Choise

[Anna's POV]

When I received the results of my two tests, I honestly didn't know how to react.

I had always considered myself weak, both physically and mentally.

Who would have thought that I, of all people, would awaken a semi-divine potential and an innate affinity with the mind element, known for its mental strength and intelligence?

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, several reporters approached me and bombarded me with questions.

I felt overwhelmed until a man who claimed to be a representative of the Ascension guild appeared.

After a brief confrontation with the examiner, they decided to put my recruitment on hold and implant the system first.

They took me to a room where Merida was waiting.

"We're going to implant the latest version of the system in this girl," the examiner told Merida.

"Oh? Has this girl awakened a high potential?" the old woman said curiously.

The instructor nodded and handed her a tablet.

Merida's eyes widened in surprise.

"To think that in this small town, there would be someone with potential rivaling the children of the capital," she exclaimed.

They instructed me to sit on a bed.

Merida picked up a chip from a table and infused it with light magic.

She brought it close to my forehead and began to transfer it into my head.

I could feel it moving inside my head until it finally settled in a fixed position.

[Welcome Anna to version 1.8 of the system. Say 'Status' to continue.]

Without waiting for the instructor's order, I said "status."

In front of me, a golden screen appeared.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Name]: Anna (9 years old)

[Race]: Human

[Profession]: Unlocks in: 4 years, 23 hours, 5 minutes, 13 seconds

[Affinities]: Fire (high) Mind (Innate)

[Bloodline ability]: Unlocks when reaching 2 rings

[Skills]: None

[Combat arts]: Assigned when turning 12

[Power]: 0

[Potential]: Mid semi-divine (min 7 rings)

[Affiliation]: None

[Overall evaluation]: The host has great talent. They should correct their cowardly attitude and adopt a more proud one in line with their potential. With effort and diligent training, they could become one of the top 100 strongest individuals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------They are currently confused.

I stared fixedly at the screen in front of me, fascinated.

"It seems like you liked it. This system not only reads mana more accurately than its previous versions but also provides personal observations for better performance," said the instructor proudly.

"Well, putting that aside, here is a contract with the Ascension guild for you to join as soon as possible," said the man called Winston.

Just before he could speak, a sweaty red-haired man intervened.

"Not so fast," he said.

As he appeared, the Ascension representative made a displeased expression.

"I didn't expect the Iron Lions' dogs to be so quick."

"At least we follow the procedure to recruit in a legal manner."

Sparks flew between their gazes, making it clear the hostility they felt toward each other.

Without wasting time, the red-haired man approached me and said:

"Hello Anna, my name is Jacob, a representative of the Iron Lions, and we're very interested in having you in our guild."

Although Winston seemed angry, he couldn't do anything.

They both presented their contracts to me.

I read them carefully and noticed that they were very similar in five points:

- You will be allowed access to our best facilities and receive the best education.

- If you betray the guild in any way, this contract will be canceled.

- Resources will be provided for your progress. - You will have to move to the main headquarters in the capital.

--You will be provided with a permanent position at the "Agora" academy.

There wasn't much difference between the two contracts, so I really didn't know which one to choose.

"So, which one will you choose?" Jacob and Winston asked me simultaneously.

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I left the Lotus building exhausted. In the end, I ended up choosing the Iron Lions because most of their members use the [Fire] element, and I felt like I could learn a lot more from them.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about this town.

I only received their contempt, and I never felt comfortable here, as if it had never been my home.

Only two people made me feel loved, Liam and Peter, so I didn't exactly know how to tell them that I was leaving.

When I arrived at the park where we had agreed to meet after the evaluation test, I didn't know exactly how to break the news to them.

As usual, they joked with me and congratulated me on my semi-divine rank.

It wasn't until they noticed my expression that they realized something was wrong.

When I finally gathered the courage to speak, I told them:

"I'm leaving Millwood."

Peter almost fell off his chair, and Liam remained calm, as if he had expected this from the beginning.

At first, they bombarded me with questions to which I didn't know how to respond.

Eventually, I couldn't hold it back and burst into tears.

My friends hugged me and comforted me.

When I finally calmed down, an uncomfortable silence settled among us.

"So... when are you leaving?" Liam asked, breaking the silence around us.

"I'm leaving in 3 days. I'll miss you," I replied.

"Then we still have 3 days to spend together," Peter said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, I guess," I said in a subdued tone.

Then, we talked a bit, and they told me several times that they would miss me until we finally decided to go home.

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Meanwhile, inside the parish, the priest was praying to a statue as usual.

"Father, I awakened an [Astral] potential," said a blond boy.

The father, with a look of pure indifference, told his own son:

"Well done."

Leo left with an expressionless face, leaving his father alone.

"Today is full moon again. It's time," murmured the father.

He took out a vial, this time filled with black liquid, and sprinkled it over the statue.

The statue began to glow, and meaningless words appeared on the floor.

The expression on the priest's face crumbled, replacing the previously expressionless look with one of pure anger and frustration.

"So much... so much time trying, but it's always the same! I've tried to improve the sacrifices, but it's never enough! Give me orders, God, give them to me for once!"

Suddenly, the previously indescribable words formed a sentence.

[My herald, wipe out the entire population of this accursed town in less than 3 days, and you will be rewarded].