The next morning, an announcement spread quickly through the guild. All low-ranking adventurers were summoned for a magical evaluation and training session, led by a certain Master Orlian, an S-rank mage. The mere mention of his name silenced all chatter.
Rael and Lyo went without hesitation. The training ground was a large, circular arena, designed specifically for practicing magic. Ancient runic circles glimmered faintly on the floor, and massive stone pillars surrounded the space.
Then he appeared. Master Orlian was tall and thin, wearing a simple ivory robe. His long white hair floated as if caught in an invisible current, and his gaze was sharp—not harsh, just… impossible to fool.
"The magic you wield," he began, "is neither a privilege nor a blessing. It is a tool. Some are born with it, others awaken it. Some can control it, while others become enslaved by it."
A heavy silence fell.
"Today, we will determine your potential… and your affinity."
The tests began. One by one, adventurers placed their hands on a crystalline orb in the center of the circle. The orb reacted differently to each person.
When it was Rael's turn, he hesitated slightly before touching the orb. It glowed faintly.
"You possess magic… but no elemental affinity," Orlian observed.
Rael nodded. He had expected as much. Raw, malleable magic—powerful, but difficult to control.
Next came Lyo. The moment his hand touched the orb, the air seemed to compress, as if crushed by an invisible weight. The ground vibrated slightly.
"Interesting. Gravity affinity."
All eyes turned to Lyo—some with admiration, others with concern. Magic like that was rare.
Finally, Selena stepped forward. The instant her hand touched the orb, it burst into flames, crimson fire swirling around her without burning her. Heat surged instantly.
"Fire affinity," Orlian announced. "And a very strong one."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Some stepped back, others whispered her name.
Blanek approached Rael, arms crossed, a smirk on his lips.
"Impressive, isn't she?"
Rael frowned.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing… except to see your affinity."
"Weak magic. No affinity," Rael replied.
Blanek raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"Same here. Great potential, but no affinity."
A brief silence. Then, almost casually, Blanek proposed:
"How about a duel?"
Rael blinked.
"Uh…"
"Yes, a duel. Friendly. Just to see."
Lyo tensed, sensing the tension rise. He opened his mouth to intervene, but it was too late. Rael inhaled deeply, thinking of the test, the black stone, the constant feeling of falling behind.
"Fine," he said simply.
Blanek's grin widened. Several adventurers edged closer, eager to witness a sudden duel between two candidates who had already defeated B-rank monsters. Master Orlian raised an eyebrow but didn't intervene. Strangely, that made the moment feel even more serious.
Lyo rushed to Rael, face tense:
"Rael, stop. You can't beat him. This guy's dangerous."
Rael glanced at him.
"Lyo…"
Selena stepped forward, arms crossed, calm and unwavering:
"Stop trying to talk him out of it. He already agreed."
Blanek nodded, radiating confidence. His gaze drifted to Rael's sword, a mocking smile on his lips.
"That's what you call a sword?"
Rael looked at his simple blade.
"Look at this," Blanek said, drawing a massive longsword, perfectly balanced despite its size. The air seemed to hum as he swung it out. "Now that's a sword."
Orlian raised a hand.
"Begin."
Blanek lunged immediately—no spell, no testing. Pure, brutal force.
Rael reacted instinctively, dropping nearly to his knees as the blade passed overhead. But Blanek adjusted mid-swing with terrifying ease. Rael had no choice but to block.
The clash sent a shockwave up Rael's arm to his shoulder. He stumbled back, teeth gritted.
"So? Still holding on?" Blanek asked, amused.
Rael straightened, breath heavy, hand trembling on the hilt. Around them, spectators held their breath. Lyo clenched his fists, Selena's eyes never leaving the fight.
Rael realized one thing: this duel wasn't just a display. It was a survival test. If he wanted to last, he couldn't rely on brute strength alone.
The duel continued. And very quickly, reality hit Rael like a ton of bricks.
Blanek advanced like a moving fortress. Every step shook the ground. Every swing of his sword forced Rael back, over and over. Blocking became impossible. Dodging barely enough.
He's too strong.
Not just physically… everything about him feels heavier.
Rael rolled across the ground to avoid a horizontal slash, jumped up immediately, narrowly avoiding a thrust grazing his side. His breath grew uneven. His arms burned.
"What? Already tired?" Blanek taunted as he advanced.
Rael clenched his teeth.
Calm.
Observe.
He forced his legs to move. With each attack, he analyzed. Shoulder position. Time between swings. How Blanek shifted his weight.
But Blanek accelerated. A nearly invisible aura formed around him. Nothing flashy. No light. No explosion. Just pressure.
Master Orlian squinted.
He's using raw magic to enhance his muscles.
Instinctively… without affinity.
A dangerous potential.
Blanek struck. Rael tried to block. Mistake. The impact sent him flying backward. He slid across the floor, stopping on his knees, one hand digging into the ground to stay upright.
If I keep going like this… I'll lose.
Outside, Lyo's chest tightened.
Rael…
He's taking too much. Way too much.
Beside him, Selena watched silently. Then she whispered:
— He's not running.
Lyo turned his head.
— What?
— He could give up. Just dodge. But he's staying within reach. He's looking for something.
Lyo understood.
— A flaw…
On the battlefield, Rael slowly lifted his head. His gaze had changed. Less panic. More focus.
Blanek raised his sword again.
— You're still standing. I like that.
He attacked diagonally. Rael barely dodged. Then a second strike. Then a third.
And there it was.
Rael saw it.
His left foot.
When he attacks, he plants it too firmly. For a brief moment. Always the same.
Rael took a blow to his shoulder. Pain exploded. But he smiled inwardly.
Got you.
Blanek struck with full force, amplifying the swing with magic. A finishing blow.
Rael didn't block. He stepped forward. Another step. Blanek's eyes widened.
— Wh—
Rael pivoted sharply, let the blade pass, and struck with all his strength with his fist, landing squarely against Blanek's ribs.
The impact was sharp. Brutal. Precise.
Blanek spat blood and dropped his sword, which crashed heavily to the ground.
Total silence.
Rael panted, still on his knees, fist clenched.
Blanek brought a hand to his mouth… then laughed. Genuine, hearty.
— Didn't see that coming, he said, wiping the blood from his lips.
Rael lifted his head, exhausted.
— And… it's not over…
Blanek laughed, head thrown back.
— Hahaha… fine. I give up.
— Uh… what?
Blanek picked up his sword, stepped toward Rael, and extended his hand.
— I've seen what I wanted. Let's hope next time you've improved.
Rael hesitated, then accepted. Blanek pulled him up while he was still kneeling.
Around them, whispers surged louder than before.
Master Orlian studied Rael for a long moment.
This boy… no affinity.
No overwhelming strength.
But he reads combat like few can.
Then his gaze shifted to Blanek.
And him… if he learns to control his magic… he will be a monster.
Lyo finally exhaled, heart racing.
Selena gave a small smile.
— He held on.
— Yes, Lyo replied. And he didn't back down.
On the field, Rael still trembled, spent. But deep inside, a certainty had formed.
He wasn't the strongest. He wasn't the most talented.
But he could fight.
And now… no one would ignore him again.