"I... I don't know who he is," he lied, suppressing the feelings he thought he'd buried but which now churned inside him like restless demons.

With his newfound strength, he felt ready to throw himself into the fray and avenge Nathaniel's death.

The thought of destroying such a vile creature, one who deserved nothing less, grew increasingly tempting. Why should he care? Wouldn’t that be justice? Anger ignited in his chest, an uncontrollable blaze, every muscle in his body taut and ready to strike.

Nova, thankfully, forced himself to shut his eyes, willing the chaos stirred by that person's presence to subside. With deep breaths, he began to calm himself, pushing those dark thoughts aside.

Katya sensed something was wrong but chose to remain silent, turning her attention to the stage to watch the outcome of the first trial.

Angelo wore a black, form-fitting t-shirt, slim pants of the same color, a leather belt, and boots.

When he reached Betsy, he stopped, bowing his head just as Textex had earlier, waiting for the animal’s horn to approach.

He gently stroked the horn, then waited again for Betsy to touch the gem to her forehead. Without a change in his expression, he placed his hand on the gem.

The other challengers were stunned. Angelo's smile grew more sinister as Textex finally announced the result.

"Challenger number one has awakened synchrony!"

Applause rippled through the room as several hopefuls clapped in congratulations, and Angelo acknowledged them with a nod. Nova's eyes narrowed in a hostile glare.

Their gazes locked in that moment. Angelo’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Nova, and he slowly raised his hand in greeting, flashing his satirical smile.

The tension between them was palpable, a contrast only the two of them could understand.

"Nova?" Katya noticed his obvious reaction when Angelo greeted him from the stage.

She hesitated to interfere but felt a growing unease. Nova’s gaze was the same fierce, intense look he had when the B-synchro slaughtered the moblings.

"Next up is Elara Fallbrook, contestant number four," Textex announced, signaling the next challenger to step forward.

Angelo descended from the stage, and in his place stood a striking woman with long, wavy blonde hair.

She wore a beige sweater that complemented her fair complexion, paired with a miniskirt that skimmed her thighs. Her legs were clad in sheer stockings, and she wore tall black leather boots that reached her knees. Sunglasses perched atop her head, and her makeup gave her an elegant, alluring touch.

image [https://i.imgur.com/90iUgXr.jpeg]

"Excuse me, what about numbers two and three?" Elara asked as she stepped onto the stage.

"Oh, the ones who already have synchro won't be called, that's why I skipped them, hehe..." Textex replied sheepishly, standing a little too close to her, drawing sighs from several hopefuls.

"Thank you." Elara smiled and proceeded with the test.

"Challenger number 4 has awakened synchrony!"

"Yessss!" Elara celebrated with small, excited jumps, amplifying the applause even more than before. She stepped down to allow the next contestant to take her place.

"Challenger number 5, you may withdraw."

"Challenger number 10, you may withdraw."

"Challenger number 15, you may withdraw."

"Challenger number 25, you may withdraw."

After Elara's success, a long line of aspirants failed to make Betsy's crystals react.

The brutal reality that synchrony was a rare gift became clearer as over thirty people touched the creature's gem, but none felt the joy of having their DNA resonate.

The faces of the remaining hopefuls grew more strained—some filled with regret, while others held onto a glimmer of hope, accepting that only the strongest would move forward.

"Too bad... I hate to think what I would have done if I hadn’t awakened synchro," Katya muttered, watching the last contestant leave the hall after failing.

"Don’t you think it's sad?" she asked Nova, who had been brooding since his exchange with Angelo.

"I don’t think it’s sad. I think it’s disgusting," he replied, arms crossed.

"Some people spend their whole lives dreaming of this, and no matter how hard they try, they’ll never get it. Meanwhile, those capable of horrible things are handed that power." His frustration was palpable; the thought of Angelo having such abilities gnawed at him.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Are you okay?" Katya asked, sensing his unease, hoping he'd open up.

"Yeah... just thinking," Nova said, falling silent again. It left her with a sense of unease.

"Next up is Lucas Muller, number 41," Textex announced.

