24 Triskelion.

The questions were not above me… to be honest, they were quite simple.

Heh heh, something like this can't stop me from obtaining my goals…

I decided to spend more time on the questions so as to avoid any issues. My caretaker was clear on her thoughts of my intellect and requested I didn't showcase too much. Who am I to refuse?

"I'm done."

This should be enough, spending more time here would not do me any good.

"I like your speed. I hope your accuracy is good too." Miss Renita commented, picking up the paper.

After a moment of scrutinizing the paper, she commented out loud. "Spectacular! You are one smart kid."

I could feel my pride increase with her praise. Hmph… who do you take me for? Something like this won't cause me any problems.

"You passed the first test with a 100%. I hope you will be able to do the same for the second." She said in a carefree tone, immediately heading for a gigantic machine.

The machine had a bed that moved in and out of the circular entrance. From this angle, I could see small particles of light dancing freely in the machine. This should be for testing my energy level—the test checks for your knowledge in the field and your energy signature…

The energy signature can give out the kind of Ability you possess, that way giving them a chance to analyze if the Profession suits you. For instance, a Physicist should have an Ability that would let them relate with energy and matter.

"Can that machine detect my race?" I inquired curiously.

"Yes, it detects basically everything about you, transmitting all information it gets to the Book Of Rankings."

Hearing those words, my pupils become dilated. Basically, I've finally reached that stage where my true origin might be discovered. This is what I wanted, so why do I feel hesitant?

Tsk… looking at Alexia, I took in deep breaths of air. Not like they can harm me, can they?

With an impeccable smile, Alexia said to me. "Don't worry, I'll be with you."

Her voice was assuring, but recalling how Mom left despite all those words of affection made my heart burn.

Don't be a fool, Stiles. You can't retreat now; if you fall here…

I couldn't bother to complete my thoughts. What was the purpose of thinking too much? I should just act and see the outcome—that's what I, Stiles, should do.

Slowly, I walked to the machine that seemed to spell my doom.

The bed exposed itself from the circular hole, inviting me to lay on it.

"Stay relaxed, it doesn't hurt." Miss Renita said gently, supporting me to lay on the foam and fabric, black bed.

"Comfortable?"

I only nodded to her question, letting go of all my fears. Heh heh, it's finally time. With this, they will know about my race as an offspring of a demon and angel. I wonder which bloodline would dominate the record.

Anyway, I should let the machine handle that.

If the records I read are true, the humans should have quite an enmity with demons, so if my demonic bloodline should surface, they will surely aim for my head…

"Breath in and out slowly. Don't rush it." Miss Renita stated, pressing a button on the left side of the machine.

Tun

Tun

The metallic sound resounded in my ears, making my whole body go numb. Slowly, the bed retreated into the circular entrance of the machine, my head entering first.

It was a miraculous sight, similar to fireflies floating nearby.

The deeper I dived into the machine, the more fantastic it felt. Wonderland? Or some other lores I read?

The voice from outside became muffled as I dived into this world with all my might. Slowly, my vision adjusted to a new world, filled with mythical matter.

The light seemed to merge to form different creatures. One resembled a horse with a pointy object attached to his forehead. The other, a jellyfish, swimming along the energy tide. Birds, antelope, dragons, phoenix among others.

But there was one I could not ignore. The other formations seemed to circle it, giving it the aura of the protagonist.

A spiral?—no… if I were to evaluate it with acuteness, then I'll call it a Triskelion—three spirals originating from a single point.

I've seen diagrams similar to this structure, though not much was written on it. Does it have a big role in this Profession scheme…? Maybe it's a chain of some sort… Professions, Abilities, and Mindsets.

I'm not sure if that's the main idea of this depiction… I just used some theories to create a general background for this mysterious symbol.

No need to stress myself over such matters. I'll just have to get this test done, then I can research it if I survive.

Pulling myself together, I tried to sense my surroundings for any oddities.

[Never thought I'll get to meet one of your kind.]

A voice came from the void, causing my scalp to go numb. Not only that but at that moment, my head felt like an inflated balloon—light, yet at the brink of bursting open.

"Who…?" I called out in-between bated breaths.

[Hmmm. I can see you don't know me.]

The voice echoed again.

This time, the pain was more severe, but I didn't die or pass out. Is it some psychological effect?

[Your energy seems sentient.] The voice said in bewilderment. [Ha ha ha ha ha. After all these years of being chained down here, I get to see something so marvelous.]

[Tell me, boy, what do you think of becoming a Ruler.]

Again with this bullshit. Why does everyone I meet want to make me a Ruler…?

I found my predicament unfortunate as always; from my parent's death to the ethereal woman, down to Kynburgh—

[Feeling hesitant, ain't you, boy?] The voice uttered in a somewhat dejected tone. [Sorry, but I can't let you be.]

So you know my wish without me saying a word… I gritted my teeth, struggling to summon whatever power I could to resist.

[Remember this one thing boy… a Ruler should never bow to anyone, he should live by the principles he creates… trust me, if you can achieve this feat, you will know defeat no more…]

The waves rushed at me as his voice subsided. As always, I got played like a pawn in another's game… What a hateful feeling.