The atmosphere in the Academy's central hall brimmed with electricity. Students murmured softly, clustered in small groups, comparing their results and guessing who would awaken what next. The device used for the Xero Core assessments stood at the center like a glowing heart—pulsing with arcane energy, humming softly.
Kaeron stood in line with Eliana, both leaning slightly to the side to catch a better glimpse of what was happening ahead.
Just then, a figure strolled past them, hands in his pockets, footsteps unhurried yet graceful.
"Auren???" Kaeron asked.
Eliana tilted her head. "You know Auren? That's surprising. He's from our class too."
Kaeron watched the boy approach the testing device, his posture calm and aloof.
"He doesn't talk much," she added. "But when he does, it's usually the kind of thing that makes people stop and listen. He's… cool. Mysterious. And, well… the girls go absolutely crazy."
Kaeron scoffed lightly. "Of course they do. And I know how annoying his chill vibes can be sometimes."
Auren greets his presence to both of them and gets in the line for the Xero Core and Sub X test.
Auren reached the pedestal. Without a word, he lifted his hand and placed it down.
At first, nothing happened. Then, shadows flickered unnaturally across the floor—stretching toward him like ribbons of dark ink. A ripple passed through the air as if the room itself inhaled.
A flash of deep violet light erupted from the center.
The device's sigils flared.
"Umbra…" someone whispered.
Another glyph ignited.
Dreadbinder.
A hush fell.
Gasps scattered across the room.
"Did he just…?" "Second path!" "That's a high-tier Sub-X! He is the first person to get straight to the 2nd path of a SUB X"
Sensei Xavier took a few steps forward, his brow lifting in surprised approval. "Dreadbinder," he announced, voice steady. "Fear manipulation—powerful and rare. Well done."
Auren offered no reaction. He stepped back, nodded once toward the crowd, and returned to his place near the wall, hands still in his pockets. A slight smirk played at his lips.
Kaeron exchanged glances with Eliana. "Well… he is cool."
Eliana nodded, impressed. "That's the first second-path we've seen today."
Moments later, Eliana's name was called.
She grinned at Kaeron and threw a wink over her shoulder. "Wish me luck, Unknown Boy."
"You've got this," Kaeron said, smirking.
Eliana approached the pedestal. She placed her hand down—gracefully, confidently.
A warm golden aura expanded outward like a sunrise. The symbol of Luxen ignited, filling the space with radiant energy. Then came a second pulse—brighter, purer.
Sanctlight.
Applause broke out across the room.
"She's a Sanctlight!" someone shouted. "That's a healing path!"
Eliana beamed. She turned, arms lifted slightly, basking in the glow of her accomplishment.
Kaeron clapped with a proud smile. Even Auren, from his distant corner, looked on with mild admiration and nodded once.
Eliana jogged back to Kaeron, practically bouncing with excitement. "Did you see that?!"
"I did," Kaeron replied. "And I think half the Academy saw it too."
Now it was his turn.
Kaeron walked toward the pedestal, exhaling slowly as he placed his hand down.
For a moment—silence.
Then, the floor trembled faintly.
A subtle but strange heat rose in the room.
Eliana's smile faded slightly in curiosity.
Auren straightened from his lean against the wall, eyes narrowing.
The pedestal pulsed once—scarlet flames dancing along its edges.
Ignis.
The glyph appeared with intensity, but no Sub X's emerged.
After several moments, the device dimmed.
Sensei Xavier cleared his throat. "Ignis Core. No Sub-X… for now."
Kaeron stepped back. His expression was unreadable, but a shadow of uncertainty flickered in his gaze.
Eliana rushed to his side. "Hey, that's okay! You've got the flame of will! That's one of the strongest Cores!"
Auren approached slowly.
"You're the only one whose test made the room shake," he said calmly. "That wasn't normal."
Kaeron looked up. "I guess the device's getting old."
Auren smiled faintly. "Or your power doesn't want to be seen yet. You know, I have a feeling that we will meet more often than this."
Kaeron chuckled, trying to shake off the discomfort. "It's funny. You, a Dreadbinder—master of fear—and yet you're the chillest person I know. Isn't that a contradiction?"
Auren shrugged. "Who knows what lies beneath still waters?" He glanced upward. "Only the gods do."
With a small wave, he turned and walked away, silent as a whisper.
Eliana nudged Kaeron. "Well… that was intense."
Kaeron looked down at his hand—the same one that touched the device.
"It's hiding something," he muttered. "But what?"