Silence followed the result.
The screen confirmed it in cold, emotionless letters.
UNAWAKENED.
A staff member approached him without even meeting his eyes.
"You failed the evaluation."
The words hit harder than any punch.
"You'll be dismissed for now. Return next year for another awakening attempt. If you fail again, you'll be permanently reassigned to support work."
Just like that.
No sympathy.
No second chance.
He was escorted out of the academy alongside dozens of other failures.
Behind him, the gates closed.
Inside, cheers continued for those who had awakened.
Outside, only quiet footsteps remained.
His dream of becoming a Hunter ended before it even began.
The ride home felt longer than usual.
He stared out the window as towering buildings slowly gave way to broken streets and worn-down apartments.
Upper district.
Middle district.
Lower district.
Back to reality.
He clenched his fists.
Why didn't I awaken?
Hadn't he suffered enough?
Hadn't he lost everything already?
His uncle was waiting at the door when he arrived.
The moment he saw his nephew's face, he understood.
"No luck, huh?"
He nodded.
"I… didn't awaken."
For a moment, he couldn't hold it in anymore.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I tried, but… nothing happened."
His uncle pulled him into a rough hug.
"You don't have to apologize."
"But—"
His uncle placed a hand on his head.
"Listen to me."
"Not everyone awakens on their first try."
"You still have next year."
He forced a smile.
"So don't look so miserable."
"If you didn't awaken this year, you'll awaken next year. That's all."
His voice was steady, warm.
But guilt twisted inside the boy's chest.
He felt like a burden.
Another powerless mouth to feed.
"I just wanted to help," he said quietly.
His uncle sighed.
"You already help just by being alive."
That night, he lay awake on his thin mattress, staring at the cracked ceiling.
Outside, distant sirens wailed.
Somewhere, another Rift had probably opened.
Somewhere, Hunters were fighting monsters.
And here he was.
Unawakened.
Forgotten.