Arjun stepped forward.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him.
Some curious.
Some mocking.
"Another nobody," someone whispered.
He ignored them.
Standing before the elder, he spoke calmly.
"I want to join."
The elder didn't even look at him.
"Hand."
Arjun placed his palm on the crystal.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
A faint glow appeared.
Then stronger.
Then—
Dark energy flickered.
The crystal trembled.
The elder's eyes snapped open.
"What…?"
Arjun immediately withdrew his hand.
The glow disappeared.
Silence.
The elder stared at him deeply.
"…Accepted."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"That wasn't normal…"
"What kind of energy was that?"
Arjun turned and walked inside.
Unbothered.
But behind him—
The elder's gaze remained fixed.
"That boy…"
"…is dangerous."