“Are you nervous, Gai?” Louis whispered, leaning closer to his friend. His voice was soft but carried a weight of curiosity, his eyes scanning Gai’s face for any trace of emotion.

  “I’m not really sure what I’m feeling, Lou,” Gai admitted after a moment, his voice low and uncertain. He gnced down at the dirt beneath them, absently tracing circles in it with his finger. “It’s like… there’s this knot in my stomach, even though I know what to expect.”

  Louis didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he studied his friend carefully. Gai’s usually steady hands were fidgeting, and the faint furrow in his brow betrayed an inner turmoil he rarely showed. Before Louis could respond, Mack’s curious voice cut through the tension.

  “What’s wrong, Gai?” Mack asked bluntly, tilting his head as if trying to read Gai’s thoughts. His tone wasn’t accusatory—it was inquisitive, the kind of question that came from genuine concern.

  “You’ll see soon enough, I guess,” Gai replied with a half-hearted shrug. He nodded toward the robed figure working meticulously nearby. “Looks like he’s almost done.”

  The four boys fell silent as they turned their attention to the man in question.

  Dressed in the typical gray robe worn by academy elementalists, he was crouched close to the ground. His hands moved with careful precision, carving intricate runes into the dirt with an instrument that glinted faintly in the sunlight.

  The entire dormitory sat in a wide ring around the mysterious figure, each recruit perched on the ground with varying degrees of unease etched onto their faces. Beyond them, across the training fields, other groups mirrored their arrangement—clusters of young men waiting silently under the same pale morning sky.

  “Oswald, I am done,” the robed figure announced suddenly, his voice calm but commanding. He straightened slowly, brushing dirt from his hands as he stepped back from the glowing runic circle etched into the ground. “Let us make this quick; I have to test your whole barracks today.”

  “Yes, sir.” Oswald stood up straighter at the man’s words, his tone deferential despite the absence of any visible insignia marking rank on the robed man. “Do you want me to hand out the vials now?”

  “Introduce me first,” Gerald instructed firmly but without impatience. He folded his arms across his chest and surveyed the group before him with a critical eye. “Then proceed.”

  “Ah, yes.” Oswald gave a quick nod before turning to address the recruits. His stance shifted slightly as he adopted a more authoritative demeanour, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Lads, listen up. This man is Gerald. He holds no military rank; however”—he paused for emphasis—“he is to be respected and taken heed of no matter what direction he gives you. Is that understood?”

  A murmur of acknowledgment rippled through the group as heads nodded in unison. But despite their outward compliance, confusion lingered among many of them.

  “Who is he?” Sorren whispered under his breath, leaning toward Louis so only he could hear.

  “He’s an assessor from the academy,” Louis expined quietly but confidently, his voice tinged with familiarity. “We had one visit our vilge once—came to test Lord Harnd’s children for their abilities.”

  “Oh…” Sorren’s eyes widened slightly in recognition as he connected the dots. “That’s who he is. I was wondering when we’d finally be tested ourselves.”

  “Alright,” Gerald began again, his tone brooking no nonsense as he addressed the recruits directly now. “I don’t know your names—and frankly, I won’t remember them unless you’re extraordinary.” His gaze swept over them with a clinical detachment that sent a shiver down several spines. “Here’s how this works: one by one, I’ll call you forward to stand inside this runic circle.” He gestured toward the glowing carvings with a sharp motion of his hand. “Once inside, one of these outer runes will activate based on your affinity.”

  He paused briefly to let this information sink in before continuing. “The brighter it glows, the stronger your potential affinity is likely to be.” His eyes narrowed slightly as if daring anyone to challenge him. “This is just a preliminary assessment—it doesn’t define your future potential entirely—but it gives us an idea of where you stand, and where to send you for further training.”

  As Gerald finished speaking, Oswald began moving through the group with a small wooden crate in hand. Inside were rows of gss vials filled with a shimmering blue liquid that seemed to swirl hypnotically whenever they caught the light.

