*Chapter 4* : Stargold Royal Magic Academy*

Two months later…

The Stargold Royal Magic Academy rose from the earth like something out of a dream.

Ki-rin stood at the main gates, his neck craned back, trying to take in the full scope of the structure before him. White stone towers spiraled toward the sky, their surfaces etched with runes that glowed faintly in the morning light. Crystalline spires caught the sun and scattered it into rainbow fragments across the courtyard. Ancient gargoyles perched on every corner, their stone eyes seeming to follow the students streaming through the entrance.

The main building alone was larger than his entire village had been.

"This is insane…" Ralf breathed beside him, equally awestruck. "People actually study here?"

"Apparently." Ki-rin's hand unconsciously went to the medallion hanging beneath his shirt—the token the king had given them two months ago. It felt heavier today than it had before.

The past two months had been a whirlwind. Duke Fullford had provided them with a small house on the edge of the noble district, along with a stipend for supplies and clothing. They'd spent their days preparing for the academy—learning basic etiquette, studying the kingdom's history, trying to catch up on years of education they'd missed while surviving in the slums.

It hadn't been enough. Ki-rin knew that. There was no way two months could make up for everything they lacked.

But here they were anyway.

"Come on," Ki-rin said, forcing his feet to move. "We're going to be late for the entrance ceremony."

They joined the flow of students heading through the gates. Most were nobles—you could tell by their fine clothes, their confident bearing, the way they moved in clusters of friends who'd known each other their whole lives. A few commoners were scattered among them; their simpler attire and their tendency to stay at the edges of the crowd, trying not to draw attention, identified them.

Ki-rin and Ralf fit somewhere in between. Their clothes were new and well-made—courtesy of Duke Fullford—but they still moved like slum kids, always aware of their surroundings, always ready to run.

Old habits die hard.

The courtyard beyond the gates was enormous, easily large enough to hold several hundred people. A raised platform had been erected at the far end, decorated with the Stargold Royal Magic Academy's crest—a golden star surrounded by four elemental symbols. Faculty members in dark blue robes stood in neat rows on either side of the platform, their expressions ranging from welcoming to stern to utterly bored.

Students were filing into organized sections, separated by year. First-years—Ki-rin and Ralf's group—were directed to the front, closest to the platform.

"Look," Ralf murmured, nodding toward a cluster of students to their left.

Ki-rin followed his gaze and felt his stomach do a small flip.

Princess Frey stood among a group of noble girls, her silver hair catching the light. She was laughing at something one of them had said, looking completely at ease. Beside her stood Ravina, arms crossed, surveying the crowd with her usual haughty expression. And next to Ravina—

Ariana.

She wore the Stargold Royal Magic Academy uniform—a white blouse with a dark blue skirt and a silver-trimmed jacket bearing the academy crest. Her golden hair was pulled back in a simple braid, and she was scanning the crowd, clearly looking for someone.

When her eyes found Ki-rin's, her face lit up.

She said something to Frey, then started making her way through the crowd toward them.

"Oh no," Ki-rin muttered.

"Oh yes," Ralf said, grinning. "Here comes your girlfriend."

"She's not my—"

"Ki-rin! Ralf!" Ariana reached them, slightly breathless. "I was hoping I'd see you before the ceremony started. How are you? Are you nervous? I'm nervous. Well, not really nervous, but excited-nervous, you know? This is such a big day and—" She paused, seeming to realize she was rambling. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Sorry. I'm talking too much, aren't I?"

"No," Ki-rin said quickly. "I mean, it's fine. We're... we're good. Nervous too, I guess."

"More than nervous," Ralf added. "Ki's been pacing since dawn."

"I was not pacing."

"You wore a path on the floor."

Ariana laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "I'm glad I'm not the only one. Frey keeps telling me there's nothing to worry about, but she's a princess. She's probably been preparing for this her whole life."

"Probably," Ki-rin agreed. He was very aware of how close Ariana was standing, how her perfume—something floral and light—seemed to fill the surrounding air.

"Anyway," Ariana continued, "I wanted to say good luck. With the testing, I mean. I'm sure you'll both do great."

"Testing?" Ralf's smile faltered. "What testing?"

Ariana blinked. "The magical aptitude testing. Didn't anyone tell you? It's part of the entrance ceremony. They test all the first-years to determine their rank and class placement."

