8 The Union

I arrived in front of a massive building that stretched high into the skies. To me, it seemed as if it surpassed the clouds and touched heaven itself.

Of course, that was just me spouting bullshit. The building was just really fucking tall.

Due to it being early in the day, I had expected there to be no crowd, but I couldn't be more wrong. The building was filled with people.

After entering the building, I walked over to the only receptionist which had a shorter line than most.

I had to wait quite a while, but eventually my turn came. I said.

"Excuse me, I came here for a talent evaluation."

The receptionist replied without taking her eyes off the computer.

"That will be 1200 Studs. Would you like to pay with credit or ca-"

She looked up from her computer, presumably to take the payment and assign me a ticket when she paused, looking at me for a while she said.

"...Card or Cash?"

She said with a hint of pity in her tone.

'...'

I understand I look skinny, but at least try to hide it.

"Card."

I gave her the card, She scanned it, gave it back to me, and also gave me a white card with the number 555 written on it. 

"Please wait in the lounge, When the number is announced please enter room 17."

"Okay."

I went over to the lounge, where there was a resting area and sat down, patiently waiting for my turn.

Whilst I was here, I observed the Union's building. It…was nothing special.

I had expected something else…something out of the ordinary considering this world is a fantasy world.

But it was just like the building I owned…simple…

Ah!

Another damned headache! What was I thinking about again?

Anyways…Since I am a dragon subspecies, It should be alright to assume my talent may be between S to SSS rank, however this is just an assumption…

If it is either S or SS rank, or any of the below ranks, I don't really have to worry about it. Since there are some individuals with the talent ranking of S and SS…All I would do is attract some attention.

The problem lies with the SSS rank…currently, Humanity has no publicly known individual with that Talent rank, the ones I know of from the novel at this time would be about seven to 8 people…Each considered myths or legends, apart from a special few who were world leaders.

However, their rank is unknown to the population, as they choose to hide it. All of them are from reputable families or guilds which have their own area for evaluation…which can allow them to hide their rank. The first 'public' SSS rank was the Protagonist.

But I am not the same, I'm a bumpkin with no backing, I have to get myself assessed publicly.

Sigh…Well.

I knew exactly how the talent assessment worked so I know how to deal with it…I guess.

The assessment worked by measuring the amount of mana stored in a person's body, their potential to store more mana, and their sensitivity to it. It was pretty basic. 

In the novel, it was explained in chapter 537 when Elijah Ardor trained humanity's first spatial mage in order to hide his real talent assessment rank so that big guilds couldn't go after him and he could easily recruit him. He also gave him an artifact that changed what affinity he would show…so instead of his unique spatial affinity, it showed a low fire affinity.

Me?

I had no such artifact. I was also planning to do the exact opposite.

Why? Because I am not the fucking protagonist, gifted with all sorts of abilities and the famed 'system'. A person with abilities like that can have a smooth time hiding their rank and going forth…I can't. I would be restricted to skills, equipment and the like. All because I am a low rank. No guild or family would support me. Having a high rank is essential. Hiding it is suicidal.

And I also wanted to be humanity's first spatial mage, not because of the fame.

But because of the money.

The only reason the protagonist, Elijah Ardor could compete with his friends who were all from incredibly influential families and guilds meaning they were filthy rich was because he used the spatial awakened to produce artifacts and items with the space attribute, and sold them. The amount of wealth it garnered him was insane.

That was the reason why I wanted to reveal that I had two affinities. The union already knows of my ice affinity. There is a test after the evaluation where we are placed in a device that detects our lies. The testee is asked whether they have a second affinity or not, and they must answer with the truth, lest they be found out by the accursed device.

'Hmmm…it's difficult but I can manage it.'

As I was deep into thought. A voice sounded out through the speaker.

"NUMBER 555, COME TO DOOR 17 FOR YOUR TALENT EVALUATION."

'Welp, time to go.'

I walked towards the door that had a huge holographic 17 Above it. Below it was a screen that showed the talent of the individual who was being tested.

Standing in front of it, I handed the card the receptionist gave me to the man who was standing in front of the door. Looking at me with eyes full of suspicion he quickly made a call.

'I need to bulk up…they all think I'm a beggar.'

I really need to eat some good food, a lot of good food.

After making the call and confirming it truly was me. He let me in.

Following him in, He guided me to an orb and instructed me.

"You just have to put your hands on the orb and it will do the rest, ok?"

I nodded, Preparing myself. I took a big breath and put only one hand on the orb.

The orb seemed to react, and shone with a bright, white light…indicating my talent.

[SS rank.]

However, I saw a part of it turning black, and thus I retracted my hand quickly. Black meant SSS rank.

'As expected…it was SSS rank.'

Thankfully, I think I saved myself from all the trouble.

Without wasting a second, I used the hand that I placed on the orb to cover my eyes, making it seem that I, the 'child' , was taken aback by the bright white light, and covered my eyes. This should reduce the suspicion.

When the light eventually faded. All I could see was the look of shock on the man's face. I hid a smile.

Trying to make myself appear as if I knew nothing. I asked the man.

"Umm, is white good?"

'I wonder if I'm doing good playing the oblivious act…'

Of course, I knew white was good. It was fantastic even but I needed to put on the act.

The man who was still in shock fell over on his bum.

"Uh-Uh S--SS rank... "

He muttered, still shocked. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying this.

He took his phone out, and called a number. 

"Please follow me, sir."

He said with a formal tone, I followed him and left the room.

What awaited outside the room was a flock of reporters and other people, looking at me. Camera flashes littered my eyes. The man, along with other employees who came to help, pushed the people aside.

The man took me to the elevator. The reporters and the people tried to get a closer look, but were stopped by the staff, who made a barricade around me.

The other people didn't even have a chance against them, these were trained awakened employed by the union after all. If an ordinary crowd was able to push them back…It would be the greatest insult.

The man and I entered the elevator, and pretty soon, we were going up.

As we ascended, I pretended to look like I was curious, trying my best to make it seem to the man that I actually was a malnourished dumb kid.

'Now…the lie detector machine is probably what's next.'

Under no circumstance, can I let it be known that I also have chaos as an affinity.

I wouldn't be leaving the building alive then. Taking a big breath, I prepared myself.

The elevator door opened and we stepped outside.