Chapter 516: Chapter 27: Light Core (Part 2)_2
“Let us change the term, friends! I’m delighted to reunite with old friends and welcome new ones to a brand-new stage. I am Aorus Otimis, the leader of the Light Core, a dream chaser towards the light.”
“The world has always been led by a minority of elites, a fact that no one can deny. It is the talented minority who take up the responsibility that comes with power, standing in front of the masses as leaders of the waves, that truly bring about change. Therefore, whenever the Light Core recruits, I always ask everyone a question. Why are we gathered together?”
The brown-haired youth observed everyone’s expressions and extended his hand to one of the eager newcomers, “Rebetta Anna from Pakatia University! I welcome you to share your thoughts with us.”
The girl with braided pigtails, her face flushed with excitement and her eyes sparkling with surprise and thrill, responded, “Because we have talent!”
“That is the eternal answer. All of you are one in ten thousand geniuses, and the Light Core is an organization for those with talent. And next, I will ask the second question, what is true talent?” Aorus nodded in acknowledgment, “Miss Rebetta?”
“It’s our superpower.”
The girl with the braids replied without hesitation, but the reaction of the leader of the Light Core was unexpected.
“It is… and it isn’t. Perhaps you have a different opinion, Mr. Lin Hai?”
The person called upon was an average-looking Empire boy standing next to Rebetta, his stature slouching, his face bearing a hint of distress.
“Sorry, I don’t know… My superpower is turning plastic bottles into stainless steel, I don’t think that’s excellent.”
“That is an interesting ability, but your excellence has nothing to do with it!” Aorus said with a smile, “Your modified ‘Iron Soldier-67’ model prosthetic achieved about a 30% leap in performance over the original, and the inventive design greatly impressed the head of the equipment department. He told me to invite you over because you possess a unique talent.”
“I am honored…” Lin Hai’s eyes brightened, that hint of distress quickly transforming into pride, even his posture straightened.
Aorus walked to the center of the people and took a glass of red wine in his hand. He affectionately patted Lin Hai on the shoulder, continuing his speech with a resonant voice.
“Now let’s return to the question itself. What is talent? When I first arrived in the City of the Heavens, I thought that only superpowers were a human’s talents, but as time passed, my view changed. Superpowers have never been the entirety of genius! Those with great abilities but weak minds are everywhere, would they be the talents that the Light Core needs? Would they be the friends worth making? I think not.”
“Talent is not family background, not origin, not education. It is not solely superpowers, but also intelligence, technology, rigorous logic, eloquent speech, the strength hidden within your bodies, unique to yourselves.
I love each one of you with talents. Talent makes you radiate a unique light, exhibiting charms that belong only to yourselves. I equally love this city. Because the City of the Heavens brought us together, letting me have the opportunity to witness your talents firsthand!”
As he spoke, his voice suddenly deepened, a shadow of gloom covering his handsome face.
“However… our beautiful city is currently facing a significant issue. Whether old residents or new arrivals, I think everyone present has their understanding of the current state of the City of the Heavens. What comes to your mind? Urban security? Research ethics? Officials who need increased work efficiency, perpetual cleaning gangs with superpowers?”
Aorus listed out what was in everyone’s minds and then shook his head resolutely.
“These are superficial, not the essence of the crisis. I think the core problem of our city is that our exceptionally talented individuals lack channels to utilize their abilities in truly meaningful enterprises!
The capable would-be generals mingle in gangs, young scholars who could have been making illegal weapons, the future financiers become scammers, tomorrow’s political stars turn into leaders of illegal organizations. Not to mention superpowers that should benefit all mankind are used to harm each other, all these deeply grieve me. I always ask myself, why do so many tragedies occur? And today, I am convinced that I have found the core of the problem: the city’s system is fundamentally flawed!”
“Guided by containment and incarceration, it’s destined to cause disharmony between the upper and lower classes. Stubbornly persisting with traditional educational systems in special circumstances is a sheer waste of millions of people’s time and intellect. If every individual could obtain what they need materially, satisfy their spiritual needs in their daily work and studies, who would take to the streets, instigate riots? And the current system fails!”
Aorus, holding his wine glass, turned in a full circle and looked at the young people surrounding him.
“Do you need middle and high school textbooks?” Aorus asked with a smile, “Do you need a teacher to explain shallow knowledge points to you word by word according to a lesson plan he prepared in advance?”
“We don’t need them!!” “I could have mastered those through self-study!” “What schools teach is completely useless; they should have let me start practical operations long ago!!”