As everyone in the arena took a break, a cute little girl stepped forward. At first, none of the applicants paid her much attention, but when they noticed her standing confidently in the center with an air of indifference, a ripple of tension spread among them.
"I am pleased to inform you all that, out of the twelve remaining applicants... you have passed the second trial," she said in a gentle yet authoritative tone.
Irosin couldn't contain himself. "Just stay back," whispered Baku, trying to hold him back, but Irosin ignored him and approached the girl.
"Are you lost, little one? Come, let's find your mom," he said with a warm smile, his genuine kindness evident.
In an instant, a small but unbelievably sharp foot struck his backside, doubling him over in intense pain that almost folded him in half. Through his dimming vision, he heard a voice close to his ear, nearly cracking his eardrum.
"What do you think I am, a little kid? I'm Maya, Rank 3 Shaman," said the girl, standing on her toes, her eyebrow raised, arms crossed as she looked down at the gasping Irosin.
Concerned, Baku hurried to him, "Why does it feel like luck keeps betraying me today…" Irosin muttered painfully.
"If only you had listened to me earlier," Baku murmured, supporting him.
Amid the spinning lights of his vision, Irosin saw Maya facing the group again, her eyes radiating confidence, her posture declaring that she had no time for clueless fools.
"All of you will now undergo the Spirit Detector Orb, which will measure your spiritual power and abilities… here, you'll also discover your rank as a Shaman," Maya announced. "This will determine if your skills are enough for the upcoming battles. If you don't think you're ready, it's better to leave now."
The applicants gulped collectively, but no one dared to turn back, not even Irosin, who could barely speak after that swift kick.
Seeing their resolve, Maya turned and led them toward the Detection Room, each step heavy with tension.
When they reached the grand door of the Detection Room, Maya gestured for them to enter, each applicant wearing a mix of apprehension and determination. Inside, they saw a massive orb floating in the center, surrounded by blue and silver energies that rippled like waves suspended in midair.
Baku stepped forward first, a determined glint in his eyes. Maya raised her hand, signaling him to place his palm on the orb.
A moment of silence, and suddenly, the orb lit up with a powerful glow. A single red streak appeared, tracing the intense spiritual power within Baku. "Rank A Shaman," Maya announced. Baku gave a slight nod, a faint smile of confidence on his face, and returned to his spot.
One by one, the other applicants approached the orb. Each time, the orb glowed in different hues, and each color and streak indicated a Shaman's level of power.
"Step forward, Mr. Irosin," Maya called out.
Trying to look brave, Irosin steadied himself as he walked to the orb. In his mind, he thought his power might be somewhat decent.
"Even a low rank would be okay… just not the lowest," he thought as he placed his hand over the orb. A cold energy surged through his palm, making him shiver, but he forced himself to focus.
At first, there seemed to be no reaction from the orb, and he smiled faintly. "Maybe I've got some decent power…" Just then, a small purple dot appeared within. But before he could celebrate, the dot vanished as quickly as a soap bubble.
"Rank Z Shaman," Maya declared in a cold voice.
At first, Irosin didn't fully process what he heard, smiling and nodding as if pleased.
"Alright, alright. Rank Z has a nice ring to it," he proudly said before returning to Baku's side.
Mayari, who had just finished her own turn, frowned and asked, "What rank did you say you got?"
Irosin gave her a cocky look. "Surprised? Imagine that, I'm a Rank Z Shaman."
Mayari chuckled. "Rank Z Shaman, Mr. Garlo, is the absolute lowest rank for a Shaman. It's comparable to the strength of a three-year-old child."
Irosin's smile slowly faded, and his initial pride drained away. "A… three-year-old child?" he repeated, disbelief coloring his voice.
"Exactly," Mayari replied, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "Your power is nothing compared to anyone here. If you don't have any other talents for shamanism, you may want to consider if this career is even right for you."
Disappointment washed over Irosin's face as he tried to comprehend how things had come to this.
"Rank Z?" He didn't know if he should be angry, laugh, or just quietly fade into the background.
"Do you think you have the willpower to continue despite being this weak?" Mayari asked.
Irosin took a deep breath, and though his pride was bruised, his gaze sharpened with focus.
"A three-year-old's strength, but I'm still here, aren't I? If this were a story, this would be the beginning of the hero's training arc," he thought.
"I won't back down," he declared firmly. "It doesn't matter if I'm Rank Z now. I'll do whatever it takes to become stronger."
Baku smiled beside him, and for the first time, Irosin noticed that no one was mocking him. There was a hint of respect in the eyes of some applicants, even though they knew that a Rank Z Shaman stood little chance against the Devourers. It no longer mattered to Irosin how others saw him; what mattered was his resolve to prove that even as a Rank Z Shaman, he could still succeed.
Everyone fell silent after Irosin's declaration. There was a weight in the air, not born of fear or doubt, but from the courage shown by someone without strength or a high rank on his side. In their eyes, a Rank Z had declared his dream to fight despite his weakness---a rare sight, especially considering Irosin was the only normal person among so many who had passed.
"I don't know if you're crazy or inspiring, but I'm glad I met you," said Baku.
Irosin smiled, even though he still felt the sting in his back from Maya's earlier kick.
"If I weren't crazy, how else would I survive this trial, right?"
Meanwhile, in the main building of the Philippine Defense Force, far from the examination grounds, the soldiers had started a lively discussion about a particular applicant.
In an office filled with desks piled with documents, a few soldiers gathered around. Some held coffee mugs, while others sat back, listening to the conversation with relaxed attention. At the center was a young soldier with a tall, strong stance, and a clean-cut look. He was the one who had approached Irosin earlier.
Smirking as he raised his cup, he said, "Looks like the future of the PDF is in safe hands."
The female soldier beside him, who had short, neatly tied-back hair, looked over at him with a glint in her eye, almost like the sparkle of coins. She had a casual confidence, adjusting her uniform with an easy smile.
"I won the bet, so give me my money!" she said, her voice playful and filled with excitement.
An older soldier standing nearby, glancing over a document, shook his head with a slight laugh. "Didn't I tell you Miss Mayari wouldn't let us down?" he added, a note of respect in his voice as he spoke of Mayari.
"Of course, she's the only daughter of Head Captain Dela Cruz and Head Shaman Dela Cruz, after all," chimed in a bald soldier with a head shining like polished marble, pride evident in his tone.