As the youth continued to wait for three hours, another strong light appeared, and a new Rank 2 male emerged.
"I didn't expect another Rank 2 to appear," said the man in the white robe as he looked at the new Rank 2 holder.
Soon after, he turned to the other youths and remarked, "Today's youths were stronger than the previous ones."
It's been decades since someone was ranked second. It is rare for someone to even attain Rank 3.
That's why the man in white is so delighted.
"There is a greater chance that our kingdom will survive. These young people must be trained properly. Not many will risk their lives, unlike in the last war."
Finally, after another three hours of waiting, it was Mira's turn.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward
As Mira held the sphere, she felt a strange sensation, like tiny needles drawing her blood from her palm. She could feel the warmth of her blood seeping into the sphere.
Suddenly, everything around her exploded in a burst of blinding light. She squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the brightness.
When she cautiously opened her eyes again, the world looked different.
Colors began to fade along with the people around her, including those in robes. They stood frozen, as if time had come to a halt.
Mira took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"What's happening?" she whispered as she looked around, hoping for an answer. But the frozen figures offered no clues.
"You are in the spirit realm," a voice said softly beside Mira.
Startled, she spun around.
Standing beside her was a handsome man in his thirties, with long, white hair cascading down to his waist.
His face was gentle, lined with wisdom, and his eyes held an otherworldly calm.
He also wore a translucent robe that flowed gracefully to the ground.
"Who are you?" Mira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am the king of kings in this world, the slayer of the red dragon, the bestower of power upon each one."
Realizing that she was speaking to a god, Mira's eyes widened in shock.
She quickly dropped to her knees, bowing her head low.
"Forgive my impertinence in addressing you," she said.
The god looked down at her, his expression unreadable. He reached out and gently lifted her chin.
"Rise, my child."
As she stood, large screens materialized around her, illuminating the dim room with their glow.
The screens displayed vivid scenes from the past: the fierce massacre against the red dragon, its roars echoing as flames and claws tore through the land.
Mira could almost taste the smoke and smell the charred earth, the scent of destruction heavy in the air in the world.
'A dragon?' she said because he had never seen a dragon in person.
Next, the screens shifted to the onslaught of the war.
The ground vibrated with earthquakes, and the loud bombs and cries of the people deafened her ears.
Mira's heart ached, and she felt a lump form in her throat.
Her eyes were drawn to one screen in particular, which showed a small city trying to defend the kingdom.
She recognized it slightly.
Inside the outer kingdom, with its ruined houses, was their home.
She watched in horror as the war struck, and she saw her parents fighting valiantly, releasing their fire element against the jet fighter that was firing at them.
However, they easily fell in the battle
The moment felt surreal, like she was reliving a nightmare. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.
She clenched her fist in anger, being reminded of the hardships her parents endured just to protect her.
The god placed a calming hand on her shoulder and said, "You are the hope to save the world from those who seek its destruction."
"World destruction? What do you mean?" she asked.
"Soon the red dragon you saw will return from the sky. He will lead numerous calamities, and you alone have the power to stop it," the god said.
Mira's eyes filled with surprise before slowly turning to determination. Her heart swelled with purpose.
She kneeled again, lowering her head in a gesture of deep respect and commitment.
"I, Mira Storm, vow to defeat any enemy that disturbs and seeks to destroy the world!" she declared.
The god smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. He placed a hand on her head.
"Now, accept the power I bestow upon you," he said, his voice resonating with ancient authority.
Once again, light enveloped her surroundings, blinding and brilliant.
Mira felt a surge of warmth, like standing in the summer sun, as the god's power flowed through her.
All she could hear was a booming voice filling the space around her. "Use this power to defeat the Dark One and save this world. In due time, I shall accompany you."
The voice seemed to vibrate through her very bones, leaving her with a sense of both urgency and purpose.
She clenched her fists, feeling the power thrumming beneath her skin.
'I will not fail,' she whispered to herself.
Mira opened her eyes, and the world came back into focus, sharper and more vivid than before.
'So, this is what the god shows to every Aptitude aspirant,' Mira muttered to herself, nodding with gratitude for the power granted to her.
But as she looked around at her companions and the people in white robes, she noticed their disbelieving glares.
Whispers spread among the youths, their eyes wide with shock.
Melvin glanced at her briefly but quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Everyone saw the intense light coming from Mira, unlike anything they had seen before.
The youth all had the same thought: She was the strongest among those with aptitudes.
When Mira looked at her hand, there was an "X," but one side of the X was a wavy line.
This means she has Rank 1 Aptitude!
"Quickly! Inform the High Priest!" ordered the man in white robes who was currently guiding them.
The people in robes were greatly amazed because, for the second time in history, someone had received Rank 1.
This had never happened in a long time, and there had only been one recipient of it since the day the Sphere of Aetherium was left in the world.
Mira watched as the man's companions hurriedly obeyed, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor as they rushed away.
She stood there, bewildered by the events unfolding around her. Her mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening.