The boy on the podium carried an arrogance that only people in power could. He didn't seem surprised by the result. The smile he showed was as if he had always known he would have a good result. He had an air of confidence that made people want to be close to him.
Aurelia knew immediately who he was. The male lead, Aston Cardinal.
"Dragon, Rank SSS potential"
"As expected," Aurelia muttered.
The Cardinal family are one of the wealthiest families in the country. They have ties to politics, so they are a combination of money and power. Even though they incurred losses during the disaster, they were still able to maintain their status.
Aston left the stage and went back to his seat. He sat there, legs crossed. An air of ease, as if waiting to see if anyone would be able to do better.
The next person to go on the podium caught Aurelia's eye.
He had a quiet dominance to him. The kind of person who can make a room go silent with one look. Instead of the cocky attitude like the male lead, he had a quiet charisma that either made you look up to him or afraid to look at him.
He placed his hand on the stone. His face, impassive. It was as if he didn't feel anything when he placed his hand on it. But Aurelia knew better. The very fact that his hand hadn't left the stone meant something was awakening. She just didn't know what.
"Leviathan, Rank SSS potential."
"It's him," Aurelia murmured.
The man she had wished to meet, Kaelen Nightengale.
She almost couldn't control herself. She sat straighter in her seat. Her eyes were glued to him for what seemed like forever. She took in everything about him.
When she first read the book, she wasn't sure what pulled her toward him. His very existence seemed contrasting. He seems selfless, but works for his own interest. He is straightforward but doesn't go for brutal honesty. He will tell the truth but not the whole truth.
It's as though he sees the probabilities and waits for you to decide the route to take, then he makes his move. Whatever it is will benefit the team as a whole while still ensuring he gets the most benefit.
One might ask why she would like someone like that. The answer is, she doesn't know either. It might be a fan's crazy musing. For Aurelia, he is someone she can trust. A connection to something more than herself.
While Aurelia was in her daydream, she didn't notice both Eve and Kaelen looking at her.
For Kaelen, it was a pull that made him look in her direction. Once he saw her, he turned away, not putting much thought into the action.
For Eve, it was like seeing something she needed to snatch. In her mind, since Aurelia wanted him, she would make sure she couldn't get him.
Another 20 minutes passed before it was Eve and Aurelia's turn.
Knowing what to expect, Aurelia did not hold out hope. The people she didn't want to disappoint were the Starlights. Knowing them for a short time, she could imagine the family warmth they could offer.
While it lasted, she didn't want them to feel bad for her. But she knew she had to go through this.
Eve was first to go up. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on the stone. Closing her eyes, she felt a wave of pain shoot up her hand. The only thing she could do was grit her teeth.
She could feel it. A power unlike anything she had ever felt before.
"Kitsune, Rank potential SS"
She opened her eyes, her blood still boiling from the experience.
She didn't hide her pride as she stepped down from the podium.
Next was Aurelia; there was no sense of enthusiasm. She placed her hand on the stone. The pain she felt was nowhere near what she felt yesterday.
Her body felt a sense of ease and power. Although it was painful, there was pleasure in that pain.
"Firebird, Rank S potential."
Those words brought Aurelia back to reality.
This was not the place for her to ask questions. She mechanically walked off the podium, her mind swimming.
Wasn't she an E rank? How did she suddenly become S rank?
Joining the rest of the people who had already gone through their evaluation, she remained quiet. Then again, not many people here were talking. Sound carried, and they didn't want to disturb the test for others.
Pushing everything to the back of her mind, she weaved her way through the crowd to the people dealing with new students.
After getting their evaluation done, each person who passed was given a key. That was the key to their dorm. They would only be able to leave the university on weekends. Depending on your ranking, you either live in a four-person, three-person or two-person dorm.
S rank potentials are normally the ones who have the privilege of two-person rooms.
If there is anything else they need to know when they arrive at school on Monday, they will inform everyone.
It was another hour before everything ended, and the family was able to reunite. Aurora and Kieran were both excited. It was as if they were the ones who took the test.
They kept talking about the two of them being S rank, so they might be S rank too.
They didn't notice the sister they always doted on scoffed when she heard their assumptions.
Your sister is S rank, I'm SS. We don't even have any blood relation. Who do you think you are to compare yourself to me?
Aurelia saw the look of disdain but didn't say anything. Maybe if she continued to form a bond with the family, she might show them exactly what kind of person Eve is.
The excitement continued until they got home. By then, it was already close to 4 pm. The food was already made by the chef. All they needed to do was change and go back down to eat.
After eating, everyone went back to their rooms to relax.
Well, she knew her siblings were relaxing. Her mother should also be relaxing. As for her father, he still had work to do. The evaluation today was just as much a business meeting as it was a school entrance exam.
As for Aurelia, she had something she needed to take care of. So sleep would elude her for a while.