Creak.
The massive doors opened.
"What the…"
Seven's steps slowed as his eyes scanned the inside.
The place was huge, like a cross between a cathedral and an indoor arena.
A wide stage stood at the far end of the hall like the ones used during orientations or official ceremonies of prestigious universities.
It even had deep crimson curtains that hung on both sides like some kind of dramatic theater production was about to begin.
But what stole the spotlight was the stained glass window behind the stage.
It was massive as it stretched nearly floor to ceiling and shaped into a crescent moon half-concealed behind what looked like two blades crossed like a mountain range.
The glass shimmered in soft hues of violet and blue as sunlight hit it just right to cast colorful rays onto the polished floor below.
Paintings lined the walls on both sides.
'They really went all out with the aesthetics.'
He thought.
But just as he was about to step forward and admire the details, the sound of light footsteps interrupted him.
An old man, looking to be in his sixties, approached with a calm and dignified air along with his gray robes that swayed gently as he walked and held a staff.
"Greetings, young man."
The old man said.
"You may proceed to that line. I ask for thy patience, as the final registration and initial evaluations are processed."
Seven gave a slight nod back.
The old man smiled gently, then turned and walked away to greet the next person to enter through the door.
Step.
Seven followed the line, and another staff guided him.
What followed after was a repetitive pattern.
Seven was instructed to place his fingertips to the designated spots, and a magic artifact would scan his fingertips.
This was the academy's way of ensuring no one slipped through under a false name. Every applicant was cross-checked with the kingdom's records.
— Identity Verification: Complete!
Right after, he was presented with a thin and metallic needle.
For a moment, Seven hesitated. But he had no choice, so he pricked his finger and let a drop fall into a waiting basin.
And as expected, it glowed.
His blood hit the surface. The inscriptions flared in cyan and pulsed twice before fading.
Hart Bloodline.
— Bloodline Verification: Complete!
The next step was simple.
Stand in the center of the glowing circle and place your hands on the two protruding posts.
It was a standard procedure meant to assess the Zaen capacity of each applicant.
It was not their affinity but their raw potential.
In short, their ceiling.
This was the point where dreams were either shaped or shattered.
After all, those with low capacity would not make it past the Fourth Gate and some might not even reach the Second.
Simply put, knowing one's limit early meant they could adjust their path and stop chasing stars that were not theirs to reach.
But many took the information of their limits with a positive view.
At least they knew.
At least they had a line drawn for them.
But there were rare exceptions like stories from old books buried deep in the Othrelis Library. Tales of those who broke through their limits and those whose capacity changed under extraordinary conditions.
Legends.
But legends are not something that an ordinary person could rely on.
Step.
He stepped inside the circle and placed both his hands right above the two protruding posts.
As he did, faint streaks of light rose from the floor and danced across his body.
The posts glowed.
Thin lines of magic wrapped around his arms and scanned everything from muscle density, reflex response, stamina threshold, nerve pathways, and even micro-resonance in his Zaen flow.
Crackle. Cra—
The light dimmed.
A mechanical sound followed.
— Zaen Capacity Analysis: Complete!
The projection floated into the air above the circle.
[Result: Unidentifiable]
"Huh? That's odd."
The staff leaned forward with furrowed brows.
"Again."
The machine hummed. Magic reactivated. The light circled Seven once more.
[Result: Unidentifiable]
Again.
[Result: Unidentifiable]
And again.
[Unidentifiable]
[Unidentifiable]
No matter how many times the staff ran the analysis, the result refused to change.
One of the staff seemed to notice the situation and walked over toward them and leaned in to recheck the device.
"Is it broken?"
"No, no, it worked fine with the last guy."
"Well, he's standing right there. Maybe try another scan."
[Unidentifiable]
[Unidentifiable]
Seven ran a hand through his hair.
"…Is something wrong?"
He asked.
The staff closest to him let out a nervous chuckle.
"Ah! No, no. It's just… uhh…"
The staff then gestured toward the floating result still blinking above the circle.
[Unidentifiable]
"…This hasn't happened before."
"…"
"We're really sorry, but… uh, would you mind staying here for a bit? We need to call a higher up to, uh… verify something."
Seven sighed.
"Aight."
Both staffs rushed over to a communication glyph embedded into the wall and pressed their hands against it.
Moments later, a faint shimmer of magic pulsed through the air and a voice came through the circle.
"This is Cylinth. What's the issue?"
"Ma'am, we have an anomaly."
"…Define anomaly."
"The scanner can't read an applicant's Zaen capacity. It's just saying 'Unidentifiable.' We've reset the formation seven times."
A short pause.
"Send him to Room Theta. I'll see him myself."
"Yes, ma'am."
They turned back to Seven with noticeably straighter posture and more professional expressions.
"We apologize for the confusion, sir. This doesn't happen often. Acting Headmaster Cylinth will evaluate you directly."
One of the staff stepped forward.
"Please follow me."
"...Okay."
He followed without question, though one thought quietly surfaced in his mind.
'Room Theta, huh?'
He had read about it in the novel.
That room was not just for special cases.
It was where they sent people considered irregularities; the anomalies, and the ones whose results made no sense. Those with unpredictable readings or traits that could not be categorized.
It was not a punishment room either.
…But it sure felt like a trip to the guidance office.