A few minutes after Professor Shin left, the students followed quickly and arrived at the Laboratory Room.
One might think that the Laboratory Room consists of vials and beakers or other science stuff and that would be quite correct. Only difference is... the Laboratory Room was much more expanded from science.
Due to the unique nature of their Soul, science is mainly researched using the attributes of mystical powers.
Take for example, technology is not quite made in a more technical way of building scraps and wires. But rather.. they are more enhanced due to the prevalence of Paths and Attunements.
Magical circuits and devices, using Soul as power to light up the lamppost, gathering reserves as energy in order to make electricity, and even the elevator that Veritas and the Agalia Brothers rode on was powered by Soul!
Everything in Elrod has been technologically empowered by the uniqueness of the people's Soul.
This made it easier for various gadgets to be manufactured..
More intricate details could be said to exist but Knights Academy hasn't really explored that much on technology. That was the Intelligence School of Knowledge's expertise.
Although Knights Academy still took on various classes about technology, it's just not as specific as the classes on Intelligence School of Knowledge.
That said, Veritas was at awe when he saw the Laboratory. If everything on here was advanced then he couldn't even imagine the laboratories in other Academies, specifically: the Academy that Sienna Levitica founded.
"You all finally arrived! I have to say... you sure took your sweet time.."
"Sir, with all due respect, you bolted off before even telling us to go. You merely left us in the classroom with no further notice."
Morgan spoke up in response to their Professor's snarky remarks.
"Yeah, uh- that's my bad."
The orange-haired Professor then clapped his hands.
"Still! You're all here now aren't you, everyone must be glad! Anyways... look at what I have here!" Professor Shin brought out a crystal clear cube that looked like it was glowing yet made out of glass at the same time. "This is the item or thing that we would be using to test your aptitudes!"
His enthusiasm went through the roof and the students actually felt their energy being drained.
Veritas was curious as to what the device did, so... he decided to inquire, but he was too late. A black-haired student had asked the question before him.
"What does it do, Professor?"
Everyone observed the cube carefully.
"Well- uh.. I'm not really sure myself, but you touch here- and then the cube radiates a different color in response to your Soul."
Upon pointing and touching one side of the cube, it suddenly glowed pure white.
"Right. I haven't told you about the classifications yet.. uh-"
The Professor looked up to think."
"If I remember... black is the lowest and white is the highest, I think? Yeah. It probably goes something like this. Once you touch the cube, the color changes.. and based on that color is your Aptitude!"
He continued:
"But oh... you keep rambling about Aptitude but we don't really know what it is." He said mockingly.
Morgan raised his hand and said:
"I know what it does, Professor!"
"Zip it, smart boy."
Professor Shin pointed at him and shut his mouth.
"Let me explain.. Aptitudes are the definition of how your Soul is attached to your entire being. They are the factors that describe how your Paths, and Attunements are resonating with your body.. and Soul. As an example, the cube shined pure white when I touched it right? That means that my Soul is already 100% resonated with me. Do you all get it?"
A student named Luciphus raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"You mentioned the Paths and Attunements resonating with the body, is that somehow related to the resonation of the Soul?"
Professor Shin snapped his fingers.
"Very good question! While Paths and Attunements are part of the Soul, their resonations are a different thing."
He cleared his throat.
"You are all Pathbearers right? Then you must've noticed that your Paths are somehow related to your Attunement. You there! What's your Path?"
"Uh- me?" A tall red-haired girl was suddenly put to the spot.
"Yes you!"
Taking a second to answer, the red-haired girl contemplated her response quite frankly.
"My Path is Graceless and my Attunement is Roots of Shadow.."
"There we go! Although Roots of Shadow may sound something unrelated to Graceless, we can assume that it is somehow related to it. But how? The Soul could be quite vague in its words but by correlating Roots of Shadow, mainly "Shadow", to Graceless could be said to be ambiguous."
He added:
"It might not be correct Miss.. uhh-"
"Betzal."
"Miss Betzal, right. As I was saying, I might not be correct in my words but I think Graceless directly means the absence of light or sun. As the star above us gives the most delightful grace in our daily lives. Your shadow Attunement may correspond to that.."
"You can correct me if I'm wrong though."
The Professor smiled at her, and asked for her opinion.
"I.. haven't really thought of it like that before. I thought my Path and Attunement were two different things, really.."
"Oh? Really? I guess everyone here has learned something new then."
Veritas quietly observed the scene.. of course, he already knew all of this but it was nice to get his knowledge regarding the Soul to be refreshed.
"That said, I guess we could start testing your aptitudes. Since you've already shared your Path.. Miss Betzal, you can go first."
Professor Shin placed the cube down to the desk in the room.
Veritas didn't really scout the appearance of the room but it looked like the room back in Sacred Echelon. Additionally, it consisted of many Laboratory gadgets displayed in shelves that were not supposed to be touched.
In the front, a Professor's desk could be found and that is where the cube was located.
Betzal walked diligently to the desk and upon reaching it, she touched the surface of the crystal clear cube.
"Gah-"
She winced in pain.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you that it would bring a small tinge of pain. Nothing too serious though, my bad."
After a few seconds, the cube started changing its color from clear to dark silver. Then, it changed once more, the insides seem to be clouded and spread all throughout the cube.
Finally, the cube turned silver-white, not turning into another color.
"Impressive... 79%. Well done, you may head back.."
After Betzal went back, the cube returned back to its clear state and the Professor signaled for the next person to go.
"I won't make anything complicated so let's just go by order, starting from the left."
