The energy testing pavilion buzzed with faint murmurs as students took turns at the glowing orb, one after another. The air shimmered faintly with static, filled with the faint hum of machinery and whispered anticipation.
Joyce stood near the control panel, clipboard in hand, her expression calm yet watchful.
"What are you yammering on about back there?" she asked, adjusting the energy scanner as it pulsed with a soft blue glow. The orb beneath her hand flickered faintly in response.
"Nothing much," Henry said with an easy grin. "Just talking about my rival… and the new friend I made today."
Joyce arched a brow. "Let me guess. Jerry?"
Henry nodded. "Yep. So, sister, how did your training go with my rival? You and him… how'd that turn out?" His tone shifted to a teasing smirk. "Hope he didn't try any pervy stuff."
Joyce sighed and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "He didn't. But I'm not talking about that right now. Hand on the orb."
Henry groaned, but did as he was told. The moment his palm touched the crystal surface, the orb sprang to life. Colors burst within ...fiery reds, stormy blues, and deep browns swirling together in luminous patterns. The light pulsed with growing intensity, radiating through the air in waves.
The readings began to spike rapidly.
Joyce narrowed her eyes, scanning the data. "Near-elite Beta," she murmured under her breath.
The orb whirred louder as Henry's energy surged. Flames flickered briefly around the base, then vanished into mist. A rush of wind swept through the hall, followed by a crackle of electricity dancing over the orb's shell.
"It's based on his stamina and core control," Joyce thought to herself. "His elemental output shifts with energy flow."
Without hesitation, she pressed two fingers gently to his chest. A soft blue light spread outward, forming a glowing seal across his core.
"Hey!" Henry protested. "Did you just seal it completely? Leave me at least a bit of power, sis!"
"I left enough for you to finish the exam without burning the school down," Joyce replied dryly.
Henry folded his arms, feigning annoyance before glancing up curiously. "Wait, aren't you going for the exam too?"
Joyce shook her head. "Later. I'm on staff duty for now, helping with the crowd."
Henry's teasing grin softened into genuine warmth. "You've got this, Joyce. I know it's a lot to handle, but… everything will be fine."
Joyce's expression gentled. She reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately. "If you pass, I'll let you hang out with your friends this weekend."
Henry brightened immediately. "Deal!"
He laughed and bounded off toward the hall, the faint seal still glowing across his chest. Joyce watched him go, a smile curving her lips.
But the calm lasted only seconds.
The atmosphere shifted as Jerry stepped forward. The air thickened with tension, the chatter fading into silence. Every eye turned toward him — students, instructors, even the staff who had seen it all.
George, the senior instructor, adjusted his glasses, trying to keep his composure. "Alright, Jerry. No pressure. Just place your hand on the orb."
Jerry gave a faint hum, his expression unreadable. He flexed his fingers, the silver limiters coiled around them glinting faintly under the light. Taking a calm breath, he stepped forward, each footstep echoing softly. Then, without hesitation, he placed his palm flat upon the orb.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then everything changed.
The orb began to tremble, humming violently as its glow deepened. A surge of energy rippled through the entire hall. Lights flickered overhead. Cracks of pure light spread across the orb's surface like veins of molten glass.
The system screen behind Jerry flickered to life, streaming lines of unreadable data before resolving into text:
Energy level: 999999999999999999++
Potential: Infinite
Power Type: Unknown
System recalibrating…
Error… Error… Cannot calibrate…
A deafening crack split the air.
The orb shattered in two with a thunderous explosion of dark purple light. A shockwave burst outward, tearing through the hall. Students stumbled backward, covering their faces as the blinding flare washed over them.
George shielded his eyes, his voice trembling. "Wh… what in the world was that? Jerry, did you just unleash your full energy?"
Jerry lowered his hand slowly, his expression calm, almost detached. "No," he said quietly. "That wasn't my full energy. I'm wearing five limiters. That was just residual output of what leaked through."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Joyce pushed through the crowd, activating her scanning glasses. The moment the lenses registered his readings, they cracked then exploded into fragments. She staggered back, eyes wide in disbelief.
Whispers erupted all around.
"Did you see that?"
"What kind of monster is he?"
"Is he even human?"
From the back, Lucian stepped forward. His sharp presence cut through the murmurs instantly. Dressed immaculately in a designer blazer, his golden hair gleamed beneath the fractured light. He glanced at his watch with a casual disinterest before speaking.
"Everyone, calm down." His voice was smooth yet commanding, carrying quiet authority. "The test is over. Jerry will proceed to write the exam without using any ability. Cheating of any kind will result in disqualification."
His gaze flicked toward Jerry, the weight of his warning unmistakable.
"I expect a full report from every Elite Class member after the exam," he continued firmly. "Tony, meet me in my office. That goes for the rest of the staff as well."
Jerry brushed the dust from his sleeves and smirked. "Relax. I'll pay for the damages. It's not like I need to cheat anyway."
With a lazy salute and an amused grin, he turned and strolled toward the exam hall. The air behind him still crackled faintly with energy, the scent of ozone lingering long after he left.
The silence that followed felt almost sacred the kind born not of peace, but of awe.