Narrator: Selene stepped into the evaluation chamber.
The doors sealed behind her with a metallic hiss, and a red light bathed every corner of the room.
Immediately, energy beams and fine red lasers began scanning her body, traversing her skin like threads of light, seeking every trace of her latent power.
A voice emanated from the intercom inside, calm yet authoritative.
"Selene, relax.
At my signal, release all your mana at maximum for twenty seconds.
We need to detect every peak, every impulse."
Selene nodded, jaw clenched, hands tightly fisted.
Then she lifted her gaze and, through the reinforced glass, locked eyes with Dav.
He stood there, beside the control room, arms crossed and expression attentive.
Only then did Selene take a deep breath.
"Now, Selene. Release everything."
In that instant, an invisible explosion spread through the room.
Her aura burst forth, impetuous, like a raging river.
The runic barriers of the chamber trembled imperceptibly, while the floor vibrated beneath the feet of those present.
Her eyes shone with a brilliant icy blue, and the veins in her neck and arms swelled with pure energy.
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The entire room was tinged with the color of her red aura, as if the power itself had taken form.
On the other side of the glass, the scientists watched in silence, breath held.
The doctor monitored the readings on the panel. Letters began to appear on the screen.
Evaluation Machine:
E......
D......
C......
B......
A......
A+....
AA....
S......
S+....
Narrator: Silence fell like a cloak.
All eyes were fixed on the monitor.
Stefan adjusted his glasses, gaze serious.
Eleanor clasped her hands to her chest.
Edmund stood rigid, silent.
Evaluation Machine:
S++......
SS......
Process complete.
Name: Selene Lancaster
Age: 34
Sex: Female
Rank: SS
Narrator: No one spoke for a moment.
Only the faint sound of held breaths, as if the world had stopped turning.
Then, suddenly, Eleanor shouted with joy, jumping in place.
"I told you! I knew it!"
Edmund smiled, arms crossed, while Stefan lifted his chin with satisfaction, as if he had never doubted the outcome.
Dav, however, remained still, watching her.
His gaze held a mix of pride and tenderness.
After working together, training, and now the fruit of that sacrifice shone like a star.
Selene looked at him.
Their eyes met from afar. She smiled with gratitude, while he winked at her, a barely visible smile on his lips.
Then he closed his eyes, as if to say:
"I knew it."
When she exited the room, Selene was enveloped in the warm embrace of Eleanor, followed immediately by Edmund and Stefan.
A united family, proud of her.
Then she approached him with tenderness and slowness.
"Did I do well?"
She asked with a radiant smile, grasping Dav's cloak between her fingers.
She seemed like a child seeking approval.
"You did wonderfully, Sele."
He gently patted her head, letting sincere emotion show.
The doctor approached, visibly enthusiastic.
"Congratulations!
You are officially the first to achieve the SS rank in the world ranking, excluding the Top 1."
Then he turned to Dav, with an interested expression.
"Mr. Hero, by any chance.. would you like to try as well? We have no record of your rank."
Everyone turned to Dav.
Their faces were a mix of surprise and anticipation, as if they had suddenly realized a forgotten detail.
Dav looked at them, confused.
"...Do I really have to? You're that curious?"
They all nodded in unison. Funny, serious faces, some holding their breath.
"I suppose I'll give it a try, then."
He said with a small sigh, hands in his pockets and a faint smile.
END OF CHAPTER - 182