  “This,” Gerald said sharply as Oswald handed out the vials one by one, “is an activator draught.” His voice carried an air of pride as he expined further. “The academy has spent decades perfecting it—it forces an awakening of abilities that might otherwise remain dormant for years.” He paused meaningfully before adding, “It has not only helped strengthen our nation’s forces but also prevented countless incidents caused by uncontrolled awakenings.”

  As Oswald approached their small group, Mack leaned closer toward Sorren and whispered conspiratorially, “Anyone else feel like we’re about to drink a bottle of poison?”

  Sorren chuckled nervously but didn’t reply immediately—his focus was on Oswald as he handed Gai a vial first.

  “Remember,” Oswald said firmly as he pressed the cool gss into Gai’s hand, “this is only preliminary testing. It’s rare for anyone to score above a five during these assessments.” His gaze lingered on Gai for a moment longer than necessary before adding pointedly, “No need to be as nervous as you look.”

  Gai swallowed hard but managed a weak nod in response.

  "First recruit, Gerald. He's taken the draught," Oswald announced, nodding toward a boy who stood stiffly beside him, looking like he might bolt at any moment.

  Gerald gave a curt nod and beckoned the boy forward. "Centre of the circle. Right here," Gerald instructed, tapping his staff against the dirt at the precise middle of the runic arrangement. His tone was matter-of-fact, almost bored. "Mind the markings. They weren’t quick to draw. Tell me your name."

  The boy stepped forward, each step hesitant as he took his pce within the runes. His hands fidgeted in front of him, and Gai couldn't tell if it was the draught taking effect or just pin fear making them shake. The boy's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his voice barely audible when he finally spoke. "I... I am Francis, sir."

  “Speak up,” Gerald said sharply, not unkindly but with an edge that suggested he didn’t have patience for timidity.

  The boy flinched slightly but obeyed. “I am Francis, sir,” he repeated louder this time, his voice cracking under the strain.

  Gerald gave a curt nod. “Alright, Francis. Now listen carefully: try not to move at all.” His gaze softened ever so slightly as he noticed how tightly the boy was gripping his own hands. “You’ll be fine,” he added after a moment, though it sounded more like an observation than reassurance.

  Francis swallowed hard and nodded stiffly, trying to control his trembling limbs as he pnted himself in the circle. The gathered recruits fell silent and within moments, the runes flickered to life—a faint blue glow washing over the dirt. The light, barely perceptible at first, steadily intensified until it cast Francis's anxious face in an ethereal hue.

  Gerald's expression sharpened with interest. He hunched over his notebook, quill scratching frantically across the page as he mumbled to himself. "Water group... possible sub-elements... stability low..." The words tumbled out in disjointed fragments too rushed for anyone to properly catch.

  "That's a good start, recruit," Gerald finally said aloud, straightening up and squinting at his notes. "The blue indicates water affinity primarily, though it can branch into reted elements depending on how you well you cultivate it. As for your power..." He tapped his quill against the parchment, studying the markings before returning his sharp gaze to Francis. "I'd put you at a solid three out of ten. Decent enough for a first assessment. With proper training and some actual effort, that number could climb—assuming you've got the discipline for it."

  Francis exhaled audibly—a shaky breath that betrayed just how tightly wound he had been—and took a step back from the circle.

  “You can sit down now,” Gerald added with a dismissive wave of his hand.

  The boy didn’t need to be told twice. He nearly stumbled in his haste to return to the group of recruits sitting around the runes. As soon as he reached them, his friends cpped him on the back in encouragement.

  “You did great!” one of them said with a wide grin.

  “Yeah,” another chimed in, though there was an unmistakable undertone of relief that it hadn’t been their turn yet.

  “Next,” Gerald called out without looking up from his notes.

  Another boy, shorter and stockier than the Francis, rose to his feet. He wore an expression of grim determination as he handed his empty vial to Oswald and stepped forward. “Raul, sir,” he announced, his voice carrying a hint of defiance.

  Gerald regarded him briefly, then gestured toward the circle. “Same instructions: centre of the circle, no fidgeting. Let the runes do their work.”

