The stadium was alive with noise and disbelief.
"How's that possible?!" one of the students shouted in shock.
"No way!" another gasped. "That young shrimp kid just blitzed past Henry in the last round… and smashed the goal!"
The referee's voice rang out, silencing the murmurs.
"The winner is Johnson Stones! With ninety-five points!"
The crowd erupted, cheering his name. Johnson had stunned everyone.
An hour later, the students were gathered once again. This time, they sat across a vast open field where a strange glowing orb was mounted on a device—an instrument designed to measure one's elemental energy. The air carried tension, each breath heavy with anticipation.
The Vice Principal stepped forward, his tone sharp and commanding.
"Now, students, place your hand over the orb. It will measure your elemental energy."
Henry Hart was the first to step up. His stride was confident, even arrogant. As his palm rested on the orb, it flared brilliantly, turning a radiant gold, filling the area with blinding light. Henry smirked, basking in the awe around him.
"Wow! His energy level is very high!" a student exclaimed.
"He'll be among the Elites very soon at this rate."
Another whispered curiously, "Who are the Elites?"
"They're the best students in the entire school," a third replied solemnly. "Only fifteen exist."
"Fifteen?" someone muttered in awe. "That means… he's close to being a lower-tier Tier 1 Elite?"
The whispers spread like wildfire until a teacher's voice cut through the crowd.
"Henry Hart—Elite!"
The audience roared with joy. Henry walked back to his seat with a smug grin, shoving Johnson as he passed.
"This," Henry hissed, pride swelling in his chest, "is the difference between you and me… trash."
Johnson stiffened, but before he could react, Rose grabbed his arm.
"It's okay, big brother," she said softly, her eyes determined. "I'll fight those troublesome bullies for you."
Johnson smiled faintly, ruffling her hair. "You can't. Protecting you… that's my duty. I'm your big brother, after all. Now, go for your test."
Rose's heart swelled with courage. "Yes, brother."
She approached the orb, her small hand pressing against it. In an instant, the device shone so brightly it forced the entire field to shield their eyes. The light was blinding—pure, radiant, and unyielding.
The teachers gasped.
"Is that…?!" one stammered.
"Yes!" another said, his voice trembling. "She's on par with the Goldstar-ranked Beta, the highest in the state—from this very school!"
The crowd erupted in murmurs, whispering feverishly.
The Vice Principal narrowed his eyes, adjusting his glasses. "Is she not the one who effortlessly cleared the race, the physical exam, and the written test… all without a single failure?"
One teacher's voice grew uneasy. "If she is placed among the Elites, it will be a problem. Let's… lower her rank. Two steps down."
The Vice Principal's gaze darkened. "Yes. If the government hears of her, it would be… problematic."
"But the principal won't be pleased," another protested.
"Don't worry," the Vice Principal muttered coldly, "I'll take care of him."
The announcement came:
"Rossana Rosemary Stones—Class B!"
The crowd clapped, though confusion and envy laced their applause.
"Did you see that light?" a student whispered.
"No, it was too bright!" another replied.
"I think… it came from that girl."
"Ha! It must've been leftover lightning energy from Henry," one scoffed.
"Yes, you're probably right," another agreed.
Rose returned to her brother's side, tears of joy brimming in her eyes as she hugged him tightly.
"I made it!" she cried.
Johnson smiled, patting her head. "Yeah… I'm so happy for you."
Then the teacher called out the final name.
"And finally, the last person—Johnson Stones!"
The teacher's tone grew harsher. "Note this: if your energy level falls below 40 Beta Newtons, you will be disqualified."
Johnson's chest tightened. He stepped forward, his hand trembling slightly as he placed it on the orb. Nothing happened. No spark, no flicker.
The teacher barked, "Johnson! Put your hand firmly on the device!"
Confusion spread among the faculty.
"Not a single aura? Not even a flicker?"
Johnson tried again, pressing harder, desperate—but still, nothing.
The Vice Principal's voice was grim. "Every human in the world should have at least one spark of Beta energy… but this boy has none."
A teacher's eyes widened as she checked her device. "What in the world…? This reading—-1?! Is he even alive?"
Another sneered. "Ha! I like him. A freak like this could be profitable for my research."
"You perverted maniac!" a colleague snapped.
Another scoffed. "A creature like that shouldn't be in this school. Even ghosts have more energy than him."
"I'm not even sure he's human," someone else muttered.
Arguments broke out among the staff until the Vice Principal raised his hand. "If he can prove himself in the final test, we may keep him. But he will not be a student."
Another teacher smirked darkly. "That's if he doesn't get killed in the battle test. The betas will tear him apart."
Sandra, one of the teachers, smiled mischievously, her eyes gleaming. "Well, if he dies, I'll put his body to use. He could serve as an experiment—an undead creature."
"Like a zombie?!" Johnson blurted, his voice trembling.
Sandra laughed wickedly. "Exactly."
A cold shiver crawled down Johnson's spine.
Then came the final verdict.
"Johnson Stones—Class Z!"
The crowd erupted in cruel laughter.
"Who's that with no energy level?"
"Is he even human?"
"Even plants and corpses have energy!"
"He shouldn't exist in this world."
"Maybe he should just commit battle suicide!" one sneered.
Johnson's heart sank as the insults rained down. He turned to Sandra with trembling lips.
"What is… Class Z?"
She leaned in, her smile sharp and cruel. "It means, Master Johnson… you are nothing. Not Beta. Not human. You are the lowest of the low."
Johnson's knees weakened. Tears welled in his eyes.
"How can this be? I trained… every day. I fought to become stronger. I know I'm fast—I'm fast on my feet!"
Lillian scoffed, folding her arms. "Speed? You think speed is an ability worth recognition? What a pathetic joke." She turned on her heel and walked away.
Sandra, however, patted his head like a twisted caretaker. "Don't worry, boy. You'll still have your use… if you can survive."
Johnson shivered again, the world around him crumbling into whispers, laughter, and shadows.
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