The academy's main plaza buzzed with anticipation. Rows of students in crisp uniforms filled the stands, whispering nervously as the instructors unveiled a crystalline monument at the center.
The Amplitude Stone.
It shimmered faintly, towering twice the height of a man, engraved with runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. Every hunter cadet would press their hand upon it, and the Stone would proclaim their talent rank for the world to see.
"Rankings aren't everything," Instructor Hwang barked, pacing in front of the students. "But don't fool yourselves—guilds are watching. A high score today means contracts, resources, and a future."
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
Seo Rin stood quietly among them, hands folded behind his back. His friends were less composed.
Ha-kyu rolled his shoulders, already grinning. "Bet I break A-rank today. Watch and learn, Rin."
"You'll be lucky if you hit B," Hyun-woo muttered, adjusting his gloves. "Elemental affinity isn't something you can brute force."
So-yeon sighed, smoothing her braid. "Don't fight before the test even begins."
Jae-seok stood silently, eyes half-lidded, like he was already calculating the results.
The first cadet approached. Light flared across the Stone, letters forming in the air.
[C-Rank]
A polite smattering of applause.
The next— B-Rank. Then another, and another. Occasionally, a shimmering A-Rank earned gasps.
Then Ha-kyu swaggered forward, slamming his palm against the surface. The Stone pulsed, runes glowing hot—
[B-Rank]
Ha-kyu whooped anyway. "B for Brawler! I'll take it."
The students laughed.
Na So-yeon stepped up next, calm and graceful. The Stone lit with soft radiance, enveloping her in warmth.
[A-Rank]
The crowd cheered, and she bowed politely.
Park Hyun-woo approached with all the confidence in the world. His hand pressed to the surface—runes erupted like firecrackers, spilling light across the plaza.
[S-Rank]
The instructors exchanged glances. Guild scouts in the crowd began whispering, taking notes. Hyun-woo turned, smirk tugging his lips. "As expected."
Finally, Rin's name was called.
The plaza quieted. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
He stepped forward, expression unreadable, and pressed his hand to the Stone.
For a moment, nothing.
Then the monument roared to life. Light burst outward, engulfing him in radiance so bright students shielded their eyes. The surface of the Stone trembled, cracks spreading like veins of lightning.
[S-Rank]
Gasps filled the plaza. To the crowd, it was the same as Hyun-woo's score. Someone whispered,"Isn't that Seo Joon's kid?".
But Rin saw what no one else could—
Behind the glowing letters, faint black glyphs shimmered, writhing like insects.
The Palimpsest flickered across his vision.
---
[System Annotation]
This stone measures vessels, not seas.
Its numbers are lies.
---
Rin withdrew his hand calmly, ignoring the whispers. To them, he was simply another S-rank prodigy—like his father once was.
"Silver Fang will want him. We should move first", said anonymous among the scouts. But as he walked away, the Amplitude Stone shuddered.
A hairline crack, thin and black as ink, split the surface from top to bottom.
None of the instructors noticed. None of the scouts.
Only Seo Rin.
🔥 End of Chapter 2
Codex Record (end note):
> Talent is a vessel. Enlightenment is an ocean.