Multiversal Manifestation System

The plaza buzzed with activity as students mulled over the competition results and anxiously waited to see which recruiters might approach them.

The announcement woman had left the stage for now, but her ominous explanation about the Silent Ones still hung in the air.

Despite the heavy atmosphere, many recruiters approached the students they found promising, while others took to the stage to boast about their academies' superiority.

Xian Mei stood beside Lulu, her new mentor, who radiated an aura of confidence. Lulu wasted no time in claiming her prize, clearly proud to have secured a talent like Xian Mei.

"You're going to do great things, my dear," Lulu said, smiling as she glanced at her new disciple.

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she added, "Though I must say, you seem very interested in that boy over there." She gestured subtly toward Wang Zi.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Master." Xian Mei's calm expression didn't waver, but her gaze flicked to Lulu briefly.

"Oh, come on. You've been glancing his way more than I've seen you blink. If you like him, just say so! Maybe I can help set you up." Lulu laughed lightly, unfazed. 

"Please stop. He's… fine, but not like that." Xian Mei deadpanned. 

"You're no fun," Lulu teased, chuckling softly.

Across the plaza, Maylure stood beside the gentle, elderly woman who had recruited her, a renowned enchanter from Ethereal Forge Academy, known for producing some of the most powerful weapons and armor in the Federation.

"I… I'm glad I didn't do the last trial after all." Maylure, still shaken from what she had witnessed in the competition, murmured,

The old woman placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"It's all right, child. You're not meant for the battlefield, and there's no shame in that. Your gifts lie elsewhere, and they are no less important."

"But what if I'm not good enough? What if my skills aren't enough to make a difference?" Maylure hesitated. 

"Your skills, with training, may be the key to reducing casualties. Perhaps even to countering the Silent Ones' abilities. You have great potential, my dear. Trust in it, trust in yourself." The woman smiled gently.

Maylure nodded, a small but determined smile breaking through her nerves.

Lucius stood tall, his cold demeanor as unshakable as ever. Across from him stood a burly man with spiked black hair dressed in black and silver armor. The man exuded military authority and represented Blackstone Academy, an institution known for its combat prowess and strategic training.

"You've got promise, Lucius," the man said gruffly, his arms crossed as he examined the young genius. "You'd make an excellent addition to Blackstone. I don't have to tell you what we offer, our reputation speaks for itself."

"I appreciate the offer, but my family already has plans for me. I'll have to decline." Lucius remained expressionless as he replied.

The recruiter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I figured as much. Families like yours rarely let their golden kids out of their sight."

He clapped Lucius on the shoulder, surprising the young man. "Still, I had to ask. You're damn impressive, kid. Best of luck to you."

Lucius gave a polite nod but said nothing more.

Beside him, Kain Arclight looked uneasy.

"Sir, I… I'd like to join Blackstone," he said hesitantly, his eyes scanning the crowd for Ji Min and Chen Kai. Not finding them, his expression darkened slightly.

"Good choice, Kain Arclight. You've got potential, and we'll make sure you reach it." The recruiter grinned and clasped Kain's shoulder firmly. 

Kain forced a smile, but his mind was elsewhere. The absence of his two friends weighed heavily on him.

"I might not see them again…" he thought.

While most recruiters eagerly approached students, a select few stood back, simply observing. These individuals belonged to the most prestigious academies, their presence commanding respect and silence.

Wang Zi, leaning against a column in the plaza, noticed one of the recruiters scanning him with an intense gaze. He met their eyes briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to the activity around him.

"The rankings you've achieved today are a formality," said one of the representatives, a tall woman with sharp features and a commanding voice.

"We're not looking for the best placement, we're looking for the best potential. Remember, the true reward is the opportunity to train at one of the top academies, where you'll hone your abilities and make your mark in the Federation."

Her words echoed across the plaza, filling the students with anticipation. Some looked nervous, others determined. For many, this was their chance to rise above and stand out.

As the recruiters continued their work, conversations and interactions buzzed across the plaza. The weight of the competition lingered, but for some, a new chapter was about to begin.

Wang Zi, however, remained quiet, observing and waiting.

As the plaza buzzed with activity, a serene presence made its way through the crowd, drawing attention not with force, but with a calm and soothing aura.

