SSS Rank Regressor : My Growth Has No Limit

"Aiden...?"

Liam was stunned and then came the anger.

Worse than shock, it was a hollow fury that rose in his chest as memories rushed back. He remembered clearly: the day Aiden had come to him, smiling, excited, talking about awakening a good class and following Liam's lead. He'd even asked Liam to look out for him in the future.

And now this.

The betrayal cut deep.

It was always the ones you trusted, the ones you believed in, who hurt you the most.

"Gimme a sec…" Liam muttered through gritted teeth, trying to calm himself.

Aiden was still his best friend. They had met a year ago, when they were both brought to the facility. The laughter, the late-night talks, the shared training, they all flooded back in a wave of nostalgia. A smile crept onto Liam's face.

But it shattered just as quickly.

His expression turned blank, cold. The memory of betrayal still burned behind his eyes as he walked to the door.

On the other side stood someone who had once been a friend… now just an enemy.

Aiden.

Liam exhaled a shaky breath as his hand reached for the door handle.

He paused, noticing the tremble in his fingers.

"Bro, are you okay in there?" A familiar voice called from outside. Aiden's tone was casual, but laced with concern.

Click.

The door opened.

Liam looked out and there he was.

Aiden. Sharp brown eyes, messy brown hair, chiseled features, tall frame, masculine build. That radiant smile of his could've convinced anyone he wouldn't hurt a soul.

"Hey, bro," Aiden said with that same smile.

Liam smiled back almost instinctively. But beneath it, his heart cracked silently.

"Ah, so you're alive?" Aiden teased. "Wait, don't tell me our A-student top in brains and looks is scared of awakening?"

"Fool," Liam muttered with a smirk. "I was just getting some things ready. Besides, I've gotta dress up a bit."

For a moment, he let himself live in this lie.

Just for now… Aiden is still my best friend.

Let's enjoy this, until after the awakening.

After that... our paths split and my revenge begins.

But… if it turns out we awakened the same class...

"Tsk, disappointing," Aiden said, shaking his head. "You're not going on a date or anything. Whatever, I'll wait. Just don't take all day."

Liam opened the door wider, and Aiden stepped in.

********

Minutes later, the two were walking toward the central hall of the facility.

This was where the Awakening Stone was housed.

A rare relic from the dungeons, the Awakening Stone only dropped after defeating a B-grade monster usually level 20 to 30. These beasts could range from Grade B all the way to the terrifying Grade S. The drop rate? 1 in 30. Not the rarest, but incredibly precious.

Why?

Because the Awakening Stone determined one's class,one's future.

*******

The central hall was already packed, even though two hours remained.

Teenagers ,both boys and girls stood in clusters, buzzing with nervous energy or giddy excitement. Today was the most important day of their lives.

The day they would be classified. Mediocre. Useless. Or a genius fated to defend humanity.

It was also the day friends would be split apart. Lovers separated. Dreams either forged or broken.

Some would head to the frontlines.

Some would command the war.

Others would be sent to clean up the mess or worse, be left behind, maintaining the safe cities like glorified servants.

Yet no matter the grade, there was always work for an awakener.

The teens laughed and chatted, trying to hide their anxiety. Liam and Aiden stood among them.

And as expected, people gravitated toward Liam.

Even before awakening, raw stats could predict greatness. Geniuses rarely awakened trash classes, and Liam had always stood out,sharp, calm, strong. Everyone wanted to be close to him.

Liam watched them quietly.

Look at them all.

Smiling. Laughing. Reaching out.

Whether they wanted my strength or my face, I don't care.

These same people will be the ones who mock me later.

They'll cheer my fall turn into demons that haunt me.

From the top, I will fall to the bottom… and they'll celebrate.

His fake smile faded. Beneath their friendly laughter, he now saw it the envy. The hate.

Everyone was pretending. Waiting. Waiting for the Awakening to show who they truly were.

The hall wasn't large, it could hold a hundred people, and it was filled to the brim.

This wasn't the only center. Across every city, similar facilities existed.

His own city, a Yellow zone city, was protected by a Class C Awakener. Not the safest place, but it was home. Here, it was rare for anyone above Class B to awaken.

Cities ranked blue , green or

red had advantages rare herbs, dungeon treatments, resources. Their teens were practically designed to awaken higher grades.

But here?

Here, they had hope.

Liam was their hope. Even the mayor had spoken to him personally. Everyone was counting on him.

But fate… had something else planned.

Soon, the two hours passed. It was time.

Step. Step.

Footsteps echoed as four people entered.

Three were familiar.

The last was the one in charge of the awakening a Level 50 Class C Awakener.

"Welcome, everyone," he began. "Today is the day your lives will change. Your fate will be determined. But no matter your class, don't give up. The sky is the limit.

Classes may define how high you can reach…

But they don't decide your limit."

He smiled. "We've seen E or F-class awakeners rise through effort and heart..."

Liam tuned it out.

The same speech.

Lies, wrapped in hope.

A sweet illusion to calm them so that even those who awakened as trash would quietly accept their role. Obedient workers, laborers, caretakers…

As the speech continued, Liam scanned the crowd.

Some would cry.

Some would be confused.

Others would be ecstatic.

This was the day the illusions shattered.

"This concludes the welcome," the Class C Awakener said. "Before we begin, I'll quickly review the key things you need to know. I'm sure you've heard them before, but it's worth repeating."

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