A Rank Too High

The moment they stepped into the capital, Nate was overwhelmed by its sheer liveliness. The streets teemed with people, knights patrolled in gleaming armor, and merchants shouted about their wares, haggling with eager customers. Children darted between stalls, laughing and playing, while parents held their little ones close as they navigated the chaos. Carriages rumbled by, adding to the city's vibrant rhythm.

“C’mon, we need to stop by the guild. Or would you rather stay and get lost in the sights?” Owen teased with a smirk.

Nate held back his irritation, unwilling to give Owen the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Let’s just get this over with,” he muttered. You got me this time, but next time… I’ll make sure to double the payment.

---

Behind the front counter of the Adventurer’s Guild, Bethany observed the bustling scene as usual. Adventurers crowded the quest board, talking amongst themselves, while others knocked back mugs of ale and roared with laughter. It was just another noisy day—until the door creaked open and three figures stepped inside.

The first was Owen—a B-Rank Holy Knight, well-known and respected for his swordsmanship. The second was Princess Athena, infamous for her unstable mana control but equally admired for her sharp judgment and leadership.

And then there was the third guy—the unknown one.

His attire was odd. It looked like armor, but nothing Bethany recognized. He had no discernible aura whatsoever, which was strange, considering his confident posture. His messy silver hair and sharp golden eyes might’ve made him handsome—if not for the eerie absence of presence that clung to him like a void.

Instead of walking directly to the counter, he glanced around the guild like a lost tourist. Or worse, a weirdo.

“Bethany…” Athena spoke first.

“Princess Athena,” Bethany replied flatly, locking eyes with her. Neither of them backed down.

“We’re here to register as adventurers,” Owen added, breaking the tension.

Bethany sighed, glancing at the unknown guy again. He was now poking at another adventurer’s armor like a curious toddler.

“When you say ‘we’... you mean him too?” she asked, pointing at Nate, who was sulking in the corner of the room as though the world had abandoned him.

Both Owen and Athena nodded with a tired sigh.

“Alright.” Bethany pulled out three registration forms. Man, I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy was the first to die in their group…

---

Nate stood at the counter, watching Owen and Athena fill out their forms with ease while he struggled to make sense of the alien characters on the paper.

Seriously, what the hell is this? ¥€√÷π—some kind of ancient Greek dialect?! Someone help me!

As if answering his internal cry, a familiar screen popped up before his eyes:

> [System Notification]

"Would you like to understand the writing of this world?"

[Yes] / [No]

He didn’t hesitate.

As soon as he nodded, the world flickered into darkness for a moment before returning to normal. The form in his hands—the previously incomprehensible mess—was now completely clear.

“Oh, hell yes,” Nate whispered to himself, a grin tugging at his lips. He quickly began filling it out.

---

Once all three forms were turned in, Bethany skimmed through them. Athena’s made her scoff—“Ice Queen”? Please. The girl couldn’t even control her mana properly.

But then she got to Nate’s.

Her eyes widened, and then she burst into laughter.

“Arghh… Why is she laughing? Did I write something wrong?” Nate asked, visibly confused.

“Sorry, but…” Bethany tried to suppress her giggles. “You wrote that you can control three elements.”

“But it’s true.”

The entire guild overheard and erupted into laughter. Even the most powerful heroes in the world could barely control two elements. And this guy—this aura-less, clueless newcomer—thought he could surpass them?

Bethany wiped away a tear and retrieved a glowing orb, placing it on the counter with an amused smirk. “Alright, then. Place your hand here. Your rank and mana capacity will be revealed.”

Owen stepped aside. Everyone already knew his rank. Athena went first. She calmly placed her hand on the orb, which glowed intensely before stabilizing. A-Rank. Predictable. No surprise there, even if the orb failed to show her mana.

Then it was Nate’s turn.

Bethany covered her mouth to keep from laughing as he stepped forward. The entire guild chuckled along with her. Everyone except Owen and Athena, who simply watched—silent, knowing.

Something was off.

Nate placed his hand on the orb.

In an instant—it shattered into two.

The guild fell deathly silent.

Even Bethany stood frozen.

“N-No way… That had to be a mistake. Try again.” She scrambled to grab another orb, trying to stay composed.

Nate scratched his head. “Quick question—do I release my mana, or just place my hand?”

“Just place your hand,” Bethany replied, her voice now shaky with uncertainty.

“Alright then… but this one’s probably gonna break too,” he muttered.

And it did.

As his hand neared the orb—before even touching it—it shattered again.

The room dropped into stunned silence. No one moved. No one spoke.

Bethany’s breath caught in her throat. What… what is he?

Nate leaned on the counter, smirking.

“You said I had no aura, right?” His voice was light, almost teasing—but with an edge sharp as a blade.

“Well… here’s something you should know.” His smirk faded into something cold and commanding.

“I was only holding it back… so none of you would die.”

Suddenly, a suffocating, chilling pressure blanketed the entire hall. A dark, overwhelming aura poured out from his body.

One by one, guild members collapsed to their knees. Some even fainted. The oppressive force rendered them completely helpless—like ants beneath a god’s gaze.

Only Owen and Athena remained standing, untouched.

Nate leaned closer to Bethany, gently gripping her chin and tilting her face toward his.

“Now that you’ve seen twenty percent of my aura…” His voice was soft, but absolute. “Would you like to see nineteen percent of my mana?”

Bethany couldn’t respond. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t even move.

She just shook her head, trembling.

And then, just like that—his aura vanished. The weight lifted. People gasped for air as they fell back into their chairs and onto the floor.

“Damn,” Nate muttered, rubbing the back of his head. “Now how am I supposed to know my rank if the orbs keep breaking?”

Before anyone could answer, the heavy guild doors slammed open.

A massive figure stepped through, casting a long shadow across the hall. He carried ten defeated golems over one shoulder and dragged a colossal chimera carcass with the other.

The room froze again.

“I will be the one to test you,” the man declared, stepping fully into the light.

Owen’s eyes went wide. His hands began to tremble.

“I-It can’t be… why him?”

---

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