Amidst the palpable excitement and anticipation, another student named Markus stepped forward to face the crucial test. Markus was a lean and determined young man who exuded an air of quiet confidence. His eyes held a steely determination as he approached the crystal globe, his heart pounding with nervous energy.
Markus gently rested his hand on the crystal surface, and as he did, the sphere shimmered with a delicate, icy blue light—the unmistakable color of his elemental affinity: ice. Though ice abilities were relatively common, Markus was determined to show that his was exceptional.
Turning his attention to the tall obsidian stele, Markus placed his palm upon it, ready to channel his abilities. He closed his eyes briefly, summoning all his concentration and energy for this pivotal moment. The audience held its collective breath, waiting in silent anticipation.
Slowly but steadily, Markus's body became enveloped in a frosty aura, and ice crystals began to form around him. A chill spread through the air, and the ground beneath him frosted over, accentuating the power he was channeling. The stele's markings started to glow, and the audience watched with bated breath.
The glow ascended from the lower tiers, passing F rank and D rank at a steady pace. It reached C rank and hesitated, teetering on the edge before finally settling at the lowest end of the C tier.
"C tier!" Miss Avensworth announced with a hint of admiration in her voice.
The crowd erupted into a mixture of applause and murmurs of approval. Markus had just managed to reach the C tier, showcasing his potential. However, his performance had also piqued the interest of three academies—Celestial Vanguard Academy, Stellaris Academy of Arcane Arts and the Federation Military Academy. The audience watched with curiosity, eager to see which path Markus would choose as his destiny began to take shape.
General Kaldur, representing the Federation Military Academy, made his offer with the same unwavering resolve. "I offer you the starting position of Squad Captain in the 56th Regiment of the Federation Army upon graduation."
Markus stood at a crossroads, knowing that his choice would determine the course of his future. The spotlight was on him, and the decision he would make in this pivotal moment would resonate throughout his academic journey.
Markus stood there, facing the representatives of both the Celestial Vanguard Academy and the Stellaris Academy of Arcane Arts, who had expressed their interest in his abilities. The crowd held its breath, waiting for his decision.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Markus turned towards General Kaldur, the stern but respected figure from the Federation Military Academy. With unwavering determination, he spoke, "I choose to join the Federation Military Academy, sir."
General Kaldur nodded in approval, his icy blue eyes holding a hint of respect for the young man's choice. "A wise decision, Markus. You've shown great potential today. I look forward to seeing you excel in the 56th Regiment of the Federation Army upon your graduation."
Markus smiled, a sense of purpose and commitment shining in his eyes. With his choice made, he had set his sights on a path of discipline, honor, and service to his federation. The audience applauded his decision, acknowledging the significance of his commitment to the military academy.
As Markus stepped away from the testing area, he carried with him the weight of his choice and the determination to prove himself in the challenging journey that lay ahead.
Elliot's fists clenched as he realized who was called up next. He watched as Kael stepped up to the testing area with an air of arrogance that was palpable. His handsome features were marred by a self-assured smirk, and his emerald eyes sparkled with confidence. He exuded an aura of privilege, as if he already knew he belonged to the elite.
But as he was about to begin, the ethereal voice of Professor Seraphina, the ambassador of the Stellara Royal Academy, pierced the silence. Her words, delivered in a voice like satin and silk, hung in the air with a weight that stunned the entire venue.
"The Stellara Royal Academy is interested in this student," she declared, her sapphire eyes locked onto Kael. It was a statement that sent shockwaves through the crowd. The Stellara Royal Academy, the pinnacle of excellence, had shown interest in a student. It was an acknowledgment that went beyond words, a recognition of exceptional potential.
The sudden hush that fell over the venue was broken only by hushed whispers of disbelief and awe. Students and onlookers exchanged incredulous glances, and the significance of the moment weighed heavily on their hearts. The top 0.001% of the planet's most talented youth were invited to Stellara Royal Academy, and Kael had caught their attention.