Ki-rin and Ralf exchanged a glance.

"No," Ki-rin said slowly. "No one mentioned that."

"Oh." Ariana bit her lip. "Well, it's not that bad. They just have you channel magic into a crystal orb, and it measures your power level and affinity. Then they assign you to a rank—E through S—based on your results."

"S-rank?" Ralf asked.

"The highest rank. It's for students with exceptional magical ability." Ariana's expression turned slightly embarrassed. "I'm... I'm probably going to be S-rank. Most of the top noble families produce S-rank mages. It's kind of expected."

Of course it was. Because being a noble wasn't enough—they also had to be magically gifted.

"What happens if you're not S-rank?" Ki-rin asked.

"Then you're placed in a lower rank. F-rank is the lowest—students with minimal magical ability. They usually focus on theory and support roles rather than Combat Magic." Ariana must have seen something in Ki-rin's expression because she quickly added, "But there's nothing wrong with that! Every rank is important. The academy teaches that all students have value, regardless of their magical strength."

She was trying to be reassuring, but Ki-rin could hear the unspoken truth: in a world where magic determined status, being weak meant being overlooked.

And Ki-rin had no idea what rank he'd be.

His mother's seal was still in place, still holding back most of his power. He could feel it there, a constant pressure just beneath the surface. In the two months since the warehouse incident, he'd tried to access his magic again, but the seal had tightened, as if compensating for the cracks that had formed.

He could barely produce a spark now.

"Attention!" a voice boomed across the courtyard, magically amplified. "The entrance ceremony will now begin. Please remain in your designated areas and maintain silence."

Ariana gave them an apologetic smile. "I should get back to my section. But I'll see you after, okay?"

"Yeah," Ki-rin managed. "See you after."

She hurried back to Frey's group, glancing back once to wave.

Ralf elbowed Ki-rin in the ribs. "She's definitely—"

"Don't," Ki-rin warned. "Not now."

"I'm just saying—"

"Ralf."

"Fine, fine." But Ralf was still grinning.

The faculty members on the platform shifted, forming a path down the center. A moment later, a woman strode forward to stand at the podium.

She was tall and imposing, with steel-gray hair pulled back in a severe bun. Her dark blue robes were trimmed with gold, marking her as someone of high rank within the academy. Her eyes swept across the assembled students with the kind of gaze that seemed to see through pretense and straight to the truth beneath.

"Welcome," she said, her voice carrying easily without magical amplification, "to the Stargold Royal Magic Academy. I am Headmaster Elara Thorne, and it is my honor to oversee your education for the next several years."

The courtyard was utterly silent. Even the wind seemed to have stilled.

"You stand here today because you have been deemed worthy of this institution," Headmaster Thorne continued. "Some of you earned your place through birth and breeding. Others through merit and achievement. But know this—within these walls, your past means nothing. What matters is what you do here, what you learn, what you become."

Her gaze seemed to linger on Ki-rin for a moment, though that might have been his imagination.

"The Stargold Royal Magic Academy was founded three hundred years ago with a single purpose: to train the next generation of mages, warriors, and leaders. We do not simply teach magic. We teach discipline, strategy, ethics, and the responsibility that comes with power."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

"Magic is a gift," she said, her voice softer now but no less intense. "But it is also a weapon. In the wrong hands, it can destroy. In the right hands, it can protect, heal, and build. Our goal is to ensure that you become the right hands."

Ki-rin felt a chill run down his spine. He thought of the night his parents died, of the power that had erupted from him, destroying everything in its path.

In the wrong hands, it can destroy.

"Today," Headmaster Thorne continued, her voice returning to its normal volume, "you will undergo magical aptitude testing. This will determine your rank and class placement. I will now turn the ceremony over to Professor Aldric Vance, who will explain the ranking system."

She stepped back, and another faculty member moved forward—a younger man with sandy hair and an easy smile that contrasted sharply with the headmaster's severity.

"Good morning, everyone!" Professor Vance said cheerfully, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard. "I know you're all probably nervous, so let me start by saying this: the ranking system is not a judgment of your worth as a person. It's simply a tool to help us place you in classes where you'll learn most effectively."

He gestured, and a magical projection appeared in the air above the platform—a diagram showing six glowing tiers, each labeled with both a letter and a name.

