"Finally! The element board needle broke last time, but this might actually give us some data!" Snow exclaimed, his excitement reigniting.
Ponce placed the device in front of me and activated it. We all watched eagerly as the numbers began to appear.
[Earth: 000] [Water: 000] [Light: 000] [Fire: 000] [Wind: 000]
"…Okay, retreat! Retreat!" Snow shouted, stepping back dramatically.
"I knew it! Expecting anything from you was a mistake!" Ponce cried, throwing his hands in the air. "Why did I even bother?!"
"Well… sorry?" I muttered, unsure of what else to say.
Snow and Ponce continued to bicker, their disappointment palpable, but I couldn't help but feel a strange satisfaction. This device, much like the element board, couldn't measure the power of the Seraphim of Darkness within me.
Some mysteries were better left unsolved.
I've said it before, but let me reiterate: I am the reincarnation of the Dark Seraphim. My element is purely darkness.
This element measuring device is no exception; it simply isn't equipped to gauge my element. If there were a sixth slot for "darkness," it would likely show a number like 999.
Ponce, still staring at the device, frowned. "Wait. Having all your element numbers at zero should be impossible. Even the weakest affinity usually shows at least 100. Jack, are you okay? Did you eat something bad?"
I sighed. "What I eat has nothing to do with this."
Humans were recreated by the divine powers of five seraphims, each bestowing their element. Ideally, a person would have a balanced mix of all five elements. Leaning too heavily into one could be detrimental.
"Wait a second…" Ponce muttered, his expression shifting from confusion to panic. "Did you break the element measuring device? Just like the entrance exam's element board? Oh no, this was a rental! Do you have any idea how expensive it is?!"
"Relax," I said, trying to defuse his panic. "Vice-Captain Ponce, what's the typical range for element numbers? What's considered the highest?"
Ponce crossed his arms, thinking. "Generally, the upper limit is around 400."
"No way! Then my wind element score of 309 is incredible!" Snow exclaimed, puffing out his chest. "I could've been a star at the Wind Church!"
"You're not going anywhere," Ponce snapped. "But yes, 309 is impressive. That said, there are exceptions… like Rosy, the Light Hero."
Rosy Thompson.
The very person who brought me to the Light Church. I hadn't seen her since the entrance exam.
"Rosy's light element is 700," Ponce said, his voice tinged with reverence.
"Seven hundred?!" Snow gasped, his jaw dropping.
Even I was surprised. A score of 700 was astronomical. Such an imbalance could only be sustained by someone extraordinary—like a hero—or someone with a celestial power, like me.
Ponce continued, "In the church, heroes undergo a week-long ritual to measure their elements in detail. Rosy was chosen as the Light Hero due to her unparalleled affinity. That's why we, the knight corps, exist: to support her."
So heroes are the strongest individuals in their respective churches, leading combat units against threats. But… what threats?
As I pondered this, a commanding voice broke the silence.
"So this is where you've been hiding!"
"Huh?!"
I turned to see a striking figure in white armor—a woman radiating authority.
"Light Hero?!" Ponce and Snow stammered, visibly shaken.
Rosy fixed Ponce with a sharp glare. "Vice-Captain Ponce, I told you before: Jack is a valuable asset. He should already be part of our fighting force, not doing menial chores in the kitchen!"
"N-Now, now," Ponce stammered, his usual bravado replaced with nervousness. "Kitchen work is important too!"
"Please don't insult kitchen work!" Snow added. "If Chef Bea heard you, there'd be blood!"
Rosy turned to me, her expression softening. "Jack, I've been looking for you. There's an emergency, and I need your help immediately!"
Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and began pulling me away.
"Ponce, return to your station and prepare the knights! Jack and I are leaving now. Inform the captain!" Rosy ordered, not giving anyone a chance to argue.
"Wait, what?!" I protested as she dragged me along.
We hurried outside, where I saw something bizarre—a sleek, futuristic machine.
"What is this?" I asked, eyeing it suspiciously.
"It's a small flying motorcycle powered by ethereal energy," Rosy explained. "It's a flaptor type—single-seater but incredibly fast. This one's custom-built for me, with enhanced speed. It's 37 times faster than the standard model."
"Uh… okay?" I replied, utterly lost.
Rosy mounted the machine like an expert. "It's not designed for two riders, but we'll manage. Jack, hold on to my back."
"Wait, what?"
Rosy glanced back impatiently. "Now!"
Reluctantly, I climbed on behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Hold tighter! You'll fall off!" she scolded.
"Like this?"
"Not my chest!"
"Sorry!"
Rosy sighed, then announced, "Takeoff! Full speed ahead!"
Before I could prepare myself, the machine shot into the air.
"Waaahhh!" I yelled as the wind whipped past us at incredible speed.
"R-Rosy! Where are we going?!" I shouted over the roar of the wind.
Rosy's voice was firm and unwavering. "To the battlefield. They've appeared."
"They?"
"The enemy of the Ilocos Knight Corps and all of humanity: monsters!"