Chapter 2 — Whispers in the Hall

  The ceremony ended with the usual applause, cheers, and disappointed groans. Students compared their affinities, bragged about their colors, and formed little groups based on who they thought would rise to the top.

  I slipped out of the crowd before anyone could corner me with questions.

  A black glow.

  Even if it was faint, even if it lasted barely a heartbeat… people had seen it.

  And people feared what they didn’t understand.

  The hallway outside the testing hall was quieter, but not quiet enough. Two instructors stood near the doorway, speaking in low voices.

  “Did you see that?” one whispered. “The crystal flickered black.”

  “It was probably a misread,” the other replied. “The boy barely has any mana. Low potential at best.”

  “Still… black?”

  “Don’t start rumors. The academy doesn’t need another panic.”

  I kept walking, pretending I hadn’t heard a thing.

  The system’s interface hovered faintly at the edge of my vision, like a shadow waiting to be acknowledged. I focused on it, and the text sharpened.

  Quest Active: The Hidden One

  Objective: Conceal your affinity for 30 days.

  Reward: First Summon Slot Unlocked

  No threats. No punishments. Just a quiet push toward secrecy.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  Not that I needed the reminder.

  If anyone discovered what I really was… I didn’t know what would happen. But I knew it wouldn’t be good.

  I reached the courtyard, where students were gathering to wait for their academy assignments. The air buzzed with excitement. A few glanced my way, whispering.

  “That’s him.”

  “The black glow kid.”

  “Do you think it’s cursed?”

  “Probably nothing. He looks weak.”

  I sat on a bench near the edge of the courtyard, keeping my head down. The system flickered again, offering a new line of text.

  Tip: Your affinity is undetectable by external magic. Maintain normal behavior to avoid suspicion.

  Normal behavior. Right.

  A group of students approached the bench. Three boys, one girl. All wearing the confident smirks of people who had gotten decent affinities.

  The tallest boy crossed his arms. “You’re Arin, right? The one with the… weird result.”

  I kept my expression neutral. “Unidentified Low Potential. That’s what they wrote.”

  “Yeah, but it was black,” the girl said, leaning forward slightly. “I’ve never seen that before.”

  “Neither have I,” I answered honestly.

  They exchanged looks, clearly disappointed that I wasn’t more interesting.

  “So you’re not dangerous or anything?” the tall boy asked.

  “If I were, do you think I’d be sitting here alone?”

  He snorted. “Fair enough.”

  They wandered off, already losing interest. Good. The less attention, the better.

  A chime echoed across the courtyard. A projection shimmered into existence above the fountain, displaying the academy’s crest.

  “All students, please proceed to the assignment board. Your class placements are now available.”

  I stood and joined the crowd. Students pushed and craned their necks to see the lists. I scanned the names until I found mine.

  Arin Vale — Class D

  The lowest class.

  The place where the academy put the weak, the untalented, the ones expected to fail quietly.

  Perfect.

  The system pulsed again, almost approvingly.

  Status: Cover maintained.

  I exhaled slowly. For the first time since the crystal shattered, I felt a strange sense of relief.

  Class D meant no expectations.

  No pressure.

  No eyes on me.

  It was the perfect place to grow stronger in secret.

  I turned away from the board, ready to head toward the dorms, when a voice stopped me.

  “You. The boy with the black glow.”

  I froze.

  An instructor stood behind me—an older man with sharp eyes and a long coat embroidered with silver runes. His gaze was focused entirely on me.

  “Walk with me,” he said.

  My pulse quickened.

  So much for staying invisible.