"The ranking system is divided into six levels," Professor Vance explained. "Each rank has a name that reflects the nature of its power. Let's start from the bottom and work our way up, shall we?"

The bottom tier of the diagram glowed a soft orange.

"F-rank—Ember. Magic power ranging from 1,000 to 5,000. Most common folk fall into this category, with enough magic to perform basic tasks and aid in their daily work."

A few students in the crowd shifted nervously. Ki-rin heard someone whisper, "That's barely anything..."

Professor Vance's smile didn't waver. "Now, before anyone panics, let me be clear—Ember-rank students are not failures. Many focus on magical theory, enchanting, potion-making, and support roles. Some of the kingdom's finest magical researchers and artificers started as Ember-rank."

The second tier glowed brighter.

"D-rank—Flare. Magic power from 5,100 to 10,000. These individuals can handle more complex magical tasks and basic combat roles, though they're still limited in direct combat applications."

"That's still pretty low," someone muttered behind Ki-rin.

"Perhaps," Professor Vance said, clearly having heard the comment, "but Flare-rank students make excellent support mages, healers, and enchanters. Never underestimate the value of a skilled healer in battle."

He moved up the diagram, and the third tier blazed to life.

"C-rank—Fire. Magic power from 11,000 to 40,000. This is where we see competent magic users, capable of serious combat or specialized magical professions. Most of the kingdom's working mages fall into this category—it's the backbone of our magical society."

Murmurs of relief rippled through the crowd. Fire-rank sounded respectable.

Professor Vance's expression grew more serious as he gestured to the fourth tier.

"B-rank—Blaze. Magic power from 41,000 to 60,000. Now we're getting into the higher echelons. Blaze-rank students are skilled warriors and mages, often found in military positions or as successful adventurers. About fifteen to 20 percent of students test into Blaze-rank."

Several noble students stood a bit straighter, clearly confident they'd reach at least this level.

The fifth tier erupted with brilliant light.

"A-rank—Inferno. Magic power from 61,000 to 80,000. These are exceptional individuals, often serving as royal guards, high-ranking adventurers, or military officers. Inferno-rank mages are highly sought after by noble houses and the royal court. In a typical year, we might see five to 8 percent of students reach this level."

"That's where I'll be," Ki-rin heard a noble boy say confidently to his friend.

Professor Vance looked up at the crowd, and his smile took on a different quality—something between excitement and gravity.

"And finally..." He paused for dramatic effect. "S-rank—Cataclysm. Magic power from 81,000 to 99,000. These are extraordinarily rare individuals—some of you who have the potential and possess power that can change the course of battles, even wars."

The courtyard fell silent.

"Cataclysm-rank students are exceptionally rare," Professor Vance continued. "In a typical year, we might have three to four S-rank students in the entire first-year class. They receive specialized training in advanced magic, combat techniques, and leadership. Many go on to become legendary mages, generals, or even royal advisers."

He paused, his expression growing more animated.

"However..." Professor Vance's voice rose with barely contained excitement. "This year is not typical. Based on preliminary assessments and recommendations from across the kingdom, we are expecting more S-rank students in this year's class."

Gasps erupted throughout the courtyard.

"Really, is that even possible?"

"No way..."

Professor Vance raised his hands for silence, though his smile remained. "I know, I know. It's unprecedented. In the academy's three-hundred-year history, we've never had more than four S-ranks in a single year.”

Headmaster Thorne stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "This influx of exceptional talent is both a blessing and a responsibility," she said, her voice cutting through the excited murmurs. "It speaks to the strength of this generation, but it also means the expectations placed upon you will be higher than ever before."

Professor Vance nodded. "Now, regarding magical affinities—most of you will have one or two primary affinities, but the scale and the power of which you are able to use those affinities will determine what rank you are in. The most common are Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind magic. Some of you may have Physical Enhancement as your primary focus, which is equally valuable in combat."

"However," Professor Vance continued, his tone becoming more serious, "There's also a tier beyond Cataclysm," Professor Vance said quietly, and the projection shifted to show a seventh tier above S-rank, glowing with an almost blinding intensity. "SS-rank—magic power of 100,000 or higher. This is legendary territory. In the past century, only a handful of individuals have reached this level."

The crowd was utterly silent now.

"The previous king was SS-rank," Professor Vance continued. " Archmage Silvanus, our current court mage, is SS-rank. Prince Rio Arca, the First Prince, was measured at 103,450 before his disappearance ten years ago during the Human-Demon Great War."

