The assembly hall's fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across anxious faces as students gathered for testing. Asher, typically comfortable in shadows, found himself uncomfortably visible. Mr. Stanley's entrance with five distinguished-looking men - introduced as the architects behind remarkable keepers - added gravitas to an already tense atmosphere.
The testing process itself became a blur of sensations: the dark room's oppressive silence, the disorienting flash of sharp light, and the peculiar feeling of being assessed by unseen eyes. Each student emerged with identical expressions of confusion and anticipation, unable to articulate what had transpired within those shadowed walls.
The waiting period that followed felt eternal. Students paced, fidgeted, and whispered among themselves until Stanley finally emerged, his expression unreadable as he shared the results with his colleagues. The systematic announcement of scores created a rising tide of tension in the room. Natalie's 700 points, Freeman's 800 - each announcement added to the collective anxiety.
When Stanley reached his final list, the room fell deadly silent. "I am obligated to reveal only your strengths and points and also true names. The rest will be shown to you alone," he declared, his voice carrying an unusual weight.
The announcements came in rapid succession:
First, Sofia Marez's results flashed on the screen: 600 points, strength 200, no true name. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Next, Yuno Minho's scores appeared: 700 points, strength 100, no true name. His subtle smile hinted at hidden potential.
Then, Derek's results stunned the crowd: 900 points, strength 200, true name: Ryker. Gasps filled the room as Derek's face lit up with jubilation. A true name signified unparalleled strength.
Steven Fletcher's announcement followed: 900 points, strength 100, true name: Thurfus. He gloated, his boastful smile infectious.
Finally, Kira's scores topped the charts: 1000 points, strength 200, true name: Valtira. Her friends grinned, nodding in respect, as Kira's confident smile spoke volumes.
Then came the bombshell: "Finally, we have Asher Reeds with points 10, strength 10, true name: none."
The collective gasp that followed seemed to pull all oxygen from the room. Heads swiveled toward Asher, who appeared equally stunned. The familiar surge of power he'd always felt coursing through him seemed to mock Stanley's assessment.
Steven's snide comment - "Talk about big pep talk, heh" - cut through the shocked silence like a knife. The sympathetic looks from Kira, Derek, and Yuno somehow felt worse than the mockery as Stanley left Asher followed.
Lunch became a showcase of newly discovered abilities, with students proudly demonstrating their powers. Asher's absence was conspicuous, particularly to Kira, whose thoughts kept drifting to his stricken expression. The decision to check on him came naturally to the group, though none expected the sight that greeted them at his door.
When Asher finally opened it after the fifth knock, his eyes betrayed evidence of emotional turmoil that his stance tried to hide. Kira's question about his tears hung in the air, met with defensive silence before he managed, "What are you guys doing here?"
The exchange that followed revealed the fractures in their newly formed friendship. Derek's well-intentioned reminder about the significance of being chosen for the Academy met with Asher's bristling response: "I don't need sympathy."
Kira's parting shot - "No need to be a pimp, we care that's all" - followed by her dramatic exit, left a lingering tension in the air. As Asher retreated to his room, his mind fixated on his private conversation with Stanley after the announcements, a conversation that held secrets yet to be revealed.
The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows through his window that seemed to mirror the darkness of his thoughts. Whatever had transpired between him and Stanley after the announcements weighed heavily on his mind, adding another layer to the mystery surrounding his unexpectedly low scores.
Stanley had led him to an alcove away from prying eyes, his typically commanding presence replaced by something more furtive. The older man's fingers drummed against his leather portfolio, a nervous tick Asher had never observed before.
"Mr. Reeds," Stanley had begun, his voice barely above a whisper, "what I'm about to tell you must remain between us." He paused, scanning the empty corridor before continuing. "Your test results... they were unlike anything we've ever seen."
Asher had felt that familiar surge in his stomach, the one that seemed to mock his announced scores of 10. "Then why-"
"Because," Stanley cut him off, "there are people watching this academy who cannot know what you are capable of. Your readings... they broke our measuring devices. Multiple times. The architects," he gestured vaguely toward where the five distinguished men had been, "they've never seen anything like it."
The memory of those moments in the testing room suddenly crystallized in Asher's mind - the sharp flash of light that had seemed to bend around him, the way the shadows had deepened impossibly, the surge of power that had made the very air crackle with energy.
"The ten points," Stanley had continued, "are a facade. A necessary deception.
Tap into your booklet and see the real deal".
As Asher reached his sub consciousness the booklet opened. It was see through just like in the observation trial. There it was sitting.
Name: Asher Reeds
Rank: novice keeper
Level: 1
Points : infinity
Strength: infinity
Slayed:1
Weapon: reverse dagger
True name: Elyrius
Mystery box: ?
Now, sitting in his darkening room, Asher lifted his hand, watching as shadows seemed to dance between his fingers. He realises that he is The strongest keeper. It didn't pain him to keep shut about the matter, but a little part of him wants to see Steven's reaction to the news. The surge in his stomach had grown stronger since the testing, as if whatever power lay dormant within him had been awakened by the examination.
A distant burst of laughter drew his attention to the window. Below, he could see Steven Fletcher showing off his newly acknowledged powers to a group of admirers, creating elaborate displays of energy that lit up the gathering dusk. Kira stood at the edge of the crowd, her own remarkable energy showing in ways that spoke of both control and potential.
The memory of her concerned face at his door made something twist in his chest. She, along with Derek and Yuno, had come out of genuine worry, and he'd pushed them away. But how could he explain what he didn't understand himself? How could he tell them that his pathetic scores were actually masking something so potentially dangerous that it had frightened even Stanley?
Another surge of power rippled through him, stronger this time as he remembers his strengths and points 'Infinity' they read meaning it never ended. He scoffs and smirks "Elyrius" he says out loud feeling the strength that came with being supreme and could yield any powers he wanted. Shadows in his room deepened impossibly, and for a moment, he could have sworn he heard whispers in a language he didn't recognize but somehow understood. Stanley's words echoed in his mind: "Something older than our understanding of Keepers themselves."
As night fully descended over the academy, Asher remained motionless on his bed, wrestling with questions that seemed to multiply with each passing moment. Outside, his fellow students continued their celebrations, their powers quantified and classified, their paths clear before them. But in the darkness of his room, Asher felt the weight of his secret pressing down on him, along with the growing certainty that sooner or later, the truth would demand to be revealed.
The surge in his stomach pulsed again, and this time, he didn't fight it. Whatever power lay within him, whatever it was part of who he was. And perhaps, he thought as the shadows danced around him, it was time to start understanding exactly what that meant.