Chapter 31: MOMENT OF TRUTH

"About him being a terrible human being."

Natasha’s expression grew increasingly troubled as she spoke. Her brows knitted together, and a faint look of disgust crept into her eyes.

"He’s been in Ravstas Academy for three years, yet no one hangs around him. No one even acts familiar with him. Not until you approached him, anyway. And almost everyone saw the way he looked at you. It was as though he wanted to murder you on the spot."

She clicked her tongue, visibly repulsed by the thought.

"What kind of brother looks at his own little brother like that?"

Aaron let out a soft chuckle. A faint smile played on his lips as he casually turned his gaze away, seemingly unbothered by her words.

"Don’t worry about me. I can handle my brother."

Natasha continued staring at him, as though trying to determine whether he genuinely believed what he had just said. After a moment, however, she seemed to remember something.

She leaned slightly closer and lowered her voice.

"There’s something else. Apparently, there are other powerful people here. Someone told me about a blue-haired girl."

Aaron blinked.

’Turns out the girl is popular.’

He was just about to respond when a familiar voice suddenly rang across the sunlit grassland, cutting through the scattered conversations.

"Alright, we’re done with the preparations."

The announcement immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Aaron turned towards the podium, as did the other students. Hundreds of gazes converged on the elegantly dressed Butler, who stood beside the mysterious orb with his usual composed demeanor.

He surveyed the assembled students for a brief moment before speaking.

"You have all been assigned numbers according to your proximity to the orb."

His gloved fingers slowly brushed through his neatly maintained beard. He allowed his words to sink in before continuing.

"Look at the ground beneath your feet. All of you. You’ll find a number displayed there."

The students exchanged confused glances before lowering their heads.

And sure enough, beneath their feet were three brightly glowing digits, shimmering against the grassy soil.

A wave of murmurs immediately swept through the crowd.

Some students bent down for a closer look, while others turned their heads to examine the numbers beneath their neighbors’ feet. A few even began comparing their positions, seemingly trying to figure out whether their assigned numbers meant anything beyond their proximity to the orb.

The Butler paid them little attention.

"The number displayed beneath your feet is your assigned number. There are eight hundred and sixty students present, so naturally, we’ll be proceeding all the way to number eight hundred and sixty."

He paused, allowing the information to settle before adopting a slightly more instructive tone.

"Once your number is called, you will step forward and place your hand on the orb beside me."

He raised his arm and pointed towards the enormous sphere.

The orb stood silently beside him, its smooth surface reflecting the sunlight. Despite its seemingly ordinary appearance, there was something strangely captivating about it. It possessed no visible markings, inscriptions, or elaborate decorations. Yet every student present understood the significance of the object.

Their entire future could very well depend on what happened when they touched it.

The Butler continued.

"If the orb emits a cream-coloured glow beneath your touch, then congratulations! You possess a First-Dimensional Nature. Your house will be handsomely rewarded for producing an individual with such talent."

He lowered his pointing hand and clasped both palms behind his back.

"If, however, the orb emits a silver glow, then congratulations! You possess a Second-Dimensional Nature."

His expression remained composed, but his voice carried a subtle weight as he continued.

"The future of this world might someday rest upon your shoulders. Your house will not only receive generous rewards but will also be greatly honoured. It will be conferred the status of a high-ranking noble house."

A sudden wave of impressed murmurs swept through the students.

Becoming a noble was already enough to completely transform an individual’s social standing. It meant wealth, influence, privileges, and a position far above that of an ordinary citizen.

But becoming a high-ranking noble?

That was an entirely different matter.

For most of the students gathered there, such a possibility was almost beyond imagination.

The Butler allowed their excitement to linger for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Lastly, if the orb emits a white glow beneath your touch..."

He suddenly broke into a hearty chuckle, shaking his head slightly as though the very thought amused him.

"That is highly improbable."

His laughter gradually subsided, and he continued in a noticeably lower tone.

"However, should such a thing happen, the individual would possess a Third-Dimensional Nature. Such an existence would henceforth become instrumental in the major affairs of this world."

His lips curled into a wide smile.

"As for the reward..."

He deliberately paused.

Unclasping his hands from behind his back, he took a few leisurely steps towards the orb. His eyes remained fixed on its smooth surface, as though he had momentarily forgotten the hundreds of students waiting for him to continue.

Then, without even turning around, he casually announced:

"I don’t know."

Silence.

For a brief moment, the entire grassland seemed to have fallen into an unusual stillness.

Several students exchanged bewildered glances.

Some looked at the Butler as though they weren’t certain whether they had heard him correctly, while others stared at the orb, wondering if there was some hidden meaning behind his words.

But the Butler offered no explanation.

He simply stood there, gazing at the orb.

Then...

Without the slightest warning, he swiftly turned towards the assembled students.

"Number one!"

A tall, well-built boy immediately jolted. For a moment, he stood frozen, seemingly unable to believe that his number had been called so soon.

However, when hundreds of eyes suddenly shifted towards him, the reality of the situation finally sank in.

He was the closest student to the orb.

And consequently, he was the first to undergo the assessment.

The boy swallowed nervously before taking his first step.

His legs trembled slightly as he made his way towards the podium. Although he tried to maintain his composure, the uneasiness written all over his face betrayed him.

After all, this wasn’t an ordinary examination.

The result of this single interaction could determine his future, the standing of his family, and perhaps even the course of his entire life.

He eventually arrived before the orb.