The air around the abandoned playground was unnaturally cold as the last particles of collapsing rift energy faded away. Charles stood frozen, chest heaving, when he felt a presence behind him.
A man approached—tall, coat black as obsidian, the insignia of the Awakening Bureau stitched across his shoulder. His sharp eyes glinted with dangerous intelligence.
"I am Inspector Varron Creed, Rift Response Division," the man said calmly.
Charles's heart raced. "I—I didn't do anything wrong."
Inspector Creed didn't reply.
He lifted a small device from his wrist. A blue holographic screen unfolded, scanning the lingering mana in the air.
Beep.
The device flashed violently.
Creed's eyes narrowed.
"Well… looks like we found our anomaly."
He turned the screen toward Charles.
---
[Mana Signature Detected]
Name: Charles Reyes
Class: Bishop (F-Rank)
Age: 16
Recorded During: Starlight Academy Awakening Ceremony
Status: Non-threat Classification (Pending)
---
Charles's stomach twisted.
So that's how he knows my name… the national awakening registry…
Creed looked up.
"You awakened yesterday. Your mana signature was logged. When you collapsed this rift, your signature lit up like a beacon."
Charles stammered, "I c-collapsed? No, sir, I—I just put a barrier. I didn't do anything big."
Creed stared at him for several seconds—long enough for Charles to sweat through his shirt.
"You're lying," Creed said quietly. "Your mana output was far above F-Rank. But…"
He studied the hologram again.
"…it was still suppressed. Artificially."
The system pulsed inside Charles's mind.
[Warning: High-level scan detected]
[Concealment Protocol Reinforced]
[True class: Hidden]
A faint ripple of energy wrapped around Charles—completely invisible—but powerful enough to fool even an A-Rank investigator.
Creed's scanner flickered.
The reading changed:
Mana Compatibility: LOW
Potential Threat Level: Minimal
Creed frowned.
"…Strange. For a moment, you looked dangerous. Now you look like a weak novice."
Charles forced a shaky smile. "T-That's because I really am weak."
Creed shut off the scanner.
"For now, I will report this as an unstable rift collapse… not an Awakener interference."
Charles blinked. "You're… letting me go?"
Creed turned away.
"I don't trust you," he said bluntly. "But you didn't panic. You protected civilians. That matters."
He walked off into the shadows as Bureau drones swarmed around the area, arriving too late.
Before disappearing completely, Creed spoke one last sentence:
"If another anomaly appears around you… I'll be the first to know."
Then he vanished.
Charles exhaled so hard he nearly collapsed.
"That… was too close."
---
School Filled With Rumors
By the next morning, Starlight Academy buzzed like a disturbed hive.
Students whispered nonstop:
"Someone from our school caused the awakening crystal to explode."
"The Bureau is investigating."
"What if someone awakened SS-rank?"
"No way! That never happens!"
Charles pulled his hood up and slipped through the hallway silently.
He desperately wanted to stay invisible.
But two people found him immediately.
Lance waved dramatically. "Bro! You vanished after school! I thought you got kidnapped by guilds!"
Arianna walked beside him, sharp eyes scanning him like a hawk.
"There was a rift last night," she said firmly. "Near your home district."
Charles felt sweat drip down his back.
She continued, "You didn't get caught in it… right?"
Charles laughed awkwardly.
"No, no. I was home. Totally home."
Arianna clearly did not believe him.
But she didn't push further.
---
Official Awakening Results Posted
During homeroom, Ms. Halden entered with a digital tablet.
"Students, your awakening profiles have been reviewed. Here are the top awakeners from Class 1-B."
Everyone leaned forward in excitement.
Damian Crowe – Rank: A – Class: Shadow Lancer
Damian grinned proudly, soaking in the admiration.
Tomas Gale – Rank: C – Class: Wind Sharpshooter
Tomas adjusted his glasses smugly.
Reed Voss – Rank: D – Class: Iron Defender
Reed pumped his fist confidently.
The teacher looked up.
"And now for our top two results—"
The classroom fell silent.
Arianna Velhart – Rank: S – Class: Celestial Sword Maiden
Shock spread across the room.
"S-Rank?! She's insane!"
"The Velhart family wins again…"
Arianna quietly returned to her seat, though her eyes flicked briefly toward Charles.
Then—
Lance Harrow – Rank: B+ – Class: Bluefire Vanguard
Blue flames flickered from Lance's hands as he grinned.
"Impressive," Ms. Halden said. "Your potential may reach A-Rank with enough training."
Lance winked at Charles. "See? I told you I'm cool."
And finally—
Charles Reyes – Rank: F – Class: Bishop
Everyone went quiet.
Then—
Laughter.
"Oh wow, the weakest class."
"A Bishop? That's basically a healing intern."
"No guild will take him!"
"Haha!"
Damian smirked. "Stay out of the way this year, Reyes."
Arianna slammed her hand on her desk. "Enough."
But Charles didn't react.
He gave a small smile.
Let them laugh.
Let them underestimate him.
It was safer that way.
---
Guild Recruitment Announced
Ms. Halden changed the projector screen.
"Attention, everyone:
Starting tomorrow, the Top Ten Great Guilds will begin reviewing student files."
Gasps spread across the room.
Even Charles felt chills.
Aegis Vanguard.
Dragonflare Dominion.
Valkyrie's Spear.
Nightshade Order.
…and more.
Damian puffed out his chest. "Aegis Vanguard will definitely notice me."
Lance snorted. "You have the personality of a rusted spoon. They'll pass."
Arianna didn't speak.
Her eyes were on Charles.
Studying him.
Suspicious.
Charles avoided her gaze completely.
---
A Sudden Summons From the School
A notification tone echoed through the classroom.
The school board broadcasted a message across all holo-screens:
"Students involved in irregular or unstable awakening reactions must report to Gymnasium B at 4 PM for secondary evaluation by the Awakening Bureau."
The room exploded with whispers.
"Who caused the crystal to shatter?"
"Maybe the Bureau will find an S-rank!"
"Wait—who even had an irregular response?"
Everyone looked around…
For a moment, some students looked at Charles.
…but instantly dismissed him.
He's F-rank. Impossible.
Charles exhaled.
Relief washed over him.
But only for a second.
The system pinged inside his head.
[Warning: Inspector Varron Creed is returning.]
[Secondary Evaluation: Imminent]
[Risk of exposure: HIGH]
Charles's blood ran cold.
Arianna leaned closer.
"Charles… you're pale. Are you sick?"
He forced a strained smile.
"No. I'm fine."
But his mind raced.
How am I going to survive the Bureau's second evaluation?