He pointed at a brown-haired boy.
"You. Go."
The boy with brown-hair named Luciphus walked towards the cube and placed his hand on the side.
It changed from clear to black to a darkish gray color.
"41%.. Still pretty good. Usually, those with noble-blood get 30% or above."
The Professor waved his hand for the next person to go.
Veritas paid attention to each and every one of them.
The first after Luciphus was a person named Jill, his aptitude showed to be 39%, lower than the prior.
After him, it was Hana, she touched the crystal clear cube and it turned into a silver-gray color.
"55%. Great Resonance, you should be proud."
After her it was a couple of people that Veritas had not interacted much with. They all possessed resonances from 30% to 47%. In the midst of their Aptitude testing, Leo was called up to the front.
He touched the crystal clear cube and it fluctuated for a second. From a darkish-gray, to a bright silver that radiated light. It didn't shine as bright as the first person's Aptitude but it was still bright to see.
"64%! This is pretty good as a start. Considering that you are all still young, your Aptitudes could still be improved in the future."
"Thank you, Professor~" Leo bowed deeply.
"Don't mention it.. Next!"
Another person that Veritas did not interact much with walked forward. He had defining features including a shiny-gold hair, light blue eyes, and fair white skin. It almost seemed like he was the very definition of royalty himself.
Veritas had interacted with him once. In the For Honor Class, Veritas was grouped with him. It was only the first day of the class, but their groupings were already set.
For the rest of the semester, Veritas would be partnered with him.
'That's Mercury..'
Recognizing the young man, Veritas observed him walk towards the crystal clear cube.
Among the entire class, he was the only one that was not acquainted with any group. To say that he was a loner would be an understatement. Some people have tried talking to him yet they were shut down by his silent behavior.
He did not talk much at all, even Veritas felt awkward to have him as a partner in the For Honor class.
As he touched the cube, it gradually showed a silver radiance, slowly shining brighter.
With each passing second, the cube seemed to radiate a pearl-ish glow.
Until finally, it stopped.. The cube was shining radiantly white and it looked like it was as pure as the Professor's Aptitude.
Veritas was surprised.
'Such radiance? What percentage is that!?"
Everyone was amazed by his Aptitude, and they anticipated the Professor's announcement of its percentage.
"That's.."
Even he was surprised!
"95%. Boy, that's impeccable! It's even higher than mine and I have 93%!"
Mercury looked calm even with his surprising feat. In the room, whispers resounded from the students.
"Who is he? What family is he from?"
"How utterly great!"
"To think of someone in our class.."
The amazement lasted for a couple of seconds and carried until the next person.
Morgan was next and he felt very pressured by the previous student's Aptitude.
Veritas saw the amber-haired boy walk forward and touch the cube's surface.
It glowed silver for a second, then.. it shined brighter, turning into a silver-white color!
Professor Shin announced the percentage.
"80%. Excellent!"
There was a wide grin on his face, seeing so much high Aptitudes had unlocked a deep feeling of admiration inside of him.
"Next!"
Alas, it was Alice's turn, everyone had high expectations of this girl, especially since the news spread of her Path Rank. Everyone felt tense and hyped, the past 2 Aptitude tests were pretty high!
Each step carried immense pressure, and every second felt like an eternity.
Once she arrived, she carefully placed her hand on the surface of the cube. She felt pain yet it was merely a touch.
The cube glowed silver, and then silver-white, and then white, and it didn't stop!
Until! It shone bright, as if it were a molten ball that was burned in high temperatures, lighting up the room and magnifying the shadows behind the students.
Everyone looked at the Professor.
He was in awe.
"W-what?! 97%! This is unreal! I can't believe it, two students with 95% and above.. in the same class too! As expected of the son of a Duke and a daughter of a Duchess!"
Everyone went into an uproar.
"Son of Duke? That blonde guy?!"
"Daughter of the Duchess?! I knew she was someone special, that's why she had a Sacred Rank!"
Even Morgan's mouth was agape, he did not expect that there were two children of a Duke and Duchess in their class. Paired with the Prince, this was the very first time in the records of Knights Academy that there were 3 people of high nobility and royalty here!
"Next up! Next up!"
The Professor called out.
"It's the Prince! He's next!"
"Is his Aptitude going to be high too?!"
Veritas felt tense and pressured, but it was nothing to him.
As he walked towards the crystal clear ball, he felt everyone's gaze directed to him.
'Here I go..'
With that, he stood in front of the cube, and slowly reached for the top.
Everyone was ecstatic and felt their hearts pump fast in suspense.
Veritas touched the surface and felt a slight pain in his fingertips.
Once he felt comfortable he laid his entire palm on the cube.
He saw it shine radiantly white, pulsing as if it were still changing color!
It blinded everyone, its shine was impeccable and flawless.
"As expected of the Prince! It's- It's!" Professor Shin spoke out.
He stopped for a second, not believing what he was seeing.
"100%!"
Everyone expected it but seeing the blinding light coming from the cube was still an unimaginable experience!
Veritas felt proud by his achievement and he planned to go back.
However.. inside the cube, he saw a fluctuating black that seemed to absorb all light.
A black that was the very definition of darkness itself.
It was very familiar to him, Veritas had already seen this before!
'That's!'
Immediately, all the light of the cube seemed to get sucked out and it was forced to change into a tenebrously pure dark black!
Everyone's eyes widened, even the emotionless Alice!
'What happened?!'
"This is!"
The Professor looked closely at the cube and inspected it with utmost focus.
"0%?!"