The Adventurer's Guild's side room was a sanctuary of quiet amid the chaos of Kagetsura's bustling hall. Shelves of dusty tomes and glowing crystals lined the walls, their faint hum mingling with the soft pulse of the Aetherial Gauge—an orb of translucent crystal that sat on a pedestal at the room's center. Its azure glow cast fleeting shadows, illuminating the faces of Renjiro and his companions as they awaited their turn to measure their divine energy. The air was thick with anticipation, each member of the group buzzing with their own mix of excitement, curiosity, and nerves.
Mira, the guild attendant, stood beside the orb, her crisp uniform and professional smile unwavering despite the weight of Tetsuya's presence at the back of the room. "Place your hands on the orb," she instructed Yuki, who had stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. "Focus your divine energy into your palms. It'll take a moment to measure."
Yuki nodded eagerly, her delicate fingers brushing the orb's smooth surface. She closed her eyes, her brow furrowing slightly as she channeled a small, shimmering stream of energy. The orb pulsed, its glow intensifying, swirling with soft hues of lavender and white. The room fell silent, all eyes on the machine's panel as Mira monitored its readings.
"It takes a bit to process," Mira said, her gaze fixed on the panel's flickering runes. "Please wait."
Renjiro leaned against the wall, his silver-and-white hair catching the orb's light as he watched with a calm, thoughtful expression. Beside him, Tetsuya stood with arms crossed, his sharp eyes studying Yuki's every move. Haruto, seated nearby, seemed detached, his face unreadable, though a faint tension lingered in his posture. Selena bounced on her heels, her excitement palpable as she whispered to herself about her own turn. Himari stood with her arms folded, her lips curved in a quiet smile, eager to see her own results. Reina and Takeshi, ever the lively duo, exchanged hushed whispers, speculating about Yuki's potential.
"She's the village head's daughter," Reina murmured, her eyes wide. "Bet she's got something special."
Takeshi grinned. "No kidding. Let's see if she beats Reina."
Mira's voice cut through the murmurs. "Measurement complete." She glanced at the panel, her tone steady but tinged with surprise. "Core level: Ember Core. Elemental affinities: Fire, Water, Wind. Divine energy level: 9200. Rank: C+."
Yuki's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "Wait, this machine can tell all that?" she asked, her voice a mix of shock and awe.
Mira nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, the Aetherial Gauge is precise. Not all devices can provide this much detail—only those authorized for special cases, like Sir Tetsuya's guests. Next, please."
Reina's jaw dropped, her whisper to Takeshi barely audible. "C+? That's insane! Nothing less from the village head's kid."
Takeshi nudged her, his grin widening. "Your turn, Reina. Let's see if you can top that."
As Yuki stepped back, still processing her results, Tetsuya leaned toward Renjiro, his voice low. "What's Yuki's deal? She's got a gentle aura, almost elegant, but there's something… formidable about her."
Renjiro's lips curved into a knowing smile. "She's skilled with a sword—really skilled. Her physical abilities are top-notch, too. But her real strength? It's quiet. You'll see."
Tetsuya's brow lifted, a spark of intrigue in his eyes. "Quiet, huh? Her beauty's striking, but that potential… it's almost scary." He paused, glancing at the others. "What about Haruto and Selena? You seem confident in them."
Renjiro's smile widened, a playful glint in his eyes. "Just wait. They're incredible. You'll be shocked."
Reina bounded forward, her enthusiasm undimmed by Yuki's impressive results. She placed her hands on the orb, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. The orb glowed, its hues shifting to earthy greens and watery blues, though the light was less vibrant than Yuki's. Mira's eyes flicked to the panel, her expression neutral.
"Measurement complete," she announced. "Core level: Initiate Core. Elemental affinities: Earth, Water. Divine energy level: 5000. Rank: D+."
Reina's shoulders slumped, her face falling. "D+? That's… lower than I hoped," she muttered, stepping back.
Haruto was at her side in an instant, his usual stoicism softening. "It's a good start, Reina," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Your rank doesn't define you. We'll train, improve together. You're stronger than you think."
Reina's eyes brightened, a small smile breaking through her disappointment. "Thanks, Haruto. You always know what to say. I… I really like that about you." She hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "I like you."
Haruto froze, his face turning a vivid shade of red. He turned away, a shy smile tugging at his lips as he muttered, "Uh, thanks." His gaze flicked to Renjiro, who was grinning mischievously from the sidelines.
