"Congratulations, Jay! You're one of the highest scorers."
Maya and Luke congratulated Jay as they waited near the exit gate.
"Oh, umm... thank you very much. I guess I got lucky."
Jay replied modestly, feeling a bit shy but secretly happy.
"And you… well, you're alright, I guess. Always keeping your identity and skills a mystery."
Mira teased, turning to Jin.
"I'm happy with the results."
Jin replied calmly. He didn't mind staying unnoticed—it was better than having his name up in lights for everyone to see.
"So, how much did you score?" Luke asked.
"A perfect 330. Honestly, I'm surprised eight thousand people scored higher. I thought I'd be in the top 500." Jin admitted.
"Hmm, so there's more hidden talent out there than we realize." Luke said thoughtfully.
With the moon high in the sky, Mira led the group to a nearby restaurant to celebrate. It had a classic look, with chandeliers and wooden furniture giving it an elegant feel.
Once inside, an older butler guided them to a table for four. They sank into the soft sofa seats around the dining table. The butler swiftly prepared the table, setting out spotless white plates with golden patterns, a variety of utensils, and handed them the menu.
Since Mira was treating everyone, they didn't hold back. They ordered all the restaurant's specialty dishes. While they waited, the butler played soft, classic music to set the mood. Soon, the first dish arrived.
The meal began with a steaming bowl of rice soup, which the butler described as a herbal broth made with ikitia herb and seasoned with rice grains for flavor.
"And how did your exam go?"
Jin asked, holding a spoon large enough to finish the soup in two scoops.
"I did fine. The first part was just a test of attributes. The real combat test is in four days—after your attribute test tomorrow."
"Oh, I thought you just signed some papers and registered."
"Well, we don't take the regular exam like most people. This one's for those above Level 3 or with an 'S' potential ranking."
"What's that?" Jay asked, curious.
"You'll see tomorrow."
Mira said, leaving it at that.
As soon as they finished their soup, the butler cleared the table and brought out the next dish—a colorful vegetable rice salad made with ingredients from the Samut rainforest. The butler explained its origins, but Jin found it fresher than expected, though not as fancy as he imagined.
For dessert, they ended with a classic treat: plain rice pudding served cold. Simple, yet satisfying.
But the most heartbreaking part was Mira's struggled to pay the total bill of twelve thousand rupees.
"Gaya Raphael—that's the name the kid mentioned. She's some kind of hero, right? Well, coming from the great clan of Raphael, she must be formidable."
*******
The next morning, Jin and Jay arrived for their second test, it was the attribute test.
Thanks to Luke's very exceptionally detailed explanation, Jin understood how the exam worked. Using various machines and methods, the examiners would measure the basic attributes of the candidates—strength, endurance, agility, intelligence, and, most importantly, spiritual energy reserves, etc. A total of ten tests.
'Why does the 48 Curse never let go of me?'
Jin sighed inwardly as they made their way to the designated testing area.
Jin was his usual self—calm and composed. To his surprise, however, Jay, who was typically nervous, seemed unusually collected.
'I suppose getting the top score boosted his confidence.'
Jin thought, studying him closely. His sharp eyes noted something odd— Jay's dark circles, which had lightened during their time in the Nameless Domain, seemed to have deepened again.
"Did you not sleep last night?" Jin asked, his tone neutral.
Jay forced a shaky smile onto his weary face. "Oh no, I slept very soundly."
Jin didn't need to use his unique skill to sense the lie—it was painfully obvious. Besides, Luke had mentioned that Jay had been learning divination from Mira late into the nights.
Jay had grown closer to Jin ever since he had taught him how to properly control his spiritual energy. He admired Jin almost like an idol, often going out of his way to prepare Jin's favorite tea every morning. Remarkably, the tea was always hot, as though Jay knew the exact moment Jin would show up.
Jin frowned slightly as a thought struck him.
'Wait… don't tell me...'
He stopped abruptly and turned to Jay.
"Are you using divination to predict when I'll come for tea?"
Jay's eyes widened.
"Ahh… busted."
He blurted the words out before he could stop himself.
Jin raised an eyebrow.
"So it's true?"
"N-No, it's not what you think!" Jay stammered, clearly flustered. "It's just my way of, um, thanking you for your help."
[Unique Skill: Seer of the Unseen]
Jin's skill activated, confirming that Jay was telling the truth.
"Fine," Jin said, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. "But add a bit more sugar next time."
