Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 2: Just Dust...?
Previously on Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill...
"Dust Manipulation..." he whispered, his voice barely a breath. He wasn't sure how to feel about this ability; on the surface, it appeared worthless. However, the presence of two distinct ranks seemed highly unusual.
'And what exactly is Mutamorphis? It sounds just as pointless... Is it some kind of survival skill? It doesn't even show a rank,' Vritra mused before shifting his gaze away from the floating window.
Scanning the room to gauge the reactions of those around him, he realized he could perceive the status windows of others. The students displayed a chaotic mix of terror, excitement, and bewilderment. Notably, their skills only listed a single rank.
Ms. Mia was squinting at her own interface with a look of pure skepticism.
Vanessa read her own data with a stunned expression. She quickly dismissed the window, looking around nervously to ensure her privacy. She seemed lost for words, clearly overwhelmed by the nature of her new powers.
'Based on the other students, the average stat value is roughly 10. My vision of their status windows is limited, though,' Vritra noted as he observed their abilities. He found he was unable to see specific details, such as their class ranks or various other hidden stats.
As Vritra, Vanessa, and Mia stood within the magnificent hall, each absorbed in their own thoughts, a heavy silence briefly descended.
Soon, the temple chamber was filled with the sounds of gasps and heavy sighs. While some students celebrated their newfound powers with joy, others looked devastated, struggling to accept their new reality.
'What in the world are these abilities? They are far too scandalous.'
Vanessa's thoughts raced; merely reading the description caused a flush to creep onto the cheeks of the typically stoic woman. She glanced at her son, feeling a wave of relief that he hadn't glimpsed her screen.
The goddess Diana surveyed the crowd, evaluating the powers these otherworldly visitors had manifested. A few results caught her off guard, leaving her looking quite pleased with the potential she saw.
Certain students stood out immediately due to their legendary skills. Diana’s eyes narrowed slightly as her gaze lingered on Vanessa, a flash of surprise crossing her features.
A predatory, calculating glint appeared in her eyes, as if she were already devising ways to exploit the curvaceous MILF in the future. No one noticed the brief change in her expression. Diana then moved her attention to the rest of the group, stopping on a few specific individuals.
"Excellent," Diana announced, her voice resonating through the hall. "It appears you have all been graced with magnificent powers. A few among you have even attained legendary status.
Particularly Jack—the holy abilities of a hero will be paramount in our struggle against the demonic legions. Should you apply yourself, your strength will eventually be unrivaled on this world.
And Fiona, your mastery over the Phoenix's power will be a devastating weapon in this conflict. Your very bloodline and physique are now destined to be superior.
Max, I am impressed you received such a lethal skill—Tempest Dominion. A truly remarkable result. You shall reduce demons to cinders with your lightning. Raino, your talents will make you a peerless assassin. You shall reign as the king of the night..."
Diana continued to praise several students. It was clear that Jack and Fiona were the most valuable in her eyes, though she continued to cast occasional, scheming glances toward Vanessa.
Jack, the class representative and heir to a wealthy family, stood with an air of arrogant confidence. His short white hair was perfectly styled, and his expression remained composed despite the supernatural circumstances. With his looks, he was accustomed to being the center of female attention.
He accepted the praise in silence, trying to calculate his next move. Realizing that cooperation was currently his only path, he nodded to the goddess before glancing at the stunning girl beside him with an enamored look.
However, she didn't give him a second thought.
Fiona’s porcelain skin seemed to radiate a soft light. She looked like an exquisite doll, her figure perfectly accentuated by her tight-fitting shirt. While she was the obsession of nearly every boy in class, her calm exterior masked her true personality and hidden motives.
As the school's most beautiful girl, Fiona soaked in the goddess's compliments. Her vibrant red hair flowed down her back, and her green eyes seemed to flicker with an internal fire.
"Isn't this far too perilous? What if some of us refuse to fight in this war despite these powers? Is there no way to go home?"
Diana offered a gentle smile as she answered: "It will undoubtedly be dangerous.
I understand this is all very sudden, but you will receive the necessary training. Once you have reached the summit of power and eliminated the threats, you will be permitted to return to your world with your abilities intact, allowing you to protect your own home.
Choosing not to fight means returning to a world that is already doomed. The decision is yours. With such incredible gifts, you have no reason to fear; we will provide every bit of support you need."
Her speech successfully instilled a mix of tension and resolve in the students. They all realized they were being cornered. The goddess was a master of manipulation.
The rest of the class whispered in envy of their peers' legendary skills. Vanessa’s eyes drifted toward Vritra, and she managed to see his status window. Seeing only one seemingly useless skill, she couldn't help but frown in concern.
After finishing her rounds, Diana finally looked at Vritra. As she inspected his status window, her eyes widened for a split second before settling into a look of cold contempt and disgust.
