The sun had barely risen over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the sprawling city. Lyranthor stood at the entrance of Lumina Arcadia Academy, the most prestigious academy in the human realm. The academy grounds were vast, a testament to its grandeur and importance. Tall, elegant buildings stood proudly, their architecture a blend of modern innovation and ancient tradition. Lush gardens and towering trees added a touch of nature's beauty to the scene, creating an atmosphere of serenity and majesty.
Lyranthor took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and determination. This was his chance, his opportunity to secure a future for the orphanage and honor Sister Lily's memory. He glanced at the other candidates around him, each looking just as determined and focused. The competition would be fierce, but Lyranthor was ready.
"Welcome to Lumina Arcadia Academy," a voice echoed through the courtyard. A tall man with a commanding presence stood before them, his robes flowing with each step. "I am Master Orin, and I will be overseeing your entrance trials. Only the best and brightest will be accepted. Prepare yourselves for a series of rigorous tests designed to push you to your limits."
Master Orin continued, "Your first test will be a demonstration of your innate talent. Each of you will approach the TalentEcho device, which will scan and reveal your individual talents with unmatched precision. This revolutionary device, invented by EchoTech Innovations, provides detailed analyses, allowing users to uncover and understand their unique abilities with ease. EchoTech Innovations, renowned for its groundbreaking advancements, ensures that the TalentEcho remains at the forefront of talent identification technology."
A murmur spread through the crowd, the candidates whispering to each other nervously.
"Do you think it will show everything about us?" a young girl with auburn hair asked, her eyes wide with anxiety.
"Probably," a tall boy beside her replied, his voice tinged with unease. "I've heard it can even detect latent talents you don't know you have."
"Great," another boy muttered sarcastically. "Just what I need—something else to be judged on."
Lyranthor listened to the nervous chatter around him, feeling his nerves start to creep in. He clenched his fists, taking a deep breath to steady himself. This was just another challenge he had to face.
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Ten days after Lyranthor's release from the hospital, Sister Lily's funeral was held. The orphanage children, the staff, and other mourners gathered to pay their respects. Lyranthor stood by Sister Lily's grave, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony proceeded, he recalled the happy memories he had shared with her since he was a child. A smile crept onto his face, but a tear rolled down his cheek, mingling joy with sorrow.
"Sister Lily, thank you for everything," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'll never forget you."
The next day, Lyranthor remembered the gift he had received from Sister Lily before she died in his arms. With trembling hands, he opened the small package she had handed him. Inside, he found a letter and a recommendation letter from Lumina Arcadia Academy. As he read Sister Lily's heartfelt words, he felt a fresh wave of grief.
"My dearest Lyranthor," the letter began, "I have always believed in your potential. This recommendation letter is my gift to you. Use it to reach the heights I know you're capable of. With all my love, Sister Lily."
Tears streamed down Lyranthor's face as he clutched the letters to his chest. This time, his tears were different from before. He had to act tough in front of John and his fellow orphanage siblings, but now he could finally cry his heart out. He let the sorrow and pain flow until there were no more tears left.
"I'll make you proud, Sister Lily," he vowed, his voice hoarse from crying. "I'll take care of the orphanage and everyone in it. I'll use this chance you've given me to change our lives."
"I'll give it my best shot," he vowed silently, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "For Sister Lily, for the orphanage, for everyone."
With a deep breath, Lyranthor steeled himself for the challenges ahead, ready to face whatever came his way.
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Lyranthor glanced around at the other participants, many of whom were also receiving their results. Some looked elated, others disappointed. The TalentEcho had revealed their strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for the trials ahead.
Suddenly, one of the participants exclaimed in shock, drawing everyone's attention. In front of Master Orin stood twelve individuals.
"Look, they are the best of our generation!" the participant pointed out, excitement and awe in his voice. "Four of them are the sons and daughters of the top three guilds in the human domain. The number one guild is the Draven Guild, and Thalia Draven, only 16 years old, is the daughter of its president. The number two is the Starfall Guild, and the twins Ronald and Nathan, who are 17, represent it. The number three guild is the Cornwall Guild, and Miya Cornwall, also 17, is the daughter of their leader.
"And look, the other one is the son of the number one tech company, EchoTech Innovations—Gabriel, who is 16. Then there's the daughter of the best alchemy company, Raviel Onsmont, who is 16. And the last one is Alice Stenperf, the 18-year-old daughter of the president of Terra Concord, the strongest defense of humanity."
Another participant questioned, "But who is that other guy standing alone?"
Lyranthor looked at them and was shocked to see Raven among them.
Suddenly, Master Orin called Raven to step forward. He was the first one to be called to place his hand on the TalentEcho device. The air was thick with anticipation as everyone watched intently.
"It's him," Alice Stenperf, the daughter of the Terra Concord president, exclaimed. Her attendants and the other high-ranking children nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Raven.
"Yes, it's him, Miss Alice," one of her attendants confirmed. Her father was one of the officials from Terra Concord, making her word carry significant weight.
Froy Nuballs, the son of the second strongest official in Terra Concord, snorted derisively. "He's nothing without his talent," he said, his voice dripping with jealousy. The other boys around him, equally envious, murmured in agreement.
Froy always believed in the power of authority and lineage. Seeing someone like Raven, a commoner, garner such attention for his talent stung his pride. He had heard from his father about Raven's high potential, and it only fueled his resentment.
Raven stepped forward, his face a mask of calm. He placed his hand on the TalentEcho device, and it began to hum with energy. The device scanned his hand, and a holographic display appeared, listing his abilities and potential.
Master Orin's eyes widened slightly as he read the results. "Exceptional physical and magical abilities, high potential for growth, and a unique affinity for spatial manipulation," he announced.
The TV beside the TalentEcho device then displayed Raven's stats:
---
**[Raven Storkleive]**
**[Age: 17]**
**[Talent: SSS+]**
**[Rank: F-]**
**[Affinity: Space]**
**[Agility: F-]**
**[Strength: F-]**
**[Mana: E+]**
**[Charm: A+]**
---
The crowd murmured in amazement. Spatial manipulation was a rare and highly valued talent. Jealousy also swelled in their hearts, especially in Froy, whose talent was only S rank. Most of the high-ranking authorities, sons or daughters of the rich, and children of guild leaders had already had their talents examined by their families. Only those who were poor and had no connections had yet to see their talents.
"He's quite the hottie," said Alice Stenperf, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and intrigue. This remark made Froy hold an even deeper grudge in his heart. The other elite candidates also felt pangs of jealousy, but they kept it at bay. One of the elites, in particular, saw Raven as a rival already, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Raven's potential.
Raven stepped back, his expression unreadable as he processed the information.