  Raul’s movements were steady, almost mechanical, as he took his pce within the markings. The glow began as a muted green, pulsing uncertainly before fring with sudden brightness. Raul’s mouth curled into a satisfied smirk as he saw the light grow, and the other recruits exchanged murmurs of approval.

  Gerald scribbled furiously, his quill darting across the page. “Earth,” he decred with a note of satisfaction. “Strong potential for secondary nature affinity. Power level: four. Well done.”

  "You ready for this?" Louis asked Sorren excitedly, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

  "Next!" Gerald's voice cut through their chatter.

  Sorren pushed himself up from the grass with a broad grin. "Ha! I guess we'll find out!" he ughed, striding toward the circle with surprising confidence. He took his position at the centre and went still—unusually motionless for someone who was usually so animated. The gathered recruits watched in anticipation as the runes flickered to life. The now familiar glow quickly transformed into something entirely different: a deep orange that pulsed vibrantly across the dirt like a living thing.

  "Impressive!" Gerald couldn't mask his excitement as he hunched over his notebook, quill flying across the page. A genuine smile broke through his professional facade. "That orange indicates fire—the hottest elements within its spectrum. I'd rank you somewhere between five and six out of ten."

  The collective gasp that followed made it clear how extraordinary this was; even Gerald seemed surprised by his own assessment.

  "I think you have a bright future ahead of you, d!" he added with unexpected warmth.

  "That's awesome!" Mack hollered from their group. He bounded over and smacked Sorren's back with such enthusiasm that his friend stumbled forward.

  "Watch it!" Sorren ughed, not bothering to hide his pride as he steadied himself.

  As Sorren re-joined them—practically radiating satisfaction—Gai felt the knot in his stomach pull tighter. His turn was coming soon.

  "My name is Louis, sir." The words tumbled out a touch too fast as Louis stepped forward, his fingers instinctively brushing back a dark lock of hair that had fallen across his eyes. He paused at the edge of the circle, took a deep breath, then moved into position with careful steps. The moment his feet settled in the centre, the runes responded—illuminating with a clear blue light that spread outward in a steady pulse. The glow climbed upward, washing over Louis in its cool radiance, transforming the nervous boy into something almost ethereal against the earthy backdrop.

  Gerald leaned forward, his perpetual scowl softening into something closer to intrigue. His quill moved swiftly across his notes, the scratching sound cutting through the silence. "Very nice, Louis," he said, voice maintaining its professional edge despite the hint of genuine interest behind it. "That sky blue—it points to air and sensory abilities, which can be very broad in their scope. Not something we see every day." He tapped his quill against the page thoughtfully. "Could mean you've got some rather specialized talents waiting to be developed."

  Louis blinked, his lips parting in surprise as he stared down at the glowing runes beneath his feet. "Thank you, sir," he murmured, barely audible.

  Gerald tapped his quill against his chin, studying his notes. "Power rank of three at this stage. Respectable for a preliminary test. Well done. Take your seat."

  Louis stepped out of the circle, a flush of pride warming his cheeks as he made his way back to Gai. He dropped down beside his friend with a small, sheepish grin. "I guess that wasn't so terrible," he said quietly, gncing at the others.

  Gai's response was just a faint smile that never reached his eyes. His hands twisted restlessly in his p as he avoided Louis's gaze.

  "Next," Gerald called, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

  Mack stood with a confident ease that contrasted sharply with Louis's earlier nervousness. He squared his broad shoulders and strode toward the circle, footsteps steady on the packed dirt.

  As Mack took position, Louis leaned toward Gai. "It must've been a mistake st time," he whispered, careful to keep his voice below Gerald's hearing. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

  Gai's jaw clenched visibly. For a moment, it seemed he wouldn't answer at all. "I don't want to talk about it right now," he finally muttered, each word clipped and tense.

  Louis swallowed hard and leaned back, catching Sorren's eye. The silent exchange between them spoke volumes.

  "You were already tested?" Sorren asked Gai cautiously, keeping his voice low.

  "Yes." The single word nded like a stone, daring them to ask anything more. Gai fixed his gaze firmly on the ground.

