Chapter 1: Evaluation Day

[Year: 2025][Location: Tokyo, Japan]

The Grand Spirit Evaluation Center stood as a towering symbol of both hope and despair in Tokyo. The facility, built after the Breach, was one of the few places where humanity determined its warriors—those who could see, fight, and control spirits.

For Takami Ryusei, today wasn't just another day.

It was the day that would determine his worth.

Beside him, Yuri Hikaru adjusted the strap of her bag, her expression unreadable. "This place is bigger than I expected."

Takami let out a slow breath, his eyes fixed on the metallic structure before them. "Yeah… but size doesn't matter. What's inside does."

Yuri smirked. "That's deep. Too bad it won't change your evaluation."

Takami shot her a mock glare, but before he could fire back, a voice cut through their conversation.

"You two are blocking the entrance."

A tall boy with dark brown hair and sharp eyes walked past them, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. His posture was relaxed, but his confidence was undeniable.

Takami frowned. "And you are…?"

"Park Jimin." His smirk widened slightly. "You guys here for evaluation too?"

Yuri gave a nod. "Yeah. I'm Yuri, this is Takami."

Jimin's gaze flicked to Takami. "You look like you're gonna pass out."

Takami scoffed. "From excitement? Please."

Jimin chuckled. "Let's hope you don't embarrass yourself in there."

Before Takami could snap back, a robotic voice echoed over the speakers above.

"All evaluation candidates, please proceed inside."

Takami swallowed hard.

This was it.

---

The Evaluation Hall was vast, its white walls glowing under artificial lights. Hundreds of candidates stood before the circular platforms, their bright white floors humming faintly with energy.

The process was simple—step onto the platform, let it scan your Grant Level, and wait for the result. The floor would turn black during evaluation, and when complete, a holographic display would reveal the final rank.

Takami felt his pulse quicken.

Then—

A sudden hush fell over the crowd.

Someone had stepped forward.

The man was tall, his face calm and composed. He wore a standard evaluation uniform, blending in with the other candidates—yet something about him made the air feel heavy.

Whispers broke out.

"Who's that…?""Some new guy?""He looks… different."

Takami watched as the man silently stepped onto the platform.

The white floor turned black.

A heavy hum filled the hall. The scan was taking longer than usual.

Then—

[Evaluation Complete.]

The black floor shifted back to white, and the holographic screen above flickered to life.

A single word appeared.

[Category: Spirit Keeper.]

The silence was deafening.

Then—chaos.

"Wait—he's a Spirit Keeper?!""How did no one recognize him?!""Another one has appeared—!"

Guild scouts surged forward, scrambling to offer contracts. The man, however, didn't even acknowledge them. With a calm expression, he stepped off the platform, walking past the recruiters as if they didn't exist.

Takami exhaled slowly.

Yuri nudged him. "That's the level people dream of reaching."

Takami nodded, a tight knot forming in his chest. Could he even come close?

The evaluation continued, candidates stepping up one by one.

Some were deemed high grant level, instantly swarmed by recruiters. Others were low grant level, receiving barely a glance.

Then—

"Next batch. Takami Ryusei, Yuri Hikaru, Park Jimin. Step forward."

Takami's hands clenched into fists.

Now or never.

The three stepped onto the platforms, their reflections staring back at them from the white floors.

A robotic voice filled the air.

"Evaluation commencing."

Takami felt an odd pressure pressing down on him, as if something unseen was scanning his very soul. His surroundings blurred. His pulse thundered in his ears.

Then—

The holographic text flickered to life above them.

[Evaluation Complete.]

Takami's eyes darted to his result.

His stomach dropped.

[Category: Low Grant Level.]

Silence rang in his ears.

Beside him, Yuri's screen flashed: High Grant Level.Then Jimin's: High Grant Level.

The room erupted in noise.

Guild scouts rushed forward, surrounding Yuri and Jimin.

"Your combat potential is excellent!""Join our guild—we'll double the offer!""We need strong fighters like you!"

Takami?

No one looked at him.

No one even acknowledged his existence.

Then, a single word from the staff confirmed his worst fear.

"Dismissed."

It hit him harder than anything else.

Low Grant Level.

The weakest rank.

Takami clenched his fists.

He had to be strong.For his family.For

himself.

But right now—

It felt like the world had already left him behind.