Chapter 6: The Results
Suddenly, a heavy pressure settled over the area, as if something massive loomed above.
Then, a powerful gust of wind followed, blowing dust in every direction.
Leo and others instinctively looked up and froze.
A gryphon hovered overhead.
Not just any gryphon, but a massive one. Leo's mouth slung open in disbelief.
"These creatures really exist… Damn. How big is that? Looks like it's as long as a bus. And those wings… they can easily crush me into a paste in seconds… I already knew it from the memories, but… seeing it with my own eyes feels unreal."
People instinctively stepped back, clearing space for the beast as it descended, landing just beside the empty area at the centre. Then, a man dismounted from its back.
Everyone recognized him, even Leo did.
Rurk Hart.
A Commander rank Beast Master, and his gryphon itself was of the same rank. Rurk was a broad, robust man, dressed in brown and black clothes. His chest was partially exposed, revealing a bold, cross-shaped scar he wore with pride. It was a mark of his bravery on the battlefield, something he was very proud of.
Rurk placed his hand over the gryphon's lowered beak.
"You did well, Griffith. Rest now."
At his words, the gryphon dissolved into green motes of light, which streamed directly into his chest.
He then stepped forward and announced, his voice booming, even louder than any modern speaker.
"You already know what you are here for. I won't repeat myself, so listen carefully."
He paused and waited for a while before continuing.
"There are two areas in which you will be checked to see if you have what it takes to be a Beast Master. First, your Soul Rank. The higher it is, the more powerful you can become, and the easier it will be for you to grow. If you have no Soul Rank, then don't waste time here and leave right away."
His tone sharpened.
"Second, your Beast Taming talent. There have been cases where people were found to have high-ranked souls but no talent for Beast Taming. So don't start dancing only because of your soul. I have little patience for fools. Mind you."
By the end, his voice carried a clear threat, and several people visibly gulped in nervousness.
Beside Leo, an irritated voice clicked its tongue.
It was a man who looked more like a fox than a human and had horizontal slit-type eyelids.
"Tsk. Just you wait, bastard. When I awaken my talent, you will be grovelling at my feet."
Leo turned, and his expression stiffened as he recognized the man.
Zolton Milti.
Shit… Zolton. What is he doing here? Didn't he already get himself tested last year?
Without hesitation, Leo quickly and quietly got as far away from the man as he could. He wasn't in a condition to afford being seen by Zolton right now. The guy believed he was dead, so why ruin the surprise!
_____
At last, the trials began, and the first person was called.
"Teron."
A middle-aged man stepped forward and confidently placed his hand over the crystal.
Nothing happened.
"No soul rank. Move aside. Next, Doren."
Teron walked away as if his whole life was destroyed, and a young man stepped forward.
He placed his hand over the crystal, and this time there was a reaction.
A dull grey light spread through it.
"Uncommon Soul Rank. Pass. Next…"
Just like that, they kept calling names one after another, until…
"Zolton Milti."
"What? This man again?" the announcer calling the name muttered quietly under his breath.
But Rurk heard him clearly with his sharp senses.
"Again, you say? Hoh. Looks like there's a rich fool who thinks he can awaken talent if he keeps trying. Well… I won't say anything; there have indeed been some cases where people did awaken, 1 in a hundred thousand if I say so."
He gestured forward.
"Place your hand over the crystal."
Zolton did so.
And as usual, like his previous attempts, the crystal lit up with the same colour, albeit the rarely seen one…
Blue.
"Super Rare Soul Rank, Pass… tsk, every year the same super rare bum. Next…" the announcer muttered in a low, irritated voice by the end.
Zolton heard the words. His jaw tightened in anger, but he said nothing. In front of Rurk, he was nothing; the guy could simply swat him like a fly.
He silently joined the group of those who had passed the first test.
Finally, the time arrived.
"Leo."
Leo stepped forward and placed his hand over the crystal.
For a moment, nothing happened.
A flicker of dread crept into his chest…
Then…
The crystal glowed.
Leo, who, even though he had a calm look on his face, had actually been on his toes until the crystal glowed.
But…
"Soul rank, Common. Pass. Next... "
It was white in colour.
The lowest Soul Rank.
It's fine… it's fine. At least there is something. That's better than nothing. Yes. Now… I just have to wait for the next part…
From the side, Zolton narrowed his eyes.
"Leo? That girl's brother?"
"He is still alive? Tsk, did those bastards lie to me?"
"Looks like someone is seeking death. But what if he awakens? Nah… even if he awakens… it won't matter. A Common rank is nothing. I have a feeling that this time… I will definitely awaken. Hehehehe…"
Soon, everyone's Soul Rank testing was done.
And out of everyone present, barely forty had passed!
Leo, who had been quietly lamenting his pitiful soul rank, slowly came to a realization…
Even that COMMON…
Was a blessing.
_____
Names continued to be called out one after another again.
Whenever someone awakened his/her talent, it was marked by a beast mark sigil flaring into existence. That much was certain. But what was surprising was that the young man named Doren, who had an Uncommon Soul Rank and was starting to get full of himself, failed to awaken the Beast Taming Talent.
He literally broke down on the spot and began crying right there.
That was until Rurk shot him a glare, and that was enough. Doren quickly stood up and walked away. No matter how devastating the blow had been, his life was still more important.
Soon, Leo was called, this time before Zolton.
Leo stepped forward towards the array formation, a decagon etched with some unknown language and symbols all over it. He stepped into its center, his heart beating wildly in his chest.
Please… please. I cannot stay weak. I don't want to live that pathetic life again. Please awaken… awaken.
Rurk activated the array.
One by one, all ten corners of the decagon lit up. The strange inscriptions lifted into the air and began swirling around like holographic projections before shooting straight into Leo's head.
Leo's eyes remained shut, trembling. His hands shook as he silently prayed to every god of Earth he had known to let his talent awaken.
I want to be the strongest! I don't want to be beneath anyone's mercy!!
Just then, Leo heard a chime.
Ding!
Rurk was about to declare that Leo had failed when, suddenly, a sigil flickered into existence, only for a brief instant before disappearing.
Even though he couldn't get a good view of it, Rurk was sure that Leo had awakened.
"Pass. Leo has successfully become a Beast Master. Go, stand along with the others, and wait for further instructions."