The hall was silent, save for the low hum of magic that pulsed beneath the marble floor.
In the center stood the Crystal. As tall as a man, flawless as ice, it shimmered with colors—seven faint bands rotating around a glowing white core.
It was the dream of every orphan, peasant, and noble child alike: to place their hand on the crystal and find their place in the world.
Ian had waited seventeen years for this moment.
He stepped forward.
The instructors in blue robes stood at the edge of the circle, watching. So did the other examinees—some already glowing faintly with their colors. Red for fire. Green for spirit. Gold for order.
He reached out. His hand trembled just slightly.
I don't need much, he thought. Just a flicker. Just enough to not be thrown away.
His palm touched the crystal.
The hall waited.
Nothing happened.
No glow. No color. The crystal remained still.
A murmur passed through the room like a wave. A few students smirked. A tall boy in a silver-lined robe snorted. "Another Zero."
One of the instructors, a woman with hard eyes, stepped forward and announced without pause,
"Zero Affinity. No elemental response. Marked unfit for magical training."
Ian's heart thudded. His hand was still on the crystal, but it was as if he wasn't even touching it.
"Next."
The guards came forward to move him aside, gently but firmly.
He didn't resist. His feet moved on their own as he stumbled back toward the stone bench along the wall.
He had failed.
The others continued testing. Sparks flew. Flames danced. Laughter followed every success. Ian just sat there, numb, watching them pass the test he couldn't even begin.
Then it happened.
The crystal pulsed. Once. A faint, slow throb of white light from its core.
None of the instructors noticed. They were too busy congratulating a girl who had awakened both Water and Wind.
But Ian felt it.
His fingers twitched. A sudden ache surged through his palm, like something alive had just stirred beneath his skin.
He looked up at the crystal.
A crack had formed—barely visible—across its base.
It gleamed with white.