A few minutes earlier, just after Celestina's outburst at Deluke concerning the White-Clad and Izana...
"So, the kid's from the White-Clad," one of the invigilators muttered.
The other invigilators turned their eyes toward Deluke, their whispers echoing across the silent room.
"Probably one of those rejects," the female invigilator remarked with a raised brow.
"Isn't that a hasty assumption?" a male invigilator questioned "I mean, the boy could be hiding his ability" his tone skeptical.
"Not really. Most of the White-Clad recommendations tend to be throwaways—washed-out candidates who couldn't make the cut elsewhere. It's a pattern," another invigilator added with a shrug.
The conversation shifted toward Deluke's presence—debating his potential, his strength, and why someone like him would receive a direct recommendation. The head invigilator, the same stern man who had addressed them all at the exam's start, narrowed his eyes at Deluke, his expression tinged with curiosity.
"I can't say for sure…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "His physical presence is unimpressive compared to the others, but it's his spiritual energy that puzzles me."
"I don't find it puzzling at all," a second female invigilator said bluntly. "He's just weak."
"Let's wait and see what unfolds," the head invigilator said, the faintest smirk forming on his lips.
Walking beneath the scrutiny of countless eyes didn't faze me—not because I was used to it, but because of what had happened during my time with the White-Clad.
It was supposed to be a normal day of recuperation. May, as always, was being her usual chaotic self, offering no peace. Then it hit me—an overwhelming surge from within. My eyes started to bleed while glowing crimson, my body temperature skyrocketed to the point where steam hissed off my skin. Sweat drenched me, my veins bulged vividly. The pain was unbearable. May stood frozen in horror. And then—darkness.
"Zein! He moved!"
I could hear May's voice, her hand gripping mine tightly. I tried opening my eyes—but they wouldn't respond. Was I blind?
"Don't strain yourself, Delu. Just rest your eyes. You'll be fine. Can you talk?" May's voice was soft, trembling with concern.
"Or are you dead?" Zein interrupted with his usual tactless flair.
"I'm not dead," I croaked. My voice sounded ancient and worn. "What… what happened to me? How long was I out?"
"A month," May answered quietly.
"A month?! Cough! Cough!"
"Calm down," May said, holding me tighter, as if afraid I might disappear again.
I had lost my memory from the first incident which nearly claimed my life. While recuperating I went through some health issues; First came insomnia, then the frozen tongue—I couldn't speak. I looked like a corpse, alive only in theory. But eventually, I recovered, but now this. I'm beginning to think I was cursed.
"This incident was even more surprising," Zein began. "Actually, I'd say it's miraculous. You, Deluke, might be a once-in-a-lifetime genius. I say that confidently, based on your awakening's progress—but blessings like this often come with heavy burdens."
He sat, arms folded, his eyes serious.
"When someone awakens, it's due to a rise in spiritual energy—bringing awareness of the spiritual realm layered over the physical. Every living being has two essences: body and soul. Normally, energy elevates both—sixty percent to the soul, forty to the body. That balance is crucial. But you? Your soul absorbed over ninety-five percent—closer to ninety-eight by the time I reached you."
"What does that have to do with his pain and bleeding?" May asked.
"It has everything to do with it," Zein said. "Your body was left starved, unable to keep up with the soul's rapid expansion."
"Wouldn't that mean he should've failed as an awakened?" May asked. "Shouldn't he need elixirs to even function?"
"Exactly. But Deluke's different. He generates spiritual energy five times faster than the speed of light. His soul's energy overwhelmed his body to the point it tried to escape—his soul tried to leave, forcefully. If I hadn't intervened, he'd be a wandering spirit by now." He ruffled my hair with a grin. "But don't worry—I sealed your core. No more energy overflow. You look like a regular awakened now, but as your body strengthens, you'll be able to break the seals I placed in your core. You'll handle the power better then."
Zein stood, ready to leave.
"Come on, May. Let him rest."
"But I still need to—"
"Move it, girl."
"Oh, Deluke," Zein added at the door. "I left a portion of energy accessible. You can release a little when needed. Take care."
That day stuck with me. I'd grown too used to leaving the energy sealed—but today, of all days, maybe it was time. Like Zein said, this occasion was special. I was curious how Celestina and her gang would react. Even more so, it was Shizu reaction I was interested in the most.
I stepped up to the measuring stone, taking a deep breath and meditating. I visualized the seals—chain-like rings coiled around my core. The portion Zein left for use floated apart, marked by a single seal. I unlocked it. Instantly, the air around me shifted. Some of the gazes sharpened.
"Sir? Is something wrong?" the female invigilator asked.
"Not at all," he replied with a knowing smile. "This just got interesting."
I placed my hand on the stone. It glowed—100. I held it there, controlling my energy output precisely to that number, amplifying the crowd's ridicule. Worry flickered among the Yuzuaras, while Shizu remained unreadable.
"Told you he was trash!" someone from Iroha sneered.
"Wait—it just increased…"
The number jumped to 10,000.
"Yes! Let's go!" Haruwa lit up with joy.
"It's just 10,000. Pretty low for a White-Clad recommend, right?" Endo scoffed.
"Endo's always right!" his goons cheered.
"It's too early to judge," Sam said, pointing at the measuring stone.
The value soared: 10,000 to 40,000. Then 100,000.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even the invigilators were caught off guard.
I was going to stop there—until Shizu's earlier jab echoed in my mind. I looked straight at her, smirking.
"That ba**ard…" she muttered, sensing what was coming.
Then the value skyrocketed—500,000.
The hall erupted.
"It's still rising!"
I stopped at 1,000,000. I pulled my hand away and took a breath, listening as the mockery transformed into stunned awe.
"Unbelievable…"
"He hit the million mark!"
"I never thought I'd live to see an awakened reach that level…"
"So, he was hiding his strength…"
"He's not just cute but also strong. Life's so unfair."
"But why assign someone like him to Izana?"
"We need to know everything about him."
As I returned to my group, I smirked at Shizu, who stared at me—expressionless, yet clearly shaken.
"Deluke! You're amazing!" Nana and the others swarmed me.
"1,000,000… I feel like I'm dreaming," Sam said, patting my shoulder.
"And you hid all that without anyone knowing?" Haruwa added, eyes wide.
"I guess you knew all along, huh, Shizu?" Celestina asked. Her tone was unreadable—neither anger nor shame, just flat.
"No. I'm just as surprised," Shizu replied, a victorious glint in her eye.
"Well, time to prepare for the second test. Best of luck." Celestina gestured for her team. "Iroha, let's move."
They left.
"What's her deal?" Chifuyu said, satisfied.
"Nice one, Deluke. Let's get ready for the next test."
"Yeah. Let's go," Shizu added, then quietly, "Tsk."