“It’s not possible for anyone to know for sure… but it will probably have to do with hunting beasts like the last few years,” said Aiden.
Kain felt relieved. Hunting beasts was something he was confident in.
“I did hear something interesting though,” Suddenly Addison leaned forward and lowered her voice, “In previous years the limit to the number of admitted students had always been 100. It could be less but never more. However, this year the limit to the number of students that can pass is 99. One of the spots for this year has already been filled.”
That finally got Kain to look up from his plate in shock.
“How is that possible?!” Exclaimed Bridge in shock. “Even Kain, with his S-rating was exempt from taking the exams. I thought the 5 colleges were high enough above that they didn’t have to intentionally try and recruit anyone.”
Kain nodded. He had been hoping that his rating would make it easier to get into a top 5 College, but they really couldn’t care less. They each have several students with an S-rating desperately trying to enter them each year, so they don’t care about trying to recruit one of them.
Although he, and even Bridge, did receive some tempting offers from some high-tier schools just below the top 5, their background and the resources they could provide for him aren’t on the same level.
‘Is it nepotism? Some high-ranking professor’s precious baby wanted to come here?’ Kain thought cynically.
Aiden continued with an even lower voice, “Apparently some legacy from the capital awakened independently. However, instead of going to the First Celestial Academy, they chose to come to Dark Moon instead. None of the top 5 colleges would grant an exception otherwise. No matter your background or affinity rating”
“Just because they awakened independently?” Kain was surprised that doing so was such a big deal.
The two twins looked slightly surprised at Kain suddenly joining the conversation, “Well yeah…it’s been over a decade since someone awoke independently. It’s even rarer to do so now than it was back then because, according to my grandfather, the lives of our generation are too cushy”
Addison continued after her twin, “To awaken independently suggests that you have an affinity so strong that it can’t help but manifest even without the help of the ceremony. I also heard this student has an exceptionally strong gift too.”
‘Now that’s just unfair. Are they the actual protagonist of this world?’ Kain thought bitterly. ‘Screw having a System, maybe it’d have been better to transmigrate into that person’s body.’
*The System’s Capabilities are dependent upon the Host’s own efforts* Kain thought he detected a slight grudge in the System’s usually monotone voice.
“Wow! I guess it’s good they’re not taking the exam then, huh? One less competitor.” Bridge chuckled nervously.
“Not really…they already took up a spot without having to fight for it.” Kain felt some resentment. Is that person’s talent really that high that they don’t even need to fight for their spot? Even S-rated individuals and even the descendants of royalty need to take the admissions tests.
In an attempt to lighten the suddenly gloomy atmosphere, Addison changed the subject, “You have an S-rating, huh? What kind of affinity gets you a rating that high?”
Everyone at the table, including Bridge who still didn’t know his affinity, and even individuals at the nearby tables trying to eavesdrop, turned to Kain.
Kain looked around at all of the people peeking at him from the corners of their eyes. Probably trying to get info on a major contender for a spot at the College.
“I’d prefer not to say.” Suddenly the faces of those around stiffened.
“Ha ha. Kain hasn’t even shared his affinity with me and I’m his brother. Don’t take it to heart” Bridge said in an attempt to get rid of the awkward atmosphere. But Kain could sense that his refusal to share his affinity, even with him, bugged Bridge.
‘It’s hard to explain my affinity to the people of this world. I’m not even sure whether or not people here are aware they exist. None of my science books mention anything about them. But I should probably give him some information. I wouldn’t want this to drive a wedge between us’
With that thought in mind, when they returned back upstairs, he pushed his way into Bridge’s room before he had a chance to close the door.
Bridge looked surprised at his sudden action.
“I’m sorry about what happened downstairs. I didn’t mean to make things awkward with your new friends”
“You don’t have to apologize for that. We just met them, I understand why you wouldn’t want to share something so sensitive with them. I just don’t… I just don’t understand why you can’t tell me. Do you not trust me?” Bridge asked sadly.
‘Ugh. I knew he’d be thinking like this’
“I do trust you! I just haven’t told you my affinity because it’s hard to explain…”
Bridge didn’t look like he believed him. What’s so hard to explain about an affinity? Just say what was in your affinity egg? An animal? Did an element gush out?
Kain continued to reduce Bridge’s doubts, “When my affinity egg cracked it was a species that I had never seen before. So when I got tested I really had no idea that I’d receive an S-rating, because I didn’t even know what my affinity was.”
“Honestly, I’m still not 100% sure what my affinity is” –’Not entirely true’—”But I do know that it’s pretty hard to find things that meet the criteria for me to bind. That’s why I was so insistent on coming to Dark Moon. Because the very first time I felt the pull for a potential bond was in an egg found around one of Dark Moon College’s relics.”
Bridge finally seemed satisfied with this information. “I’m glad… I was afraid you just didn’t trust me. You gave me Princess, so if you need help finding a contract in the future let me know.”
After hugging him goodbye, Kain returned to his room relieved.
It was time to get a good night’s rest before the most important test of his life.