Toram stood before the crystal, his palm pressed against its glowing surface. But unlike the others, there was no immediate burst of light. No voice from within. No magic stirring in the air.
Only silence.
The crystal dimmed, its once brilliant light fading into a dull glow. The classroom-turned-hall fell into stunned quiet.
Lily: "Huh...? Why isn't it reacting?"
Zane: "Did it… malfunction?"
Adrian: "No. That's not it… Something's different."
Whispers swept through the crowd of students as they exchanged puzzled looks. Every person before Toram had received a clear declaration, a radiant display of their power. But now, the crystal remained still—almost as if it was… afraid.
Toram slowly pulled his hand away, his brows furrowed. His heartbeat quickened, not from fear, but from the strange emptiness that had settled inside him. Or was it something deeper, hiding beneath the surface?
He turned toward the goddess, expecting an answer. But she too, was silent.
She stood still, her golden eyes fixed on Toram with a distant expression—one that revealed neither confusion nor concern, but… contemplation.
Toram: "What does it mean…?"
The goddess did not reply.
Mei: "Why isn't she saying anything?"
Ryu: "Is his power too weak to register?"
Kai: "Or… maybe it's too strong?"
The goddess finally stepped forward, her long robes trailing across the floor like mist. She stopped a few steps in front of Toram, her gaze unreadable.
Goddess: "..."
Still, no explanation came.
Toram met her gaze, unblinking.
Toram: "If I don't have a power, just say it."
But the goddess remained expressionless. Instead of answering, she simply turned to face the rest of the class.
Goddess: "Your awakenings are complete. Prepare yourselves."
Lily: "Wait! What about Toram's—"
Goddess: "That is all."
With another wave of her hand, the crystal faded into motes of light, vanishing from the room as if it had never existed.
The students stood in stunned silence. Toram said nothing, his expression unreadable as he returned to his place. Questions hung in the air, but none dared ask them aloud—not yet.
And deep within him, though no power had been named, something began to stir.