After the shock of Grey's overwhelming magic power had finally settled, the field fell into a strange, charged silence once again. Whispers drifted like smoke through the crowd, awe, disbelief, a tinge of fear.
Then, the next figure stepped forward.
Her hair was a deep, royal purple, cascading like liquid silk over her shoulders. The sunlight caught it in soft, glittering waves, and for a moment she seemed less human and more divine — like some celestial being disguised in mortal flesh. Yet there was something else beneath that beauty, a dangerous allure that made hearts tremble for reasons they couldn't name.
Her lips curved faintly, her expression unreadable.
"Alauna Saccharo," she said softly, voice smooth as honey and twice as sweet — yet the chill in it could've frozen fire.
Leo's jaw practically dropped. "She looks like—"
"—a goddess?" Avril cut in sharply, one brow raised.
Leo blinked, caught mid-stare. "I was gonna say angel, but… yeah, that too."
Avril folded her arms, tilting her head with a mock smile. "You want her too now, huh?"
Without hesitation, Leo nodded. "Obviously."
Whack!
Her palm met the back of his head before he could even flinch.
"Idiot."
The others snickered as Leo rubbed the sore spot, grinning through the sting. Alauna's eyes flickered briefly toward Grey Dawn before narrowing almost imperceptibly.
Grey watched her closely. There was something about the way Alauna carried herself — a subtle grace that wasn't just confidence, but control. Every step, every glance, every slight curl of her lips felt intentional. Calculated.
He folded his arms, eyes narrowing just a bit.
Saccharo… those cat serving maniacs.
Around him, Ray, Max, and Theo stood like statues though not out of discipline. They were dazed. Ray's mouth was half open, Max looked like he'd forgotten how to breathe, and Theo's face was caught somewhere between admiration and absolute confusion.
"...is she glowing?" Theo whispered, blinking rapidly.
"She doesn't need to," Ray muttered. "She's already blinding enough."
"Speak for yourself," Max mumbled, still staring.
Grey's lips twitched, a faint hint of amusement showing. They're hopeless.
Void's gaze sharpened. "Begin."
Alauna turned toward the testing area with quiet composure. The glow around her faded, but that same poised grace clung to every motion. Without a word, she stepped up to the treadmill.
The machine hummed to life.
Alauna began to run. Her movements were fluid and precise.
When the machine finally beeped and the numbers appeared, a collective gasp rippled through the field.
9.1
For a moment, time itself seemed to pause. Even Void stared in open disbelief. His shades slipped off as his eyes widened like saucers.
"...Nine point one," he repeated under his breath, as though testing if the number were real.
Murmurs exploded across the crowd.
"That's insane—"
"No one's hit above nine so far..."
"Is she even human?"
Unbothered by the noise, Alauna moved gracefully to the next station — the Strength Test. She grasped the hammer, lifted it with elegant precision, and brought it down in one smooth, decisive arc.
7.9
A few of the onlookers exchanged glances — slightly lower than expected, yet still remarkable. For someone with her build, it was more than enough to silence doubt.
"Understandable," Ray murmured. "She's built for finesse, not brute force."
Theo nodded weakly. "Still stronger than most of the people gathered here."
Then came the Endurance Test. She entered the pod. Sweat glistened faintly on her brow, but her breathing stayed calm — almost serene.
When the buzzer finally blared, the score lit up: 8.1
She stepped out lightly, brushing a stray strand of purple hair behind her ear, and headed for the final trial — the Magic Power Test.
She placed her hand on the crystal console. Instantly, the sphere glowed violet, pulsing like a heartbeat. The pressure that filled the field was tangible, dense, and strangely sweet.
Then the screen flashed: 8.4
Silence. Again.
Everyone just stared — Void, the assistants, even Grey.
Leo broke it first, whispering, "She's unreal…"
Avril's tone was quieter this time, almost grudgingly respectful and annoyed. "No… she's a Saccharo."
Grey's eyes remained fixed on her, thoughtful. Nine point one agility… he mused. No wasted motion, no unnecessary strength — pure precision.
Alauna turned slightly, meeting his gaze for a brief heartbeat. A faint smile curved her lips not flirtatious, but knowing.
Then she stepped back into the line going to stand beside her old friend Avril, her expression once again unreadable.