Deciding

After Toga's queue number was called, he entered the designated room. The room was small, only about 4 x 4 meters, with a table and chair in the center, resembling an interrogation room.

"Toga Schweintiger, age 13, from Olpag City, possessing a high-class absorption core with a dark affinity," read out the results of Toga's awakening test.

"It surprises me that you have a peak heaven-class absorption core."

"But…"

The officer stopped speaking and shook his head, as if having a peak heaven-class absorption core was not something remarkable.

"It's true you have a peak heaven-class absorption core and great potential to become a formidable Aden warrior, but your affinity is darkness.

You must understand that everyone has different affinities, which means each person has their own development techniques to absorb 'Ken' according to their affinity.

For those just starting on the path of an Aden warrior, they must adapt to their affinity environment. At our academy, Forth North Academy, we don't have development techniques for the dark affinity."

Hearing this, Toga felt disappointed.

"But if you are willing, we will try to help you develop. You are accepted to join Forth North Academy, but the likelihood of you progressing is small.

I suggest you consider Peak of Darkness Academy. It's the only academy on the northern continent that emphasizes dark affinity and might allow you to develop better."

Toga felt both happy and sad upon hearing this, happy that he had a high-class absorption core and was accepted into Forth North Academy, but also sad because the path ahead might be challenging for him.

"If you still want to join Forth North, come tomorrow to register as a student."

After everything was finished, Toga walked out of the room.

"Toga! What happened? Did you get accepted?" Kevin, who was waiting outside, asked.

"Yes, I got accepted, but there's a slight problem. I have a dark affinity, and Forth North Academy doesn't have development techniques for dark affinity, so it might be difficult for me to progress there."

"Dark affinity? I've never heard of anyone having a dark affinity. It's indeed a rare affinity."

"You're right, it's quite troublesome for me."

"What will you do? Will you still join Forth North Academy?"

"I got a suggestion from the officer inside to join Peak of Darkness Academy because they are the only ones emphasizing dark affinity on the northern continent. Peak of Darkness Academy was also my second choice. I think I will try there first."

Toga then bid farewell to Kevin and hurried towards Peak of Darkness Academy.

Toga walked briskly towards the end of the Aden Warriors Academy registration center, where Peak of Darkness Academy was located.

Upon reaching the end of the street, Toga saw tent number 99, a dark-colored tent that was indeed very small compared to Forth North Academy's tent.

There was no guard at the entrance to Peak of Darkness Academy's tent.

Toga decided to walk into the tent. Inside, he saw a man in his 30s standing by the entrance of the room.

"Excuse me, I'd like to try joining Peak of Darkness Academy."

"You can submit your absorption core awakening test results and enter the room."

Toga was puzzled as he didn't receive a queue number like at Forth North Academy. "Is there no one else trying to join Peak of Darkness Academy?" Toga wondered.

After submitting his awakening test results, he quickly walked into the instructed room.

The room was very small, just enough for two people to stand side by side, and the atmosphere inside was eerie, like entering the cell of a criminal who had committed heinous acts, making people feel uneasy and wanting to leave quickly.

The officer in the room was sitting leisurely in a corner, wearing a dark black robe with his face covered by a mask, revealing only his pitch-black eyes that resembled the darkness of a bottomless abyss.

"Toga Schweintiger, age 13, from Olpag City, possessing a high-class absorption core with a dark affinity," the officer read the results.

"Do you know your parents' background?"

"I don't know, sir. I was left in Olpag City when I was 7 years old."

"Before being left in Olpag City, where did you live?"

Toga tried to recall where he lived before being abandoned in Olpag City. But he had no memory of it and felt a headache when trying to remember anything before he was 7 years old.

"I'm not sure because many memories are missing. I only know I was left in Olpag City by my parents when I was 7."

"Young man, do you know that dark affinity is rare and very few people possess it?"

"Yes, sir, I know that dark affinity is rarely found in anyone."

"Because you know this, you should also know that to develop your dark affinity, you must join us. But even with us…"

The examiner suddenly stopped speaking and abruptly announced that Toga had been accepted into Peak of Darkness Academy.

"Toga Schweintiger, you are accepted to join Peak of Darkness Academy. You can become a student at our academy tomorrow. I hope you join us with your talent and dark affinity; no place is better than our academy."

Toga then left the room, and now he had to decide which academy to join. He had been accepted into both of his chosen academies, one of which was even the best on the northern continent.

Toga decided to return to his lodging as it was getting dark. In his room, the boy sat on his bed, seemingly deep in thought. It was Toga who was pondering which academy to choose.

"What should I choose, Forth North Academy, the best academy, or Peak of Darkness Academy, which suits my dark affinity?"

"But if I think about better development, it seems I should choose Peak of Darkness Academy. Even though Forth North Academy is the best on the northern continent, it would be useless because they even said it would be difficult for me to progress there."

Toga then decided which academy to join. He soon went to sleep, ready to join the chosen academy the next day.