The parent observation lounge was filled to capacity, humming with hushed conversations and restrained anticipation. Across the room, hundreds of parents, guardians, and sponsors gathered, watching the large projection screens as the tests unfolded one by one. Even here, hierarchy dictated the seating.
There were three categories of entry: Common, Premium, and the rarely accessed VVIP section—a place reserved for ministers, aristocrats, and the elite clans of Dharma. The VVIP passes were almost never sold to the public; they were usually assigned directly to the political and clan dignitaries.
Today, something unprecedented had happened.
The government had anticipated the possible arrival of the Ayudha Clan's chief, as his children—Aren and Aria—were participating in the elemental test. What they didn't expect was the appearance of Bharat, the enigmatic and powerful clan leader of the Bhargava Clan.
A legend in the elemental world. A symbol of unreachable prestige.
And now, he sat watching these common tests as if waiting for someone.
Inside a private room, walled with enchanted glass and lined with intricate runes to preserve silence and security, Bharat reclined in a plush armchair. Though the room was not large, it exuded luxury in every detail—from the obsidian inlays on the walls to the gold-rimmed crystal wine decanter beside him.
Seated next to him was Guarav, the head of the Ayudha Clan and father of Aren and Aria.
Behind them, attendants and butlers stood at attention, still as statues. Not a soul dared move.
Bharat sipped from a glass of aged Yesti alcohol, a rare beverage known to calm even the most volatile elemental users. Guarav, on the other hand, stuck with lemonade, his nerves still on edge despite the earlier success of his children.
He knew the results ahead of time. He knew Aren and Aria would shine. Yet the presence of Bharat made him uncomfortable.
When Aria's test confirmed her triple elemental affinity, Guarav had beamed with pride. That smile grew even wider when Bharat, still watching the screen without so much as a glance his way, said casually:
"Your children are talented, Guarav. I'll grant your family one slot in the upcoming Clan Inheritance Trials."
Guarav choked on his drink.
He coughed, thumped his chest, and managed a strained laugh. "T-thank you, Chief."
To be given a slot in the Inner Sect Selection was unheard of for a branch family. Dozens of clans vied for such opportunities, sometimes waiting for years. Yet with one off-handed remark, Bharat had given Guarav a future his ancestors had only dreamed of.
Guarav bowed deeply. "My deepest gratitude. I'll make sure they're ready."
Bharat gave a small nod, still watching the screen as Aren finished his speech, encouraging students to consider recruitment into the Rakshakas family. Typical. Politically calculated and perfectly delivered.
Still… Guarav did not leave. Even after his children's tests concluded, he stayed seated, casting cautious glances at Bharat.
He didn't come here for my kids, Guarav thought. Then who?
Meanwhile, in the main examination hall, the students were being called up in batches of ten to draw their test numbers.
After a few minutes, Om stepped forward and pulled his number: 196.
Almost at the very end.
Arun, his friend and fellow examinee, drew number 54—a favorable mid-range slot. Luck seemed to be on his side.
Back in the line, the students murmured and speculated as the numbers continued to be drawn.
"There won't be more than 25 people who pass," Arun said confidently as they waited. "That's how it usually is."
Om nodded. He already knew the statistics. Only 15% of people ever showed an elemental affinity. The remaining 85% lived out their lives as regular citizens. Talented in other fields, perhaps—but never warriors.
Two years ago, the highest number of successful awakenings recorded at one site had been 25. Already, Aren, Aria, and one more student had made it through. The chances were shrinking.
Soon, the first batch of students was called—numbers 1 through 10.
None of them opted to have their tests broadcast.
The massive screens in the hall remained blank.
Ten minutes later, the group returned. Only one among them had passed—a student named Haran, who had awakened Earth affinity, marked by a rich brown glow in his orb.
The Chief Examiner announced his success, and Haran rushed out, ecstatic, shaking hands with examiners and waving toward the crowd.
The next few batches passed in a blur.
Batch 2 had no successful awakenings, though one student allowed his failed test to be shown on screen. It gave the others an idea of what to expect—an orb that remained completely clear. A harsh confirmation of the absence of elemental resonance.
Batch after batch moved forward. The crowd became more subdued. Hope flickered, then dimmed.
Then came Batch 5.
Arun stepped forward.
Om clapped him on the back. "Good luck."
Arun grinned. "Thanks. See you on the other side."
Om watched the screen.
This time, the feed came alive.
Arun had given his consent.
He stepped into the chamber confidently, nodded to the proctor, and picked up a sterile pin. With a quick jab, he pricked his finger and let the blood drop onto the massive glass orb.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
A pulse.
And then, the orb lit up in an unexpected, eerie shade of black.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
"Black…?"
"That's—"
"Darkness affinity!"