviving humans learned to tap into their own cores and awaken personal talents. Empowered, humanity fought back fiercely and eventually drove the monsters away.

But victory came with a new hierarchy. Those who awakened strong talents rose to the top and ruled society, while anyone with a weak or "useless" talent was treated like garbage.

On the day of his awakening, Kael had only managed to awaken a seemingly worthless ability — the power to detect and analyze other people's talents. In a world filled with deadly battles, such a skill offered no protection and no offensive power.

Because of this, Kael was despised and bullied daily by his peers. Every day felt like torture, and more often than not, he found himself wishing for death.

Finally, it was Kael’s turn at the food counter. The teacher in charge looked at him with open disgust and deliberately served him only half the portion given to everyone else — a single piece of stale bread and a bowl of watery soup.

"But sir, this isn't what you're giving the others," Kael said quietly, keeping his eyes lowered.

"Are you questioning me, boy?!" the plump teacher snarled, making Kael flinch. "You think you deserve the same as real talent users? You're nothing but a waste of space and food, Kael Voss. I don't even know why the government lets trash like you stay here!"

The harsh words cut deep, but Kael could only lower his head and walk away with his meager tray.

PAH!

Without warning, someone slapped the tray violently out of his hands. The bread and soup splattered across the floor.

"Oh no..." Kael whispered, dropping to his knees in a desperate attempt to salvage at least the bread.

Before he could grab it, a foot stomped down hard, crushing the bread into crumbs.

"Oops. Sorry, trash," the boy sneered. His friends burst into laughter.

Kael slowly looked up. Standing over him was a tall, muscular student with long orange hair that reached his shoulders — Marcus Kane, the undisputed bully of the academy and leader of the notorious Midnight Gang.

"Don't worry about it... I wasn't looking," Kael muttered, pushing his glasses back up as he shakily got to his feet. He looked far younger and frailer than most boys his age — skinny, with messy brown curly hair that often fell over his eyes.

"You're right, trash. You weren't looking," Marcus said with a cruel grin. "And now you've spilled soup all over my uniform!"

Marcus pulled his arm back and threw a heavy punch straight at Kael’s jaw.

POW!

The blow connected perfectly, lifting Kael off his feet and sending him crashing backward into the wall. Blood immediately trickled from his mouth and nose.

"Get up, trash!" Another student yanked Kael to his feet and shoved him back toward Marcus.

"Hold him down, boys."

Two burly minions grabbed Kael’s arms, pinning him in place.

Marcus smirked and unleashed a brutal punch to Kael’s stomach, forcing him to cough up blood.

POW! POW! POW! POW!

Punch after punch rained down on Kael’s face and body. By the time Marcus stopped, Kael’s white uniform was soaked in blood.

"Let's go, guys." Marcus delivered one final kick to Kael’s head before walking away with his gang, laughing.

Kael lay motionless on the cold floor, silently praying that death would finally take him.

He had never wanted to attend the Talent Academy. But the government’s law was absolute — every citizen who turned sixteen had to enroll for four years to train and master their talent.

Kael had only been here for six months, and every single day had been pure hell.

The only person who had ever shown him kindness was the late Master Harlan. The old man had been one of the strongest awakeners in the early days, but he eventually passed away from old age.

On his deathbed, Master Harlan had given Kael a small, mysterious black orb, saying it would only activate when Kael was truly ready.

For months, Kael had tried everything to figure out what the orb did, but it remained completely ordinary. He eventually just kept it in his pocket.

'If this world doesn’t want me... then I guess it’s time to leave,' Kael thought bitterly as he dragged his broken body toward the stairs leading to the rooftop.

It took him nearly thirty painful minutes to climb all the way to the top of the nine-story building.

The strong wind whipped through his curly hair and blood-stained uniform as he stood at the very edge.

Tears rolled down his cheeks as memories of his meaningless life flooded his mind.

"I'm sorry, Mom... I couldn’t become the hero you always wanted me to be. Maybe in another life, I’ll finally make you proud."

Kael closed his eyes, spread his arms wide like wings, and took a deep

breath.

Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward — falling into the empty air.