Vale was starting to get bored. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it had definitely been over an hour. Many students came and left as they gave up on waiting.
"What's taking so long?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a sudden rush of faculty members spread throughout the area. Everyone seemed captivated by something—rushing to see it for themselves. Numerous people entered the testing facility, as if unwilling to miss whatever was happening.
Moments later, Ayla walked out, flanked by multiple faculty members.
"We have already informed the Principal. You will be relocated to the top floor, Miss Ayla. Please follow me."
Ayla was escorted by a group of faculty members. Everyone watching knew exactly what was happening.
"Did you hear?"
"Did I hear?! Of course, I heard! She scored a 10! First time in decades someone has gotten a 10!"
Excited chatter filled the testing facility. Vale listened, intrigued by the overwhelming buzz of voices.
Every student was tested upon returning from the first trial, and assessed based on their unique and standard abilities. Their results determined their assigned role and score, with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest.
Long before his First Trial, Vale had heard of someone scoring a 10 before—but it would seem that no one had achieved such score in a very long time. The image of Ayla flashed in his mind as he thought of the exceptionally composed girl who had just received the highest possible score.
"Looks can be deceiving," he thought.
It was difficult to judge a person's strength just by appearances. The kindest were often the deadliest, while the loudest were often the weakest. Every Awakened knew never to underestimate anyone or anything based on looks—it could mean the difference between life and death. Vale had almost made the mistake of assuming the graceful young girl was weak.
His thoughts, however, were interrupted when someone called his name.
"Vale, please dismiss any artifacts and step inside the testing facility," said a familiar faculty member.
He stood up and followed the woman inside.
The Ability Testing Facility was massive. Inside, an array of scientific machines filled the space, with people in white robes bustling around, each engaged in something seemingly important. Everything looked pristine and sterile, kept to the highest standard.
"This way, please," the faculty member said, gesturing towards one of the rooms. Above the door, a sign stretched across:
"Ability Testing"
Vale followed her inside. In the center of the room sat a large sphere, roughly the size of a watermelon, resting atop a small platform—just high enough to reach without bending down.
"Place your right hand on the sphere. Then, use all the abilities you have. Do not remove your hand unless instructed."
Slightly hesitant, Vale stepped forward and placed his hand on the sphere. Almost instantly, he felt it pulling at him, as if trying to drain all his mana essence.
He tried summoning his unique ability but to his surprise, nothing happened. Instead, a series of numbers appeared on a screen in front of the faculty member. Assuming this was supposed to happen, he proceeded to his second ability—Vine Bind. Just like before, nothing visibly changed, but more numbers appeared.
"Have you used all your abilities?"
Vale nodded.
"Very well—you may remove your hand."
He felt a slight resistance as he tried to pull his hand away, as though the sphere was reluctant to let go.
Vale massaged his numb hand while watching the faculty member. He felt his mana essence running low, in those few moments, the sphere absorbed most of it.
"Score: 6. Congratulations, you have scored above average."
Although a 6 wasn't a bad score, Vale sighed deeply. Maybe it was because of Ayla scoring 10, but he had hoped for something higher.
"It's probably that damn spark dragging it down," he thought.
"Your score has been recorded in the system. Please allow me to escort you out."
Outside the ATF, a few more students were waiting, hoping to be tested before tomorrow.
One of them, in particular, caught Vale's attention—a towering young man who stood well above everyone around him. Not by a small margin either.
Vale had never seen someone this tall. He had to be at least two meters. His physique was beyond human, with muscle covering every inch of his body. His shoulders were twice as wide as Vale's. He had short, crimson-red hair and scars scattered across his skin.
"What did you get?" the crimson-haired student asked, staring down at Vale.
"What?"
"What score did you get?"
"Oh... 6."
"I'm sorry to hear that," the massive student said, disappointment flashing across his face.
But before Vale could respond, the familiar voice of a faculty member called from behind.
"Dain, please dismiss any artifacts and step inside the testing facility."
"Apologies, my friend. I have to go. I will see you around," said the towering young man before walking inside the ATF.
"What a strange guy," Vale thought, as he watched the student enter the testing facility.
Back in his room, Vale lay on the small bed, thinking about the eventful day. From now on, his life would follow a strict schedule—learning, training and preparing for the Second Trial. He needed rest.
"Wait…"
An idea entered Vale's mind.
He had yet to test his new ability—Vine Bind.
He jumped up from his bed and aimed at a spot on the floor, shifting his focus to activate the ability.
A set of translucent runes appeared. They looked unlike anything Vale had seen before. Paying them little mind, he decided to throw something at the trap to see how it worked.
The moment a notebook hit the runes, three black, tentacle-like vines materialized, instantly wrapping around the notebook—crushing it under their weight.
With the notebook gone, the vines lashed out, as if searching for another target. Before Vale could dismiss them, one of the vines slammed into the desk, shattering it in an instant.
As the vines vanished, Vale stood there for a moment, staring at the broken desk.
"Not bad."