Frey's expression tightened at the mention of her brother, but she said nothing.

"However," Professor Vance said, his voice dropping even lower, "there exists more SS-rank individuals of whom we must speak—though with great caution. The current Demon King is SS-rank, with power estimated at over 110,000. His daughter, the Demon Princess, was also SS-rank before she disappeared alongside Prince Rio Arca during the Great War. Both were classified as Apocalypse-tier—the absolute pinnacle of magical power."

A ripple of unease moved through the courtyard. The mention of demons, of the Great War, cast a shadow over the excitement.

"SS-rank power, particularly at the Apocalypse tier, is not merely rare," Professor Vance said gravely. "It is transformative on a scale that defies comprehension. These individuals don't just change battles. They change the fate of nations. They shape the course of wars. They alter history itself."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the students.

"The disappearance of Prince Rio Arca and the Demon Princess remains one of the greatest mysteries of our time. Two SS-rank individuals, vanishing together during the chaos of war—the implications are still being debated by scholars and strategists across the kingdom."

He stepped back, his usual cheerful demeanor returning. "But remember—your rank is not your destiny. It's a starting point. We've had Fire-rank students surpass Inferno-rank students through hard work and dedication. And we've had Cataclysm-rank students squander their potential through arrogance and laziness."

His expression grew stern.

"Your rank opens doors. But it's up to you to walk through them. And this year, with many S-ranks among you, the doors that open will be greater than ever before—but so too will be the challenges you face."

He stepped back, and Headmaster Thorne returned to the podium.

"The testing will begin shortly," she announced. "You will be called in groups of ten. When your name is called, proceed to the testing chamber. The process is simple and painless. You will place your hands on a crystal orb, channel your magic into it, and the orb will measure your capacity and affinity. Your results will be displayed immediately."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd once more.

"One final note. The testing orb cannot be fooled or manipulated. It measures your true magical capacity, regardless of any enhancements, suppressions, or seals you may have. If you are hiding your true power, it will be revealed. If you are weaker than you claim, that too will be revealed."

"First group," Headmaster Thorne announced. "When I call your name, proceed to the testing chamber."

She began reading names from a list. Noble names, mostly—students from prominent families. They walked toward the main building with varying degrees of confidence, disappearing through a set of ornate double doors.

"It'll be fine," Ralf whispered back, though he looked worried. "Maybe the seal will hold. Maybe—"

"It won't." Ki-rin's hands were shaking. He clenched them into fists, trying to steady himself. "She said the orb sees through seals. Everyone's going to see. They're going to know what I am."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do."

The first group emerged from the building about ten minutes later. Most looked pleased; a few looked disappointed. One girl was crying, being comforted by her friends.

"Second group," Headmaster Thorne called.

More names. More students filing into the building.

Ki-rin's heart was pounding so hard he could barely hear. His mind raced through possibilities. He could run. Just turn around and walk away, leave the academy, disappear back into the slums where no one would ask questions.

But then what? Spend the rest of his life hiding? Never learning to control his power? Always wondering what he could have become?

"Third group."

The ceremony continued. Group after group entered the building and emerged with their results. The crowd was getting restless now, students whispering among themselves, speculating about their own results.

"Next group. Form a line," the stern woman instructed. "You will approach the orb one at a time. Place both hands on its surface and channel your magic into it. The orb will do the rest."

"Group Seven!"

Among them was a tall girl with flowing silver hair and an air of absolute confidence. She walked with the grace of someone who'd never doubted her place in the world.

"That's Princess Frey," someone whispered nearby. "The First Princess."

Frey's expression was calm, almost serene, as she entered the testing chamber with her group. The minutes ticked by slowly, tension building in the courtyard as students waited for the results.

Then Professor Vance's voice echoed across the courtyard through a magical amplification spell.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement regarding Group Seven's results."

The courtyard fell silent.

"We have just witnessed our first S-rank student of the day." Professor Vance's voice carried a note of barely contained excitement.

Name: Frey Arca

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Lightning

Secondary Affinity: Fire, Wind**

"Princess Frey Arca has tested at Cataclysm-rank with a magic power reading of 87,340. Her primary affinity is Lightning magic, with secondary affinities in Fire and Wind.."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"S-rank already?"