A slender boy with pink hair, delicate features, and a disinterested expression took the stage. He wore a burgundy hoodie, gray sweatpants, red high-top sneakers, and a black denim jacket.

He performed the Betsy test, and to everyone’s surprise, once again, the B-Synchro crystals glowed, indicating another synchro user.

"Challenger number 41 has awakened synchrony!"

Lucas showed no reaction, simply returning to his seat amidst the applause.

Several more contestants followed, but none reacted to the creature's pheromones.

"Next up is Sophie Tanaka, number 44," Textex announced.

From the hopefuls emerged a young woman with dark skin, short curly hair, wide hips, and gray eyes. She had a petite frame and wore her nervousness openly as she stepped onto the stage.

She wore a dark green sweatshirt, two sizes too big, its sleeves covering her hands, layered over a crisp white shirt. A blue skirt fell just above her knees, paired with tight leggings that hugged her legs, and white sneakers that stood out against the stage floor.

Sophie, visibly nervous, flinched at Betsy's horn but, after covering her face for a moment, mustered the courage to touch it. She then gathered more strength to place her hand on the B-Synchro's gem.

Most onlookers doubted she would be a synchro match. Yet, the crystals soon glowed, proving otherwise.

"Challenger number 44 has awakened synchrony!"

"Challenger number 49 has awakened synchrony!"

"Challenger number 52 has awakened synchrony!"

"Challenger number 68 has awakened synchrony!"

"Stand up Ethan Chang, contestant number 71!"

The next applicant was a serious-looking man, distinctly older than many of the youthful hopefuls.

Ethan sported a top-knot haircut, the sides of his head shaved, with a ponytail pulled back at the top. His black eyes and composed demeanor gave him an enigmatic aura. He wore a neatly pressed white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark blue slim-fit pants, and polished leather shoes.

He exuded calm confidence as he took the test. Betsy’s crystals lit up, confirming his synchrony.

"Challenger number 71 has awakened synchrony!"

As the trials continued, the number of applicants dwindled, until only 32 remained from the original 112. Among those still waiting were Nova and Katya, who had yet to be called.

"So, only thirty-two left? That’s not too bad," Textex remarked to the remaining crowd.

"Only those of you chosen for synchrony have passed this stage, but that doesn't mean you'll become agents immediately. Some who haven't been called are repeaters from last year." The announcement no longer shocked the thinning group, though a few glanced curiously at those who hadn't left their seats.

Suddenly, Elara raised her hand, catching Textex's attention. "Do you have a question?" he asked, inviting her to speak.

"Yes. Why go through such an extensive filtering process, even for those who've already proven they possess synchrony? Wouldn't it be better to accept everyone to increase the organization's numbers?" Elara asked sweetly, feigning innocence.

"That's because Terra Nexus values quality over quantity," Textex explained, stepping closer to the bleachers.

"As I mentioned at the beginning, awakening synchrony is only the first step. If none of you demonstrate the qualities needed to advance to the next round, you'd better try again next year. Otherwise, you'll die quickly." His tone was blunt, as if the discussion was over, but he was mistaken. Nova, from the back, had raised his hand as well.

"Alright, last question..." Textex muttered, irritated as he begrudgingly gave the floor to the white-haired contestant.

"If Terra Nexus prioritizes quality over quantity, why allow assassins to take the test? Doesn’t that put future companions at risk?" Nova's question, driven by disdain, caught not only Katya off guard but several others, who immediately turned their attention to Textex.

"What do you mean, assassins?" Sophie asked, visibly alarmed.

"Murderers? Oh no! Someone call the police! Tasukete kudasaiii!" Textex shouted, exaggerating as he placed his hand dramatically on his forehead, arching his back in mock distress.

"These evil beings will corrupt us!" he continued with obvious sarcasm, his mocking tone grating on Nova’s nerves.

"Hey! I’m serious!" Nova snapped, his frustration revealing a darker, more aggressive side.

"Seriously? That's your question? I thought you were joking," Textex replied, his voice thick with disdain.

"When you're facing a B-Synchro, who would you rather have at your side—someone who’s never held a gun, or someone who knows how to use one?"

