The first to step up to the pillar was the ever-proud high elf who never glanced at anyone. She placed her hand on the pillar.

  The glass started breaking and beyond it...

  The darkness displayed:

  Affinity (Swift / Wood / Vitality)

  A classic high elf, nothing abnormal.

  Mojian didn't miss a moment without using his useless tongue.

  "What a talented and beautiful young lady... this scholar is in awe. Swift to move like the wind, wood of command your birthplace and vitality to remain in top shape regardless of the adversary... you've earned this young scholar's awe."

  She moved her hand away from the pillar, the glass was restored, and the words disappeared.

  She walked back toward the group, she didn't glance at anyone.

  She despised Ena and almost everyone else. It was also the nature of the high elves and their ways that made Aaron pick the lesser elves as World Tree Guardians.

  [Those high elves are as lousy as ever. Listen, brat... having no affinity or gift doesn't mean you can't be badass. These lousy elves are useless in battle anyway. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent a young lady like herself here.] Aaron's voice sounded.

  Jean subtly nodded. He started to understand that in this world, there were no absolutes.

  Ena spoke softly with a smile. "Who would like to step up next?"

  Everyone was hesitant. Jean was calm but deep in thought regarding his Skyborn lineage.

  In the end, it was Mojian who stepped forward. "Beautiful ladies and young heroes... If you would allow this insignificant scholar to step forward," he said, already an inch away from the pillar.

  [I like this brat, he's lousy... but he'll do well in his life.] Aaron said.

  Everyone else shook their heads. This guy was rather shameless, but also easy to talk to.

  Nobody hated him.

  He placed his hand on the pillar, and the snake rotated. It took longer than Sia, and he was very excited.

  But after some time passed...

  There was still nothing.

  The snake kept rotating, yet the glass never shattered.

  He had already awakened his mana over a year ago.

  Taking too long, minutes passed slowly and beads of cold sweat formed on Mojian's forehead.

  The children, along with Ena, were watching intently.

  They all quietly waited, and no one spoke or even took a loud breath.

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  In the end, the glass shattered.

  The darkness displayed words.

  Words that nearly broke him.

  No Affinity.

  Whispers erupted around the room. "No Affinity?" Jean, who couldn't read, understood the murmurings of the other children.

  Sia and Zeroth, in particular, spoke in surprise. It was rare for someone to lack an affinity, and it seemed that only the two of them could read well.

  His mouth hung open, his eyes shocked and dilated. "H-how...?"

  Jean couldn't imagine how the child scholar felt, but what he could imagine was the shock and agony he felt—like his entire life was no more.

  Ena wanted to speak, but Jean spoke first.

  "Having no affinity or gift doesn't mean you can't be badass... right?" Jean stepped forward, patted Mojian on the shoulder. Mojian looked at him, still dazed. "These are the teachings we follow... To strive for a better understanding of ourselves. So, it means nothing. Didn't you have a path to pave against the heavens?"

  Jean took a bit of Aaron's words and his own understanding.

  His words were echoed true.

  Mojian, still in a daze, had the light return to his eyes slowly, along with a few tears.

  "Haha, right... I shall preach the Great Teacher's teachings through eons, across the lands. I, Mojian, the future ascender, don't need a gift or an affinity to fight against the heavens and achieve success... I'll achieve everything with my own two hands."

  He paused, looking deeply at Jean. "Brother Jean."

  Jean was taken aback. He hadn't been called brother in a very long time.

  Since his biological brother was taken away.

  Mojian continued, "Your devotion to the Teacher has deeply affected this young scholar. I declare against the world my will to become your sworn brother."

  Jean felt a headache coming. Ena looked on in amusement but didn't interrupt their development. They, too, had their moments as children.

  [It's fine... this brat will make sure your life never gets dull. Look at me and that shallow guy, Aspen...]

  Jean could hear Aaron's giggling faintly.

  In the end, Jean nodded. "Let's do that," he extended his hand and said. "A legendary handshake?"

  Mojian hurriedly held Jean's hand, and they had a firm handshake. "Today, this Mojian lost his direction but gained a brother who'd be with him through hardships. Heavens haven't given up on my humble self yet," His voice, unlike his usual tone, was full of emotion.

  These words were spoken from the deep inside his heart.

  Ehm~

  Teacher Ena cleared her throat.

  They both snapped back to Teacher Ena, who smiled and asked, "Can we proceed with the tests?"

  They both nodded slowly.

  Nina, Zeroth, and Darvok, the three of them, hadn't awakened yet.

  Though no rule would ban their attempt for the affinity test as unawakened, it was common knowledge for the unawakened to not have an affinity detected until their awakening, so it was Jean's turn.

  Jean stepped forward, placed his hand on the pillar...

  As always... the snake started rotating.

  Beyond the darkness, words materialized.

  Affinity (Hunter)

  [She's gotten good... That brat Roman did well. They must've figured out your feral affinity and had an illusionist hide it.] Aaron spoke. It seemed true that the school takes care of everyone inside...

  Everyone according to their own circumstances.

  Ena smiled and looked at Jean. "Hunter affinity is rather uncommon, but an exceptionally useful one when it comes to tracking and combat awareness. Your future will hold many possibilities."

  She paused and added, while looking at everyone, "Congratulations, Cadet Sia, Cadet Jean..." Then she looked at Mojian. "Congratulations, Cadet Mojian, your future is beyond our perception now. Work hard and never lose heart."

  Then she added, "For now, I'll start one-on-one private interviews with each of you to better understand your aspirations. These might change in the future, which is fine. Also, I have noticed that some can't read yet, so we will discuss that further."

  She guided them inside the building to a corridor with chairs on both sides and a room at the end. "Take a seat, I'll call your names one by one. Zeroth, please come forward," She said as she entered the room.

  Zeroth looked at Darvok one last time and stepped forward.

  It was quite hard to separate these two, considering their upbringing and circumstances.

  Though siblings were always tied by blood; some were born from circumstances.

  Zeroth stayed inside for a few minutes before opening the door. Teacher Ena, at the door, called the next name... Darvok... he didn't stop shaking ever since he was separated from Zeroth. And now, he was shaking even more.

  Jean... he understood what they were going through. He was also shaking at some point, unable to look forward before he first met Pakpok.