CH-2: Ether Aptitudes (2)

"Sean! Did you see that? I am a Yellow!"

"Yeah, I did. I knew it was in you from the moment I knew you were into blondes. Like that Rachel back from—umph!"

"Don't. Say. More." Ben gradually released Sean, prepared to stop him in case he tried to dig up more dirt.

"Yuck! How much did your hands sweat? They stink. Also, did that bear-like guy give you a contract?"

"Yup. Wanna check it out?"

"Can I even see it? Don't those kinds of things have a non-disclosure agreement or something?"

"Even if they do, when did I sign one, you idiot? Just look at the benefits they promise."

"Hmm. Engravings up to Rank 2 Yellow Grade will be provided by the Blackhaven Guild, discounts on equipment maintenance and supply, freedom to choose your district, and priority in Rank 2 and Rank 3 Gate Raids. Damn, they are ripping you off! As a Yellow talent, you are sure to be a 3rd Rank Evolutionary as long as you don't laze around. Discounts are just slightly above those for Oranges, and there's no mention of accommodation or tutors! The only good thing here is the priority given for raids. Don't forget to negotiate if you're thinking of joining Blackhaven. The strongest person they have is a 5th Rank Evolutionary; if you could reach 4th Rank, you'd be set for life."

"Does this come from you or Ms. Hudson?"

"Of course, it's from Ms. Hudson. You know how much she loves to talk about her Evolutionary days." Ms. Hudson, whom they talked about, used to be a 4th Rank Evolutionary before she had an accident, forcing her to retire and settle down. Feeling bored and lonely, she opened an orphanage, taking in kids who lost their families to the Gate Incursions. Although it's been over 30 years since her retirement, she still sings tales of her Gate Raids.

"What do you think I'll get, first Cyan pleb?"

"Nah, at least Violet. No less for my man Sean!"

Time flew by as they got lost in their talk about the future. The line progressed steadily and was nearing its end. There weren't any other Yellow aptitudes, but dozens of Oranges were found, bringing their number to 38 total. The rest were either Infrared or Red, split nearly in half, with Infrared being slightly more. If Ben weren't a Yellow, it would be quite the mid-batch—neither good nor bad.

"It seems like I'm next."

"Yeah, good luck, man. I'll be waiting right here."

As the girl before him got her Infrared result, Sean walked up the stairs, taking a deep breath before touching the crystal.

"Kuh!"

He did not expect it to feel so awkward and uncomfortable. It was like he was some balloon they were trying to inflate by blowing.

"Relax, let the Ether pass through," Sean heard Ryan say. He sounded tired from saying the same thing over and over. Strangely, thinking about it made Sean calmer and more relaxed. After a short fifteen seconds, his assessment was done. He was a Red, with no tinge of Orange. It meant that he was basically the lowest grade one could get if one didn't count the Infrareds, as they were considered talentless.

Sean did not let the result affect him. He was prepared to be an Infrared despite the cocky remarks he made when talking to Ben. He walked to the table beside the crystal to get his form. The forms were not given out before as they would include the results of the assessment and be printed on the spot. Sean took his form from the bear-like judge and happened to hear him cursing under his breath.

"Shit, ending with an Infrared and a Red. I better not go to any raids for a few weeks. Who knows if I'll face a fucking Aberration."

Sean halted briefly. He was baffled to see that maybe the most important time of his life was seen as no more than a game of luck to someone. Although he had no qualms about being a Red before, now he felt inferior. He did not like one bit how he felt. One might think he would have felt inferior before, being an orphan. He hadn't. Probably other orphans hadn't either, at least those whose parents died because of Gate Incursions. They were rather enraged—enraged because they knew what those Incursions took from them. Determined to bring down the Gates and Abominations for good. Sean was like that too. He wanted to go into the Gates and slaughter every single Abomination he saw. But now there was this guy, treating what nearly made humanity go extinct as merely a sport! What took his parents' lives as a joke! He was furious. He wanted to just go and punch that bear-like face, but he knew he couldn't. He was just a normal person, not even engraved yet.

'No, I can still hurt him.' He went down the stairs with a grin.

"Hey, Sean. Don't stress about it. You know you can raise your aptitude, right? Just like Harsen! Think about it, the second-ever person to reach Violet with a starting point of Red. How cool is that!"

"I know, I know. No biggies. It's just a momentary setback, nothing more. Right, let's fill in the forms, shall we?"

They sat in one of the seats in the spectator area, with the forms on their laps. The first page had simple affirmation-type questions, such as age, chronic diseases, residence address, grades, and such. The second page had more personal questions, like their aspirations, what they thought about The War of Liberation, and Abominations in general. Other pages had a list of job offerings according to one's aptitude. As his was Red, the only options were for either Red or Infrared.

"Damn, even my list is this thick," said Sean. "How big will yours be? Is it enough to even fit on a few pages of paper?"

"I don't think it matters, though. I think I will join Blackhaven."

"No, you shouldn't!"

"Huh? Why? If it's about the benefits, I will negotiate the terms. You don't have to worry."

"No, it's not that. I just remembered when I walked up to the stage, there were some shitty rumors about them in the back alleys. Apparently, their lower-ranked members are like thugs. They force the newbies to give up their priority in raids. The upper echelon turns a blind eye to it too."

"Really? Why didn't you say that sooner! I almost joined such a dreadful guild!"

"Sorry, it wasn't on my mind then. But hey, I remembered it before you signed the contract, at least."

"But which one should I join then? All the offers are similar here."

"I think the Dawnrise Guild is good. They have a good rep and more access to Gates than most. It's more likely you'd achieve 4th Rank there. Most important though, don't forget to negotiate."

"I knooow. So where will you be joining? I don't think Dawnrise will take Reds this year."

"I only had one real option after getting Red: I will enroll in the military. They accept almost everyone, and it's the only place where Reds can truly try to raise their aptitude."

Raising one's aptitude wasn't easy. It required Aberration Engravings to forcefully increase it. Although not mandatory to just use Aberration Engravings, it worked best with them. It was said that Harsen, the Hero of the War of Liberation, was the one who found this method and first used it. He raised his aptitude from Red to Violet. Meanwhile, scientists dismissed such unsubstantiated claptrap. It was a common consensus among scientists that Harsen was an Infrared, as he wouldn't have been exposed to Ether before Armageddon. They insisted that under the unique conditions of Jer at that time, he was able to breach the gap between Infrared and Red.

"I heard they don't let you into the Gates before you serve 2 years in the Antarctic, though. Is that alright?"

"Just a bit of cold, nothing much. Also, Ms. Hudson apparently knows some sergeant there, so I should be alright."

"Then does that mean we're separating? The inseparable duo?" Ben teared up when the realization hit; he leaned forward to hug his bro.

"Whoa, slow down, you idiot. We're not going anywhere for another month at least. Even longer if an Incursion happens. Let's throw a party before we set off."

"Right, just got a bit emotional. A party sounds good to me."

"Of course it would. I'm inviting Rachel too."

"You little bastard! Pray that you die in the Antarctic; otherwise, I'll kill you instead!"

Handing in their forms to the officials, they went out of the gymnasium, going home after still bickering along the way.

---

"Sir, won't we try to recruit the Yellow one?" asked one of the officials. He was talking to the man who scared off the bear-like judge.

"No, those with high aptitudes don't want to waste time on military service and would rather go to guilds for their early support. What they don't know is that they will eventually work for the Government. Just like me."