Two hours have passed since the D.A.A.; I navigate through the crowd, and I notice Yuka Nanami surrounded by students, revelling in her innocence and most likely attempting to get her to do shady stuff for them.

Should I intervene? I will probably be able to get information about her if I do.

Approaching close, I hear one of the students declare something crude and predatory to her. Her reaction is predictable: a tilt of the head with a confused expression.

I step forward, my presence cutting through the crowd like a blade.

The students notice me, and their expression shifts from arrogance to uncertainty. Yuka Nanami looks at me, her confusion deepening.

“Is there a problem here?”

I ask, my voice eerily calm but carrying great darkness.

The student stammers, trying to come up with an excuse, but I do not give him the chance.

“I suggest you leave. And I am not giving you a second chance.”

I release a subtle murderous aura; the crowd, sensing a shift in dynamics, begins to disperse.

I turn around to see Yuka Nanami, who is also terrified, shivering. Her eyes are wide with fear as she clutches onto her trembling hands, desperately seeking comfort.

I cease my aura, which calms her down for a moment.

“Why did you do that? Why did you scare them off?”

“I simply rescued you from a terrible situation.”

“Terrible… situation?”

Yuka Nanami’s eyes widen in realisation, and she stammers.

“I… I didn’t realise it was a terrible situation and that they were bad people. I thought they were just joking around.”

“Joking or not, it is essential to establish boundaries. People will exploit your innocence if you do not set limits.”

I take a moment, observing her reaction.

“You know, Yuka Nanami, this world is not as forgiving as you might think. It is a jungle, and if you do not learn to protect yourself, you will become prey.”

She looks at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity in her eyes. Perfect.

“Yuka Nanami, you need someone to guide you in this place. Someone who understands the complexities of power is someone like me. I can teach you how to navigate through the shadows and use your strengths strategically. In return, all I ask is for your loyalty.”

“Loyalty?”

“Yes, loyalty. You follow my lead, and I ensure your safety and success in this institution.”

Her innocent gaze meets mine, and I can see the wheels turning in her head.

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

I guide her away from the crowd, offering protection in exchange for loyalty.

“I appreciate your intervention back there. I didn’t realise they were being serious about doing all those things to me.”

“People in this place can be deceptive. It is crucial to discern their intentions early on.”

“Right…”

“The second evaluation is happening soon. Focusing on that might be the best course of action.”

“There’s a second one?!”

She is, in a sense, oblivious to everything. How does she even function properly?

Her naivety is bordering on delusion. Though it could be useful.

The C.A.A. evaluation is specifically for people who only have cognitive Affinities.

“What will happen in the test?”

Yuka seems intrigued, her innocent eyes brimming with excitement.

“We will be tested based on our cognitive Affinities. The C.A.A. differs from the regular one.”

I explain, noticing her expression shift to confusion.

“Regular one?”

I sigh; her ignorance is tiring.

“Yesterday. D.A.A., where we displayed our Affinities.”

Yuka Nanami’s eyes widen in realisation.

“Oooh! I remember now. I was so excited I completely forgot.”

I let out an audible sigh, internally judging her lack of awareness.

“The C.A.A. will be easy for you, right? You are already so strong!”

Her commendation carries a subtle undertone, a hint of condescension that seems to suggest an unspoken belief in my incapacity to experience defeat.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

It is almost as if my ‘impressive’ ranking of twenty-fifth place on the Dynamic Affinity Assessment is inconsequential, overshadowed by her implicit assumption of my infallibility.

In her eyes, my apparent lack of perfection is merely a fleeting detail in the grand tapestry of my unparalleled prowess.

How amusing, considering I was not aware that reaching the twenty-fifth spot is a commendable feat worthy of such praise.

It is as if she sees me as some sort of untouchable prodigy, incapable of experiencing failure or setbacks.

“I am not sure if I would call myself stro—”

“You are! I think…”

“Just meet me at the arena; I am one hundred per cent certain that is where the C.A.A. will be held.”

I responded, interrupting her before she could finish her sentence. It is clear that she has built up an image of me in her mind that is far from reality.

“Oh, okay.”

I watch as she runs off towards the arena; her excitement is evident in every step.

Maybe I should just use her for higher self-esteem instead.

As I approach structure twenty-five, thoughts of eliminating Dissonance Affinity occupy my mind. I have defeated it in other places, but it appears that here is the last place where this curse lives.

The arena awaits, and within its bounds lie the enigmas of the C.A.A.

Upon reaching the arena, I find Yuka Nanami already present. Her innocence radiates like a beacon. It radiates so much I have to look away to simply think.

“Are you ready for the second evaluation?”

“Absolutely! I can’t wait to show them what I can do with my Cognitive Affinity!”

I observe Yuka Nanami with a neutral expression, contemplating the strategic advantage of having her as an ally.