"The Princess is S-rank? Of course she is..."

"That's incredible!"

Frey emerged from the testing chamber, her expression unchanged, but Ki-rin saw the slight lift of her chin—pride, carefully controlled.

"Group Eight!"

The testing continued. More students filed in and out. Most tested at Fire-rank or Blaze-rank, with a handful reaching Inferno. Each time an A-rank appeared, there were murmurs of approval and congratulations.

But then Group Nine was called.

Among them was a girl with striking red hair tied back in a high ponytail. She moved with the fluid grace of a trained warrior; her posture perfect, her eyes sharp and assessing.

"That's Lyra Vance," a noble boy near them said to his friend. "General Vance's daughter. I heard she's been training with the Royal Knights since she was eight."

When Group Nine emerged, Professor Vance's voice rang out again.

"Another extraordinary result!”

Name: Lyra Vance

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Wind

Secondary Affinity: Fire**

“Miss Lyra Vance has tested at S-rank—Cataclysm-level—with a magic power reading of 86,500. Her Wind and Fire magic, a powerful combination for offensive combat. This brings our total to two S-rank students."

The courtyard erupted in excited chatter—a mixture of awe, excitement, and growing disbelief.

"Two S-ranks already!"

"This year is going to be something special..."

Ki-rin watched as Lyra rejoined her group, her expression carefully neutral. But he could see the satisfaction in her eyes, the way her shoulders straightened with pride.

"Professor Vance said we might have more than usual, but this is..."

"This year is going to be legendary..."

More groups were called. The afternoon sun climbed higher, casting shorter shadows across the courtyard. But the tension kept building, after every S-rank appeared.

Name: Marcus Ironheart

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Earth**

Name: Elise Moonwhisper

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Healing/ Support Magic**

Name: Cedric Ashford

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Lightning**

More students tested. More S-rank students were called, Ravina, Mavis, Lucian Lochgard, Kira Stromwind, Theron Wards. While most fell into the expected ranges—Fire, Blaze, Inferno. A few more A-ranks appeared, each one celebrated.

But then Group Fifteen was called, and Ariana stepped forward.

Ki-rin's breath caught. He'd been so focused on the growing number of S-ranks that he'd almost forgotten Ariana hadn't been tested yet.

She walked toward the testing chamber with her usual grace, her golden eyes focused and determined. She didn't look nervous. She looked ready.

The minutes stretched out. Ki-rin found himself holding his breath, waiting.

Then Ariana emerged, and Professor Vance's voice rang out once more.

"Our latest S-rank student!”

Name: Ariana Fullford

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Fire

Secondary Affinity: Water & Wind

Miss Ariana Fullford has tested at 85,120 magic power—Cataclysm-rank. Her primary class is Archer. Her ability, Eagle Eye, grants her enhanced perception and targeting at extreme distances. A formidable combatant!"

The courtyard erupted in cheers and gasps.

"Eleven S-ranks!"

"Lady Ariana is S-rank too!"

"The Fullford family must be so proud!"

Ariana walked back across the courtyard, and her path took her directly past Ki-rin and Ralf. For just a moment, her eyes met Ki-rin's, and she smiled—small, genuine, meant only for him.

Then she was gone, rejoining her attendant, Ravina and others.

"Eleven," Ralf said quietly. "Eleven S-ranks. How many more could there possibly be?"

Ki-rin didn't answer. He was too busy trying to control his breathing, trying to prepare himself for when his own name would be called.

The sun was beginning to set now, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Most of the groups had been tested. Only a handful remained.

"Group Twenty-Three!"

Ki-rin's heart pounded. This was Ralf's group.

Ralf shot him a nervous glance. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need it," Ki-rin said, though his voice was tight.

Ralf walked toward the testing chamber with nine other students. The courtyard had gone quiet, everyone watching, waiting. Eleven S-ranks had already been revealed. The tension was unbearable.

The minutes crawled by.

Then Ralf emerged, and Professor Vance's voice rang out—but this time, there was something different in his tone. Shock. Disbelief.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." He paused, as if struggling to process what he was about to say. "We have our Twelfth S-rank student of the day."

The courtyard exploded with noise.

"Twelve?!"

"There's never been more than four in a single year!"

