The hallway was dim, its end shrouded in shadow—like a symbol of what awaited me in the days ahead. My steps were calm, but my heart was not.
Suddenly, Jim appeared in front of me, standing with a smile that could only be described as provocative. It wasn't a welcome—it was a silent threat.
He said in a low voice, "I'll be waiting outside."
I didn't respond. I looked at him for a second, then kept walking. But that smile lingered. He must've gotten a high rank.
I needed a strong rank—not for pride, but because I had no choice.
I remembered an old saying: "Never make an enemy who hasn't awakened yet."
It sounded like more than just a proverb. Today, you may be stronger—but tomorrow? You might regret ever looking down on someone who'll surpass you.
Those thoughts swirled in my mind until the hallway opened into a scene I never expected.
A still, artificial lake. Its waters reflected a soft glow from crystal domes above. The grass lining the sides shimmered with faint green light. It didn't feel like just a test hall—it felt like a gateway to another world.
At the center of the lake floated a circular platform, accessible by a dark wooden bridge. On the platform stood a large glowing crystal—and beside it, two men.
I swallowed and stepped forward.
One of them spoke dryly: "Good. Some hesitate before stepping up. Hopefully, you rank higher than the last one."
Despite my nerves, I asked, "What was his rank?"
He muttered, "A."
I moved forward calmly, standing before the crystal.
"Place your hand. Close your eyes. Don't move it until I say so."
I obeyed. At first, nothing happened. Then tiny particles—like glowing dust—began to swirl toward me. I felt them seep into my skin.
It was uncomfortable—but they didn't stop. I tried to control them with my mind. They resisted.
Then I heard his voice: "Pull your hand away."
I did. The two men stared at the crystal, stunned. I looked—and saw it glowing with a brilliant light.
The older man said, "Rank S."
The other smiled. "Extremely rare. Well done, kid."
I thanked them, though I couldn't hide a flicker of disappointment. "What kind of rank is it?"
The old man replied calmly, "Mental."
I froze. That word… I'd never heard it before.
The younger one stepped in, clearly intrigued. "Don't worry, that's normal. Mental-type ranks are uncommon. The government doesn't share much about them—especially with orphans. People barely understand what Hunters can actually do. It's about balance."
He was about to continue, but the older man cut him off: "It's a long explanation. This notebook is for rare ranks. You'll find answers inside."
I took the notebook, thanked them, and stepped off the platform.
As I walked away, I overheard them talking:
"If it had been a race-based class, things would've been different."
The other replied, "Mental isn't weak. It just requires a different kind of mind. If he figures it out, he'll be dangerous."
And just like that, the Awakening ended.
But it wasn't the end of anything.
It was the beginning of everything.
---
At that same time, on the top floor of the Guild building, a middle-aged man sat in an ornate chair beside a window overlooking the city. His eyes were half-closed—his body was here, but his mind was elsewhere.
"A mental class, huh?" he muttered quietly.
The secretary standing before him smiled gently. "Yes, sir. I just got the report."
He turned toward her, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "He hasn't been tested yet, has he?"
She nodded. "Still in the waiting hall. Would you like to summon him?"
He waved his hand: "No need to rush. Let's see what kind of class he is and if it's worth paying attention to. It won't be too late to act."
The secretary smiled knowingly. "You mean like the one who had water as a rare internal element?"
He chuckled lightly. "Exactly."
Then added, slowly, "We'll wait."
Suddenly, she pressed her hand to her earpiece, receiving a new update. "Sir, pardon me… a new report from Mr. Son."
He sighed. "Another rare class?"
"As expected of President Hu Jun, your prediction is spot on," she said with assured sarcasm. "A girl named Selena. Her class is legendary."
He raised an eyebrow in surprise—then a wide grin spread across his face.
He'd been joking. But it turned out to be true.
"Legendary? From the orphans? …You're kidding, So-yun."
"I'm not. The data's from Mr. Son."
He whispered the man's name under his breath, then said, "That old man doesn't joke about things like this…"
Then, as if thinking aloud, he added, "This is excellent. If she and the other one both get into Starlight Academy, my name will shine in this year's report."
She interrupted his thought, "Her element is ice, sir."
He considered that for a moment. "Hmm... None of the big three use ice. Either Jun-Ho's faction or Tae-San's will fight for her. Not our business for now."
There was a pause—then So-yun spoke again.
"Sir… Mr. Son just sent another update."
He looked at her, his voice on the edge of snapping. "Don't tell me there's a third rare class…"
She avoided his gaze. Her silence was the answer.
He slammed his hand on the desk. "Is he mocking me? Two rare classes, one of them Legendary—and now a third?!"
He grabbed his phone and called. "You old fool, have you lost it? What are you trying to say—that this is some kind of lucky day?"
A pause. Then his voice shifted to a quiet, serious tone: "…I see. If you're serious, then yes—this is a surprise worth everything."
He ended the call. Then whispered:
"Rare. Legendary. Unknown… All in a single day? This changes everything."
---
Downstairs…
"Don't be upset, Yan. Your class doesn't define everything," Selina said softly, her earlier excitement now gone after hearing Yan's result.
Rami spoke in a low but firm tone: "Enough tears. That won't change anything. There's still the Awakening Elixir. If we get it, we can change your future."
But inside, he felt deeply disappointed for him—and he hated that he couldn't show it.
Yan sat in silence. A non-racial class. Rank C. His steps were heavy, his tears non-stop.
"I just wanted to protect you… to be strong."
His words hit both of them hard.
They'd always called him an idiot—but inside, they'd always seen him as a younger brother. Seeing him like this was painful.
Rami walked up to him.
Slap.
The sound echoed in the hall. Some kids laughed. Others stared.
Rami didn't turn.
He said sharply, "If you think you're worthless—prove otherwise. If you hit C, we'll fight with you. But if you give up? That's when you truly become a burden."
Selina was about to yell—but Yan grabbed her hand.
One look from him stopped her.
He said calmly, "I'll train. I'll push myself. But if I hit a dead end… you have to promise to tell me."
Selina gasped. She understood. And if they ever told him that—he'd walk away from their lives on his own.
She said through clenched tears, "Don't be stupid, Yan!"
But he cut her off for the first time, his voice final: "Promise me."
Rami met his eyes.
Quietly, he said, "I promise."
Selina wiped her tears and gave a pained smile. "I promise, you idiot."
Only then did Yan smile—from the heart.
His usual playful face returned. And despite the swollen eyes, and tears that hadn't dried, he was once again the Yan they knew.
But he wasn't the same person anymore.