Chapter 26: Rank Evaluation [2]
The Vice Master, the man and Ria remained fixated on Zain, their curious gazes following his every move and word. Though they were unable to hear the conversation taking place between Zain and the evaluator, it was evident from their expressions and body language that they sensed something significant was transpiring.
Their shared interest in understanding the nature of Zain's resolute decision added an air of intrigue to the room. It was as if an invisible thread of curiosity connected them, compelling them to seek answers to the enigma that surrounded Zain.
"Okay then, first touch this white crystal orb. If it glows, it means you are awakened," the evaluator instructed, expecting Zain to comply.
However, instead of reaching out to touch the orb, Zain remained still, his gaze unwaveringly fixed upon it.
Time seemed to stretch as seconds turned into minutes, yet Zain remained motionless, his piercing stare locked onto the crystal orb.
'If I touch the orb... then without a doubt, it will turn black or give out a purplish light... that would cause me trouble...' Zain's thoughts raced, his mind filled with caution.
He knew that his attribute, 'DARK,' was rare and shrouded in mystery. If the orb were to respond to his touch by emitting a black light, it would undoubtedly create an uproar, revealing a truth he intended to keep concealed.
Zain understood the significance of this moment, where a simple touch could expose his unique nature to the world.
His first reason for holding back was rooted in self-preservation. Zain understood the potential dangers that awaited those with extraordinary powers. Keeping his power hidden was his way of shielding himself from unnecessary trouble.
But it was his second reason that tugged at his heartstrings—the fear of reliving the anguish of his past. The wounds inflicted by those who turned against him when his true nature was exposed were still fresh in his memory. The trauma he endured in the heavens had left an indelible mark, making him hesitant to showcase his uniqueness once again.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid that you're not awakened?" the man taunted, a smug grin playing on his lips. His words aimed to provoke Zain, challenging his identity and potential.
Zain remained calm in the face of his skepticism. His doubts and questions didn't sway him. He knew his truth, and he had his reasons for not touching the crystal orb. His determination remained unshaken.
Ria, unable to contain her curiosity and concern, voiced her doubts. "Master, what if he isn't an angel? What if there's been a mistake?" Her words echoed the uncertainty that lingered in the air.
The unknown man standing nearby chimed in, adding his perspective to the mix. "Indeed, it's a possibility we must consider…"
"...."
The Vice Master fell silent, deep in thought. He, too, was uncertain about the situation.
The peculiar thing was that the power of the Archangel's eyes, which he possessed, didn't work on humans.
While it could discern lies and truths, it couldn't detect anything beyond that, as ordinary humans lacked any inherent power. This limitation left him hesitant to make a definitive judgment at the moment.
With a contemplative expression, the Vice Master mulled over the possibilities.
"Come on... we don't have all day! Touch the crystal already!" the man insisted, growing impatient.
Zain took a step back, a determined look on his face."Why do I need to touch the crystal when I can prove that I am truly awakened?" Zain declared confidently.
The room fell silent as anticipation filled the air. With a resolute gaze, Zain tightened his fist, summoning his inner strength.
In that electrifying moment, time seemed to slow down. The atmosphere crackled with energy as Zain's muscles tensed, ready to unleash his power. His fist became a vessel of raw force, poised to make its mark.
Without hesitation, he thrust his hand forward, unleashing an explosive punch that resonated with a thunderous boom.
'BAM'
The ground trembled beneath him as shockwaves rippled through the room. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor, and debris soared into the air, creating a swirling cloud of dust.
"What the fuck..." the man began to shout, but his words trailed off as his eyes widened in awe. His gaze shifted from Zain to the aftermath of the punch. There, before them, lay a small crater embedded in the ground, a testament to the sheer power unleashed by Zain's fist.
It was a tangible display of strength that surpassed that of a normal human, clearly qualifying him as an angel.