The representative from Verdant Grove Academy moved gracefully, her emerald-green hair cascading in waves that shimmered under the plaza's soft lights.

Her striking beauty was rivaled only by the gentle warmth she exuded. Her soft green eyes carried a sense of peace, and her voice was as calming as a gentle breeze through a forest.

The woman's name was Sylvia Evergreen, and she was the head recruiter for Verdant Grove Academy, an institution renowned for nurturing talents in nature-based mana.

While the academy specialized in healing and support, its offensive capabilities with wood and plant-based mana were formidable, a perfect balance of harmony and power.

Sylvia's gaze landed on Bea Might, who was chatting animatedly with a few classmates.

Sylvia smiled softly, her presence unnoticed until she spoke, her voice like a soothing melody.

"Bea Might?"

"Yes, that's me! Oh my gosh, your hair is gorgeous!" Bea turned, her bubbly expression lighting up even more as she saw the radiant woman standing before her. 

Sylvia chuckled gently, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Thank you, dear. You're quite stunning yourself. I've been watching your performance during the trials, and I must say, your connection to nature mana is remarkable. You have the potential to grow into a truly exceptional mage."

"Oh wow, really? I've always loved working with plants and stuff, but I didn't think I was that special!" Bea tilted her head curiously, her smile never faltering. 

Sylvia stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Bea's shoulder.

"You are, Bea. Verdant Grove Academy would be honored to help you refine your abilities. We specialize in nurturing talents like yours, mages who can heal, support, and defend with the power of nature. And from what I've seen, you would fit well with us."

"Verdant Grove? What's it like?" Bea's eyes widened as she clapped her hands together.

Sylvia smiled, her voice carrying a note of pride.

"It's a sanctuary, a place where nature and magic coexist in perfect harmony. Our campus is nestled in the heart of a living forest, where students learn to cultivate their connection to the mana of the earth. We emphasize healing and support, but I assure you, our offensive techniques with wood-based mana are just as powerful.

You'd feel right at home, I'm certain."

"That sounds amazing! I'd love to join! Wait, do you have butterflies there? I love butterflies!" Bea's bubbly enthusiasm bubbled over as she nodded eagerly. 

Sylvia's laughter was as soft as a breeze.

"We have plenty of butterflies, my dear. In fact, they're often drawn to students with gentle and bright personalities like yours."

"Oh my god, yes!" Bea practically squealed in delight, bouncing slightly on her feet.

"You've made a wonderful choice, Bea. We'll handle the formalities shortly. For now, just know that Verdant Grove Academy will welcome you with open arms." Sylvia's smile deepened, her voice filled with warmth. 

"Thank you so much, Miss Evergreen! I'll do my best, I promise!"

"I have no doubt you will. Welcome to the Grove, Bea." Sylvia gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before stepping back.

As Sylvia walked away to continue her work, Bea turned to her classmates, practically glowing with happiness. Her joy was infectious, and for a moment, the heavy atmosphere of the competition seemed to lift around her.

Wang Zi leaned against one of the plaza's ornate pillars, his arms crossed as he watched Bea excitedly chatting with Sylvia Evergreen.

He couldn't help but smile. Bea's joy was infectious, and her bubbly personality was hard to resist. Seeing her find a place that seemed perfect for her brought a sense of satisfaction.

"Good for her," Wang Zi muttered to himself, his smile fading slightly as his thoughts drifted inward.

For him, the academy he joined didn't matter as much. His path was already set, and the resources and training areas most academies boasted weren't something he planned to rely on.

The Artist class - the class he had awakened - was an enigma to him.

It wasn't weak, that much was clear from the descriptions he had found, but it was almost exclusively a support-based class.

Most Artists contributed to their teams by creating items through paintings, enhancing allies through music, or debuffing enemies with carefully crafted mana-infused sound.

Musicians, bards, and singers were apparently the most common type of Artists. They were highly sought after by exploration teams or battle groups for their ability to turn the tide of combat with their buffs and debuffs. But none of that appealed to Wang Zi.

"Support?" Wang Zi scoffed under his breath.

The idea of standing at the back, carrying a guitar or singing into a microphone just to boost someone else's stats, didn't sit right with him. He had no interest in being anyone's background player.

