When Vlad reached the main hall again, it was filled with an unusual number of spectators. The entire upper hall was packed with a writhing mass of bodies, standing shoulder to shoulder. A few had more space around them than the others, their elegant attire revealing their higher status.

In the lower hall, where the altar for the Awakening Ritual was placed, along with the teenagers waiting for their turn, those who had already been evaluated still had not left.

The moment Vlad entered, every eye turned toward him, unable to hide the curiosity in their gaze.

"Look, it’s him, the acquaintance of the S+ ranked girl from earlier."

"He didn’t even flinch when the storm erupted in the Holy Church. Doesn’t that mean he could be as talented as her?"

"Are we going to witness two S-rank awakenings on the same day?"

"Hah! No matter their talent rank, in the end, they are just commoners who will serve as dogs for some noble house."

The people murmured in both jealousy and anticipation as Vlad walked toward the altar. The news of Chloe’s rank had already spread throughout the city. She had become the talk of the town because of the chaos her evaluation had caused. Vlad, who had entered as her guardian and remained unfazed during her awakening, was the other subject of attention.

Vlad raised his foot to climb the stairs of the altar when a voice called out to him from behind.

"Greetings, Mr. Vlad. I’m pleased to finally meet you."

Vlad turned to find a tall, middle-aged man behind him. He wore a plain linen shirt, draped with a long coat that reached his knees. His short hazelnut hair rested to one side, styled in an elegant wave.

"Greetings. Do I know you, sir?" Vlad asked. As a commoner, it was surprising for him to be greeted by someone whose very presence exuded nobility.

"I’m Armin Beaumont of House Beaumont and the current mayor of Branton City."

Vlad was momentarily taken aback by Armin’s introduction. What could someone of his status want from him?

Seeing the surprised expression on Vlad’s face, Armin continued with a smug tone. "I heard you wish to become a knight. I’m here to offer you the opportunity to become the official trainee knight of House Beaumont."

He raised his hand, covered by a thin glove, presenting a contract.

’I might have missed the chance to meet that lavender-haired girl, but I must recruit this boy at all costs. He might be just as talented as her. And, from what Lucy informed me, the girl wanted to follow this boy. This is a chance to recruit both of them at once,’ Armin snickered inwardly.

"But I haven’t even been evaluated yet," Vlad said, confused. "I don’t understand the reason for your offer."

’Of course you don’t. You must be too surprised to receive such an offer as a commoner,’ Armin snickered inwardly. "It’s because I can tell from your demeanor that you are destined for greatness, so I want to give you a chance to prove your wor—"

"I apologise, but I have to refuse your offer," Vlad said, abruptly cutting him off before turning to the altar again.

For a moment, Armin remained silent, too stunned to respond.

"W-why are you refusing? It’s a chance for you to change your whole life," Armin blurted, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"I don’t appreciate being investigated without my knowledge," Vlad replied without stopping. He glanced at Armin before adding, "Also, I don’t wish to become just any knight. I will become the Legendary Knight."

A wave of gasps rippled through the teenagers in the hall who stood closer to Vlad and clearly heard his declaration.

’Who does this punk think he is?’ Armin muttered, clenching his fists. ’He dares speak of becoming a Legendary Knight with his filthy commoner’s mouth.’

Embarrassed by Vlad’s open rejection, he turned and moved back to the upper floor.

"Greetings, Father. Thank you for letting us stay in the church," Vlad said to the priest standing beside the sphere.

The priest nodded with a warm smile.

"I apologise for the leak of information," the priest said, his eyes closed. He was referring to the clear intention with which the mayor had approached Vlad. "This will never happen again."

"You need not ask for forgiveness, Father," Vlad replied, feeling flustered. "Should I place my hand on the sphere?" he continued, trying to change the topic.

"Please do," the priest answered with a chuckle.

The moment Vlad touched the sphere, the whole church fell silent as everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Mana from the sphere entered Vlad’s mana circuits, his body radiating a faint glow.

The color of the sphere slowly turned cyan before returning to normal, along with Vlad’s body.

"Huh? That’s it?" someone among the spectators muttered loudly, breaking the stillness.

"Doesn’t the cyan color signify D-rank?" another added, confused.

"Hah... I was a fool to think that two S-ranks would emerge from this city."

The spectators murmured in disappointment, some of them already beginning to leave the church.

But then something unexpected happened, freezing everyone in place. The color of the sphere changed again, this time turning abyssal black. Shadows engulfed the church as the light from the sphere vanished, making it resemble a black hole. It did not end there. Along the surface of the sphere, bolts of crimson lightning danced, cracking the floor beneath with their destructive bursts.

This time, the priest was prepared for any unforeseen accident. With deliberate slowness, his finger moved the bead in his hand, instantly casting a barrier around Vlad.

However, what they expected did not happen. Within a few seconds, the lightning vanished, and the darkness was consumed by the white light of the sphere.

Vlad’s eyebrows knit together as he slowly opened his eyes. All his muscles had gone numb, as if he had just finished an intense workout session.

"Child, you possess D-rank talent for the path of both Knight and Mage, with low to medium affinity for the dual elements of Darkness and Lightning."