The gym trainer stepped forward. "You can see the four testing stations before you. The first is, of course, the mana meter. It determines your class. It’s the most basic and, at the same time, the most important test."

’Don’t tell me if the mana meter can’t detect my mana, the college won’t even let me take the rest of the tests,’ Leon thought.

"The second," the gym trainer continued, "is the combat dummy. You may either strike it with a punch or attack it using a spell. The third is the jumping lane, designed to measure speed and explosive power. Not everyone possesses a warrior-type ability. Some specialize in speed instead."

He then pointed toward the circular platform.

"The last one is the gravity circle. It tests your endurance and physical resilience, making it especially suitable for tank-type Awakeners. With these four tests, we can accurately evaluate your overall capabilities regardless of what type of ability you possess."

He swept his gaze across the room. "Any questions?"

Leon slowly raised his hand.

"Yes?" the gym trainer said.

Many pairs of eyes turned toward him. The young woman who had followed the class did the same.

"If someone fails the first test, will they be disqualified from taking the remaining three?"

The gym trainer frowned slightly. "What kind of question is that? If the mana meter can’t detect your class, it means you have no power. Without power, what’s the point of taking the other tests?"

"Maybe." Leon nodded. "But I heard that the qualification for joining the military training camp is having the ability to endure hardships at that level, not necessarily being in a class."

"Well... aren’t those basically the same thing?" The gym trainer replied with an awkward smile.

"I don’t think so." Leon met his gaze calmly. "I believe I should be allowed to take all four tests. If I still fail to prove my worth after that, then I’ll accept being disqualified."

Confused whispers immediately spread through the room.

"What is he talking about? Is he not confident about passing the test?"

"I don’t think that’s it," another student whispered. "He fought real monsters before. And they weren’t weak either. They were all D-Class."

"Exactly. Nick even had strong people backing him. There’s no way Leon could’ve defeated them without any ability."

"Then why is he saying all this?"

"Who knows? Let’s just wait and see."

The gym trainer and the teacher exchanged uncertain glances.

This was the first time either of them had encountered such a question. At least, it was for people at their level, just like Nelson from the Hunter Association had been.

"Let him take them." Miss Cicimore’s voice suddenly rang through the chamber.

"Even if the mana meter doesn’t detect any class, let him complete the remaining tests."

Leon looked at her gratefully and gave a respectful bow.

"Very well." The teacher nodded. "We’ll do as Miss Cicimore suggested."

The gym trainer shrugged. "Works for me. It’s not like I’ll lose anything by letting him try."

He glanced down at the list in his hand.

"Let’s begin. I have everyone’s names here. I’ll call you one by one. When your name is called, step forward and complete each test. Is that clear?"

"Yes!" Some answered aloud.

Others simply nodded.

And with that...

The assessment finally began.

"Molly," the gym trainer called.

A young woman stepped forward and walked toward the monolith. She placed her palm against its smooth surface.

Instantly, the monolith emitted a soft glow.

"F-Class," the trainer announced.

Molly nodded before returning to her place.

"Next, James."

A young man stepped forward, rolling his shoulders with a confident grin. "Let me show you how it’s done."

He strode up to the monolith and pressed his hand against it.

This time, the glow was noticeably brighter.

"E-Class," the trainer announced, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

James brushed the tip of his nose proudly before walking back.

"That’s our class representative for you!" Cheers immediately rose from several students.

One after another, more names were called.

Some returned with smiles on their faces.

Others walked back with gloomy expressions.

After more than twenty students had completed the test, the gym trainer called out once again.

"Leon."

Leon calmly stepped forward and walked toward the monolith under everyone’s watchful gaze.

The young woman’s eyes immediately settled on him.

"It’s him... Where have I seen him before?" She tried hard to remember but still couldn’t.

Leon stopped in front of the monolith.

Everyone fixed their eyes on him, anticipation filling the room.

"What class do you think he is?" one student whispered.

"At least C-Class. There’s no way he could’ve dealt with those monsters alone otherwise."

"Yeah. He might even be stronger than that," the girl who had earlier asked whether Leon had a girlfriend said excitedly.

Leon slowly raised his hand. There was no unnecessary drama. Neither too fast nor too slow. His palm rested against the monolith’s smooth surface.

The entire chamber fell silent. Some watched with anticipation. Others with jealousy.

But...

One second.

Two seconds.

Five seconds passed.

Yet the monolith remained completely still. Not even the faintest glow appeared.

Leon quietly withdrew his hand, turned around, and walked back toward his place beneath everyone’s stunned gazes.

The silence grew deeper.

"What? How?" The girl who had been curious about Leon’s girlfriend covered her mouth in shock.

"No class? What the hell? How is that even possible?" Another student whispered in disbelief.

"Was that fight with Nick and his men all just an act?" A chubby boy chimed in.

"I don’t think so. Then how do you explain the gate outbreak? Were those monsters putting on a show too?" Another girl tried to defend.

"I don’t know about that, but I think he’s definitely a fraud. No wonder he asked what would happen if he failed the mana assessment. He knew from the beginning that his lie was about to be exposed." The chubby boy shook his head and said.

The whispers spread through the chamber like wildfire.

Yet Leon remained completely unfazed. He had expected this reaction from the very beginning. And he knew it, too.

It wouldn’t be long before the tide turned.