Professor Vance continued, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Name: Ralf Wimsa

Rank: S

Primary Affinity: Steel

Secondary Affinity: Earth

"Ralf Wimsa has tested at S-rank (Cataclysm) with a magic power reading of 83,670. His primary class is Tank/Warrior. His primary affinity is Physical Enhancement of steel—an extraordinary ability—Bear-type Opir are known for having powerful physical enhancements skill— But this is a rare case for a non-nobility.

The crowd was in an uproar now.

"A slum rat?!"

"S-rank?!"

"Twelve S-ranks! Twelve!"

Ralf made his way back through the crowd, his face flushed with pride. When he reached Ki-rin, he was grinning.

"Did you hear that? Steel! That's so cool!"

"Group Twenty-Four!" the stern woman called. "Final group!"

This was it.

Ki-rin's feet felt like lead as he walked toward the testing chamber. The whispers followed him like a physical force.

"That's the last group…?"

Ki-rin entered the testing chamber with nine other students—all of them looking nervous, none of them looking particularly powerful. They were the leftovers, the students who'd been sorted into the final group almost as an afterthought.

The faculty members were all present now, even more than before. Headmaster Thorne stood at the front, her expression unreadable. Professor Vance looked excited and anxious. Other professors Ki-rin didn't recognize lined the walls, all watching intently.

"Form a line," the stern woman said, though her voice was gentler now. Almost reverent.

The first student approached the orb. C-rank. Then the next. D-rank. Then another. B-rank.

One by one, the students were tested. None of them were S-rank.

Eight students down. Only two remained.

Ki-rin and a nervous-looking girl with mousy brown hair.

"Next," the stern woman said, gesturing to the girl.

The girl stepped forward, placed her hands on the orb, and concentrated. After a moment, the projection appeared: C-rank, Fire affinity.

She stepped back, looking relieved.

The chamber fell silent.

Everyone was looking at Ki-rin now.

"Next," the stern woman whispered.

Ki-rin's legs felt like they might give out as he approached the orb. Every eye in the room was on him—the slum kid, the boy with no family, the one who'd somehow earned admission to the academy.

He could feel the faculty's curiosity, their skepticism, their anticipation.

This is it, he thought. No going back.

He placed his hands on the orb.

The crystal was warm beneath his palms, almost alive. He could feel it reaching into him, searching, measuring.

Channel your magic, the instructions had said. But Ki-rin didn't know how. He'd never been trained. The only times he'd used magic had been accidents, moments of desperation when the seal cracked and power leaked through.

He tried anyway. Tried to find that feeling from the warehouse, that surge of energy that had let him create fire.

Nothing happened.

The orb remained dim, barely glowing.

Seconds passed. Then more seconds.

Ki-rin could feel sweat beading on his forehead. Come on, he thought desperately. Do something. Anything.

Still nothing.

He could sense the disappointment in the room, the confusion.

"Is it broken?"

"Maybe he doesn't have any magic."

"How did someone like that even get admitted?"

Shame burned through Ki-rin, hot and acidic. He was going to fail. He was going to be exposed as a fraud, a slum kid who'd gotten lucky and didn't belong here.

Then he felt it.

Power leaked through.

The orb's glow intensified. Just a little at first, then more. Colors swirled within it—not the just simple blues and reds like the other students, but something else too. Something darker.

Black and white, mixing and separating, like oil and water. And beneath them, flashes of other colors—crimson red, deep purple, brilliant gold.

The whispers stopped.

The glow grew brighter. And brighter.

Ki-rin tried to pull back, trying to stop the flow of magic, but he couldn't. The light blinding, and power was pouring through it like water through a broken dam.

The orb blazed with light, so bright that people had to shield their eyes.

"Impossible," someone breathed.

The projection appeared above the orb, but the text was flickering, unstable, as if the orb couldn't quite process what it was measuring:

WARNING...

WARNING...

Name: Ki-rin

Rank: S (Cataclysm) - Magic Power: 98,280

Primary Affinity: \[ERROR - CONFLICTING READINGS\]

Secondary Affinity: \[ERROR - CONFLICTING READINGS\]

Detected Affinities: Fire, Earth, Wind, Water… \[ERROR\]

Warning: Sealed Ability Detected, Unique Magical Affinities Detected

Warning: Power Level Exceeds Standard Measurement

Warning: Multiple Conflicting Affinities Detected - Unprecedented**

The room erupted.

"Ninety-eight thousand?!"

