Mana affinities and spirit potential

Everyone nodded their head, and soon a long line of 100 students formed. One by one, everyone walked to the orb. The instructor in the robe asked them a few questions that marked the end of the test and the kid started walking to the wall. A swift process.

Drake was around the midway in the line. He was very excited about this test. Unlike others, it would be the first time for him to know about his potential and affinity.

It suddenly hit him. <Hey Kane, what about you? Could that orb also measure your soul affinity?>

[I don't know.]

<It will be a big problem if others find out about you.> 

[We will find soon?]

This just did not help him at all. Instead, his worry increased. 

As he was waiting for his turn, a commotion started. 

"Hey it epic grade light element." 

"Whoa, even epic air element." 

"Who the hell she is?"

"Wait, those eyes, she is a Duisberg."

"Oh my lord, don't tell me her spirit potential-" 

"Waaa, the spirit potential epic grade." 

"Epic spirit potential!"

"Wait, she is Jenny. The daughter of Duisberg's family head." 

"Jenny has epic …"

[Well, that's the future potential harem member for you!] 

<A member of what?>

[Nothing!] 

A commotion started in the line. But soon it died down as a commoner girl got an epic fire grade but her other element was earth silver grade, which made her spirit potential gold grade. 

After Jenny, a few others came with high affinity, but all of them ended up with gold or even lower spirit potential. 

Line shrank fast, and soon it was his turn. 

The instructor said, "Place your hand on the orb." 

Compiling the order, he placed his hand on the spinning smooth orb. The orb was very cold to touch, and he felt this weird suction force coming from the orb. 

Soon, a light yellow spark formed in the orb. 

"Earth copper grade." Instructed said loud and wrote it on the pages in his hand. 

As the orb continued to spin in his hand, the initial yellow light faded, replaced by engulfing darkness on his palm.

"Dark gold grade." 

Kane's voice came, [ew that earth element decreased your potential.] 

He said nothing and just stared at the orb as a fresh change started into the orb. The darkness disappeared and a very slight dark blue color emerged from the orb. 

The instructor shook his head at that, "Water iron grade." 

They waited, and this time, Orb went back to the colorless state. 

The instructor said, "Well, that made your spirit potential copper grade."

[Fck, it's the bare minimum.] 

Drake was still looking at the orb for some change, but nothing happened. This made his clenched hand behind his back relax. 

The instructor asked, "What is your name?" 

"Drake Duisberg." 

"Mmm, well, that's all for the test, Drake. You can go now." 

He removed his hand from the orb and started walking behind the instructor. He could sense many eyes staring at his back. Not caring much about them, he just walked toward the wall. 

[well it looks like I don't have a soul seed.]

< Maybe you do have one, but the orb failed to sense it.> 

[Could be, but let's not assume things we are still not sure of.]

<mmm >

[Dude, forget about my soul seed, that shitty water element of yours. Fck it!] 

< Hey is having high potential very important?> 

[I will not sugarcoat my word, but the higher the potential you have, the stronger you can become. But having high potential is only a part of the game. You can never beat higher potential when it comes to raw strength, but power has many other different factors in it.] 

<What kind of factors?>

[Factors like understanding, luck, mentor, brain, learning resources, and many more.] 

<so many things.> 

[I might even forget to add many things. Drake, there is a great saying in this world.] 

<what? >

[A great spirit wielder is not born but made. Though if someone is at the same level as you in all other aspects, then the person with high potential will win.] 

< oh so someone's flaw will act as others' strength.> 

[Exactly. The spirit wielder is a path where if you know your opponent's flaw, then even if you are weaker than them, you can take others down.] 

<mm > Drake nodded in agreement. He at least got that if potential was everything, then the family would not hold this bench for the young lord and directly select the one with higher potential. 

His thoughts filled with the complexities of becoming a spirit wielder and he resumed his journey towards the colossal wall that loomed ahead.

As he approached the wall, he noticed a small gate made of iron bars at its base. From afar, it looked only pea size, but the closer he walked, the more massive the gate became. There was a smaller gate on the side that was opened. 

A thick mist enveloped the area on the other side of the gate, creating an eerie atmosphere. Standing beside the gate was a figure in a black robe who motioned for him to enter the mist. 

With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, Drake stepped through the gate and into the dense fog. He continued to walk forward, his vision gradually obscured by the mist. Soon, he felt disoriented and lightheaded, and before he knew it, consciousness slipped away.

Thud! he blacked out.

Clap! Clap! Wake up, everyone. Clap! clap!

He heard a loud clapping sound. 'What going on?' He grabbed his head, and slowly opened his eyes, finding himself under an unfamiliar dark roof. 

"Where I am?" 

"what happens?" 

"where is this?" 

He heard many confused sounds around him. He pushed himself from the hard floor and sat down, looking around, he saw many heads around him.

Everyone had confusion on their face.

Clap[! clap! 

The sound of claps came from the front. 

"Here everybody." 

He saw a big glass screen on the wall of the chamber. Behind the glass, there was a podium with a chair on which a man in a black long coat was clapping while looking at them. 

"Welcome to Kaiser Academy!"