'An ordinary human's stats usually hover around 10. How bizarre that his physical attributes match a level 5 or 6 Cultivator. I've never encountered such a human. His luck is also double that of the others, but...' Diana thought as she looked at his ability.
"Vritra Arclis," Diana said, her tone dripping with mockery. A sneer touched her beautiful face. "Dust Manipulation. A truly... unique gift. It seems you have drawn the shortest straw in the group. What a tragedy; you are utterly unfit for any role."
Laughter erupted from the students as they saw Vritra’s ability. Curiously, he made no effort to hide his screen.
Because he was both feared and loathed by his peers, they took great delight in his apparent misfortune. Their previous intimidation vanished instantly. They looked at him with spiteful eyes, completely ignoring his superior stats because they didn't understand what the numbers meant.
The bullies, led by the blonde Max, were the loudest. They were typical high school meatheads who lived for trouble. In the past, they had stopped bothering Vritra only after he had handed them several brutal beatings.
But now, Max had been granted a power that promised to make him a top-tier elite, causing his ego to explode.
"Moving dust?" Max barked with laughter. "So he has the legendary power to mop the floors! Haha! It looks like the goddess found herself a janitor. The 'Interdimensional Sweeper'—what a pathetic joke."
"Maybe he can vacuum up the scraps once we're done killing the demons. We'll need a maid to tidy the battlefield," another lackey joked, triggering more jeers.
"I can't believe it! The 'mighty' Vritra is actually a loser? Hahaha, let's see you act like a tough guy now. You better watch your back," threatened another boy from the group.
"He'll be the weakest link in no time. Don't worry, Janitor Vritra, we'll make sure to look after you. You have a very 'bright' future ahead," one of Max’s friends added with a menacing grin.
'Can they not see Mutamorphis?' Vritra wondered, completely tuning out their insults.
While the mockery didn't faze Vritra, Vanessa was seething. Her hands balled into fists as she stepped forward to silence them. However, Vritra gently gripped her shoulder before she could erupt.
"It's fine, Mom," Vritra said, his voice holding a rare warmth reserved only for her. Meeting his eyes through his messy hair, the furious mother felt her anger begin to subside.
Vanessa exhaled sharply, feeling helpless. She glanced at her own skills, her expression troubled. She knew Vritra was special.
His physical and mental capabilities far exceeded those of a normal human for reasons only she understood. She was currently torn; while her own skills could protect them both, she hesitated to use them.
Diana cleared her throat, reclaiming the room's attention. "Silence," she ordered, and the mockery died down immediately.
"Do not underestimate or mock these gifts. Every one of you has a part to play—even if it is merely cleaning. Regardless, you must understand your current situation and this world..."
The goddess proceeded to detail the crisis facing their world and the gravity of their task. She spoke of labyrinths crawling with demonic monsters—realms of extreme peril and immense treasure.
They were currently guests of the Dunshire Kingdom on the Topaz continent. The kingdom itself had performed the summoning. She briefly mentioned the king, calling him a kind ruler, and touched on other vital lore.
As Diana lectured, Vritra’s mind drifted to the past.
He recalled his thirteenth birthday, when a friend had first brought him to an underground fighting circuit.
Back then, Vritra had been consumed by boredom and isolation. Though Vanessa loved him deeply, her work often kept her away.
The arena had provided the thrill he craved. Fighting nearly every day, he earned significant sums of money, though it meant little to him given his family's existing wealth.
School and social life had started to feel like child's play, leading him to ignore his education almost entirely.
Within years, Vritra had become a top-tier underground gladiator. It was during this time he noticed his body was different; it seemed to possess a will of its own, turning numb to pain exactly when needed, allowing him to fight without inhibition.
Seeing his Level 4 Pain Resistance skill now confirmed his suspicions. His physical attributes had always been abnormal, though the source of this power remained a mystery.
By eighteen, he had survived countless life-and-death struggles, often walking away with severe wounds but always as the victor.
He had kept this blood-soaked life a secret. Vritra suspected his mother knew—given her own resources—but she had never tried to stop him, even if her eyes filled with dread at the sight of a single bruise on his skin.
Thus, despite being labeled with a "useless" skill, he remained unbothered. The future was an unknown, but he was certain it would be exciting, even if it led to his grave.
Vanessa watched her son, her heart heavy with worry. She knew his spirit was unbreakable, but this world felt far more predatory than Earth. She vowed to shield him, regardless of the cost.
Diana concluded her briefing and escorted the group from the temple. Vritra observed his surroundings with sharp focus—the towering white spires of the palace, the vibrant greenery, and the distant, teeming city streets.
The realization finally set in: they were truly in another realm. The architecture, the clothing, and the atmosphere were entirely foreign to anything they had known on Earth.
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