"Water, Earth, Fire, Wind?! All detected but not confirmed"

"APPROACHING SS-RANK?!"

"CONFLICTING READINGS?!"

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

Ki-rin yanked his hands away from the orb, stumbling backward. The light died immediately, but the projection remained, hanging in the air like an accusation.

Headmaster Thorne stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You have a sealed ability, that is unreadable?"

"I..." Ki-rin's voice came out as a croak. He swallowed and tried again. "Yes, ma'am."

"Who placed."

"And why did she seal your power?"

Ki-rin's vision blurred for a moment. He was back—the night everything ended. He could see himself standing there, watching his parents fall, but it was as if he were outside his own body. Floating. Untethered. Watching helplessly as something dark and terrible poured out of him, consuming everything in its path. He hadn't been in control. He'd been a passenger in his own skin, screaming silently while power he didn't understand ravaged the world around him.

That dissociated horror. That feeling of being trapped behind glass, unable to stop what was happening.

He forced himself to breathe.

"Because I couldn't control it," he whispered. "Because it was dangerous."

The room had gone completely silent. Even the whispers had stopped.

Headmaster Thorne studied him for a long moment. "How old were you when the seal was placed?"

"I don’t remember"

"And you've had no magical training since then?"

"No, ma'am."

"Yet you registered as S-rank despite the seal." She glanced at the projection, still flickering with its error messages. "And the orb cannot even properly measure your affinities.”

She turned to the other faculty members. "Professor Vance, have you ever seen results like this?"

Professor Vance shook his head slowly, his face pale. "Never. The orb is designed to measure any magical capacity, any affinity. For it to return errors..." He trailed off, looking at Ki-rin with something between fascination and fear. "And ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and eighty. That's only seventeen hundred and twenty points away from SS-rank. If the seal were removed..."

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.

"This is unprecedented," another faculty member said—an older man with a long white beard. "A sealed ability that still registers as S-rank? That suggests his true power, unsealed, would be..."

The implications hung in the air, heavy and terrifying.

Headmaster Thorne's gaze returned to Ki-rin. "Ki-rin, you will report to my office after the ceremony. We need to discuss your situation in detail."

"Yes, ma'am," Ki-rin managed.

"For now, you are classified as S-rank and will be placed in S-rank classes. However, given the unusual nature of your results, you will also be required to attend additional sessions with myself and the senior faculty. We need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."

She made it sound as if he were a problem to be solved. A threat to be assessed.

Maybe he was.

"You may return to the courtyard," Headmaster Thorne said. "We will make the announcement."

Ki-rin walked toward the exit on shaking legs. As soon as he stepped outside, he heard Professor Vance's magically amplified voice ring across the courtyard.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Stargold Royal Magic Academy..." There was a long pause, as if he were gathering himself. "We have our last S-rank student."

The courtyard exploded with noise, but Professor Vance's voice cut through it all.

Name: Ki-rin

Rank: S

"Ki-rin has tested at Cataclysm-rank with a magic power reading of ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and eighty—approaching SS-rank Apocalypse-tier."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then the courtyard erupted into absolute chaos.

"Ninety-eight thousand?!"

"APPROACHING SS-RANK?!"

Ki-rin stumbled through the crowd, barely seeing where he was going. Students parted before him as if he were diseased, staring at him with expressions ranging from awe to terror.

Ralf appeared at his side, grabbing his arm. "Ki-rin! Are you okay?"

"I don't know…" Ki-rin's voice sounded distant, even to his own ears. "Did you hear what they said? Ninety-eight thousand. They looked at me as if I were some kind of monster."

"You're no monster. I think that is pretty cool."

"You don't know that."

"I know you," Ralf interrupted firmly. "You're not a monster. You're one of the best people I know."

Ki-rin wanted to believe him. But the memory of that night—the destruction, the death, the blood—was too vivid.

By the time the sun set, casting long shadows across the courtyard, all the testing was complete. The first-year class had produced thirteen S-rank students.

Both Ralf and Ki-rin found a spot near the edge of the courtyard, trying to blend into the crowd. But it was impossible. Students kept glancing their way, whispering behind their hands.

"That's him."

"Ninety-eight thousand... that's almost SS-rank..."

"How is that even possible as a first year?"

"He's dangerous. They should expel him."

Ki-rin clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe steadily. Ralf stood close beside him, a silent show of support.