SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100

As Leon watched Max and Rudy return to their respective groups, a thought occurred to him that had been lurking at the edges of his consciousness since his own awakening.

I was at a disadvantage that day. A disadvantage most people never have to face.

When normal people entered awakening dungeons, their dormant elemental affinities activated upon crossing the threshold. It was one of the fundamental mechanics of the class awakening dungeon or awakening itself – the dungeon’s energy forced latent potential to manifest, giving people access to their elements from the very beginning of their trials.

But for Leon, with the body he’d received from that mysterious entity, there had been nothing to awaken initially. No dormant affinity waiting to emerge, no elemental power to tap into. He’d entered his dungeon with less than even the weakest awakener, who at least had a Rank 1 affinity to call upon.

Seraphine mentioned it once, he remembered. I didn’t say much at the time, as I didn’t know I had no element at all when I first entered. Even people with the lowest possible affinity still have something. But I had nothing.

But that didn’t bother him, even the slight at that time, because he was confident in his skills.

It should have been a death sentence if not for his treasures.

My physical abilities and weapon skills carried me through the early stages, Leon reflected. Pure technique and strength compensate for the lack of magical power. But it was harder than it should have been.

Everything had changed when he’d awakened his all-elemental affinity. From that moment, clearing his class awakening dungeon had become almost trivial. The difference between having no elements and having all elements was like the difference between fighting blindfolded and having perfect vision.

Which makes what Max and Rudy accomplished even more impressive, he realized. They’d already learned to use their elements to some degree even before getting their class. That level of control, that instinctive understanding – it’s the mark of true talent.

Leon made a decision. Talent like that deserved recognition, deserved nurturing.

He opened his system interface with a thought, the golden screen materializing before him. His technique list appeared, and there it was – Sky Breaker Draw, already at Transcendent rank for him. A sword technique that, at its highest levels, could literally split the mountain with enough strength to back it.

They’re not ready for the transcendent version, he knew. But the lower ranks...

Leon pulled two blank scrolls from his inventory, along with a pen that would properly inscribe technique knowledge. With a small exertion of will, he made both items float in the air before him, held steady by threads of mana.

His hand moved with superhuman speed, the pen blurring across the parchment. To observers, it looked like random scratching, too fast for the eye to follow. But Leon was carefully transcribing the Sky Breaker Draw technique, limiting it to Grandmaster rank – high enough to be incredibly powerful, but not so high as to be dangerous to the user.

As in a normal way, the technique directly enters your mind; however, as you progress slowly, the next step gets revealed in your mind, but that was not the case when he wrote them from his experience.

The entire process took less than ten seconds. Two identical scrolls now floated before him, the ink still gleaming wet but already bonding permanently to the parchment through the pen’s enchantment.

”Max, Rudy,” he called out again.

Both young men turned immediately, approaching with curiosity clear on their faces.

”A gift,” Leon said simply, handing each of them a scroll. ”For your bravery and talent. This is a common-ranked sword technique called Sky Breaker Draw. But don’t let the initial rank fool you – master it to higher levels, and it becomes extraordinarily lethal.”

Rudy immediately bowed deeply, accepting the scroll with both hands as if it were made of gold. ”Thank you, dear god. This honor is beyond what I deserve.”

Leon almost broke his facade for a moment, hearing Rudy’s words, as it reminded him of his first slave, James.

However, he controlled himself fully.

Max followed suit, his bow equally respectful. ”We’re grateful for your generosity.”

They started to turn away, clearly aware of the jealous looks from others who hadn’t received such direct gifts. But then Rudy paused, turning back with an expression of nervous determination.

He wants to ask something, Leon observed. Something he thinks might offend me.

”Dear God,” Rudy began, his voice meek, as if the very question might be outrageous. ”This technique you’ve given us... would it be permissible to share it with others? To teach them what we learn?”

The question hung in the air. Around them, conversations had quieted, everyone listening for the answer.

Leon’s response was dismissive in tone but carried weight. ”The technique is yours now. Do whatever you want with it.” Then his voice turned slightly cold, adding an edge of expectation. ”However, I expect you to master it to a high level as well. Sharing knowledge doesn’t excuse personal mediocrity.”

Rudy bowed again, deeper this time. ”I won’t disappoint you. I promise.”

As they walked away, Leon considered the situation. If Rudy planned to share the technique anyway, it would be better to make the process easier for everyone.

Besides, they weren’t the only ones who showed valor today.

”Actually,” Leon called out, his voice carrying across the entire camp. ”All of you who survived today showed exceptional courage. Lisa, Mia, Old Will, and everyone who entered that dungeon and emerged victorious.”

He pulled more scrolls from his inventory – he always kept extras for various purposes. His hand blurred again, creating copy after copy of the Sky Breaker Draw technique. In less than a minute, thirty identical scrolls lay stacked before him.

”Distribute these among yourselves,” he announced. ”Share with whoever needs it most. This technique is my gift to all who proved themselves today. Master it well – it may save your lives in future battles.”

The reaction was immediate. People surged forward, not grabbing greedily but organizing themselves to ensure fair distribution. The jealousy that had been building dissipated, replaced by collective gratitude.

This is because of Rudy’s question, Leon thought with slight amusement. His willingness to share prompted me to be equally generous.

It did mean that the most talented – Max, Rudy, Lisa, and a few others – didn’t receive anything uniquely special. Their gift was the same as everyone else’s now. But Leon had plans for that.

Once I learn more techniques to higher levels, especially element-specific ones, I can provide specialized training to those with particular talents. But for that to happen...

He needed seclusion. Time to study, to practice, to push his own techniques to levels that would allow him to properly teach others. The skill stones they’d collected, the technique scrolls from the palace, his own rapid growth – all of it needed focused attention.

Soon, he decided. Once all three dungeon groups are accounted for and settled, and after I arrive at the middle domain, then I’ll take time for intensive training. Then I can truly begin elevating not just myself, but all of my people.

The distribution of scrolls continued, with Rudy taking an unofficial leadership role in ensuring everyone understood what they’d received. Max was already studying his copy intently, his eyes tracing the movements described in the text.

Old Will approached Leon quietly while the others were distracted. ”That was well done,” the old man said softly. ”Rewarding excellence while maintaining unity. A delicate balance.”

”They earned it,” Leon replied simply.

”Indeed. But I wonder...” Old Will’s ancient eyes studied him carefully. ”What challenges await us that require such rapid strengthening of your forces?”

Perceptive old man, Leon thought. He sees I’m preparing them for something.

Leon said quietly. ”This awakening dungeon was just the start; the challenges ahead are gonna be much harder.”

Old Will nodded slowly. ”Then we’d best master this technique quickly. I have a feeling we’ll need it sooner rather than later.”

As the old man walked away to claim his scroll, Leon surveyed the scene with satisfaction. The first dungeon group had achieved perfect survival and was now armed with a technique that could grow with them.

One success, one tragedy, one unknown, he tallied mentally, thinking of the three dungeon sites. But overall, we’re growing stronger. That’s what matters.