Once all the trainees stood still, Nolvar Sin moved toward the center of the square again.
He clasped his hands behind his back and slowly scanned each face in front of him before raising his voice:
"Before we begin, you must understand exactly what you stand before today."
He paused deliberately, letting his words sink deep into the hearts of the gathered youths.
"The (Inclination or Will) you carry inside you is not an extra power... it is the foundation of survival itself." "Every human is born with an "Inclination." "Without it, the body cannot resist the poisoned air... cannot endure the crushing pressure that exists since the Second Cataclysm."
He gestured toward the overcast sky above:
"When the Abyss appeared 200 years ago... the laws changed." "The "Inclination" became the first rule of life."
He paced slowly in front of them:
"Those without an "Inclination" ... do not survive."
His voice turned instructional, clear, sharp:
"The "Inclination" is divided into five known stages:"
1-Flicker of Survival: The weakest form of "Inclination". Provides basic resistance: against hunger, exhaustion, disease. Insufficient for real combat.
2-Pulse of Power: The body starts channeling the "Inclination's" energy. At this stage, primitive control over one of the basic elements may emerge: (water – fire – wind – earth, and possibly more).This level allows a trainee to begin serious combat training.
3-Core of Control: The "Inclination" becomes an inseparable part of body and spirit. The user can wield unique abilities and participate in real battles. Most Order Captains and Vice-Captains have reached this level.
4-Extension of "Inclination": A very rare level. Control extends beyond body and element, creating new extraordinary abilities. Only two people have ever reached this level.
5-Core of the World: A legendary stage. Achieved only once in the distant past. Said to allow the user's power to merge with the laws of reality itself.
Nolvar allowed a brief silence, ensuring the gravity of the information was fully absorbed.
Then, his tone grew heavier:
"But having a "Inclination" ... is not enough."
He moved forward with measured steps and began listing methodically:
Official Ranks:
Soldier: Possesses basic "Inclination" (Level 1).Requires extensive training.
Skilled Soldier: "Inclination" Level 1 enhanced by real-world experiences.
Fighter: Transitioning towards Level 2 "Inclination" .
Skilled Fighter: Fully stabilized Level 2 "Inclination".
Knight: Adept control over an element or combat skill.
Advanced Knight: Close to mastering multiple elements or techniques.
Expert Knight: Master of Level 3 "Inclination", qualified to lead and be appointed to high positions.
He lowered his hand after listing them all, his voice sharp and merciless:
"Every rank you climb... "Inclination" cost you." "In effort, in blood, and in the choices you make."
His gaze was cold as iron as he added:
"And hesitation... means falling behind."
Turning slightly, Nolvar gestured toward a stone pedestal in the center of the square, upon which rested a gently glowing crystal orb.
"The first evaluation... begins now."
The trainees lined up closely in front of the black stone platform.
In its center stood a transparent crystalline orb, about the size of a human head, emitting a soft, rhythmic white glow. Beside it stood Nolvar's assistant, who raised his voice with official clarity:
"This is the Analytical Orb, designed to measure the initial pulse of your "Inclination ." "It is used only for those who have never undergone formal training." "You will place your right hand on the orb, one after another." "Your latent "Inclination" strength will be immediately measured." "The result is instant... and cannot be altered."
He continued:
"The orb "Inclination" display one of three intensities of white light:"
Dim White Barely detectable "Inclination" , very weak.
• Stable White Complete Level 1 "Inclination" , ready for development.
• Radiant White Active "Inclination" , primed for rapid advancement.
The first trainee stepped forward.
A thin boy with a pale face, his eyes shifting nervously.
He stretched out his right hand toward the orb and waited.
A few seconds later, the orb flickered with a dim, unstable white light.
The field assistant recorded calmly:
"Dim Pulse basic eligibility."
The boy stepped aside, face frozen in disappointment.
The evaluation continued.
A sharp-eyed girl with her hair tied back walked confidently to the orb.
She placed her hand firmly.
The orb glowed with a steady white light.
The assistant noted:
"Stable Pulse - Level 1 "Inclination" confirmed."
Murmurs fluttered among the waiting trainees.
Then came a girl with bright red hair tied high.
It was Ina Ness from the southern village of Kalyan.
Her steps were steady; she showed no visible fear nor overconfidence.
She placed her hand gently on the orb.
