The Shinkai Academy's testing field was as big as a stadium. The metallic floor reflected the cloudy sky, and instructors dressed in black watched from above, eyes sharp. Teens from all over waited their turn. The air wasn't heavy because of magic — it was heavy with expectation.
Ren stayed quiet.
Next to him, Itsuki couldn't stand still.
— "What if I get something like lightning manipulation? Like zap! And I go all electric?" he laughed, clearly trying to hide how nervous he was.
Maho stood with his arms crossed, silently observing everyone with his calm gaze. He didn't talk much — but he was always ready.
A voice echoed from the loudspeakers:
— "Candidates number 34 to 40, step forward to the Awakening Circle."
Ren took a deep breath.
It was their turn.
---
The Awakening Circle was a massive glowing ring inscribed on the ground, with arcane symbols rotating like gears. One by one, each student stepped into the center, and a bluish energy expanded around them, scanning their very essence.
Each candidate had their moment.
One girl summoned blue flames from her hands. A boy made the floor rumble beneath him.
Then came Maho's turn.
The circle trembled violently. For a split second, the glowing light turned pitch black, and a colossal symbol rose behind him — shaped like a titan, towering and menacing.
— "Rare Physical Type: Titan," said one of the evaluators, jotting something down. "Exceptional power level."
Maho stepped away without saying a word. He glanced at Ren and nodded, as if to say, "You've got this."
Next was Itsuki.
The circle lit up brightly. A golden orb floated above him, with lightning sparking in all directions. The power radiating from him was electric, wild, hard to contain — but dazzling.
— "Physical Type: Human. Affinity: Advanced Electricity. Strong emotional control."
— "I KNEW IT!" shouted Itsuki, throwing his arms up in triumph. "Take that, universe!"
And then…
Ren was called.
---
He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The Awakening Circle pulsed gently. He knelt at the center, as the protocol required.
— "Ren… Shikazumi," murmured the examiner, reading his file. "Affinity test… starting."
The light surrounded him.
But…
Nothing happened.
The circle didn't shake. No colors appeared. No symbols formed.
Ren looked around, confused.
The evaluators exchanged glances.
— "System error?" one of them whispered.
— "Try to focus," said another. "Think about your inner strength. Focus on your heart."
Ren closed his eyes. He felt the chill of memory: his mother's weak smile. The loss. The emptiness.
He clenched his fists.
— "I have something. I am someone…"
Still, nothing.
The light faded.
Silence.
---
Ren stepped out of the circle slowly, like he'd been punched in the gut.
The other students stared — some with pity, others with judgment.
Itsuki waited for him, unsure what to say.
— "This doesn't mean anything… maybe the circle glitched," he offered.
Ren didn't answer.
But inside him… something stirred.
Faint. Hidden.
As if it were locked away.
As if it were afraid to be seen.
Something ancient. Deep.
Asleep.