"You're a strong Internal Manipulator," Lillia said, studying the Pathfinder. "...And it appears you have a very high chance of awakening a unique skill."
Ester couldn't have been surprised if she wanted to. It made sense.
How she was able to overpower her uncle. How she was able to lift the seemingly impossible rock during Burnad's training.
It all fit together.
What she didn't understand was why Lillia looked so surprised.
"…What's a unique skill?" Ester asked quietly.
Markos smiled.
"Don't worry," he said. "We'll get to that."
Ester returned to her place as Arthur was called forward. He offered her an awkward smile.
She answered with an uncomfortable glance away.
"...What did they say?" Saphy whispered.
"I'm an Internal Manipulator." Ester shrugged. "Apparently I have a high chance of awakening a so-called unique skill."
Saphy frowned, her eyes drifting between Ester and Kris. They were among the few whose Pathfinders had reacted so strongly.
Ester noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" Saphy narrowed her eyes. "It's just… the Unique skill gem barely lit up for me."
Kris glanced at her.
"...You're not happy with your rare dual affinity?"
Saphy flinched. She noticed several of the other Starless stealing both jealous and curious glances at her.
"N-no..! I just… I don't know what it means..."
"It means you're special," Ester said with a smile.
Saphy gave her an embarrassed shove that made her burst into laughter. By the time she managed to catch her breath, the field had fallen silent as they stared at Arthur.
The instructors watched the Pathfinder with puzzled expressions.
"...We should've expected this," Burnad grunted.
"Expected what?" Arthur asked nervously.
"You're not a traditional Synchrite," Lillia said, resting a finger against her lips. "So the Pathfinder may not be able to read you properly."
"It's the same with Beast Bounds." Markos scratched his head with a sigh.
Arthur frowned, cocking his head to the side.
"She says.." he began. "...She says the enchanted item is…" He paused, apparently deciding against repeating Brea's exact words. "...Not good."
The field was silent until Markos burst into laughter.
"So...So the Phoenix has a sense of humour, huh?"
He chuckled as he ruffled Arthur's hair.
"What does that mean for me… I can't be assessed?"
"It shouldn't be much of a problem for now." Burnad said. "We'll simply consider you a Pure Synchrite...Someone who already has an understanding of their own abilities."
Arthur looked confused before Markos tapped his forehead. Arthur realised what he was referring to.
"Listen to her."
He gave a small nod before walking back, instinctively leaving a respectful gap between himself and Ester.
She noticed.
They all did.
The instructors continued assessing the remaining Starless until the final student had been called, gathering the Pure Synchrites and the Awakened together once more.
Markos stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the crowd.
"Hands up if you are a sole Internal Manipulator."
Around forty hands rose into the air.
Ester raised her own hand, noticing Se'raf and Gideon doing the same. Beside her, Kris lazily lifted his just enough to count.
Markos nodded.
"Now...raise your hand if you are a sole External Manipulator."
Roughly thirty Starless responded. Ezekiel's hand was the first in the air, quickly followed by Geire, who had appeared out of nowhere, irritating him.
Arthur hesitated for a moment before shyly raising his own hand, earning a few surprised glances from everyone.
"Good…" Markos said. "Now, hands up if you can use both."
The remaining ten Starless, including Saphy, raised their hands.
A small smile crossed Markos's face before he cleared his throat. "So..that's eleven including Lucius… who decided he didn't want to attend Starless training.."
"I'm only required to participate in the Trails, nothing else." Arthur recited next to her.
He had left the second he finished eating after the spar between Ezekiel and Se'raf, flying to who knows where.
"What can you do." Burnad grunted.
Markos continued,
"With the Chimera Cross Trails approaching, all of you will receive lesson schedules based on your respective paths."
Ester caught the way Saphy slowly stiffened beside her.
"If you don't understand something for whatever reason." Markos continued, "find a maid, one of us, or a Starred student. Someone will point you in the right direction."
Saphy quietly let out the breath she'd been holding.
"Now then…" Markos gestured toward the other Instructors. "Each of us specialises in different areas."
"Burnad teaches everything related to Internal Manipulation, body training." He glanced towards the hulking instructor with a grin. "He can also help those fortunate enough to awaken a unique skill."
He exchanged a warm look with Lillia.
"Lillia teaches theory. Chimera history and the foundations behind everything you'll learn. And I-"
"Ahem." Lillia coughed loudly.
Markos paused before sighing dramatically.
"...And she can help those with Flo beasts and beast bonding."
She looked content.
"And I…" He straightened his posture. "..Teach Combat mastery and Resonance Arms control."
Excited murmurs rippled through the Starless.
"You are Starless, so every lesson is mandatory." Burnad continued. "You will all get breaks so laziness is unacceptable"
Markos clasped his hands behind his back as the murmurs gradually died away.
"Now.."
His gaze drifted across the Starless.
"What exactly is an Internal Manipulator..and an External Manipulator?"