Chapter 25: Rank Evaluation [1]
Just as he was about to collide with the solid barrier, she gently nudged him to the side, saving him from an embarrassing mishap. Zain's eyes widened in surprise as he snapped back to reality, his thoughts abruptly interrupted by Ria's timely intervention.
"Careful there, sir," Ria said with a hint of amusement in her voice, a warm smile gracing her lips.
Zain blinked, his dazed expression slowly transforming into a sheepish smile. "Thank you, Ria," he replied, his voice laced with gratitude. "I guess I got lost in my own world for a moment there."
Zain's gaze widened in awe as he stepped into the vast and cavernous room. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. The sheer expanse of the space was staggering, easily accommodating two or three of the largest theaters in the city. The ceiling soared high above, disappearing into darkness, and the walls seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction.
The room was designed to accommodate a multitude of people, capable of hosting a staggering crowd of more than 5000 individuals at once.
Ria extended a sheet of paper towards Zain, her eyes earnest and encouraging. "Sir, you need to fill out these details first. It's essential for your rank evaluation," she explained, emphasizing the importance of the form.
Zain hesitated, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He wanted to maintain his anonymity, to keep his true identity concealed within the depths of his mask. But he also understood the necessity of complying with the evaluation process.
Reluctantly, he took the paper from Ria's outstretched hand, his fingers tracing the lines and columns that demanded his personal information.
Name, age, occupation, aim—each category stared back at him, urging him to reveal the depths of his existence.
The weight of the decision pressed upon him, the choice between maintaining secrecy and progressing further. Yet, Ria's words echoed in his mind, reminding him that without completing the form, his rank evaluation would remain incomplete.
A sudden determination filled Zain's eyes as he made up his mind. "Hmm... yes, I can do that!" he exclaimed, his expression shifting with newfound resolve.
Zain began to scribble on the paper, his hand moving swiftly across the page. In just a matter of minutes, he completed the form, his answers neatly inscribed on the paper.
"Okay, sir... now we can continue and have your rank evaluated," Ria said, her voice filled with anticipation.
She gestured towards a designated area, guiding Zain to walk towards a remarkable sight—a towering crystal of pristine white. It stood as the centerpiece, emanating an ethereal glow, seemingly connected to a massive machine crafted from an otherworldly material.
Near the magnificent machine, a man stood with an air of authority, ready to guide Zain through the process of rank evaluation. His demeanor conveyed both knowledge and experience, and he greeted Zain with a nod of acknowledgment.
As Ria fulfilled her duties and departed to the next floor, she ascended in the lift, swiftly reaching the presence of the Vice Master and another distinguished figure.
Ria entered the room, her steps measured and confident. The Vice Master, clad in a distinguished suit, and the other influential figure, radiating a sense of power, stood in a commanding stance.
She approached him with a confident stride, carrying the sheet containing the information Zain had filled out about himself, as per his earlier request. The man, known for his discerning gaze, accepted the sheet and carefully examined the details before him.
As his eyes scanned the lines, a mix of surprise and intrigue danced across his face.
"Luke," he muttered under his breath, acknowledging the young age of 16 that accompanied the name. The revelation of such youth might have raised eyebrows, but the man's experience had taught him not to underestimate the potential that could lie within a young, promising individual.
As he removed the contract lens from his right eye, the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. With a steady hand, he placed the lens back in its case, exposing his raw, unaided vision.
Fixing his gaze upon Zain once more, he sought to pierce through the enigmatic veil that seemed to shroud him. Every detail of Zain's face came into focus, the lines, the contours, the expressions.
Yet, no matter how hard the man strained his eyes, there was an unsettling truth that refused to be revealed.
'Even now I can't see through him...?'
With a mix of determination and trepidation, he removed the remaining contract lens from his left eye.
