The next morning arrived in a cold rush of wind and nervous chatter. Streets of Valstera's inner ring were filled with youth from every district—all dressed in their best, eyes wide with hope, fear, and ambition. The path to Crystal Hall, where the evaluation would take place, shimmered with enchanted torches and the occasional statue of fallen heroes.
Akira walked alone, wearing the same cloak from the night before, frayed and patched in several places. His presence drew sideways glances and hushed whispers.
"He's seriously going to test like that?"
"Does he even have a lineage stone?"
"Probably here to watch. The stone won't even light up for a rat like him."
Akira kept walking.
Inside the great crystal-lit dome, candidates lined up before the Resonance Stone — a floating orb that pulsed with aetherial energy. It judged affinity, class potential, and raw magical resonance.
The proctor, a stern woman in gold and navy robes, stepped forward.
"When your name is called, approach the stone. Place your hand upon it. If the light turns gold, you may choose from our elite guilds. Blue, and you'll be considered for standard training. No light, and..."
She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't have to.
One by one, candidates approached.
"Serin Valoren."
The orb flashed brilliant gold. Cheers erupted.
"Lys Armand."
Soft blue.
"Rayn Thorne."
A young boy with messy brown hair stumbled up. The orb glowed a vibrant blue.
"W-Whoa! It really worked...!"
The proctor smiled. "Potential mage class. Not bad."
Then...
"Akira Keiji."
Silence.
He walked forward slowly.
Hands trembling, he placed his palm on the orb.
It pulsed… and then dimmed.
No color.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"Zero affinity?"
"Dead mana."
"He's cursed."
The proctor paused, gaze hard. Then she looked down at her ledger and simply said, "Next."
Keiji lowered his hand. For a moment, he saw the reflection of his own face in the crystal—a blank canvas.
He turned to leave, walking past faces he would never remember, but who would remember him as the one who failed.
Outside Crystal Hall, the sky was bright but felt cold.
He sat at the edge of a marble fountain, head bowed. His hand still tingled.
Was it broken? Or was he?
"Hey... wait!"
It was Rayn Thorne, the mage candidate.
"You're not just gonna walk off, are you? You looked... focused, I dunno. Different. Not like the others."
Keiji blinked. "I failed. There's nothing to talk about."
Rayn shrugged. "Maybe. But I heard some of the lesser guilds are still recruiting. Come with me. If we both get laughed at, at least we can laugh together."
Keiji hesitated.
He wanted to say no. To vanish. But something about Rayn's casual tone—like it didn't matter that he'd failed—made the weight in his chest ease.
"Why me?" Keiji asked quietly.
Rayn grinned. "Because I've got a feeling. And I trust my gut. Also, you kinda look like someone who needs a friend."
Keiji looked at him for a long moment, then gave the smallest nod.
And together, they stepped away from the brilliance of the crystal dome—toward a guild no one had heard of.
Toward Duskfall Ember