As the trio approached the Affinity and Blessing assessment, a heavy air of anticipation pressed down on them. Ren’s thoughts flickered to the strange voice he’d heard days ago—a deep, guttural whisper that had stirred something primal within him. The memory lingered, uneasy and unresolved, until he forced himself to focus on the task ahead.

The priest’s sharp voice broke through the hum of the crowd. “Alys Ferrow.”

Alys hesitated, her hands trembling at her sides. Ren and Rex exchanged a quick glance, then gave her encouraging nods. She exhaled shakily and stepped forward, each movement taut with tension.

“Place your hand on the orb,” the priest instructed, his voice calm but distant, as though he’d done this countless times.

The moment Alys’s fingers touched the crystal surface, the orb erupted in a brilliant green glow. The light surged outward, pulsing with an intensity that made nearby candles flicker and sent gasps rippling through the crowd.

“What in Frya’s name…?” someone murmured.

The priest staggered back, his composed demeanor cracking. “Such dense mana… This is extraordinary!” His voice trembled as the orb’s light coalesced into a radiant aura. “Her blessing?”

The orb pulsed one final time, revealing her blessing: Spirit Whisperer. The priest’s hands shook as he struggled to regain composure. “You… are a natural conduit for magic, capable of communing with and commanding spirits. This level of affinity is… unprecedented.”

Alys returned to the group, her face a mix of disbelief and awe. Rex gave her an exaggerated bow, a teasing grin on his face. “Miss Elite Class, we’re clearly not worthy.”

“Shut it, Rex,” Alys muttered, though her cheeks flushed.

The priest’s voice rang out again. “Rex Cartwright.”

With his usual swagger, Rex strode forward, a lopsided grin on his face. He placed his hand on the orb, and the response was immediate—but underwhelming. A faint glow emanated from the crystal, barely noticeable against the lingering brightness from Alys’s test.

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The priest frowned, scribbling hastily on a scroll. “Low mana affinity,” he muttered, almost dismissively. “Now, for your blessing.”

The orb pulsed dully before revealing: Resilience. The priest hesitated, his brows knitting together. “Your body strengthens with every injury, enhancing both power and agility. It’s a rare blessing, but…”

Rex interrupted, his grin widening. “But what? I get stronger the more I’m hit? Sounds perfect to me.”

The priest sighed, his gaze grave. “Just… be cautious. Blessings like yours can lead to recklessness—and ruin.”

Rex returned to the group, his grin undeterred. “Told you I’d pass,” he said, winking.

Then came the name that silenced the chamber.

“Ren Althar.”

A hush fell over the crowd, and even the air seemed to chill. Ren’s stomach churned as he approached the orb, the voice from days ago echoing faintly in his mind—low, guttural, and indecipherable.

The moment his hand made contact, the crystal convulsed violently. A piercing scream erupted from the orb, cutting through the room like a blade. The glow twisted and writhed, cycling through chaotic colors before dark tendrils began to snake across its surface.

“What is this?!” the priest cried, stumbling backward.

With a deafening crack, the orb shattered into countless shards, each fragment dissolving into wisps of smoke. Gasps and panicked murmurs erupted from the crowd.

Ren pulled his hand back instinctively, staring at it as if it no longer belonged to him. His heart pounded, but his voice remained steady. “What… does this mean?”

The priest was frozen, his face drained of color. A second priest rushed forward, his expression grim but determined. “We’ll proceed with the blessing,” he said, though his voice faltered.

The incantations began, shaky at first. The second priest frowned, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Strange… I sense two blessings,” he murmured, confusion lacing his tone. He paused, then corrected himself. “No… it’s one. But…” His voice trailed off, as though afraid to say more.

The scroll in his hands glowed, revealing Ren’s blessing: Power Amplified. The priest’s hands trembled as he read aloud. “Your abilities grow exponentially, fueled by your will and emotions. A blessing of immense potential—and immense peril.”

The whispers in Ren’s mind grew louder, clawing at his thoughts. Was this… connected? He clenched his fists, forcing the voice to the back of his mind. “I understand.”

The priest’s gaze lingered on Ren, his expression heavy with unspoken warnings. “You pass,” he announced reluctantly. “But heed my words: blessings like yours have undone even the strongest of souls. Be vigilant.”

Ren rejoined Alys and Rex, his mind swirling with unease. Alys studied him carefully. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“I’m fine,” Ren said, though his voice was distant. “Let’s keep moving.”

As they left the chamber, the whispers of the crowd followed them like shadows. Ren couldn’t shake the ominous certainty that this was only the beginning—of something far greater, and far darker