Sometime later, Buji found himself in the hall. It still had its normal designs, and features, seat arrangement. In fact, all except Kyrexis were still in the hall. Kyrexis was replaced with what looked like a weighing machine, with a screen extended straight above with a metal stem. The tool had its own platform which one could stand.
'The Tester Machine.'
The moment was all many students had been waiting for. Most of them murmured words, some already telling what they'd like to be the outcome after witnessing the machine. The machine was dedicated to testing their learning ability. After that, the new students were going to be assigned into groups based on their learning capabilities.
With these groups, they will be assigned their tutors. A few might get a personal tutor, while many were sure to be grouped with different tutors.
Everyone in the hall waited in eagerness for what was going to happen to start. They had barely three weeks left and they needed to grasp any little knowledge before going for their raids. So, all the new students were impatient, including Buji.
Unfortunately, he never knew he was going to end up a self-tutor.
Instructor Hay stepped into the hall once again and onto the circular platform in the middle. It was as if he had planned a repetition movement technique.
Instructor Hay cleared his throat and began repeating what other students, who knew a lot had discussed.
He talked about the work of the machine and how it was going to be operating. He made them know that the tester machine was not hardly built like Kyrexis since it was only going to be performing the role of weighing your rank mixed with talent, and giving you a tutor.
He further said that the machine was going to be displaying numbers and after the final result, the students will be grouped according to the average performance.
Instructor Hay immediately cut himself short as he made them know that tutors were called the school Instructors.
Immediately, Buji cursed that he should not be handed over to Instructor Hay. If for no other reason, but at least for his talking nature which he was uncomfortable with.
'But come to think of it. Is that just his way of acting like a pervert like he was referred to by most students?'
Just like the other time, the students will reach out for the object upon being called. They were going to stand on the object's platform and allow it to do its job.
Since Instructor Hay didn't say anything about not coming any near if you had no talent, Buji decided he was going to give it a try. He was not going to sit all day at a place. Whatever was going to happen, should happen.
Students began coming forward one by one upon being called. The display screen of the testing machine, affixed atop the metal stem showed different statuses of the students' learning ability.
Learning Ability: 40/100
Learning Ability: 57/100
Learning Ability: 32/100
"…"
And that way, it continued showing the ability of all the newly awakened students, eager to become future hunters. And finally, the moment everyone in the hall had all been waiting for was at their doorstep.
It was Kira's turn. The highest awakener from the other day.
There was no way she was going to be placed among the lows. That was what all believed. She would surely join the gang of brightest students. She is a mage and should be able.
The girl in question approached the machine, and without much hesitation, climbed the machine's platform. Buji was somewhat proud of her even though the result had not been shown yet.
'Like, she wouldn't be ranked among the low learners, right?'
After a short pause, the machine displayed her result.
Learning Ability: 76/100.
Buji felt a bit disappointed.
'Not that it was not good, I expected more from a mage.'
Everyone in the hall seemed to cheer her. At least, she was once again, the girl with the highest learning ability so far in the hall. Other students came and go after she had done. Only one among them managed to click 70/100.
"Oh, that's impressive," retorted Kira who came to sit beside Buji after testing her ability. Luckily enough, they were not sitting according to recommendation.
Buji in return for what Kira said smiled at her and turned to focus his attention on what was happening on the circular stage. He saw Zaki, steadily approaching the testing machine. It is probably his turn.
Zaki's only problem in school then was his bully nature. Except that, Zaki was very well to do with the brain and his abilities.
Zaki stepped onto the object's flat platform and waited for some time. The machine trembled and took more time with its calculations. Finally, the result appeared on all their board.
87/100 [Learning Ability].
Everyone gaped stunningly at the display. More than a few admiring looks were thrown at Zaki, who simply bowed, stepped down the platform, and left the stage. On his way back to his seat, he sighted Buji and gave him a side blink of an eye.
If Buji was not mistaken, he could get tested without awakening any talent. If that is what it seemed, he was going to get tested. He waited a little for his name to be called, but it wasn't.
By the side of the stage, stood Instructor Hay who seemed to be busy with his books. Mustering the courage, Buji told Kira that he was going to get tested.
"I'm going to check out that testing stuff," Buji suggested, although Kira's choice was only going to affect it if he wanted to.
"Without a talent?" Kira was surprised and asked.
"I mean, Instructor Hay said nothing about it. Maybe, there will be hope," Buji encouraged himself.
'If Zaki was going to activate that kind of score, he sure will certainly do more of that.'
"Seems you've made up your mind. Just be careful," Kira gave in fast enough, seeing that Buji was already some distance away, from the stage.
He was on the stage and had done like others did. Climb the object's platform and wait for the display. That was exactly how he had done it. And unlike Kyrexis, this object didn't waste time at its display.
The only thing that kept pushing him to stand out from the object at the sound of a collective grasp from the crowd. The system displayed words in red form, blinking as if an alert warning sign.
Test Terminated!
Reason: No Talent detected!
Continuously it blinked and someone shouted from the crowd, "Leave its sight already, it doesn't want you."
"Why was he here?"
"To try his luck."
"Can you imagine this weakling," Zaki commented, and Buji recognized his voice.
"Weakling!!!" Most people in the hall echoed and poured out their joy of laughter.
For some reason, however, Buji was not surprised to have this misfortune. He only hoped for the better, as he had barely three weeks to find out and get prepared. Reluctantly, but with steady moves, he ventured back to his seat avoiding Kira's glaring stare of concern and ignoring all the curses rained from his back.
Just in time, as he sat on his seat, a tap came from behind him. Not on him, but on Kira's shoulder. It was Zaki again.
Zaki and Kira now faced each other. Their eyes locked for a few seconds, and then Zaki gently pulled out his right hand.
"Miss Kira. It was such an honor..."