"Wow…"
Ria stood there, her eyes wide with shock, unable to find the words to express her amazement. The Vice Master and the other officials, unable to contain their excitement, wore wide grins as they exchanged knowing glances.
Zain's power had left an indelible mark, both figuratively and literally, in the room, solidifying his qualification as an angel.
"This fella is interesting..." said the unknown man who stood beside the Vice Master, his eyes filled with curiosity. He couldn't help but be captivated by Zain's display of power and the enigma that surrounded him.
The Vice Master nodded, a mixture of intrigue and caution in his expression. While impressed by Zain's abilities, he still harbored a lingering doubt in his mind. There was something about this young man that didn't quite fit the usual patterns, something that piqued his curiosity and gave him pause.
'He could have easily shown that he was an angel by simply touching the orb... What was the need to demolish the floor? Perhaps he wanted to show off?' The Vice Master couldn't help but wonder, his mind filled with curiosity and intrigue.
Despite the unconventional display of power, one thing was now certain—Zain was undeniably an awakened being. The need for further confirmation of his awakening seemed unnecessary after witnessing such a display of raw strength.
As the dust settled and the room regained its composure, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The Vice Master, the unknown man, and Ria exchanged glances, their minds buzzing with questions and possibilities. They couldn't help but feel that Zain's presence held deeper implications, ones that went beyond a simple rank evaluation.
"Hmm, that's not bad at all," the man said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Now, you need to place your hands on the measuring instruments." Zain nodded, acknowledging the instruction, and followed the man toward the impressive device that awaited him.
The measuring instruments were a complex network of intricate sensors and devices, designed to analyze and quantify the unique qualities and abilities of awakened beings.
As Zain approached, he could feel a faint hum in the air, a resonance between himself and the machine, as if it recognized his presence.
The room fell into a hushed silence as the machine whirred to life, its array of lights and displays illuminating the space with an otherworldly glow.
All eyes were fixed on Zain, filled with anticipation and curiosity. The room seemed to hold its breath, as if aware that this moment would determine his rank and potentially reveal the depths of his power.
"So, we will be measuring three aspects: your internal power, generated based on your awakening potential, your physical power, and the star space that has been created," the man explained, gesturing toward different sections of the device.
Zain listened attentively, his expression growing slightly displeased at the mention of the star space measurement.
"Why the star space?" he muttered under his breath, a faint sigh escaping his lips. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the inclusion of this particular assessment. It reminded him of a past burden he carried, one he had hoped to leave behind.
His mood unexpectedly dipped, casting a shadow over his features, though the reason remained elusive. Yet, beneath that veil of somberness, a subtle glimmer of contentment emanated from within him.
"Interesting..." he murmured to himself, a small grin forming on his lips.
'That's good anyway, I've already anticipated what the tests will reveal. If it aligns with my expectations, it could prove immensely advantageous in various situations.'
All four observers, their curiosity piqued by Zain's sudden shift in mood, exchanged puzzled glances. Yet, despite their confusion, the pressing need to proceed with the evaluation remained at the forefront of their minds. The man in charge stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"Please, place your hand on this orb," he instructed, pointing to a translucent sphere specifically designed to measure internal energy.
Zain complied without hesitation, his hand hovering over the orb for a brief moment before making contact. As soon as his palm connected with the surface, a surge of ethereal energy rippled through his body, resonating with the sphere's intricate mechanisms.
A soft glow emanated from the orb, pulsating in sync with the ebb and flow of Zain's internal power. The observers watched intently, their eyes tracing the subtle fluctuations of light as the orb absorbed the essence of his being.
Vibrant symbols and intricate patterns materialized on the screen, displaying a cascade of readings and data that left the observers wide-eyed and astonished. Their jaws dropped in unison as they beheld the astonishing result.
The letters on the screen burned brightly, forming a resplendent "S" that signified the highest rank attainable.
'Oh my god... that's awesome... is it... 'S' Rank!?'