The orb glowed again with a stable white, bright and unwavering.
"Stable Pulse "Inclination" confirmed."
She calmly stepped back, her face revealing neither pride nor relief.
After Ina, it was Romo's turn.
He, a sturdy boy with shining brown eyes, wore a nervous smile.
He approached with a hint of hesitation but firmly placed his hand on the orb.
Within seconds, the orb pulsed a stable white with a brief strong flash at the beginning.
The assistant announced:
"Stable Pulse Active Level 1 "Inclination ."
Romo smiled, breathing a little easier as he returned to his place.
Some whispers passed between the trainees:
"Best result so far... after the radiant flashes, at least."
The examinations continued.
Some produced only dim flickers, some achieved stable lights.
Everything seemed normal.
Until it was time for the name everyone would remember.
Nolvar lifted the next slip of parchment and read aloud:
"Levan. Step forward."
A hush fell over the square.
All eyes turned toward the boy.
Even the mists hanging in the air seemed to pause.
Levan walked steadily toward the orb, his slender frame cutting through the tense silence.
He stood in front of it, extended his right hand slowly...
and touched the cold, smooth surface.
Everyone waited.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three...
Nothing.
The orb remained completely dark.
No glow.
No flicker.
No heartbeat-like pulse.
The once murmuring square turned into a pit of silent confusion.
Among the seated delegates, some leaned forward, narrowing their eyes.
Others frowned subtly.
Romo stiffened, his fingers twitching.
Ina's eyes sharpened as she stared at Levan, sensing... something wrong.
A barely audible whisper floated from one trainee:
"Did he touch it properly...?"
The Sixth Delegate, the young man who had been writing notes quietly the whole time, looked up sharply, interest flashing across his normally calm face.
A strange, fleeting smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
The Second Delegate, shifted slightly, murmuring:
"That's... impossible."
The Eighth Delegate, folded his arms tightly and muttered:
"A person without "Inclination" ?... can't survive."
"How is he even standing?"
A few heartbeats passed.
Nolvar, for the first time that day, appeared unsettled.
He approached Levan, checking carefully yes, the boy's hand was properly placed.
Still nothing.
Nolvar straightened slowly and spoke:
"Try again."
But Levan did not move.
He stood like a statue hand pressed to the orb, blank eyes gazing into some far, unreachable distance.
Another moment crawled by.
Then Nolvar stepped back and raised his voice for all to hear:
"This is not a failed result."
"This... is a condition."
"An undefined condition."
"Levan... is to be transferred immediately to the Sixth Order for specialized assessment."
In the rows behind the platform, among the delegates, only one person moved.
The Tenth Delegate.
He had been silent and unreadable the entire time but now, something in him cracked.
He rose from his seat slowly, the heavy leather creaking slightly under his armor.
Without speaking a word, without casting a single look toward the others,
he turned and began walking away from the square.
His assistant, a young man in a dark uniform, rushed after him, whispering anxiously:
"S-sir... the testing isn't finished yet!"
But the Tenth Delegate gave no reply.
His steps were slow, deliberate, as if weighed down by the enormity of what he had just witnessed.
After a few strides, he finally muttered under his breath, so low that only the assistant could hear:
"This... this is something new."
"A case not recorded in any archives."
A pause.
Then a colder whisper:
"The Leader must know. Immediately."
And he disappeared through the arched side gate, vanishing from view.
Meanwhile, back at the stone seats, the First Delegate
remained still, but his gaze tracked the Tenth's exit.
He tightened his grip on the arms of his chair, the leather groaning faintly under his fingers,
but he said nothing.
He only watched.
Watched and calculated.
In the center of the training square, a heavy, unnatural silence had settled.
The trainees, the assistants, even Nolvar himself
none of them spoke for a long moment.
No one looked at the orb anymore.
No one remembered the next candidates waiting in line.
No one even dared breathe loudly.
All focus, all thought, all fear centered on the single boy being escorted quietly toward the side entrance...
Levan.
It was as if, with his mere presence, he had split the course of their futures
as if the very rules they had all learned,
the foundations of their world,
had been subtly, irreversibly cracked.
In that moment, even the wind seemed hesitant to blow.
And from the shadows of the great stone tower,
history silent, waiting held its breath.
Because a boy without "Inclination" …
was not supposed to exist.
And yet, here he was.