He was a fighter, through and through, and that wasn't going to change.

Yet, as his thoughts swirled, something clicked. His mind raced through possibilities.

"What if..." he murmured, narrowing his eyes in thought.

He had always dismissed the support aspects of the Artist class, but what if he could find a way to use them for himself? Some Artists could enhance their team's power by as much as 30% or even 40%. What if he could turn that kind of enhancement inward, amplifying his own strength?

The idea was intriguing, but there was a significant problem.

Most Artists required physical instruments or their voice to channel their abilities, tying up their hands or focusing their attention. That was fine for a support role, but for someone like Wang Zi, who thrived in the thick of battle, it was a serious disadvantage.

"What if I don't need to play the instrument myself?" But then his lips curved into a faint smile. 

His mind buzzed with possibilities. With his talents - and the system's unique capabilities - he might be able to create something that could play music on its own, manipulating mana to amplify its effects without tying up his hands.

He could retain his full combat ability while benefiting from the power boosts of his class.

And as he thought more about it, an even more exciting prospect emerged. Music from his past life.

Wang Zi's smile widened as memories flooded back. The chills he felt the first time he heard Pain's theme song.

The uncontainable energy that surged through him whenever he trained to the opening of One Punch Man.

"Yeah," he whispered, his voice tinged with excitement. "Why not use those?"

His resolve solidified. This was no longer just a fleeting thought. It was a plan. If he could harness the power of music to empower himself the way other Artists empowered their allies, his class might actually become one of his strongest assets.

But that meant he couldn't completely dismiss the academies. He would need a place with a department that could nurture his class, or at least provide the resources to develop it himself.

"Looks like I'll have to pay more attention to these recruiters after all," he muttered, glancing toward the stage where various academy representatives were still delivering their pitches.

For the first time, Wang Zi found himself genuinely interested in what they had to offer. If they had the tools he needed to turn his Artist class into a frontline powerhouse, then maybe, just maybe, they could be worth his time.

Soon after Wang Zi thought of actually using and improving his class, he noticed someone making his way to him.

The refined man approached Wang Zi with a confident stride, his presence demanding attention even amidst the bustling plaza.

He had a clean-shaven face, an immaculately tailored outfit, and an air of elegance that screamed meticulous attention to detail. His every step seemed deliberate, calculated, as if the world itself revolved around his next action.

"Ah, you must be Wang Zi," the man said smoothly, his tone dripping with enthusiasm.

"I must say, your performance in the competition was nothing short of spectacular. Truly a star in the making."

"And you are?" Wang Zi raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. 

"Forgive me for the lack of introduction." The man gave a slight bow, his polished shoes glinting in the artificial lights of the arena.

"My name is Charles Edric, talent manager and representative of the Global Entertainment Network. I am not here for one of the academies, no. I seek raw, untapped potential, the kind of brilliance that can shine in the hearts of millions."

He gestured grandly with his hands, as if painting the image of a glorious future in the air.

"And you, Wang Zi, have exactly what it takes."

"What it takes for what?" Wang Zi narrowed his eyes. 

"To be an idol," Charles declared with a flourish.

"Imagine it: concerts filled with screaming fans, action-packed movies showcasing not only your combat skills but the enchanting allure of your Artist class. Your class is a perfect blend of power and performance. Picture yourself singing to an audience of millions, your mana-enhanced voice resonating through their very souls. Picture-"

"No." Wang Zi said flatly, cutting him off.

"No? My dear boy, perhaps you misunderstand the magnitude of the opportunity before you. Fame, fortune, influence - all within your grasp." Charles blinked, clearly not expecting such a blunt response.

"You're wasting your time. I don't care about fame or fortune, and I'm not going to prance around on a stage for anyone's entertainment." Wang Zi stared at Charles, his expression darkening with each word. 

Undeterred, Charles continued, almost as if speaking to himself.

"A bit of weight loss, a tailored wardrobe, a few vocal lessons, you'd be unstoppable. The fans would adore you, the endorsements-"

"Enough." Wang Zi said, his tone sharp as a blade. He turned on his heel and walked away without a second glance, leaving Charles mid-sentence.

"Such a waste of potential…" Charles stood there, stunned,