At 10 a.m., Harry stood outside Menorah International School, located in the heart of the city.
He had studied there since childhood, so the place felt familiar.
After an hour of waiting, he finally entered the main hall. Hundreds of students had gathered, patiently waiting for their turn.
Around 1,400 students were present.
The test itself was simple.
Each student had to stand before a Magic Mirror—a rare artifact that contained fragments of all four elemental powers. Only prestigious schools possessed such mirrors.
As the mirror resonated with a student's heart, it would reveal whether a divine fragment existed within them.
After the first hour, the results began to appear.
Out of 700 students tested, 358 were Aetherbound.
Failing the test was not considered shameful. Students without powers could continue their education, attend university, or even join the army.
In this world, discrimination was rare.
Results mattered more than status.
Finally, it was Harry's turn.
He stepped in front of the mirror.
For a moment, he stared into his own reflection. His mind drifted away, lost in thought.
Then the principal spoke.
"You are not Aetherbound."
The words were simple, but they echoed in Harry's mind.
He walked out quietly and sat down.
He wasn't angry.
Just… disappointed.
He had hoped to train alongside Ron.
Aetherbound individuals were heavily supported by the government. They were trained, funded, and eventually used to demonstrate national power to the rest of the world.
Currently, China, Russia, and Japan dominated the rankings of powerful Aetherbound.
Those ranked D to low B were managed by state governments. Anyone above that level was taken under the control of the central government.
When Harry returned home and told his parents the result, they were actually relieved.
They had never liked the idea of war.
Later that evening, Harry met Ron and told him everything.
Ron didn't care.
They went to the gym together, just like always.