Rare(1)?

The process continued, with most participants scoring E-rank affinity, while a few managed to get D or C rank. However, no one had achieved B rank or above so far.

"No. 211."

This was Emma's number. She took a deep breath, clutching the hem of her skirt nervously as she stepped forward. With trembling hands, she placed them on the crystals.

The moment her hands touched the crystal balls, an overwhelming glow erupted from both of them. One crystal shone with a brilliant golden light, while the other displayed an S-rank affinity.

A stunned silence fell over the hall.

The woman with glasses, who had been calmly noting down the results so far, widened her eyes in shock. Her mouth fell slightly open in disbelief.

The sheer brilliance of the light forced Emma to squint. As the glow gradually faded, the woman finally found her voice.

"H-Holy attribute... and it's... it's... S-rank...!"

The male instructor, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, had a flicker of surprise in his otherwise emotionless eyes.

Emma, hearing the result, was momentarily stunned. Then, a radiant smile spread across her face. As the realization fully sank in, excitement overwhelmed her, and her body trembled with joy.

Among the participants, Kevin was both thrilled for her and... slightly envious. But above all, he felt confident—he would match Emma's level.

Overcome with excitement, Emma suddenly ran towards Kevin. He was so lost in his daydreams—imagining himself in her place, admired and revered—that he didn't notice her coming. She threw herself into a hug, catching him off guard.

"Ouch!" Emma yelped as her forehead collided with Kevin's chin.

"Ahh, what are you doing, Emma?!" Kevin groaned, rubbing his chin as he rolled his eyes at her.

"Ehehehe, I was just excited!" Emma laughed sheepishly.

Kevin, regaining his composure, crossed his arms and spoke with a straight face.

"Well, just because of a small success, you can't get this excited. You have to control yourself."

The entire hall fell silent. Then, whispers began spreading.

"Did you hear what he just said?" a participant scoffed. "He called S-rank affinity and Holy attribute a 'small success'! Does he even understand what that means?"

"Hah! Even someone with just a C-rank Holy affinity would be guaranteed success in life, and this guy is acting like it's nothing."

"Tch, I bet he's just jealous."

"Yeah, typical. He's just bitter that she outshined him."

Hearing this, Emma suddenly turned toward them, her eyes burning with anger.

"He is NOT jealous of me! You all are! Kevin is amazing—he's more talented than me! You don't know anything!"

Her voice shook as she pointed at them.

"You'll see! He will awaken an even better attribute than me! He will have a higher affinity than me! No—multiple affinities!"

She was so worked up that her breathing became uneven. She clutched her chest, trying to calm herself.

Meanwhile, Kevin was irritated. Not because of Emma's outburst, but because of the crowd underestimating him. And—if only Emma hadn't hugged him just now—this whole situation wouldn't have spiraled out of control.

But...

He smirked.

This is the perfect opportunity.

To prove them all wrong.

To face-slap these arrogant fools.

To show them how special he truly is.

The female instructor sighed.

At the end of the day, she's just a commoner. No class. No self-awareness. No sense of how to behave in public.

What a waste.

Holy attribute with S-rank affinity... wouldn't it have been better if a noble had this instead?

Her mood soured further as she watched Emma shamelessly simping over a boy. Disgusting.

And that boy—Kevin.

She narrowed her eyes. Him.

The more she watched Emma fawn over him, the more she despised him.

This boy was poisoning a rare talent like her.

And worst of all—what if he had talent, too?

The instructor's gaze darkened.

I'll find out soon enough.

"No. 212."

Kevin's number.

He grinned. "Me!"

"What are you yelling for? Hurry up!" the woman snapped coldly.

Kevin frowned slightly. What's her deal?

So far, she had spoken with an indifferent tone, uninterested in the results. But when it came to him, she suddenly sounded... colder.

Is this normal?

Shrugging off his unease, he stepped forward and placed his hands on the crystals.

One of the crystals shined brightly.

The glow formed a zig-zagging white light, crackling with a sparkling effect.

The room fell silent.

Then—whispers.

"Lightning attribute!"

"Holy crap, that's so rare!"

The instructor with glasses froze.

Her eyes widened.

There was only one other person in the kingdom with Lightning attribute.

An SSS-rank Hunter.

A being so powerful that even the King respected them.

Her heart pounded. Could he...?!

But then—her gaze flicked to the second crystal.

It wasn't shining.

Her expression instantly soured.

She looked closely.

And then—

Her entire body stiffened.

"The fuck—"

She never cursed.

But this...

This was ridiculous.

The second crystal displayed E- affinity.

The lowest of the low.

"What's the point of having Lightning attribute if your affinity is trash?" she thought, shaking her head in disbelief.

Her expression turned cold again.

Kevin, meanwhile, was grinning.

Excitedly, he looked at the instructor, waiting for her to announce his result.

She did.

"Lightning attribute. E- affinity."

"E-?"

Kevin's smile froze.

His eyes darted to the crystal.

The glowing text stared back at him.

E-

No.

That can't be right.

He rubbed his eyes.

Still there.

He rubbed harder.

No change.

His breathing grew rapid.

He slapped himself.

Still—E-

His hands clenched into fists. "No... no, this must be a mistake...!"

Emma, watching him tremble, felt her heart ache.

She couldn't believe it.

Kevin, with such an amazing attribute... had the lowest affinity?

But—this wasn't the time to think about that.

Right now, he needed her.

She rushed to his side.

Just as he raised his hand to slap himself again, Emma grabbed his wrist.

He flinched.

Looking down, he saw a small, pale hand holding his.

Following it, his eyes met Emma's soft gaze.

"Kevin, you..."

"Yes, I'm here, Kevin. Don't do this. Don't be discouraged.

I am here for you."

For a moment, Kevin felt himself calming down.

But then—

Laughter.

Mocking voices.

Sneering grins.

He turned around—and saw them.

The other participants.

Laughing.

At him.

"Hahaha! Did you see that? The loser got an E-!"

"Even I got D+!"

"Guess he really was jealous, huh?"

"Damn, at least he's got a hot girl holding him."

"Yeah, he can just live off her now, haha!"

Kevin's breathing grew erratic.

His rage burned.

His hands trembled.

His vision blurred.

He clenched his fists.

He wanted to tear them apart.

But—

A cold voice cut through the chaos.

"Get to your designated location. Both of you."

The instructor's voice was laced with disgust.

Kevin grit his teeth.

Without a word, he turned and walked away.

Emma followed behind him—concern written all over her face.

But every time she tried to reach out to him...

He pushed her away.

And with every step, she felt her heart ache just a little more.