“I see at least one of you isn’t a coward,” Oswald remarked, his deep voice tinged with amusement, but there was a hint of respect in it. He watched Elizabeth intently, a faint smile playing on his lips as if analyzing the process about to unfold.

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, her fingers grazing the surface of the sphere. The instant she made contact, the sphere flared to life with a golden glow, radiating an intense light that engulfed the entire room. The brilliance lasted only a few seconds, but it left us all speechless. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the light vanished, and the sphere returned to its gentle, steady glow.

“Next,” Leopold said, his calm tone a stark contrast to the overwhelming intensity of the moment. He seemed to expect us to move through the process without hesitation.

Elizabeth frowned slightly, her gaze fixed on the sphere as if trying to make sense of what had just happened. “Huh? That was... strange. I didn’t even feel anything,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of frustration. She turned to Leopold, clearly expecting an explanation.

Leopold offered a small, knowing smile, as though he had anticipated her reaction. “I told you it would be quick, and that there was no need to worry,” he replied, his voice smooth and almost reassuring. “The process is subtle, yet highly effective. The sphere’s purpose isn’t to cause discomfort; its work is more... internal.”

Oswald chuckled softly, his low laugh suggesting he found Elizabeth’s reaction mildly entertaining.

After Elizabeth, we stepped forward one by one, following the order we had entered the guild in the game. With each touch of the sphere, a distinct light filled the room. It was as if the sphere resonated with the unique essence of each of our souls, reflecting it in a vibrant, personalized display.

When Benjamin placed his hand on the sphere, the light that emanated from it was a rich, earthen brown, streaked with deep red and hints of black, creating a grounded yet ominous glow.

Carlos followed. As his hand connected with the sphere, the light it released was a deep, shadowy black, interspersed with silver sparks that shimmered like tiny stars in motion.

Next was Midori, her demeanor calm and composed. The sphere responded to her touch with a deep, serene blue, pure and almost celestial, softened by gentle strokes of white that spread outward like drifting clouds.

Luca approached confidently, his steps steady as he placed his hand on the sphere. The light that emerged was a vibrant, lively green, interwoven with vivid purple hues that pulsed rhythmically, as if alive and brimming with energy.

Nicole, her gaze fixed intently on the sphere, placed her hand on it with a determined expression. The light that emerged was a vivid crimson, streaked with shades of orange and yellow, like a flame struggling to stay alive, flickering with resilience.

Finally, it was my turn. My heart pounded, a whirlwind of emotions stirring in my chest as I cautiously approached the sphere. My hand trembled slightly—a blend of nervousness and curiosity. When I finally placed my palm on the translucent surface, something remarkable happened.

A deep, otherworldly glow emerged from the sphere. Unlike the others, my light wasn’t vibrant or radiant. Instead, it was a profound blackness, enigmatic and mesmerizing, as if I were touching the very essence of the void. Within the darkness, countless specks of color shimmered like distant stars scattered across a vast, hidden galaxy. The glow seemed to have a life of its own, expanding and swirling, evoking an overwhelming sense of immensity.

‘It’s… beautiful,’ I thought, though there was an unsettling quality to its beauty.

Time seemed to slow, as if the moment existed outside my understanding. I couldn’t look away; the black light, filled with flickering colors, dominated my vision, immersing me in its endless depths.

Finally, the glow began to fade, and the room returned to its natural state. A faint sense of relief washed over me, though I still felt deeply affected by the experience.

Leopold, clearly pleased with the outcome, paused briefly before speaking. “Well, the easy part is done. Now comes the boring part,” he said with a subtle smile.

His tone shifted, becoming more serious. “This sphere, beyond what I’ve already explained, also allows us to glimpse your potential in various areas—starting with elemental affinity. And in your case, I must say it’s remarkable. You all possess affinities with nearly all elements, with most of them ranking from intermediate to high.” He looked at us expectantly, as if hoping we’d grasp the significance of this revelation.

“And… that’s a good thing?” I asked, though I had a faint idea of the answer.

“In our world, there are various types of magic, but the most common and widely used is elemental magic,” Leopold explained, his smile widening slightly. “To use it, one must have an affinity for the elements. These affinities are graded—ranging from inferior, common, intermediate, high, and perfect.”

Leopold’s gaze grew sharper, more analytical. “Additionally, the sphere provides insight into your academic and physical potential to some extent. This helps us guide you toward paths that suit you best for your development. It also allows us to determine the optimal genetics for your new bodies.”

A heavy silence descended upon the group, tension thickening in the air. Then, Benjamin broke the quiet, his expression a mix of confusion and alarm. “Wait… new bodies?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief, as though struggling to process the full weight of what Leopold had just revealed.