Jay's face lit up.
"Alright, I will!"
As they resumed walking, Jin smirked to himself.
'Having a couple of fanboys is fine… but a few fangirls wouldn't hurt either.'
With loneliness weighing on his heart, Jin walked toward the staff who were gathering all the examinees. Jay followed closely behind him.
The chief examiner, clad in a suit and wearing a stern, intimidating expression, addressed the group while another examiner verified their attendance.
"All 852 of you will be divided into twelve groups and led to the training ground. Your second test begins now."
The chief examiner spoke curtly, his tone loud and commanding, before departing without another word.
The examinees were promptly divided into twelve groups, each comprising seventy-one individuals. Sixteen examiners then guided them toward the training ground.
Calling it a training ground felt like an understatement—it was enormous, more akin to a coliseum. The space was circular and enclosed, yet sunlight poured in through a glass roof. Upon closer inspection, Jin discerned that it wasn't just glass but a barrier, likely of at least four tiers, designed to contain any potential destruction.
The ground beneath their feet was green, though it wasn't grass. The area was vast enough to hold at least three hundred people simultaneously. It featured ten personal dueling grounds and even a running track.
In the distance, Jin noticed various pieces of equipment placed near the dueling grounds, one set for each of the ten tests.
The examiner called the names of the test takers one by one according to their registration numbers.
The tests began with a sequence: spiritual energy resource evaluation, physical strength, mystical arts, agility and reaction speed, wisdom, stamina, spiritual awareness, spiritual pressure resistance, spiritual energy control, and finally a special test where test takers could showcase their Skills.
Each test awarded a maximum of 10 points, for a total of 100. However, the passing mark wasn't set very high—yet the pass rate was still a mere 1%.
As their names were called, one by one, test takers approached the equipment and returned defeated.
'There's no way they can pass. Most of them are sleepers—those who haven't awakened yet.'
Anyone who had obtained their soul could apply for the exam. And passing the theory test was achievable, as it didn't require any spiritual energy. However, succeeding in the second test without spiritual energy was utterly impossible.
One might question why they came to this trial at all. But their answer always lay in their desire to one day become a hero.
'To reach an awakened state, a vast amount of spiritual energy is required to form the Triangle. For most of these people, that energy can only be obtained in their dreams.'
With the meterials monopolized by the powerful and the ORDER's clear intention to suppress the weak, it was nearly impossible for ordinary people to break through. Yet, despite knowing this, they still showed up.
'What a pity. They carry embers in their eyes, but those flames will never be allowed to burn bright.'
Lost in his thoughts, Jin's interest in the proceedings waned. He was strategizing about his own future when a loud cracking sound snapped him back to reality.
"Razen Notora, total score: 78. Pass!" the examiner announced.
Jin turned, curious to see the first person who had passed, but the excited crowd made it impossible to catch a glimpse. Everyone surged forward, eager to see the one who succeeded.
"Next... Jasmine."
'But isn't his number after mine? Are they calling us in reverse order?'
Jay glanced at Jin, who gave a subtle nod in response. Taking a deep breath, Jay approached the first test equipment.
The centerpiece was a smooth, round stone etched with the intricate pattern of a closed eye, its craftsmanship so precise it almost seemed alive. It rested delicately on a red silk cloth, a striking contrast to the gray-white metallic box it was connected to below, wires trailing from it to a small screen ready to display the results. The air around it pulsed faintly, hinting at the immense spiritual energy contained within.
The examiner's voice broke through the tension, explaining the procedure with a crisp authority: Jay had to channel his spiritual energy into the stone.
Jay stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the mysterious artifact. Taking a steadying breath, he reached out with his spiritual energy, feeling the familiar surge of power course through him. His focus sharpened, and the moment his energy made contact with the stone, it began to glow—a radiant, ethereal light that illuminated the closed eye pattern.
In a dramatic instant, the eye carved into the stone opened wide, as if awakened from an eternal slumber.
"Kaboom!"
The stone erupted with a violent vibration, its energy spiraling out of control. A deafening explosion followed, sending shockwaves reverberating through the air. Dust and light collided, and the crowd gasped in stunned silence.
Jay staggered back, shielding his eyes as the aftermath of the explosion settled. Fortunately, the examiner had created a protective barrier just in time, shielding Jay from the blast's destructive force.
The stone was no more, leaving behind only fragments and a lingering aura of raw, untamed power.
And on the screen, a single number flashed: 0.