SSS-Rank Awakening: My Talent Multiplies Everything novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Hunter Exam [2.]

The young staff member led him down a corridor and stopped at a door that looked like any other in the building, pushing it open to reveal a small room.

It was clean. Almost too clean.

White walls, clinical lighting, and nothing else except for a single object resting on a low platform at the centre of the room. It looked like a slab of crystal, clear in a way that felt almost unnatural, like looking through still water into nothing.

"Place your hand on the surface," the staff member said, gesturing towards it.

Kael stepped forward without hesitation and pressed his palm against it. Warmth surged through him instantly, rushing from his hand through his entire body as if something was scanning him from the inside. Then just as quickly, it pulled back, flowing into the slab again.

It didn’t hurt. It wasn’t even uncomfortable. Just... intrusive.

A moment later, the crystal glowed with a soft blue light.

The staff member gave a small nod and scribbled something down on his clipboard. "Alright. Come with me."

Kael pulled his hand away and followed. They exited through another corridor, quieter than the last, before stopping in front of another identical door.

"This is the waiting room. You’ll be called when it’s your turn for the next stage. Listen for your registration number." He said nothing after that. The silence itself was the dismissal.

Kael took the hint as he nodded and stepped inside.

The space opened up far wider than he expected. High ceilings, bright lighting, enough room for a large gathering, though only a portion of it was occupied. He glanced around, counting out of habit. Thirty people, maybe a few more, all around his age.

A few heads turned when he entered, curious for a moment before looking away again.

Kael didn’t mind. He moved toward a corner and settled in, letting the silence stretch.

It didn’t last.

Heavy footsteps broke through the stillness.

Kael looked up as someone approached. A boy around his age, broad-shouldered with a solid build that hinted at strength without trying. But what stood out wasn’t his physique.

It was his face.

He looked happy. Not just relaxed or friendly, but genuinely, almost strangely happy, as if nothing in the world had ever given him a reason not to be.

Their eyes met, and the boy flashed a wide, easy smile. It wasn’t forced. It came naturally.

"You look green. First time taking the exam?"

Kael paused briefly, then nodded. "Yeah. First time."

The boy’s face split into a grin like a child whose guess had just been confirmed by a trusted adult. "Called it."

Then his grin slowly died of as he scratched the back of his head before extending his hand. "My bad. Adam."

Kael took it. "Cool name. Kael."

"Kael..." Adam repeated, like he was testing the sound of it. "Sounds good."

For a brief second, something in his tone shifted, subtle but noticeable.

Is he insecure about his own name or something? 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Before the thought could settle, Adam was already back to normal. "You seem pretty nervous."

Kael blinked. Nervous?

He was about to respond, but Adam stepped closer and gave him a firm pat on the back, like they’d known each other for years.

"Relax. Failing isn’t the end of the world. You can always try again next year. It’s not a big deal."

Kael just stared at him.

First of all, who was nervous? And second... who was planning to fail?

If anything, his only concern was how well he would perform.

His silence seemed to confirm whatever Adam had already decided, because the pats on his back grew even more encouraging.

Before Kael could stop him, a voice cut in.

"Adam, get away from him. Don’t jinx it."

Kael turned to see a girl approaching. Blonde hair tied into neat pigtails, light leather armor fitted comfortably over her frame, with gloves, boots, and a bow resting across her back alongside a quiver of arrows. She looked prepared.

Adam placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "Come on, Zoey. I was just encouraging my buddy here."

Kael raised a brow. Buddy?

Zoey didn’t look convinced. "You’re not encouraging him. You’re crowding him."

Then she turned to Kael. "Don’t mind this airhead. He does this all the time."

"I noticed," Kael said. "He seems... friendly."

"Maybe a little too friendly," she replied.

She extended her hand. "Zoey."

"Kael."

He glanced between them. "You guys seem close."

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