  Their attention snapped back to the circle as Mack's runes sparked to life—bright white light flickering before pale blue streaks rippled outward like water.

  "Interesting," Gerald murmured, rising to his feet for a closer look. "Your name?"

  "Mack," came the easy reply.

  Gerald jotted something down. "A rare combination affinity," he announced, pausing as excited whispers spread through the group. "The white and blue interpy suggests ties to water elements, air manipution... possibly even healing capabilities."

  Mack's eyebrow lifted slightly at the st part, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a barely suppressed smirk.

  "Your power ranking sits easily at a five—exceptional for this stage." Gerald gestured toward the waiting recruits. "Further tests will determine specifics ter. Well done."

  "Wow," Louis breathed as Mack settled beside Sorren, returning to his friends. His grin widened, showing admiration for his friends. "Mack! Sorren! You guys are amazing! You must have incredible lineage or something!"

  Mack chuckled softly at Louis's enthusiasm and y back comfortably against the grassy field with an easy-going shrug. "Something like that," he replied with a wink that only intensified Louis's admiration.

  “Next.”

  The word hung heavier in the air this time as all eyes turned toward Gai.

  He rose slowly—reluctantly—as though every movement required monumental effort. His face was pale beneath his dark curls, and sweat gleamed faintly at his temples despite the coolness of the morning.

  Louis reached out instinctively but stopped short of grabbing Gai’s arm. “Hey... you’re good,” he offered quietly. But Gai didn’t respond; he simply walked forward with deliberate steps that seemed heavier than they should have been.

  When he reached the circle’s edge, Gai hesitated for a heartbeat before stepping inside. His breathing grew shallow and ragged almost immediately—as if invisible hands were tightening around his chest—and beads of sweat began to roll down his neck.

  “It’s all right,” Gerald said gently from where he stood nearby. His tone softened just enough to sound almost fatherly—a stark contrast to his previous brisk demeanor. “Don’t concern yourself with your friends’ results. This is only preliminary.” He gave Gai an encouraging nod before asking firmly: “Your name?”

  “Gai... sir,” came the reply—a hoarse whisper ced with strain.

  Seconds passed.

  Nothing happened.

  The runes remained dark—silent—unmoving.

  “Hmm,” Gerald muttered under his breath as he exchanged a quick look with Oswald before stepping closer to examine the circle more closely. “Do you feel anything unusual?” he asked Gai directly.

  “No... nothing unusual,” Gai mumbled through clenched teeth.

  The silence stretched unbearably long as Gerald circled the edge of the glowing ptform while Oswald crouched low to inspect individual runes for signs of damage or malfunction.

  “Your score is zero. No affinity detected.” Gerald straightened with an audible sigh and gestured toward Gai dismissively. “Sit down for now,” he instructed firmly but not unkindly. “We’ll try again ter.”

  Gai didn’t wait for further prompting; he practically fled from the circle back toward his friends—his cheeks burning crimson with humiliation while whispers swirled around him like vultures circling prey.

  Louis opened his mouth to say something—anything—but before he could speak, another boy had already stepped forward eagerly into the now-functional circle behind them, the runes immediately flickering to a dull green glow.

  As the boy stepped out, Oswald leaned toward Gerald, voice lowered but not enough to escape nearby ears.

  "What does it mean?" he murmured, eyes darting toward Gai.

  Gerald's mouth tightened. "This is not the time or pce to discuss this, Oswald."

  The remainder of the testing blurred together for Gai. He sat rigid, painfully aware of the silence from his friends and the sideways gnces from other recruits. He could almost hear their unspoken mockery. Only Louis offered a reassuring smile, though it did little to ease the knot in Gai's stomach.

  When the final recruit finished, Gerald gathered his notes and addressed the group.

  "Right then, ds. Well done. Your dormitory's the first I've tested today, and you've shown quite varied results." His gaze lingered deliberately on Gai and his friends. "Oswald will take you from here while I move on to the next group."

  "On your feet, ds. Back to the dormitory, double file," Oswald commanded, already striding away. The boys scrambled up, quickly falling into formation behind him.