Renjiro flashed a thumbs-up, mouthing, Tell her you love her! He signed the words with exaggerated flair, clearly enjoying Haruto's discomfort.
Haruto shot him a withering glare, his blush deepening. Renjiro chuckled to himself, thinking, You'll regret ignoring me one day, you stubborn bastard.
Himari stepped forward next, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Reina's earlier energy. She placed her hands on the orb, and a gentle, almost soothing aura filled the room. The orb flared with fiery reds and oranges, its glow steady and warm. Mira's eyes widened, her professional mask slipping as she stared at the panel.
"Measurement complete," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Core level: Soulmender. Elemental affinity: Fire. Divine energy level: 11500. Rank: B."
A stunned silence fell over the room. Tetsuya's jaw tightened, his eyes locking onto Renjiro. "Soulmender? At thirteen? Is she a genius?"
Renjiro nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. "Her parents trained her from age eight. She's good at everything—strategy, combat, even healing. She's a genius, no question."
Mira clutched her chest, her composure fraying. "A Soulmender at her age? This… this is extraordinary."
Takeshi stepped up next, his broad frame casting a shadow over the orb. He placed his hands on it, and the orb erupted in a chaotic swirl of greens, blues, reds, and whites, reflecting his raw power. Mira's hands shook as she read the results.
"Core level: Arcanist," she announced, her voice barely steady. "Elemental affinities: Earth, Water, Wind, Fire. Divine energy level: 11100. Rank: B."
Mira staggered back, clutching her chest again. "What is wrong with all of you? B and C+ ranks, Arcanist and Soulmender cores—at thirteen? I've never seen a genius like this!"
The group exchanged confused glances, the weight of her words sinking in. Reina tilted her head, her brow furrowing. "Next, please," Mira said, her voice strained.
Selena stepped forward, her presence commanding despite her youthful frame. As her hands touched the orb, the room seemed to hum with energy. The orb blazed with a radiant, multicolored glow, its intensity nearly blinding. Mira gasped, her eyes glued to the panel as the readings stabilized.
"I… I've never seen this," Mira stammered. "Core level: Magnus. Elemental affinities: All six—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Light. Divine energy level: 15600. Rank: B++. And… a rare healing ability. A generational prodigy at fifteen!"
Himari's eyes widened, her arms unfolding. "Selena, you have a healing ability? Did you know?"
Selena's cheeks flushed, her gaze dropping. "I knew, but… I only told Renjiro. I didn't want to make a big deal of it."
Tetsuya turned to Renjiro, his voice low with awe. "She's a prodigy. A Magnus with healing abilities? She could become the strongest mage the world has ever seen. I didn't expect this… or Haruto, for that matter."
Haruto stepped forward, his expression unreadable but his shoulders tense. As his hands touched the orb, the air grew heavy, a faint pressure pressing against everyone in the room. The orb glowed with a turbulent mix of blues, reds, whites, and electric yellows, its light jagged and wild. Mira's face paled, and she nearly collapsed as she read the results.
"Core level: Arcane," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Elemental affinities: Lightning, Wind, Fire, Water. Divine energy level: 12100. Rank: B+. Additional abilities… Beast Summoner and Healing."
Haruto's eyes widened, his usual composure cracking. "What? I only had two elements before—Wind and Lighting. And Beast Summoner? Healing? That's… impossible."
The room erupted in stunned murmurs. Renjiro's jaw dropped, his calm facade shattered. Beast Summoning was the rarest of abilities, and combining it with a swordsman's Arcane core, multiple elements, and healing was unheard of. History had no record of such a combination.
Tetsuya clutched his head, his voice a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "What's wrong with your group, Renjiro? Everyone's a genius, and now two generational prodigies?"
Renjiro, still reeling, pointed at Haruto. "Recheck him. That can't be right."
Mira, trembling, recalibrated the Gauge and ran the test again. The results were identical. She shook her head, muttering, "It's accurate."
Reina stepped forward, her voice hesitant. "Tetsuya, is this… a reawakening?"
Tetsuya's expression hardened. "No. It's not a reawakening."
"Then what's going on?" Reina pressed, her confusion mirroring the group's.
Tetsuya's gaze swept over them, lingering on Haruto. "His true power is awakening—gradually. This isn't a reawakening. It's something else entirely."