The crowd murmured in amazement as the announcement was made. Serena's interest piqued as she glanced at the Warlord who had received the designation. He was a tall, lean young man with an air of quiet confidence. She wasn't too surprised it had been the Royal Prince: Bane. He was royalty destined to become King of his country.
"Your Role Designation: Lower B"
Another one was called out right after. As Serena looked over, she could see another small, framed girl with glasses. What surprised her even more was that this girl looked extremely frail, and she wondered what type of magic earned her B designation. She decided to ask her afterwards as she was intrigued by her.
"Your grade designation: Lower A."
This announcement made everyone stop, even Sylvie who was about to do her test. They all looked to see who got the first Lower A rating. They could see a handsome guy who looked much older than everyone else. He had a scar on his eye and short-cut hair that was a dirty brown color. He wore an all-black vest with chain mail underneath and oddly designed pants. He wore sandals as well with no visible weapons. Serena figured he was one of those who trained for years before finally participating in an Initiation. Seeing the attention he was receiving, he began to have a smug look on his face. Until he heard it.
"Your grade designation: A with a sub growth potential."
He immediately looked to his right to see who had stolen his thunder. It was none other than Sylvie! She had gone ahead and gotten the exact same results.
"Hey, that girl got the exact same results."
"Weren't you listening? She has a growth rating, meaning her power isn't done. She easily outclasses the other guy."
"Wait, she looks familiar. Isn't she Vanguard Danity's sister?"
"Better hush. Who knows what kind of pull she has."
'That bitch. I'll make sure to show her!' the guy thought as he walked off. He immediately came up with a plan to get revenge.
More people continued with more getting either C or D. Only a very few got High B or low A. Haruto was up next, hoping he could get something good. As he touched the orb, a black spark came out, shocking him and the aide. As she pressed a few buttons, she motioned for him to go again. He was able to the second time, and then the aide's eyes slightly rose.
"Your grade designation: Unknown: but it's showing sub growth growth. "
The entire area got quiet. Even the Guild Masters, who were all absorbed in their own business, became quiet. Serena was surprised by this. She had never seen the reader unable to make a determination. Nevertheless, she didn't let it show too much. 'It couldn't read his grade but knew it's a growth?' The aide then interrupted her. "Warmaster, I attempted a second time, but the reader has become damaged. It's almost as if the stone rejected the reading."
Immediately chatter started throughout the area.
"Hey, did you hear that? That kid's awakening stone broke the reader."
"I wonder what level it is."
"Tsk, he probably used some trick. He'll get in trouble for breaking the reader."
"Does anyone know him? I've never seen him before."
"He was one of the top performers at the initiation. He saved my life!"
Serena, hearing all the gossip, immediately cut in. "Silence! Mark him as C and move on."
"Yes, ma'am." She made a note to make a report about it.
Haruto was surprised but wondered if it had to do with receiving his magic from Dimitri. As he stepped off, Bane and Sylvie both came up to him with wondering glances. "I knew trouble followed you!" Sylvie stated. "Hey, you're just as shocked as me. Maybe it malfunctioned." Haruto tried his best to convince her as Bane turned to watch the testing.
He recognized two familiar faces walking up to the orbs. "It's those three from the Initiation." They all turned, and sure enough, it was Bingo, Mira, and Rose about to test.
"Your Grade designation: Lower B Growth."
"Your Grade designation: Lower B Growth."
"Your Grade designation: B."
Mira and Bingo both received the same while Rose received a max classification. "Don't worry too much, buddy," Bingo said as he tapped Rose on the shoulder, trying to encourage him.
Rose wasn't upset about it as he was from a secluded tribe in a mountain region that focused on support and defense. As they all finished, they spotted Haruto, Sylvie, and Bane and walked over. "Long time no see!"
They all greeted each other and started to catch up. "I'm not surprised to see you all got high classifications. Without you at the Initiation, a lot more people probably would have died."
"So, any guild ideas yet?" Mira asked, surprising everyone as she was usually the quiet type.
They all suddenly realized that once the last few tested, they would move on to guild selection—a decision that could define their lives as Warlords.
"I'm choosing a small Guild! I'm going to follow in Vanguard Serena's footsteps and strive to become Warmaster!" Sylvie stated this with absolute resolution, shocking everyone there.
Haruto and Bane exchanged glances, impressed by Sylvie's determination. "That's a big goal, Sylvie. But I believe you can do it," Haruto said with a smile.
Bane nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if anyone can achieve that, it's you."