As he fixed his gaze upon Zain once more, his unaided eyes scanned every inch of his presence. The intricate details of Zain's features, the faintest movements of his body, all fell under the man's scrutiny. Nonetheless, to his astonishment, the outcome remained unchanged.
It was as if a veil of impenetrable mystery enveloped Zain, shielding his true nature from prying eyes. The man's mind whirled with confusion and disbelief. How could someone defy his ability to see through the deepest layers of existence?
'Unbelievable... besides the Association's master and those abominable creatures, there exists another who can elude the watchful eyes of the Archangel?' His eyes flickered with an eerie crimson glow as his mind raced with a mixture of astonishment and intrigue.
The revelation shook the very foundations of his understanding, challenging everything he thought he knew about the boundaries of perception. The red light in his eyes intensified, reflecting the depths of his resolve.
The man who stood beside the Vice Master glanced at him, his expression laden with uncertainty. "Don't strain your eyes... but he does possess a distinctive aura unlike any I have encountered before. Could it be possible that he is..." His voice trailed off, leaving the statement hanging in the air, filled with unspoken implications.
The Vice Master's eyes widened in disbelief as he hastily donned his contact lens, desperately seeking confirmation of his suspicion.
"You mean... an S-ranked angel?" he finally uttered, his voice barely concealing a tinge of astonishment. It was an exceedingly rare classification, reserved for those deemed extraordinary among their angelic kin.
The man nodded in agreement, acknowledging the Vice Master's astute observation.
Ria had heard every word exchanged between the Vice Master and the man. The possibility of Zain being an S-ranked angel ignited a spark of awe within her.
'Amazing... could… could he be an S rank?'
Her gaze remained fixed on Zain, her mind racing with questions and possibilities. Could this enigmatic figure truly be an S-ranked angel, possessing abilities and potential beyond imagination?
All three of them couldn't help but be enamored by Zain's presence. Their eyes remained fixed on Zain, studying his every move, his every gesture. It was as if they were attuned to the subtle shifts in his aura, the energy that radiated from within him. Each second felt like an eternity as they anxiously awaited the unveiling of his true rank.
The man near the machine approached Zain and requested some personal information for the evaluation. He carefully recorded each detail, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in the process.
"Now," the man said, holding the pen poised above the paper, "there's one final question. Once it is confirmed that you are an angel, what will you do.."
The test served a dual purpose - not only to assess Zain's rank, but also to discern whether he was truly an awakened angel or merely posing as one. With the weight of this understanding, Zain's response held profound significance.
"Climb the tower," Zain stated confidently, his voice unwavering.
"Pardon...?" The man beside the machine was taken aback, his surprise evident in his tone. He couldn't fathom the significance behind Zain's answer and sought clarification to ensure he had heard correctly.
Zain's gaze met the man's, his expression resolute. "I said, climb the tower," he repeated.
"Are you absolutely sure about it?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry. "The tower is a treacherous place, filled with danger and uncertainty. You may even find yourself risking your life..."
"That will be determined in due time," Zain replied, his voice carrying an unyielding resolve. "For now, I want to have my rank evaluated…"
'Sigh,' the man thought, inwardly exasperated. 'Another fool who wishes to tempt fate and meet their demise. But what's with his confidence?'
He couldn't help but marvel at the audacity displayed by Zain. It was a rare sight to witness someone so assured of their own abilities even before their rank had been assessed.
In a realm where uncertainty and peril lurked at every corner, such unwavering confidence could either be the mark of a true prodigy or a fatal flaw waiting to be exposed.
Usually, one's decision to climb the tower or settle down was influenced by the knowledge of their ranks. However, with Zain, it appeared to be an entirely different story. From the very beginning, he had already made up his mind, displaying a remarkable indifference towards the rankings.
This sense of resolute determination intrigued the man conducting the evaluation. It was as if Zain's focus extended far beyond the confines of mere rankings and status.
It seemed as though Zain had a personal agenda, a higher calling that surpassed the need for validation through a rank.