Kael and Aya walked toward the Academy gates, where a sea of hopefuls had gathered for the entrance exam.
"Entrance exam, huh? Is it just like measuring aura energy, Aya?" Kael asked, scratching his head.
Aya smirked. "Yeah, pretty much. Didn't think you knew anything about it, dumbass."
"Tch… this girl…" Kael forced a smile, but irritation pricked at him. I'll definitely pay you back for that later, Aya.
Before he could reply, a commanding voice boomed from the stage.
"Attention, everyone! The test is about to begin. All participants, gather here within two minutes!"
The crowd shuffled toward the stage. Kael and Aya followed, weaving through the sea of nervous faces.
A tall man in formal robes stood waiting. His sharp eyes swept across the participants before he spoke.
"I am Elfred Von Shrey, Proctor for today's exam. The rules are simple." He placed his hand on a giant glass orb at his side. "This measures what we call Prabha. It is the energy flowing through all things—plants, animals, even the land itself. Only a chosen few can wield it.
Some channel it within themselves. We call them Inners. Others draw it from the environment—they are Outers. Now… let the test begin."
The line moved quickly. Most students glowed with faint, unimpressive colors. A few shone brighter.
"It's emerald!" an instructor shouted. "Miss Elenora, you are a healer—and a strong one at that!"
The crowd whispered as the elegant Elven Princess, Elenora Elarth, was declared an A+ Ranker. Emerald—healing and restoration. A rare gift.
Then came Aya's turn.
"Aya Lenart, step forward."
Aya turned, flashing Kael a grin that looked more confident than she felt. "Wish me luck."
"Show them what you've got," Kael said, trying to sound calm.
Alright, Aya… deep breath. Don't mess this up. Just focus your Prabha like you practiced. Easy… right?
Aya placed her hand on the orb. At first, nothing. A second passed. Another. The silence stretched. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
"…Is she failing?"
"Didn't she look confident a moment ago?"
Aya bit her lip. Come on, come on… work, damn it.
Then—light. The orb blazed, brighter than anything before. A dazzling golden glow poured out, bathing the entire stage. The brilliance was warm, overwhelming, divine.
The courtyard erupted.
"Gold!?"
"Impossible!"
"No one has ever—!"
Even the instructors stood frozen, eyes wide. The Proctor's expression hardened with disbelief.
"Elfred Von Shrey…" one muttered. "Does that mean…?"
The Proctor stepped forward, his voice heavy with reverence. "Miss Lenart… golden Prabha means you are the chosen Maiden. The Holy Maiden destined to stand beside the World Root Guardian."
Aya's breath caught in her throat. Holy… Maiden? Me? For a moment, her legs felt weak. The weight of every gaze on her pressed down, suffocating.
But then, she forced herself to smile. She turned toward Kael, the light still shimmering faintly around her. "Don't look so surprised, Kael. You'll shine too. I know it."
Kael's chest tightened. His fists clenched without him realizing. Aya… she's always been strong, but this? Chosen Maiden? Why does it feel like she's stepping further and further away from me?
Then—his name was called.
"Kael Diamther. Step forward."
Kael walked up, nervous energy coursing through him. He placed his hand on the orb. The crystal flared—then turned pitch black.
"Black?!" gasped an instructor.
The entire courtyard froze.
The Proctor and instructors exchanged hurried whispers.
"Lord Elfred, what does this mean? Black Prabha—there is no such record."
"Calm yourself, Instructor Frey. Unprecedented phenomena do not occur without reason. Remember—the last time was two years ago, when the Worldroot Guardian, Sir Grey Venthoff, manifested white. And now… black appears."
The orb dimmed, but the weight of the moment lingered. The test eventually continued, though whispers of Kael's strange result refused to die down.
When it was over, Kael sat with Aya on a bench near a fountain, his hands trembling slightly.
"Aya… what if they reject me? You're the Holy Maiden. You belong here. But me…?" His voice cracked, raw with unease.
Aya placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her voice was warm, steady.
"Kael, listen to me. If you're not accepted, then I won't stay either. We'll enter the Academy together—or not at all.That's my promise."
Her words pierced through his fear, easing the storm in his chest. Kael let out a long breath, his lips curling into the faintest of smiles.
"…Let's hope it doesn't come to that, Aya. Let's just hope."
Elsewhere, within the headmaster's office, the decision was already being made.
"So you suggest we admit him?" the Proctor asked carefully. "And place him among the A+ Rankers—alongside the Holy Maiden Aya, the White Fang Rakha, and the Emerald Healer Elenora? Director Fu… are you certain?"
The old man stared out the window, eyes hidden in shadow as the sky stretched endlessly beyond.
"Of course, Proctor Elfred. That boy may well become a great asset to our Academy… and to the entire continent."
A sly glimmer passed through the director's eyes as his quill scratched across parchment, sealing Kael's fate.
And thus, the results of the entrance test were declared.
Unbeknownst to them, a hooded figure lingered in the shadows, having witnessed every moment of the selection. Its presence went unnoticed, its silence heavier than words. Beneath the hood, no expression could be read—only a faint whisper escaped.
"…"
And just like that, the figure dissolved into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.