Chapter 3 – Alex’s Turn
932 Words
Soon, all the students had taken the test except for Alex.
When it was apparent that Mara was not planning to test him, Alex felt depressed. He hurriedly raised his hand and shouted, "Ma’am, I haven't had my turn yet!"
Alex figured he would have at least a level 7 affinity for no reason. But everyone else would disagree.
"Are you sure?" Mara asked dubiously. She sounded condescending as she squinted at Alex.
The classroom burst into laughter.
"What’s so funny? Why won't you let me take the test?" Alex stood up, irritated.
"Well, if you’re not afraid of embarrassed, go on," Mara replied with a shrug.
Alex huffed and glared at everyone. "Why would I feel embarrassed?" Despite the discouraging reaction from everyone, Alex puffed his chest and marched forward.
It’s just a test. No one has failed so far. Why do they think I will?
Alex gritted his teeth in anger. If he could at least reach a level 6 affinity, it would make everyone eat their words.
Ignoring everyone’s laughter, Alex stepped onto the podium and stood in front of the elemental crystal ball.
"How do I test it?" he asked without hesitation, turning to Mara for guidance.
The question caused another burst of giggles.
“You don't even know how to take the test?”
“Can you believe this? What a riot!”
“You’re so stupid, Alex!"
The classroom continued to howl with laughter.
Alex stared at Mara intently, ignoring everyone laughing at him.
"Place your hands on the crystal ball, close your eyes, then focus on the elements around you with your heart. That's it. Hurry up, and let’s get this over with," Mara answered impatiently as if speaking another word to Alex would be a waste of her time
That’s it? Alex thought in disbelief. He looked at the purple crystal ball in annoyance.
Taking a deep breath, Alex stretched his hands and placed them on the purple sphere. With eyes closed, he knitted his brows tighter and tighter as he concentrated. Despite his best efforts, the crystal ball did not react in any way.
“Alright, that’s enough!” Mara interrupted. “Zero elemental affinity. Go back to your seat." She shook her head with a tired sigh.
"Level zero!” someone cried out. The class burst into another round of gleeful laughter.
Alex huffed, cheeks burning with shame and anger. Even if I have no elemental affinity, I haven’t taken the celestial test yet!
Blind with rage, he turned to the red sphere, placed his hands on the surface, and closed his eyes.
Alex concentrated his senses and waited.
One second passed, five seconds, then ten….
Soon, a minute had passed.
"Zero celestial affinity. As expected, you’re still as ordinary as ever," Mara concluded impatiently.
Still? Alex blinked in confusion. Does that mean I never had any affinity to begin with?
Realization finally dawned on him.
Initially, Alex thought that he failed because he did something wrong. It turned out that he didn’t have any affinity at all. No wonder everyone laughed at me!
"Why did you treat me like this?" Alex screamed. He was so frustrated and felt like crying.
His previous life was already miserable enough. Now, his life was even worse.
From what Alex gathered, no affinity meant no status. He was bound to have a difficult and terrible life ahead of him.
"Alex, go back to your seat," Mara said impatiently.
"Yeah, don’t make a bigger fool of yourself!” a student interjected.
The others followed suit, jeering and laughing at him.
"f**k!" Alex cursed loudly.
Everyone had a temper, and Alex had been a gangster all his life.
"What's the big deal with affinities anyway? This is bullshit! Even if I don't have any affinity, I’ll overtake you all in the future!" he roared.
The challenge drew another bout of laughter from the students.
"Keep dreaming!"
“You’ll never surpass any of us!”
The students pointed at Alex gleefully, jeering at him in unison.
In the future, these students would grow to become respectable magicians and warriors. But today, despite his lack of affinity, Alex lost his temper on every one of them.
Bang!
Furious at his classmates’ ridicule, Alex slammed his fist on the table. A fierce power broke out, shocking everyone into silence.
Alex was still fuming when the air cleared. He looked invincible.
"This kid…" Mara breathed, startled by the scene. She had no idea what was going on with Alex today.
"So the high school entrance examination is in ten months? Which school is the best? I'll show you all!" Alex glared at his classmates, gritting each word out in rage. Despite his low voice, his words brought a chill down everyone’s spine.
Shocked by the display, the entire classroom remained silent. This had nothing to do with affinity. It was all raw power, invincible, untraceable, and undeniably powerful.
"T-the best s-school is Yuki High School," came a trembling voice from the last row. Despite all his cowering under the table, Logan was the only one who spoke up.
"Then Yuki High School it is! Mark my words, I’ll get admitted in ten months!" Alex declared.
With that, he returned to his seat, crossing his arms in displeasure.
Mara cleared her throat twice. "Well then, let's start today’s lesson…"
- Writer