Elliot couldn't help but grit his teeth, realizing the vast chasm that separated Kael from himself. Today, he understood the extent of his tormentor's privilege and talent, and it fueled a fire within him to strive for greatness like never before. The gauntlet had been thrown down, and the competition had just intensified.
Kael's arrogant smile seemed to hold a magnetic pull, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. His striking gray eyes and unruly, stormy dark hair only added to his captivating presence. As he stepped forward, the girls from the academy couldn't help but cast admiring glances his way, their eyes filled with a starry admiration that spoke of his allure and power.
With confidence in his stride, Kael addressed Professor Seraphina, "I would still like to show my abilities to you, Professor." He approached the crystal ball, his hand coming to rest upon its smooth surface. What happened next was nothing short of breathtaking.
A tempest of black lightning erupted within the crystal, causing it to tremble and vibrate as if struggling to contain the immense power within. The crowd fell into a reverent silence, their collective breaths held in awe. Black lightning, one of the rarest elemental affinities on the planet, belonged to only one family—the Kirin Family. The realization sent a shockwave through the onlookers.
The name "Kael Kirin" resonated in their minds. What was a member of such an elite and prestigious family doing at their humble academy? The mystery surrounding Kael deepened, and the atmosphere crackled with intrigue and wonder as they watched the display of his extraordinary abilities.
As Kael Kirin continued his test, the atmosphere remained charged with anticipation. Seraphina watched him with a sigh, her words laced with a hint of playfulness, "He is much like his father."
Undeterred by the attention, Kael proceeded to the next phase of the test—the obsidian stele. With determined resolve, he placed his palm upon the tall, rectangular slab, its surface etched with enigmatic markings that reached all the way up to the coveted S tier. It was a sight to behold as Kael channeled his abilities, a focused look on his face.
The obsidian stele responded to his power, and a radiant glow erupted from its surface. As if breaking through all barriers, the glow surged past the lower tiers and even shattered the A-tier threshold. It stopped, illuminating the S-tier marking, leaving the crowd in eerie silence.
Then, as if a dam had burst, the onlookers erupted into cheers of awe and astonishment. The display of power from Kael was nothing short of legendary, and the audience couldn't contain their amazement.
Elliot, quiet in the midst of the cheering crowd, felt his fists clenching so tightly that his palms began to bleed. The gap between him and Kael had never been so stark, and the tormentor who had haunted him for so long had just demonstrated an S-tier ability. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it only fueled Elliot's determination to excel and prove himself on his own terms.
The deafening cheers from the crowd continued as Kael Kirin's remarkable display left everyone in awe. Not one, but all the prestigious academies had expressed their interest in him, a truly extraordinary achievement. The students and onlookers watched in amazement, their whispers filled with admiration and curiosity about this remarkable young man.
Amid the resounding applause, Miss Avensworth stepped forward, her voice resonating through the square. "Kael Kirin, you've garnered interest from all the academies. It's now time to make your choice."
Kael took a moment to soak in the attention, basking in the adoration of the crowd. His arrogant smile remained firmly in place as he responded confidently, "I choose to join the Stellara Royal Academy."
The moment he uttered those words, a hush fell over the square. The Stellara Royal Academy was not only the most prestigious but also the most exclusive institution on the planet. It accepted only the most exceptional talents, and Kael's decision to join its ranks spoke volumes about his confidence and ambition.
Professor Seraphina, representing the Stellara Royal Academy, nodded in approval. Her sapphire eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she witnessed the young prodigy choose her academy. With a graceful gesture, she offered Kael a warm smile, and he bowed respectfully in return.
The audience erupted into applause once more, this time a mixture of admiration and envy. Kael Kirin had secured his place among the elite, and his journey was destined to be extraordinary. As he made his way back to the crowd, his path was lined with curious glances and whispers of excitement, marking the beginning of his remarkable future at the Stellara Royal Academy