The students lined up in front of the mystic ball, each waiting for their turn to have their talents reassessed. The atmosphere in the room was tense, the anticipation palpable. Cruzer took his place in the line, nervously waiting for his turn.
He could feel the stares of the other students and hear their hushed whispers, but he focused on the task at hand.
"System," he whispered under his breath, "will everything be alright? Will my temporary star rating be discovered?"
The system's voice responded calmly in his mind, "Your temporary star rating will not be detected by that piece of junk ball, host. Don't ever doubt the system's abilities."
System's reply did little to alleviate the nervousness he was feeling. This testing would directly affect his future. As long as he passed today safely, his future would be limitless.
As he pondered over the system's reassurance, Cruzer's thoughts were interrupted by a pair of eyes watching him intently. He turned his head slightly and noticed a young girl staring at him.
Despite having the same black hair and eyes as many of her peers, there was something strikingly unique about her appearance that drew his attention.
Her name was Karasuma Yui. Her short black hair was styled into a sleek bob that framed her delicate, heart-shaped face perfectly.
The cut was sharp and precise, giving her a modern and sophisticated look. A small, silver hairpin adorned her hair, catching the light and adding a touch of elegance.
Her eyes were large and expressive, a deep, inky black that seemed to hold a world of thoughts and emotions. They contrasted sharply with her pale, smooth skin, which had a porcelain-like quality.
She wore the academy's uniform with an air of effortless charm. The dark blue blazer hugged her petite frame, its tailored fit highlighting her slender shoulders and narrow waist.
Beneath the blazer, the crisp white shirt was buttoned up neatly, and a navy blue ribbon was tied into a perfect bow at her collar, giving her a polished appearance.
The pleated skirt, matching the blazer, fell just above her knees, its hem swaying slightly with her movements. Yui's socks were low-cut, ending just above her ankles, revealing a hint of her delicate ankles and adding a touch of casualness to her otherwise pristine appearance.
Her black loafers were polished to a shine, completing her ensemble.
Despite her youthful and cute appearance, there was a quiet intensity about Yui. Her demeanor was calm and composed, and she carried herself with a grace that belied her age.
Even in the bustling room filled with nervous energy, she stood out with her poised and self-assured presence.
As Cruzer observed her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue. Yui was not only a member of the prestigious Karasuma clan, known for their unwavering loyalty to the Ichinose clan, but she was also Rin's close friend and a member of her party.
Cruzer couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and unease under her gaze. He wondered why she was staring at him so intently.
As the saying goes, "A guilty conscience needs no accuser," his unease now evolved to foreboding. His mind went into turbulent thinking, imagining all the consequences.
As the line moved forward, the murmurs grew louder, and the tension in the room increased.
One by one, the students placed their hands on the mystic ball, and their talent levels were displayed on a small screen attached to the pedestal.
"Next, Cruzer. Check your talent," suddenly a voice broke his thoughts, and he realized it was his turn.
He stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of the other students' stares, especially those from the various clans who looked at him with disdain.
He placed his hand on the mystic ball, feeling its cool surface against his palm. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a soft glow emanated from the ball, and the small screen began to display information.
Cruzer held his breath, waiting for the result.
The mystic ball's glow intensified, and the small screen flickered to life. Cruzer felt a jolt of anxiety as the numbers and symbols began to appear, revealing his talent level to everyone in the room.
The screen displayed:
Name: Cruzer Talent Level: 3 stars
"Okay, head back," said Instructor Mei.
He sighed a breath of relief as it seemed that the instructor and the mystic ball didn't find any abnormality. He went back to the line of students who had completed their talent reassessment.
His nervousness dissipated, and his expression finally eased up, replaced with a smile. In his excitement, he missed the fact that Yui was still watching him intently.
Her expression had changed from curiosity to one of thoughtful contemplation. There was no mockery or disdain in her gaze, only a deep, analytical interest.
She then turned towards Rin and whispered something in her ear.
Rin's cold face momentarily showed an expression of disbelief, before turning back to her cold demeanor once again. Rin then signaled to someone who suddenly appeared behind her.
She told him what Yui had whispered to her, and the silhouette disappeared once again.
The rest of the students continued to take their turns, and the results varied widely. No one had any changes in their talent ranks, assuring the quality of the mystic ball.
When it was Ichinose Rin's turn, the crowd suddenly turned silent and watched her.
Her talent was still 5 stars, as displayed by the mystic ball. Most students couldn't help but feel envy. Next up were Alisha and then Yui, and the process continued for other students.
Finally, everyone had completed their talent reassessment, and everyone was lined up neatly according to their ranks.
With all the talents reassessed, Adrian Vanek stepped forward, his commanding presence immediately quieting the room.
"Students, based on your talent levels, you will now be segregated into different training programs. This is to ensure that each of you receives the most effective and tailored training possible."
Tachibana Mei nodded in agreement. "Those with higher talent levels will be placed in advanced programs, while those with lower levels will receive focused training to help them improve.
We believe that every student has the potential to excel, and we will provide the resources to help you achieve your best."
She gestured to the mystic ball once more. "The talent reassessment is just the beginning. Your progress will be continuously monitored, and adjustments will be made as needed. We expect dedication and hard work from all of you."
Cruzer was placed in the 3-star talent group, looking at the higher ranked talents, he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, "Soon... Soon, I will be beyond you guys and you will be looking at me like I am looking at you."
Suddenly, a commotion broke out amongst students as they saw the vice chancellor making his way towards them.