Textex's ruthless logic only infuriated Nova further, though he bitterly understood it. He had seen firsthand how monstrous B-Synchros could be, and the choice between skill and inexperience could mean life or death.

But he couldn’t accept that that bastard was here, after all he had done.

"I should remind everyone," Textex continued, addressing the room, "this exam brings together people with varied backgrounds and skills. It’s natural for there to be a range of personalities, but I assumed you were all mature enough..." He shot a pointed glance at Nova.

"...to understand that your lives are in danger from now on. If you're afraid of competing against assassins, ex-cons, or even cop-bashers..."

Nova clenched his jaw, feeling the sting of those words, knowing they were aimed directly at him. The frustration gnawed at him, only deepening his self-loathing.

As Textex's words sank in, Nova realized something else. With the vetting process and the outfits they'd been given, it became clear that each contestant had likely been scrutinized before the exam even began. Their profiles had probably undergone a rigorous analysis the moment they signed up.

"...then you’d better quit now, because I can promise you this: assassins will be the least of your problems once you become agents." Textex paused, waiting to see if anyone would walk out of the room.

No one did. Despite the unease that crept across some faces, not even Nova moved. He remained seated, head lowered, stewing in his own guilt at being labeled a childish hypocrite.

"Alright, we’ll take a 30-minute break. I expect everyone in the square outside afterward, where the first test will begin. And I don't think I need to remind you—assaulting another candidate before the exam starts is forbidden," Textex added, waving them off dismissively.

Angelo’s smile darkened into something more sinister as the contestants slowly began to leave the room.

Nova and Katya followed the crowd into the hallway. There, Nova asked her to wait outside while he used the restroom.

Katya agreed, though concern clouded her expression. Before Nova could walk away, she stopped him. "You need to tell me why you said what you did about the assassin when you come back."

Already in the bathroom.

Nova splashed water from the sink onto his face, rinsing it repeatedly in a desperate attempt to calm down. He barely recognized himself anymore—the resentment inside him was twisting his behavior, even towards Katya.

"No matter how hard I try, I can't stay calm with that guy around. I thought I’d moved past this, but it’s so much harder than I imagined," he muttered to himself, wetting his hair and slicking it back with both hands.

The bathroom door creaked open, and to Nova's dismay, the person who walked in was none other than Angelo, the black-haired, blue-eyed man he loathed. Nova's expression immediately darkened as he watched him approach through the mirror’s reflection.

"Well, what a coincidence. Didn’t expect to find you here. What a small world," Angelo said smoothly, walking over to the sink beside Nova to wash his own face.

"Your old friend would be proud to see you as usual—" Angelo didn’t get the chance to finish the sentence. In a flash, Nova had grabbed him by the collar, his hand trembling with barely-contained fury. The hatred coursing through him was so intense, he had to stop himself from slamming Angelo’s face into his fist.

"Don’t you dare..." Nova warned, his voice strained with controlled rage.

Angelo's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Wow, long time no see. You really do look like a true denizen of the other side now," he said mockingly.

"I wasn’t trying to offend you, honestly. It’s just nice to see that we’re both climbing up the social ladder—from street rats to agents." Angelo's voice dripped with venom, every word a calculated jab aimed at Nova.

Nova knew that a single punch would ruin everything. If he lashed out, he’d fail the test and lose his chance to keep his promise, to stay by Katya’s side, and to protect the people he cared about.

"Just... get away from me," Nova said through gritted teeth, finally letting go of Angelo's shirt, though the tension still rippled through his body.

Angelo adjusted his clothes, maintaining that same insincere smile.

"Haha, there’s the Nova I remember—pathetic and cowardly, just like always. So much power, and yet you can’t even avenge that foolish old man’s death," Angelo sneered, each word laced with contempt.

He wasn't taunting Nova out of fear, but to provoke him—he wanted Nova to snap. Angelo, still seething from the humiliation Corwin had subjected him to, longed to take out his frustration on someone. Anyone.

Without thinking, Nova’s body reacted on instinct. His fist shot forward, driven by all the pent-up resentment and hatred he felt toward Angelo.