“Next up is Eleazar Thimber.”

  A lanky built youngster with clean clothes walked towards the stage while fidgeting his hands. He nervously touched the crystal while it glowed a dark shade of red.

  [Eleazar Thimber - Potential: Red]

  Eleazar looked at the screen absentmindedly. He grit his teeth and bowed to the crowd dejectedly.

  The attendant continued calling names until…

  “Froilan Abernathy, please come up to the platform and place your hands on the crystal.”

  A youth with a clean set of robes walked nervously onto the platform. He hesitantly touched the crystal. The sphere pulsated weakly before seemingly setting on an unadorned sheen.

  The monitor displayed the result.

  [Froilan Abernathy - Potential: Clear]

  Silence filled the crowd, then began whispers of sympathy and disappointment followed.

  “Clear? He has no potential?”

  “That’s worse than red…”

  “I heard clears can’t detect spiritual energy properly. It’s almost next to nothing.”

  Up on the platform, an official whispered to his colleague, “A failure, what a shame. His family isn’t that well to do either.”

  A child near Aston who awakened a red potential muttered, “I can beat him in a fight. At least I can contract with a spirit beast.”

  Another girl clicked her tongue, “I would have ran away from the platform if I were him.”

  Froilan’s face paled as he darted his vision towards a couple, seemingly his parents. He saw his father’s face of disappointment and his mother’s teary face, clutching a handkerchief shakingly. Biting his lip, he stepped away from the crystal and walked back to his seat, his pace quick as if wanting to forget the result and wanting to silence the world.

  Aston watched in silence, cold sweats formed on his forehead.

  Clear… that means he almost has nothing?

  Society was cruel. They only see colors and ranks, blind to the suffering of those beneath them.

  The attendant continued calling out names until a result outside anyone’s expectations came.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  [Sylvia Ardent - Potential: Blue]

  The monitor showed a deep-dyed blue, almost crossing an indigo color. Touching the sphere was a girl with ponytails. Her eyes gleamed in shock as the crowd watched in silence for a few moments until it erupted in cheers. Sylvia, her hands still trembling, turned to the crowd with wide eyes. She saw her parents - mere commoners, amongst the crowd, shocked then wept with tears of joy. The people surrounding them offered their congratulations while hiding their jealousy within.

  Our daughter has a blue potential! She can live an opulent life!

  On the stage, the city officials exchanged excited glances. The city lord straightened his seat, a rare grin formed in his lips.

  “A blue-ranked talent. This is marvelous news to our city,” an official quipped.

  A teacher from an academy rebutted and said, “The academy must have her!”

  But before any of the other officials could speak further, the man beside the city lord chuckled. He’s the empire’s representative of overseeing the ceremony, along with the awakening crystal.

  “Now, now, surely you all know what this means. This is beyond what local hands could handle. This is a blue potential talent we’re speaking of.” He turned his gaze towards Sylvia. “The empire will secure her future. We will accommodate her to the Red Moon Royal Institute to educate her.”

  “With all due respect, Lord Darius,” a man in a long robe said while standing up. “Our sect has nurtured quite a number of talents up to their full potential. If Lady Sylvia joins our sect, she will not need to travel far and be away from her family.”

  Another man from a different sect scoffed and said, “You speak as if your sect is your only choice. The Mystic Shadow Sect can offer far more resources than your Coiling Dragon Sect. We will ensure she will attain the highest heights of her power, and her potential spirit beasts!”

  More people arose from the platform voicing their own, advertising their power’s allure to Sylvia.

  Sylvia, on the other hand, stood frozen atop the platform. She stepped back, parting her hands from the crystal. Her still shaking hands tightened to a fist. She had dreamed of awakening a good potential but this is way beyond what she dreamt of.

  Her parents, still crying, were overwhelmed by the ongoing events. A moment ago, they were a nameless family in the city. Now, their daughter was being fought over by the most illustrious people present.

  Aston clenched his fists while his heart was pounding in his chest. A blue-ranked potential - something so rare that everyone is fighting over her recruitment. He watched Sylvia, still shocked by what was happening. He tried to drown out the cheers and excitement of the crowd.

  What if mine is red? Or worse…

  “Let the girl and her family decide her future after the ceremony. For now, let’s continue,” the city lord coughed.

  The crowd hummed in agreement and the ceremony continued. Even as it continued, most eyes remained at Sylvia. A blue-ranked potential was not seen in the city in years.

  The attendant continued announcing up to the point where the arrogant kid beside Aston was called. Shortly after, a green flash gleamed.

  [Tristan Graves - Potential: Green]

  Tristan smirked as he watched the result. He received polite cheers from the crowd and the officials on-stage, though lacked what Sylvia had gotten. Some officials eyeing Tristan while murmuring to themselves. Somewhat annoyed, he glared at Sylvia and walked down the platform.

  Tristan sat and smirked at Aston, “Told you didn’t I? Some of us are just built differently.”

  Aston ignored him while clenching his fist. He focused on the platform, on the crystal, and the looming future of what comes next - his name to be called.

  “Next in line, Aston Rhyner.”