A few minutes later, all one thousand children were led to a colossal building. Standing before it, they felt like tiny ants gazing up at a giant.
"Welcome, everyone! This is the canteen, our dining hall where you'll enjoy your meals from now on," announced a male servant with enthusiasm. "There are dozens of similar buildings across this vast complex, but only this one is in use right now. From today onward, breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served here."
The crowd nodded in disbelief, still absorbing the enormity of their surroundings.
"Let's head inside!" With that, the servant swung open the massive wooden doors of the dining hall and stepped in, followed by the eager children.
"Wow!" The exclamation echoed as all one thousand children stepped inside.
The dining hall was breathtakingly spacious, its high dome adorned with stunning chandeliers that sparkled like stars.
Bright lamps illuminated the walls while black marble tiles paved the floor beneath them.
Long dining tables stretched out across the room, each capable of seating around a hundred people without feeling cramped. It was simple yet undeniably beautiful, a sight that left them all in awe.
"Alright everyone, find a seat! Dinner will be served shortly," said the male servant as he led other staff members toward the kitchen.
The children snapped out of their daze and slowly approached the long tables, still wide-eyed at their surroundings.
Moments later, servants emerged from the kitchen pushing large carts topped with gleaming silver trays covered neatly with lids.
As they placed these trays on the tables before them, gasps filled the air; curiosity danced in every child's eyes.
With a flourish, the servants lifted the lids, and an intense aroma wafted through the hall like an inviting embrace.
The scent enveloped them instantly; it was rich and mouthwatering!
"Gulp! " One thousand throats swallowed hard as they stared at an array of delicious dishes laid out before them, saliva pooled at their lips as glistening eyes took it all in.
"What are you waiting for? Dig in!" called out one voice suddenly breaking through their trance.
"You mean this is for us?" stammered one boy incredulously.
"Of course! Eat as much as you want; there's plenty more where that came from," reassured a maid with a warm smile.
In an instant, chaos erupted as they dove into their meals like hungry wolves unleashed after weeks without food.
"Oh my heavens! Is this food?! This must be what gods eat!" exclaimed another child between mouthfuls.
"This is simply divine, I don't even know what to say!" another chimed in.
"Dude! Why are you crying? Just eat!"
"I can't help it; this food is heavenly!" someone sobbed joyfully amidst bites.
"Sniff, sniff! This food is simply divine! Oh, Mama!"
"Dude, stop crying and eat your food; otherwise, I'll eat yours!"
"Bro, don't even think about it!"
The hall buzzed with excitement as the crowd eagerly stuffed their faces with food. Greasy remnants smeared across their cheeks didn't matter; they devoured mouthfuls like there was no tomorrow.
Servants hurried in and out, bringing more dishes that were quickly swept away by the hungry throng.
The air was filled with munching sounds punctuated by collective gasps of delight. They ate like wolves that hadn't feasted in weeks, understandably so, given their backgrounds.
All of them come from the slums, facing daily struggles where finding a meal was a monumental challenge.
Some went days without eating; their lives were often steeped in despair.
But tonight was different. They had been rescued from the streets and welcomed into a place where they could enjoy spacious rooms filled with cozy beds, no more sleeping on cold, hard ground!
Ten individuals of the hundred people stepped forward from behind him to guide them through this pivotal moment.
"Place your hand on the awakening stone," one guide encouraged gently as a seventeen-year-old girl approached nervously.
Her heart raced as she shakily placed her palm against it, anticipation dancing in her eyes.
Three long minutes passed without any reaction from the stone.
Disappointment washed over her face as she stepped aside for another child to take their turn.
One by one, they approached each stone, but so far no one had shown any magical aptitude.
Felix observed calmly from afar; he had anticipated this outcome, it wasn't often that luck favored would favor him like before.
"System scan everyone's talents and potential," he commanded quietly. "Look for anyone above 5 Stars in cultivation."
[ Understood ] replied his system promptly before falling silent.
[ Negative, Host. There is no one with 5-Star talent or above ]. A few moments later, the system replied.
Felix nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Now scan for individuals with other talents, like management, Spirit Chef, or blacksmithing."
"Understood, Host," the system responded before falling silent once more.
[ Host, I've identified two hundred individuals within the specified talent categories: 70 with 1-Star talent in blacksmithing, 30 with 2-Star talent in blacksmithing, 55 with 3-Star talent in management, and 45 with 2-Star talent in management. As for Spirit Chef, none ]
Just seconds later, it spoke again
Felix's eyes sparkled with excitement as he nodded approvingly. "Food? Good! Very good!".
He hadn't anticipated discovering such a wealth of potential among these children.
While their talents might not be extraordinary right now, he knew that with proper guidance, they could become invaluable assets in the future.
His satisfaction was palpable.
Suddenly, a commotion broke through his thoughts.
"Look! It's glowing!"
"Wow! This guy is quite lucky!"
"Does that mean he has an affinity for magic?"
Felix glanced up to see what all the fuss was about.
At one of the awakening stones, a soft glow flickered intermittently, not too intense but definitely noticeable.
Curious about the boy whose hand rested on the stone, Felix raised an eyebrow and commanded the system, "Scan him."
Instantly, a floating screen appeared before him.
Name:Orion
Race: Human
Bloodline: None
Talent: Mage Cultivation (2 Stars)
Elemental Affinity: Earth
"Hmmm! Not bad," Felix mused with a slight smile.
He turned his gaze back to Orion, the boy was practically buzzing with excitement at discovering his aptitude for magic.