53 Phoenix Fury
"So… about my reward."
With the whole disclosure over, Alex was naturally interested in when he would be getting his reward.
"Since you've given us valuable information on a D+ rank talent, I'm sure I can convince the higher ups to give you a D+ rank technique in return."
In truth, the only reason Alex could get a D+ rank technique instead of the usual D- rank was because of the nature of his talent.
The fact that he had an Element based talent boosted up the value of not only the information, but Alex himself.
This was because Alex was much more likely to reach B tier in the future with the help of his talent, as it would be much easier for him to learn enough about the fire element that he gains a certain amount of control over it.
"Good news, the higher ups approved the request!"
A few minutes later, Kyla received word back from her superiors and she let Alex know the good news, which naturally left him excited.
"Go ahead and tell me what kind of technique you want, I'll try my best to accommodate you."
'That's right! It said a technique of your own choice!'
Alex had almost skipped over that fact.
"Since I have my flame talent, are there any fire element strength related techniques?"
Now that the association knew about his Flame talent and his fire affinity, Alex wasn't going to try and hide anything from them in regards to choosing his technique.
Instead he might as well make the most out of it and try his luck in searching for a technique that not only boosted his strength, but also his Flame talent.
"Wow I didn't expect there to actually be such a technique ranked so low… You're quite lucky, Alex."
As she spoke, Kyla turned her tablet around for Alex to see, almost like it was natural at this point for her to do so.
On the screen, only 1 technique was displayed. But it immediately grabbed Alex's attention.
[D+ rank technique - Physical]
Name: Phoenix Fury
Description: Tempers the technique user's body through the combination of intense physical exercise and the fire element. This technique is most effective in users who take on difficult fights, as the more injuries the body of the user sustains, the stronger it will become through the help of this technique. Requires a high fire affinity to cultivate, and an even higher pain tolerance to cultivate.
Remark: Rumoured to be a lost chapter of a much stronger technique, linking to the lineage of the Divine Phoenix.
The more Alex read, the more excited he got.
'This is the one for sure.'
This technique was everything he needed right now.
Before he learned what rewards he could get, he was at most expecting some money or maybe even a beast core if he was lucky.
But he never expected to be given a reward such as this.
'This seems a little too powerful to only be D+ rank.'
It sounded almost too good to be true, which was what held Alex back from choosing it right on the spot.
"This technique sounds like it should be ranked higher than D+, what's going on with this?" He voiced his questions to Kyla, who looked like she was expecting Alex to ask about it.
"It might sound difficult to wrap your head around, but trust me the association's evaluation of it couldn't be wrong. In fact, I've heard of this technique before and it's… a little peculiar to say the least."
Kyla awkwardly went silent for a few seconds, before she added:
"You'll see what I mean when you start cultivating it."
Alex was hesitant after hearing Kyla's weird tone, but in the end he chose to take this technique anyway.
'Sometimes you have to take a risk in life.'
He didn't know where he had heard that saying from, but he felt it applied right now.
"It's settled then, the technique will be sent to your inbox within the hour-"
Kyla paused her speech midway, as she remembered something crucial.
'This kid doesn't have a communicator…'
***
Half an hour passed, and Kyla led Alex out of a futuristic, high tech shop on the 79th floor of the Awakened Association.
"You really didn't have to do this…" Alex felt bad for Kyla, after all she had just bought him a brand new communicator.
Inwards, he was so ready to go and test out his first ever personal communicator he could hardly contain his excitement.
14:23
"No biggie, I billed the invoice to the association anyway, so technically I didn't lose anything from this, the association did."
Alex didn't know how to feel when he heard this.
'This doesn't mean I owe the association any money right? Ah, whatever. I'll just treat it as part of my reward.'
"So where were we… Oh yeah!"
Kyla got back on track by telling Alex all he needed to know about his new technique.
"As I was saying, the technique will be sent to your inbox within the hour. You must absolutely not share this technique with anyone else, as doing so is punishable by death."
A cold shiver went down Alex's spine when he heard that.
"Normally, fresh Evolvers like you would only ever get their first technique when they enter university, but you now have a head start. Not to mention the technique you have is vastly superior to the mediocrity the universities will supply you with."
'Well, you learn something new everyday.'
Alex hadn't expected it was so difficult to obtain a technique.
He just assumed that over time an Evolver like him could earn some money and buy a technique, but it seemed things were more complicated than that.
"Speaking of university, have you given any thought into what you want to do in the future?"
Kyla wasn't obligated to ask any questions like this, but the two of them became quite familiar over the last day and they became comfortable with asking casual questions to each other.
Kyla had even added her contact to Alex's communicator when she bought it, making her his first ever contact!
"Yeah, I met this guy in the Primordial Expanse. He said he'd recommend me to some university called 'Capital Prime University'. Any idea where I can find this place?"
Alex was completely unfamiliar with how the federation worked, he'd never even learned any detailed information about life outside his own solar system.
Only the most basic of all basic information reached his ears.
But when Kyla heard the name of the university he was thinking of applying to, she spat her drink out and exclaimed:
"WHAT?!"
Just when she thought all the surprises were over…