Her innocence, while initially irritating, could serve as a useful tool in navigating the intricate dynamics of the Twilight Institute. Not to mention, she looks ravishing.

As we wait for the second evaluation to commence, I decide to exploit this opportunity for information and influence.

The instructor arrives, her stern demeanour unchanged from the earlier assessment. “Alright! I am expecting plentiful results from you all.”

The instructor looks at the class, especially me.

“Welcome to the C.A.A., or, as some of you might struggle to remember, the Cognitive Affinity Assessment. Get those ears open, because I will not repeat myself. There are two sides here: destructive and non-destructive. Destructive is for those who can turn brains into a chaotic mess. Figure out what non-destructive is before I lose my patience. Also, time is ticking, so quicken yourselves and locate your spot. The point system is as straightforward as it gets: vibrations, just like in the D.A.A. But let me spell it out for you: I do not give a damn about your flashy stunts. What I care about is control, finesse, and understanding your power.”

The distinction between destructive and non-destructive affinities captures my attention. The dynamics of manipulating minds in a controlled manner versus plunging them into chaos present a fascinating contrast.

As the students scatter to find their designated spots, I guide Yuka Nanami to a strategic vantage point.

Her innocence remains both a tool and a hindrance, but for now, I will exploit its charm to my advantage.

“Are you nervous?”

I inquire, not out of genuine concern but to gauge her emotional response.

“A bit, but I’m more excited than anything. This is so different from the D.A.A., and I can’t wait to see what everyone can do.”

I nod, acknowledging her simplistic view of the evaluation.

Her lack of foresight might prove beneficial in the grand scheme of things.

“I will head over to the non-destructive side, what about you?”

“Oh, I think I’ll go to the destructive side! It sounds thrilling, and I want to see if I can make an impact.”

I can tell she does not realise the weight of her choice or the potential consequences hidden beneath the excitement she radiates. But for now, I will let her revel in her anticipation.

I observe the arena, assessing the students scattered across the two designated sides. On one end, those with destructive cognitive affinities prepare to showcase their prowess in manipulating minds, creating chaos with a mere thought. On the other hand, individuals with non-destructive abilities focus on control, finesse, and understanding the intricacies of their own mental powers.

Yuka Nanami positions herself among those eager to unleash destructive forces.

I divert my attention from her and immerse myself in my own contemplations. I lack a cognitive affinity, and in truth, any affinity at all.

Despite this, I should be able to participate if I navigate this situation strategically. Not that I have to.

“Alright! The Cognitive Affinity Assessment concludes now! Your scores will stay hidden unless you’ve got the guts to let me spill them. But let’s cut the nonsense; we’ve amassed a spectrum of points, from an adequate thousand to a stupendous eighteen thousand. And, of course, the exceptional anomaly who mentally decimated their robot: Reiko Yami.”

The instructor bore her gaze down on everyone, especially Reiko Yami, for obvious reasons. As expected, the redhead revels in the attention, her arrogance only heightened by the instructor’s commendation.

The students disperse; I approach Yuka Nanami, my voice calm yet carrying a weight of authority.

“Your choice of the destructive side was intriguing. Did you consider the potential consequences of such a decision?”

Her innocent eyes meet mine, confusion mingling with curiosity.

“Consequences? I just wanted to try something exciting. I didn’t think it would be that serious.”

“This institution operates on a different level. Actions have repercussions, and the choices you make here can shape your path.”

“I’ll be more careful next time. Thanks for looking out for me.”

She nods, seemingly absorbing the information.

“Are you okay after the assessment? I noticed you didn’t participate,” she observes, her gaze filled with genuine concern.

“I lack a cognitive affinity, but that does not hinder my ability to navigate this complex world.”

I reply cryptically, offering no further explanation.

As we walk, I find myself contemplating the dynamics of power within the Twilight Institute.

The air around us resonates with the aftermath of the evaluation. Students discuss their scores, achievements, and aspirations.

The buzz of conversations continues, and my thoughts remain focused on the upcoming revelation of group assignments. I can tell that The Twilight Institute thrives on alliances and affiliations, and understanding where one stands is crucial.

Soon, an announcement echoes through the air, cutting through the chatter.

“Group assignments will be posted momentarily. Gather at your designated group locations the moment they are revealed.”

It is Instructor Shinoda’s voice.

Does she have telepathy? Or can everyone hear this? She is not anywhere to be seen. Earth is strange.

The crowd converges, each student eager to discover their assigned group.

And after a few minutes, I feel a vibration in my uniform pocket. I take out the small portable device I was given at the end of class yesterday; I believe it is called a smartphone.

I turn it on, and a pop-up displays a list. I glance at it, finding my name under Dynamic Affinity, Group Six, and its location.