The massive screen flickered violently, static crawling along its edges before stabilizing. A low hum filled the air as the names and rankings locked into place.

  Current Rankings:

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd as students leaned forward, eyes darting across the list. Whispers turned into gasps when they saw my name at the top.

  "That has to be a mistake." A noble’s voice cut through the noise, dripping with disbelief.

  "No way," another muttered. "He's not even one of us."

  I stared at my name. Not just my name—but the classification beside it. ???.

  My stomach tightened. Why the hell was I ranked first? And why didn’t I have a class like everyone else?

  The screen flickered again. I swore, for a split second, my name glitched, replaced by something unreadable—an error in the system.

  Then, just as quickly, it stabilized.

  A chuckle echoed through the speakers. ALL. The shifting, faceless entity loomed over us from the monitor.

  “Ooooh, how interesting.”

  I clenched my fists. It knew. It had done this on purpose.

  Beside me, Rath let out a low whistle, his fangs flashing in a grin. “Damn, Elias. First place? Didn’t take you for a prodigy.”

  Vera, however, didn’t look amused. Her brow furrowed. "This isn’t right. Something’s off."

  Before I could respond, a sharp laugh rang out.

  Damian Graves sneered, arms crossed. "First place? Over an actual Sentinel candidate? Please. Enjoy it while it lasts."

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  I exhaled slowly. I wasn’t about to get into a pissing contest over something I didn’t even understand myself.

  ALL’s voice returned, sing-song and grating. “Now, now! No need to get too worked up! We still have another trial ahead!”

  The monitor flickered ominously. “And this next one? It’s my favorite.”

  A robed priest stepped forward, his deep, solemn voice cutting through the murmuring crowd.

  “In front of you all, you will find relics of the old world,” he intoned. “Approach them. Seek their true nature. You will be judged on your proficiency and will be issued a relic that resonates with you.” His gaze darkened. “Not everyone will find a match. Do not despair. This test will determine how close you are to ALL.”

  Students murmured among themselves, some shifting nervously, others eager to begin.

  In front of us lay rows of relics—old, rusted objects from a world long gone. A pocket watch. A worn-out revolver. A blade, its edge dulled with time. Each one seemed so... ordinary. But they weren’t.

  I could feel it.

  The moment I stepped closer, the air changed. A subtle hum, almost like static, crawled across my skin. These weren’t just objects. They were alive in a way I couldn’t explain.

  Other students hesitated, unsure where to start. Some picked up relics at random, only to feel... nothing.

  Not me.

  My hand hovered over a pocket watch. Something about it pulled at me—a strange familiarity I couldn’t shake. I reached for it—

  The moment my fingers brushed the metal, a surge of energy exploded through my body.

  A sharp, erratic pulse—like my own heartbeat, but out of sync. The world blurred.

  Then, suddenly—

  I was somewhere else.

  The sun beat down on an endless expanse of burning sand. My vision swam, heatwaves distorting the air. A shadow loomed in the distance—a figure, barely visible against the sun.

  A voice—not mine, not from this world—whispered in my ear:

  “The clock is ticking.”

  Then, just as quickly—

  I was back.

  My vision snapped into focus. The relic flew from my hand, hitting the table with a metallic clang.

  Silence.

  The priest watching me narrowed his eyes. I could tell—this wasn’t normal.

  “What just happened?” Vera whispered beside me.

  I swallowed hard. “I... don’t know.”

  ALL’s voice broke the tension, amused.

  “Oh dear, Elias. That was... unexpected.”

  The students turned, watching as the pocket watch vibrated, then went still.

  ALL chuckled. “No worries! Some relics just aren’t meant to be held by the wrong hands.”

  Wrong hands?

  I clenched my jaw. What did that mean?

  The trial continued, but the damage was done.

  I had drawn too much attention.

  And something told me—ALL wanted it that way.

  As the test concluded, ALL’s voice returned, the monitor flickering once more.

  “Well done, everyone! Some of you showed promise. Some of you, well...”

  It laughed. “Maybe next time.”

  Then, the tone shifted—soft, almost eerie.

  “Now, it’s time for your final step.”

  A mechanical whir filled the air. A door slid open at the base of the monitor.

  Students exchanged glances.

  ALL’s voice hummed with satisfaction.

  “Step inside. ALL will now place you where you belong.”

  One by one, the students obeyed.

  And they didn’t come back.

  I took a deep breath. I was next.